Lanoe

[FoxesSitOnBoxes]

Is Lanoe a boy or a girl? And how would you pronounce? (Lanoe is coming to DD's party and I need to ring mum to check allergies and I have no idea how to pronounce or whether it is a he or a she and the internet isn't helping me and I don't want to offend) many thanks mumsnet

I'm assuming a boy: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lanoe_Hawker

No idea on pronunciation though. Lanoo to rhyme with canoe?

No idea.

Do you know any other parents who are likely to know Lanoe's family? Or have you time to catch the teacher and ask them?

Otherwise I think I'd go with calling the mum and saying something like "I'm ringing about DD's party, I need to check whether anyone has any allergies, and I'm really sorry, but I don't know how to pronounce your child's name..."

short for Lanolin? like...sheeps' wool?

I think it's perfectly acceptable to admit you do not know how to pronounce an unusual name with no obvious way of pronouncing it. I assume your DD is too young to tell you how to pronounce it?

FWIW both my children have unisex names and I am never offended if someone who has not met them asks their sex.

No idea I'm afraid...instinctively, I'd guess "LAYN-oh", and a boy.

Could you ring the Mum, and pretend that your DD accidentally painted over most of the guest list...you're really sorry as you can only vaguely decipher a couple of letters and is their child's name Lance?

She'll probably then reply "Ha ha, no she's a girl and it's Lan-OOH/ LAYN-oh/ LAN-oh (or whatever)"
To which you then comment upon what an unusual name etc. etc.

Worth a try?

Oh, and do update us once you find out, OP...I'm curious to know now!

I would have guessed it to rhyme with canoe, or as lan-oh.

It's a very unusual name, tbh I imagine the parents are probably used to this now and will like that you are making an effort with their child. If they get arsey with you, they'll be BU.

I have bottled it and will ask in the playground on Monday! Thanks everyone

It's a boy's name, pronunciation here:

www.names.org/n/lanoe/about

have bottled it and will ask in the playground on Monday

In the playground? I assumed you were talking about a nursery aged child. School age, can't you ask your DC what the name is?

Wikipedia says boy: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lanoe_Hawker

Ask your child?

Presumably your DD knows how it's pronounced and whether's a boy or a girl?

How is this child invited to your party if you don't even know if it's a boy or a girl? Can't your child tell you?

^ I'd assumed DD is too young to be of any help!
Or maybe a younger sibling of invitee?

In which case, I wonder if Lanoe's older sibling (the invitee) also has a fairly unusual name?

do not ring, text instead

DD is 4 and has been in school for a week so doesn't know everyone's name yet

Well, in that case honesty is your best friend.

Just ring up and say " Hello, this is Olivia's mum, I wondered if I can speak to Lanoe's mum, (insert random pronunciation) about her party. " and then you add" What a lovely name, I've never come across it till now, I hope I pronounced it right".

That should do it.

Wiki seemed to say 'Layno'

Couldn't find mum at school and no one else knew either! So I texted instead of calling. I guess I'll find out at the party!

I have to do this all the time at work. Usual etiquette is to google it, have a bash then "ok and now we need the financial figures, so Lanoe- did I pronounce that correctly? No? ( listen and pronounce correctly) I'm so sorry - now Lanoe will give us the financials..."

Happens all the time in global companies. Just be direct and polite.

It's a boy's name. 100 %

Can't you ask the teacher?Or call the school office.