To think that if you have to ask how to pronounce a name, you should not use it for your baby?

[FlyMaybe]

Just that really.

Nobody could pronounce my maiden name. I have an unusual forename too which, although the pronunciation seems obvious, people mistake it for a different but similar name.

As an introverted child, I used to cringe when my name was incorrectly called out by teachers, doctors etc.

Why would you knowingly inflict that upon your child?

I have a first name spelt the more unusual way, automatically shortened by most (why???) and had a very difficult maiden name.

My DC have classic names with the most common/traditional spelling!

.

”It's Elle-eh-noor. Rhymes with door.”

No one has ever pronounced mine that way. I, along with my family and everyone I know pronounces it the same as Paul McCartney.

I work with an Eva who I’d presumed would be E-va but she says Ever. Technically I think a short E should have two V’s following as in hopping compared to hoping but I guess names can be anything we want

I gave my dd a very unusual Irish name, I always have to spell it out and I do regret it a little bit. In my defense she was my third, my eldest two had Irish names that I loved and I just couldn't find an Irish girls name that I liked so I plumped for the unusual one. We have a very common surname though.

Eleanor is pronounced Elle-eh-noor
I should know, it's my bloody name!

And yet I know two Elle-en-er's. That how they pronounce the 'same' name!

I had a school friend who has a relatively common name, but one that only seemed to come into popularity for our age group. His Dad clearly didn't know how to spell it when going to register the birth so he had a 'unique' spelling. I've noticed that somewhere along the line he has adopted a more common spelling as his facebook name at least!

I have a super common first name, that doesn't have a nickname and it's the standard spelling. I still get called a completely different name and people use the uncommon spelling in emails, in response to my email with my fecking name in the signature.
You can't win.

Deadringer, dying to know what you called her. Was is Sadbh? I absolutely LOVE Sadbh, but I think it would be too tough for a child in England.

I grew up having to explain my first, middle and surnames. Surname was gaelic.

My dc have deliberately got DH’s traditional “occupation”’surname, and simple first names. Think Joe Peter Baker, Anna Louise Walker etc.

I’ve only ever heard Eleanor pronounced elener! Names are a pain. Mine is a standard name but there’s an almost identical name just with a different last letter like Nicole/Nicola and without fail, everyone always goes for the one that isn’t mine, even if it’s written down in front of them. Drives me mad!

YANBU. I have a friend who has given her child a name from my husband's culture and she can't pronounce it. She says it in a certain sort of regional accent but as she's not from that place it sounds like she's taking the piss.

Eleanor is pronounced Elle-eh-noor.
I should know, it's my bloody name!

My daughter's bloody name is pronounced like McCartney's Eleanor Rigby. Until relatively recently that's how everyone in the UK pronounced it.

Damn, bolding fail

My surname is uncommon and I always have to spell it out, usually several times. My first name is popular, and is the mostly commonly used spelling - there are several. I have a very unusual middle name.

My DP has a common surname, when we eventually get married I will probably change my name as I’m fed up with spelling it - and people still getting it wrong. Our DS have his surname because it’s easier to spell.

YANBU.

Londoners say Elener. When I moved to Wales I found they say Elinoor. Regardless of how they spell it!

AnnabellaH, have you lived with a name that no one gets right? Have you had people laugh and mispronounce your name, or ask if you're serious? Have you ever cringed when you hear your name being mangled? Thought not.

Elenor is like Evelyn surely, it can be pronounced two ways.

People rarely pronounce my name right but it doesn’t bother me. The spelling of my name is unusual but I find it incredibly helpful because people I don’t know remember it because it stands out. But, I think the parents at least need to know how to pronounce their child/Rebs names!

Because I grew up in a class with 3 Louise’s, 3 Sarah’s and 2 janes. I much much preferred being the only one with my more unusual name, it was certainly better than always been “Louise smith” or “the tall Louise”

I worked with a Sadbh and people did need to be told how to pronounce it, but only once. My m repeatedly calls a Julia Julie and it drives me mad

I'd pronounce Eleanor and Elena exactly the same (Ellen-uh) unless told otherwise.

I too would have hated to have an unusual name as a child.

Also today’s society is pretty multi cultural - there are going to names you can’t pronounce. I should think the emphasis would be on greater tolerance

Never realised this before but I think of Eleanor as Elen-a and Elinor as Elinoor. I know a Helena who is Helen-a not Helayna

And if the gp receptionist mispronounces it, who gives a toss.
But it's not just the GP receptionist, it's people every single day - and it can be incredibly frustrating!
Jenny doesn't get called Jane every day.
There are plenty of interesting names that don't get mispronounced all the time.