Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

welsh people help me! !

41 replies

followed · 19/08/2013 18:38

I am Welsh but not Welsh speaking, and I live in London.

I've named my 10 month old Osian and pronunce it OSHun, but recently met some Welsh speakers who pronunce it oshAN. Am I saying it incorrectly (which would be massively embarrassing!) or is my way an acceptable variation? Can't ask anyone irl due to embarrassment.

I'm in a real panic now and thinking of changing his name quickly before the 12 month deadline! I actually don't like the oshAN pronunciation at all but don't want him growing up saying his own name wrong!

Help.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
tiredlady · 19/08/2013 18:45

Hi,
not a welsh speaker but living in wales for over 20 yrs. Have come across the name Osian lots of times, and I've always heard it pronouced as oshAN sorry.
But really it doesn't matter you know. Just call him OSHan. No one in London will know the difference :)

mamapants · 19/08/2013 18:54

I am a welsh speaker and would definitely pronounce it OshAN and would think it very odd to hear oshUN, sounds totally wrong to me sorry.
Maybe you'd get a different response from those in the south of wales.

hotair · 19/08/2013 19:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bobbinogs · 19/08/2013 19:13

I'm welsh and would,pronounce it OshAn......but that's not to stop you pronouncing it how you want and I think OshUn is the natural way english people would say it, my Dd is Bethan and I say it bethAn but we're in England and everyone else says BethUn......

BlueStarsAtNight · 19/08/2013 21:16

I knew one at university and he pronounced it OSHun. He was welsh and welsh speaking.

Original poster
followed · 19/08/2013 21:32

Oh bluestars you've literally brought a tear to my eye I'm so relieved! Still worried of course, but a little less!

OP posts:
lililon · 19/08/2013 23:16

OshAN here as well I'm afraid. Sorry!

Alisvolatpropiis · 20/08/2013 01:21

OP I have a friend who's son is names Osian. I've had to say it aloud repeatedly but they say Osh-un. They live in S.Wales, as do I.

Hatecoffee · 20/08/2013 20:33

There are 7 Osian in DC school...all pronounced oshAN, I have never heard it pronounced any other way.

LingDiLong · 20/08/2013 22:23

I've only heard OshAn but there are plenty of welsh names where there are variations in the pronounciation - especially where there's an 'an' ending. I have a Ioan and pronounce it Yo-An. Yo-un and an almost run together yone also seem to be in use. I've also heard 'steffUn' for 'steffan' and 'MegUn' for 'Megan'.

I really wouldn't worry, it's a subtle difference.

Original poster
followed · 20/08/2013 22:24

Hmmm maybe I'm not explaining my pronunciation very well.

It's exactly the same as the difference between an Welsh accent Bethan and an English accent (or rather a Cardiff accent in my case) Bethan. Does that make more sense and is it still wrong?

I've been trying to say it more Welshy but I sound like I'm putting in an accent (which I guess I am!)

OP posts:
Original poster
followed · 20/08/2013 22:25

Thanks for everyone's advice so far

OP posts:
Original poster
followed · 20/08/2013 22:27

Crosspost LingDi and exactly what I'm trying to get at!! I guess it is because Osian is more unusual that I'm less confident than I would be with Megan etc

OP posts:
Original poster
followed · 20/08/2013 22:30

Well more unusual in London, but obviously not where hatecoffee hangs out!

OP posts:
LingDiLong · 20/08/2013 22:33

Honestly, I really wouldn't worry too much, the difference is so subtle. My name has a 'correct' pronounciation and another, just as common pronounciation. It doesn't bother me which people use.

In my 5 years learning welsh I have learnt one thing - there is never one single way of pronouncing any welsh words and names are no exception!

Hatecoffee · 20/08/2013 22:42

I hang out and live up North Wales! Grin

Very Popular up here, been so for the last 8-10 years!

FriskyHenderson · 20/08/2013 22:53

Even the English say Hel-lin and Hel-lun for Helen - is it that different?

Original poster
followed · 21/08/2013 08:27

Frisky, that is the sort of difference I'm talking about yes. Where you might be a -en, -in or -un depending on your accent.

I guess the difference is that there are no Greek speakers to offend!

That is interesting you are North Wales hatecoffee, I think this has all come about because of my Cardiff accent. I can hear that it is OshAn in proper Welsh!

I suppose I just need to decide now whether to change my pronunciation or the whole name. Or just chill out a bit and assume North Waleans won't find me in London!

OP posts:
OverTheFieldsAndFarAway · 21/08/2013 08:42

I am also in North Wales, I have only ever heard Osh-an. I really don't think it matters too much though. It's a great name regardless of how you pronounce it. It's a bit like Dylan....Welsh speakers say Dul-an....but it's the norm to say Dil-an.

Alisvolatpropiis · 21/08/2013 10:06

OP

I'm from Cardiff too - say Bethan in the same way as you do.

I think as with many names, accents affect pronounciation.

Applepiesky · 23/08/2013 10:29

OshAn....

I'm a fluent welsh speaker and I'm afraid that is the way it's pronounced.

Alisvolatpropiis · 23/08/2013 13:13

I think we might need to acknowledge Welsh accents vary a bit?

Cardiff accent is vastly different to any of the other accents.

Out of interest - how do posters from other areas of Wales pronounce Lowri?

OverTheFieldsAndFarAway · 23/08/2013 13:15

Lo- ree

OverTheFieldsAndFarAway · 23/08/2013 13:16

Loh-Rhee it be a bit clearer.

OverTheFieldsAndFarAway · 23/08/2013 13:16

To be a bit clearer.