How would you pronounce Zelo and what do you think?

[GoForBaroque]

For a boy. It's Italian for 'zeal' and is the name of a character in an early opera which I love.

I would say "Zeal" "o" (as in "go").

I love the meaning.

I think the name itself would depend upon where you live, what your surname is like and that sort of thing.

Zee-low.

It's not bad, would depend on the surname though.

Makes me think of a bike.

Would you use it on a day to day basis or use a nn of any sort?

Do you have an interesting surname or a very ordinary one?

Is there an Italian connection in the family?

Zelo Smith sounds a bit odd.

Zelo De Mario (sorry can't think of an Italian surname) sounds fab.

Surname is a bit like Morris, so fairly dull really. No Italian connection. We live in fairly poncy Hampshire village

Would prefer not to shorten or use a nn.

Trouble is, with that kind of name, it will be shortened. People will refer to little Zelo as Zee by the time of his first birthday. I have a DS with that exact issue. Luckily, the NN is one I don't mind and I was fully prepared for it, but it's difficult to enforce 'non-use' of a NN. Small children attract cutesy versions of their names like honey attracts bees, IYSWIM.

I think it's possibly too 'out there' with a normal English surname.

I'm afraid you're right about the 'out-there' aspect, Tidy. Dammit. Thanks for your post.

It's actually pronounced 'Zay-lo'. It's interesting that most people went for the long 'ee' sound, hadn't occurred to me but then when you know how YOU pronounce it you don't think of the obvious.

Introducing the Gillette Zelo. Precise, smooth lines and a close finish. Zelo from Gillette.

The Renault Zelo. Has um break horse power and shiny bits. Brum brum. Buy a Zelo today.

It's not too bad tbh but I think you need to be Italian or have a fabulous surname.

What about Keane?

We all have dark hair

I'd have said Zaylo btw to rhyme with the annoying way they say hello in American chipper sitcoms.

I would pronounce it to rhyme with Cello or yellow which isn't what you're hoping for I think.

Sounds like a cleaning product. Why do people feel they have to find ridiculous names.

If you are in a poncy Hampshire village then you might get away with it.

Both my dcs have names which end in an "ee" sound, although not spelt that way. Both names are 2 syllables and neither has been given a shortened form of the name. If you consistently use the full name others usually follow.

School friends can end up calling them anything at all, whatever you name them yourself.

I used to be a teacher and find that even if a name is a bit unusual, you get used to it very quickly.

The thing that puts me off most is the thought of constantly having to repeat/spell/explain. At least it's not hard to spell...

zell o

I would have rhymed with with jello or yellow. Not keen (arf)

I'd say Zelo, nickname Zee. Love it!

Lovely meaning too.

When I say it it sounds like I'm saying "say hello"