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Who actually pronounced the last syllable in Eleanor like -nor?

166 replies

misslucy92 · 09/01/2023 14:15

This is mainly for people in the Uk and Ireland (or outside of the Us) as I know that in the Us -nor is used.

But I often read that in the Uk people say -na. I don’t know if I can explain it well but I mean -nor vs -na (sort of like Elena is said sometimes). But I only like -nor, personally.

So could I get away with naming her Eleanor and saying -nor in the Uk? Do some of you pronounce it -nor?

Does Elinor change anything?

sort of wondering if I could use -nor or whether I should look for a new name. I like both spellings Eleanor and Elinor.

Also name your region or where you are approximately (only if you feel comfortable).

Thanks.

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GoT1904 · 09/01/2023 14:17

I'm in Yorkshire and always pronounce the nor

Raggeo · 09/01/2023 14:18

I'm in Scotland and I think everyone here would say -nor. Anyone I have came across that is named Eleanor pronounce it with the -nor. I never knew there was another way. I think it's a lovely name and prefer the original spelling.

Derbee · 09/01/2023 14:18

South. Would say Ellennuh

She’d be Ellie or Elle before you knew it though

Reugny · 09/01/2023 14:19

I would pronounce it "nor" simply because there are many "Elena"s and "Lena"s around.

I'm in London.

Spell it the way you want it to be spelt.

USaYwHatNow · 09/01/2023 14:19

I would say Ellenuh, however an ex colleague pronounced the - nor of her daughters name and I always found it jarring, like a bit forced but actually it's how it's spelt so... 😂

pamshortsbrokenbothherlegs · 09/01/2023 14:24

I do (though I'm American). This is also my name so I pay close attention to how people say it.

I will say I grew up loving my name, in my generation in NA it wasn't popular at ALL (obviously that has long since changed!) and I never knew another growing up. When I moved to the UK 20ish years ago the sheen sort of wore off, we're a dime a dozen it seems!

But yes, Northerners and Scots seem to pronounce my name correctly (or rather, as I prefer it to be pronounced - "correct" is relative isn't it), probably why I've always felt an affinity with them!

If you're in the south you might struggle to get people on board though.

SenecaFallsRedux · 09/01/2023 14:24

It's going to depend largely on accent. The reason it's "nor" in the US is that Americans for the most part are rhotic speakers; outside of Scotland, most British people are non-rhotic speakers, and they won't pronounce the final "r".

OrangePomander · 09/01/2023 14:29

I would pronounce the ‘nor’. Another northerner here.

Great name btw!

JulieMarooley · 09/01/2023 14:30

I think it’s more of an “er” when I say it, like they way I’d say “doctor”

ThePear · 09/01/2023 14:31

I pronounce it more like nur

daybroke · 09/01/2023 14:33

I have one who has Eleanor as a middle name and I always say -nor

Chunkymonkey123 · 09/01/2023 14:34

South. I would say Eleana without hearing it but if you told me it was Eleanor I would say that!!

milkymeg · 09/01/2023 14:35

I'd be far more likely to pronounce the nor if it were spelt Elinor. Not sure why!

JoyPeaceHealth · 09/01/2023 14:35

Well, I'd say it more like nur. ELenur but I'd definitely pronounce the 'r'

JoyPeaceHealth · 09/01/2023 14:38

i'm in Ireland btw as you asked. You can't make people in the south of england pronounce 'r' at the end of a word. So if you're in the SOE I'd choose another name.
Or just use Elena seeing as how that's more like they'll say it.

I think I prefer Ellen most of all!

AutumnScream · 09/01/2023 14:39

From the south and say nor. Nuh or nah is a totally different name.

Y7drama · 09/01/2023 14:39

South. Would say Ellennuh

tabulahrasa · 09/01/2023 14:40

It’s more like ellener than ellenore for me, but there’s definitely an r, but I’m Scottish, so, r is always pronounced, lol.

I’d assume the r is missed in accents where it’s missed in general tbh, so I doubt changing the spelling would make any difference.

CalloohCallayFrabjousDay · 09/01/2023 14:42

South. I would say Elen-NOR
I

Iguanainanigloo · 09/01/2023 14:43

I love down south and it's definitely usually pronounced ellen-uh here. My mum (60's) has a few friends with the name, so I associate it with that generation. They're all known as ellen-uh, regardless of the spelling. The only younger one I know, just goes by Ellie, full name spelt Ellinor, but only ever Ellie.

GenuinelyDone · 09/01/2023 14:43

South Wales and I'd used -nor however all of the Eleanor's I know are known as Ellie.

Summerlark · 09/01/2023 14:46

I'd say nor but I'm a New Zealander.

Summerlark · 09/01/2023 14:47

What about Elaine?

pottyproblems87 · 09/01/2023 14:51

South east England and I pronounce it 'NUH' as does everyone I can think of.

JaneJeffer · 09/01/2023 14:54

L-AN-OAR
Irish

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