Does UK pronounciation of Elias definitely rhyme with Tobias

[Ruthshaw1980]

Dear all

Following on from last week’s poll regarding boys name, it appears that DH may (and surprisingly) be favouring Elias as his preferred choice. Without getting too excited since this is also my favourite of the names polled, I would just like to check the English pronunciation of Elias. I understand on the continent they would say el-EEE-us whereas the English pronounciation is e-LIE-us, therefore rhyming with Tobias. Is this correct?? Oh and before anyone asks, yes Tobias itself is a lovely name but off limits as taken by Nephew

I'd have said Ellie-us to rhyme with bus. But I've never met an Elias ever in my life so I'm clearly no expert.

I agree with your pronunciations OP. However, as you can see from this thread, that is certainly not universally recognised!

To me, with 'standard English' accent, yes, it rhymes with Tobias and I agree it's related to Elijah.

Of course people in other European countries will say El-ee-us but they'd pronounce lots of names differently.

To me, with 'standard English' accent, yes, it rhymes with Tobias and I agree it's related to Elijah

Pretty much what I was going to say . Aa a random side note all the children I have taught with this name have pronounced it to rhyme whether they were English or not.

I'd say Elias to rhyme (first part) with Eliot or Elinor so El ee as.

To me it doesn't rhyme with Tobias because the stress is on the first syllable- EH-lee-ass, although the first sound is somewhere between EH and AY. I say it like that because that's how the only one I know pronounces it (he's Lebanese, if that makes a difference).

The Lebanese connection makes a big difference. His name is Arabic -Ilias but spelt Elias.

e-LYE-us.

Mongrel Brit, born & bred in London. Standard SE middle class accent but an expat of a decade here in case this matters.

I've known boys pronounced Elly-us and Illy-us but neither was of British origin. I think it is one of those names where you just have to tell people how you are pronouncing it.

Apologies for the delay in responding to everybody, many thanks to all who posted. A significant majority of you would say eh-lie-us, which is very reassuring as that is our preference. It’s in DH’s top two so maybe we have a winner if a boy (due 6th July). Now back to girl names.....

no. Id say Eel-ee-ass and id say Toe-bye-ass

Definitely rhymes with Tobias

I'd say El ee as. Like Elliott (not Ell eye it)