Are 5 syllable baby names pretentious?

[hendaw]

Ones that I am considering

Cassiopeia
Anastasia
Alexandria
Theodosia

Don't worry, I got caught in that very same tangle too, but after a moment's reflection I THINK I got it right.

But I think you may need to take the votes with a bit of cautio OP.

I think it was meant to be lighthearted.

Dozy for short.

And Stasi, obviously.

We can only hope so ...

Thee-oh-doze-zyuh and An-uh-stays-zyuh to me so 4.

endings aren’t “zee-yuh” the way most people say it. More “zyuh”

I'd say See-a.

I have a four syllable name, always shortened. I didn't even get the classic mother using my full name if I was in trouble. I have a son and grandson with four letter two syllable names, both get called by longer versions. Started at school but eventually everyone used them. Another son gets called by a shortening of his surname, bit like surname Harris and he's called Harry. That hasnt spread beyond his friends as family use his name.

We give our kids names but we can't control what they do with them.

If you insist on them being pronounced a certain way, then they become pretentious (team four syllables here).

Also if you’d be funny about them being shortened?

I'm not sure about that one. I don't think it comes across well if you correct someone but if your name was mispronounced, should you just put up with it?
What if it's something like Théa (Tay-a), Caitríona or Catrìona?

I'd probably say I go by Théa once, then leave it, but it's not ideal.
(using Théa as an example as it's easier to see the difference.)

I like that Alexandria is an ancient city and that the lighthouse is one of the ancient wonders

But those aren’t the names we’re talking about.

We were talking about insisting on a pronunciation.

If you want Theo-DOSE-ee-a not Theo-DOSE-ya or Theo-DOE-sha, then it seems a bit precious, but asking to be called 'Tay-a' not Thea doesn't.

You'd get eye-rolls by some regardless and some won't be able to grasp that you prefer a certain pronunciation.

If you’re choosing a name for your child which can be pronounced more than one way, I don’t think it’s pretentious to chose the pronunciation you prefer (or are most familiar with) and expect people to stick to that.

However, it would be rude to insist on pronouncing someone else’s name a different way.

No but that’s my point. If I mispronounced Théa I’d happily be corrected, and remember in future.

If I said Ana-stay-zha, as I and anyone with my accent would, and the person said actually it’s Ana-stays-ee-a, I’d think they were being pretentious.

Wasn’t trying to be difficult I just think they’re totally different, even though technically both about pronunciation.

I like Alexandria but if you think 5 is too long for for Alexandra instead.
I would also say Anastasia as 5 syllables

Agree

Thee-uh-DOH-sha
Anna-STAY-zha

To respond to your question, no, I don't see any pretentiousness in five syllable names.

The notion of pretentiousness in dress, manners, taste, and naming your baby is extremely culturally specific. If you are so enmeshed in a culture that is extremely stratified by class that names are associated with different classes, you should consider the idea that it's possible to ignore those constraints and do your own thing

Why would you find that pretentious?

Surely if there are a few correct pronunciations of a name and someone prefers one over the others, it's only polite to acknowledge your mistake and use the preferred pronunciation in future? It is your mistake after all.

Or are you saying you have the right to pronounce people's names whatever way you think is right, and if they object they're being difficult/ pretentious?

How is asking to have a name pronounced a certain way pretentious?

Are you confusing 'pretentious' with 'assertive'?

I love Anastasia