Names you aren't sure how to pronounce

[whatausername]

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.

I teach a polish boy called Przemyslaw!

Imagine my panic at seeing that on the register!

I would pronounce Madeline as Mad uh line to rhyme with mine, like the film from the late 90s.

I teach a polish boy called Przemyslaw!

How is it pronounced?

I'd say it's pronounced as it's spelt! With a slav at the end.

Schemiswaf. Sort of.

@PerditaProvokesEnmiry
@IVflytrap
@Boscoismyspiritanimal (love that name btw)
I've just remembered there's the river Bride in Co. Cork/Co. Waterford. It's pronounced as it is in English, though the Irish, An Bhríd, would be pronounced differently. I also vaguely remember a rhyme starting with 'Saints Patrick, Bride and Colmcille...sorry, don't know the rest. I guess that Bride was often used in times past, as was the pet form Bridie (Bride-ey), but it's seen a steep decline. All the Bridies I know personally are elderly, though I know a Bríd (Breed) and a Breda (Breeda) in their forties. The Chalet School books are quite old too. So I'd guess the consensus is that the name in the book title is pronounced as in 'bride and groom'. I know it doesn't rhyme as well

Asa

Most people say Aye-Suh but in the Hebrew (it’s a Hebrew name) I believe it is Ah-Sah

Similarly Eli - I believe that one is actually EE-Lee not Ee-Lye as it is always pronounced.

Also Levi should be pronounced ‘Lev-ee not Lee-vye

@CaffiSaliMali
I know, lots of people do pronounce Madeline like that in the UK, and in the USA too. It's not the original pronunciation though. A number of reasons the pronunciation may have changed have been mentioned upthread. The original French pronunciation seems to have been retained in Ireland for some reason. Madeleine spelt with the extra e has a different pronunciation, although they're used interchangeably by some.

Nuala.

DH pronounces it Nola, I would want pronounce it Nula.

DH loves it for our DC1 due Sept but I hate it! Poor child will always have to correct pronunciation/spelling!

@Margo34

It's Noo-la.

@Margo34
I've only ever heard the first syllable of Nuala being pronounced as you say it, with Nu to rhyme with Boo.

@Margo34
Sometimes there's a hint of the first 'a' being pronounced too.

A character in a book I was reading was tadgh could even attempt that one, would love to know how it's pronounced

@jhm740 Tadhg/Tadgh is pronounced a bit like Tiger but without the R. Tige

But in an Irish accent.

Never Tad

@jhm740
I agree with @Zantedeschia re pronunciation. The original spelling is Tadhg.

What LizzeAnt said re. Nuala. I'm not the best at typing out sounds!

I think we're pronouncing it more or less the same @whatsausername. All agreed it's not Nola anyway .

"'m in Ireland and all Madeline's I know are pronounced Mad-uh-leen. It's how the French pronounce that spelling of the name too,"

No. In French it would be 'lehn' at the end.

@Gwenhwyfar
That's how they pronounce Madeleine. Madeline is MAD-uh-LEEN. It's pronounced differently.

Never heard Made-line, thought that was an American thing (Big little lies!)

Also in Ireland!

God, @Margo34, Nuala is very old lady chic, only I haven’t noticed a revival. For me it’s a great-aunt name, or an ancient nun.

My mother (mid-70s) is technically Brigid, known as Bridie to her siblings and childhood friends and Breda to my Dad — and my sister (40s) is Bríd after her, and loathes it.

@Heygirlheyboy
Yes, the Mad-eh-lyne pronunciation is becoming widespread elsewhere though. Just wanted to let people know there's an alternative that has the advantage of being close to the original French. Although ultimately it's a borrowed name there too of course.

Rioghnach - Its an Irish name I believe. Anyone know how to pronounce it??

I know a Catriona who pronounces it ‘cuh-trO-na