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Original poster

Names you aren't sure how to pronounce

387 replies

whatausername · 10/04/2020 20:22

Since we're all inside for the foreseeable future...

What are some names you're not quite sure how to pronounce? We'll see if we can help each other. But do take answers with a pinch of salt given the wide variety of accents we all have!

For me: Hebe (hee-bee?) and João leave me feeling uncertain.

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invinovvv · 10/04/2020 22:18

I get confused with Eugenie and Gigi.

SpokeTooSoon · 10/04/2020 22:19

I know two girls called Elise. Both pronounces Eleez.

SallyWD · 10/04/2020 22:21

Evelyn - is it pronounced Eve-lyn or Ever-lyn ?

isabellerossignol · 10/04/2020 22:21

How is the name Calliope pronounced?

Blursula · 10/04/2020 22:22

I would pronounce Saoirse as Seer-sha, Gislaine as read but with a silent s, and Elise as El-eese.

Lila I would usually say Lie-la but I have a Polish friend with the name who pronounces it Leela.

Jaime is Jamie

Lobsterquadrille2 · 10/04/2020 22:24

How about Odhran - with an accent on the "a"?

Scarletoharaseyebrows · 10/04/2020 22:25

Cal eye OP

CharlottaCarlotta · 10/04/2020 22:29

I have two friends with daughters called Esme but they pronounce them differently. One is Es-me & one is Es-may. Woe betide anyone who gets it wrong.

ShrimpSymphony · 10/04/2020 22:30

Hebe
Sian

Samtsirch · 10/04/2020 22:31

There is a google facility for this.

MarieQueenofScots · 10/04/2020 22:31

Jaime is Jamie

I know a spanish Jaime who is Hy-mie.

Calliope is Kuh-Ly-Oh-pee

Verily1 · 10/04/2020 22:37

Mairead
Chlodagh
Carey
Sian
Andrea

BrassyLocks · 10/04/2020 22:37

Joachim. Heard it pronounce 'Yo-A-kim' but also knew a guy called Joe whose full name is Joachim. So is it 'Jo-a-kim'?

Aaron. Priest at school would say 'A-ron' but I hear people saying 'Arun'.

Bagadverts · 10/04/2020 22:39

For Indian background. Lots of Indian names I know how they should be pronounced but can’t seem to produce that sound as doesn’t appear in English. It’s embarrassing knowing I’m getting it wrong

Scarletoharaseyebrows · 10/04/2020 22:39

Hwakeem ish!

JesmondDene · 10/04/2020 22:40

Alicia - Alise-a or Alee-sha
Similar for Lucia - Lus-ee-a or Luch-ee-a

I've had both names in pupils and pronounced both ways

JesmondDene · 10/04/2020 22:42

And Anais - Anay or Ana-ees?

Mc2020 · 10/04/2020 22:44

Sian is shaan
Mairead is my-rad
Odhran is O-raan (as in how you would begin to say orange)

Carrie7469 · 10/04/2020 22:44

Cillian

isabellerossignol · 10/04/2020 22:45

Cillian is Killian

Bluewater1 · 10/04/2020 22:48

Joachim
Idya
Angharad

sproutsandparsnips · 10/04/2020 23:06

Jaime is Hime I thought with a sort of hawking 'h'.
Joachim - hwakeem
Aneurin An- eye- rin
I don't know mind I'm just guessing....

sproutsandparsnips · 10/04/2020 23:06

Angharad - anggg- haar- ad

bridgetreilly · 10/04/2020 23:18

Leonie: is it LEE-oh-nee, or Lay-OH-nee?

Heygirlheyboy · 10/04/2020 23:18

Mairead is Ma-raid
Odhran is Odren