Names you love that don’t work in English

[MangosteenSoda]

A name on another thread made me think about this...

I love Manon in a French speaking environment and I like Belen in Spain, but think neither work well in an English speaking environment.

Are there any names you feel like this about? I’d occasionally come across a name in my expat (and childbearing) days and think YES, then, oh no.

I knew a Belen growing up in England and always loved it, I was really jealous of such a beautiful name! Ive always loved soft sounding names, theyre often not English names, but I feel I cant use them because I have no connection to that culture

I have a name that works well in the country of origin but not in English, I am English! My mother is not. And I've made the mistake with my daughter too 🙄 I love her name though

My daughter is Saskia. Might start calling her Sas ua

Angel. So beautifully pronounced Spanish.

Most Gaelic, Gaeilge and Welsh names, and probably Cornish. Many foreign names, especially if they contain letters that have no 'English' equivalent.

Pretty much every Italian/French name. Some translate nicely to English but many just really need that accent to make them sound good.

Fabian
Domenico
Achilles
Daniele

My list may have been inspired by a hot summer spent in Italy aged 19

[quote Elouera]@Chicchicchicchiclana- I too like Schehrazade because we did it as a school play! I like it, but its far too long and confusing for people to pronounce until they know it well.[/quote]
My friend at school was called Scheherazade. One time at school a new art teacher was taking the register, came to her name and said

“Blah de blah blah- sorry I haven’t a clue how to pronounce this”

My DH has a (male) friend named Karen, from Central Asia.

@Wearethetwirl, and that was a teacher. Unfortunately some people are ignorant twats.

A friend has a Scheherazade. She goes by a nickname (not Shez or Sherri). It's pretty and sounds nice but is a bit long.

Esyllt - the letter Ll doesn't translate well to English, sadly.

I love Sasha for a boy (Russian nickname for Alexander) but it wouldn't work in the UK, everyone would assume it's a girl.

Margot is beautiful in French (Mar-go)

But not do nice in English or German: Mar-gott

I have a cousin called Negar. Pronounced correctly... well not a good idea, has caused some raised eyebrows. Also a niece called Fatima (nn Fatty/Farty).

But then my friends name translates (a double whammy) as ‘pee shit’ over these so...

How can you not know how to pronounce Scheherazade? It’s not exactly unheard of (or is it?)

@whatausername

Valentine

Nothing wrong with Valentine!

I went to school with a beautiful, lovely Spanish girl called Belen. She suited her name and it sounds so elegant in a Spanish accent.

The boys called her Bellend

@Violetlavenders

Margot is beautiful in French (Mar-go)

But not do nice in English or German: Mar-gott

I have to say that in England in my experience it is always pronounced Mar-go. probably as a hangover from The Good Life where she was Margo

I have never heard Margot pronounced Margott in English. Always Mar-go

@Cowbells

I have never heard Margot pronounced Margott in English. Always Mar-go

Yes Mar-go in England.

I remember in Anne Frank’s diary her sister was called Margot and when it was dramatised realising it was Mar-gott

It's pronounced Mar-gott in Germany, Scandinavia, Holland, Austria etc. But most English speakers seem to pronounce it the French way?

@Violetlavenders

It's pronounced Mar-gott in Germany, Scandinavia, Holland, Austria etc. But most English speakers seem to pronounce it the French way?

dh (dutch) says that because it is a French name, and unusual in Holland, it would be pronounced the French way in Holland too. He said he has never heard it pronounced the German way. In Holland, Anne Frank's sister is refered to as Margo, not Margott.

I would be curious for someone from German to comment.

Margot (deutsche Aussprache ˈmaʁgɔt]) ist ein weiblicher Vorname.

So yes, it's pronounced Margot with the T in German.

I absolutely LOVE the name Avi for a girl, but the proper version is Avital, which I just think sounds masculine in English. Or Avivit, even worse (‘AVE IT!!!). Luckily had boys so no issues.

@elQuintoConyo

Ainhoa - I know her Laia - liar Izaskun - no one could pronounce or spell it. Quirze - ditto. Belen - still makes me giggle, childishly.

DS goes to school with: Kevin, Adrian, Bernard, Nora, Martina, Ethan, Martin such a mix of 40s, 70s and 80s

.

I know an Izaskun - I just can't say her name properly! It sounds so beautiful when she says it, and when I try it's like when Joey in friends tries to speak French.

@toffeebutterpopcorn

How can you not know how to pronounce Scheherazade? It’s not exactly unheard of (or is it?)

But if you’ve never heard of it or seen it written down, it’s going to be hard to pronounce in English. Zard or Zade at the end? How would you necessarily know the S was silent and not pronounced as in School.

I googled it and realised it was the lady from 1001 nights but that story was always relayed to me do I’ve never seen the word Scheherazade before.