Ever met anyone who (you thought) pronounced their own name wrongly?

[ErmineAndPearls]

Inspired by a few posts on the Secret Confessions thread. I once met a woman called Leigh. She insisted that everyone must call her “Lay”. Also, a whole family whose surname is Onions, but they pronounce it “O’Nyons”. Like, just own it or change the spelling. There are more.

A girl called Sian who insisted her name was pronounced See-Anne

I went to school with a girl called Sian, she pronounced her name Cyan.

I worked beside a Siobhan once who insisted everyone call her SHOWbin - she would get quite huffy if you pronounced it correctly and would correct you 😂

I knew someone called Ciara who pronounced it Kee-ar-a. I was sure in my little head it was Keera.

I notice that with the comedian Issy Suttie, she has a northern accent so pronounces her name “sooty” but have also heard her referenced by people with other accents also saying “sooty” rather than with an “uh” sound.

An ex of DH's who pronounces her name 'Soph- eye- aah'. I had never heard that before, only 'Soph-eee-aah'. DH tells me it is quite a common pronunication though.

Reminds me of Hyacinth (it's Bouquet).

Also, showing my age, there was a character in Simon and the Witch called Mrs Fox-Custard. She pronounced it Folks-Coostar.

My mother went to school with a girl called Fiona (exotic) but she wasn’t happy with how people pronounced it, so she changed her name to Feena to achieve the correct pronounciation.

Was in brownies with a Ghislaine. She pronounced it CheeseLan.
Worked with a guy whose wife was Sian - as pp said, she pronounced it See-Ann.

I know a fair few Naomis who pronounce it Nigh-OH-mee.

Yes! I know someone called Toni. She pronounces it "Tonny", to rhyme with "bonny". I queried it when I first met her, and she said "yes, it's short for An- tonny -ah"

How should they say it ?

A child in my daughters class introduces him self as Keir-ron.
Spely Keiron.

Thought it was just a funny kid thing till I spoke to mum and she did the same.

Like 2 R's or a double barrel name.

Keir-ron.

I know a Niall who pronounces it Neil. Always confused me as I would day 'Nile'

Sean. Said as it's spelt rather than like Shaun. It still confuses me and makes me question if it's me that's been pronouncing it wrong 😕

I know I Sian, pronounced Cyan too.
A Leila, pronounced Lee La rather than Layla.
A Janine pronounced Janeen rather than Jneen.

Not the same, but I once taught a boy called Darn. He would correct anyone who accidentally called him Darren. I strongly suspect that he grew up and quietly changed his name to Darren.

I used to know a Madeline, and she (and her whole family) pronounced it as Madlin.

Have also heard numerous times Harry pronounced as Arry. WTF you would pick a name starting with H if you’re allergic to saying it, I have no idea 🤷‍♀️

I knew someone whose surname was spelled Cheeseborough, but pronounced 'Shezbruh'.

I mean, she obviously knew how the name should be pronounced, but in the brief time I knew her I must have heard her correct people a hundred times or more. I think I'd probably just give up!

NAY-oh-mee

I knew a Cheryl pronounced with a ch- like in chair. I’m sure it’s meant to be pronounced like Sheryl.

I have a Naomi and there doesn't seem to be an accepteed pronunciation, some do Nye-oh-me, some Nay-oh-me, some Nair-me

I know one that pronounced it Namey (nay-me). Can’t fathom it myself.

I went to school with a Sian pronounced SY-Anne

Wife of DH’s friend - Kirsten and insists it’s pronounced ‘Shersten’

Woman was proudly explaining about her daughter's middle name Helene. "It's French and we pronounce it Helen - ay. It's ridiculous and makes them look stupid - fair enough but don't inflict that on your child, and heaven help the child when she starts French lessons at school. Unfair! Rant over!

The same person's family have a peculiar pronunciation of their daughter's first name but that's accidental more to do with their regional accent.