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Help[Opinions] Purposefully mispronounced names
A coworker of mine's cousin had a baby she named Chloe. Nice, right? However, little Chloe's mother is insistent that the name be pronounced without the final "ee" sound...so, just Chlo. To rhyme with blow, or snow.
I have never heard of this before - demanding a mispronunciation of a name. Has anybody else seen this done before?? The only example I can think of is the difference between the pronunciation of Bette Davis and Bette Midler's names...but this is a little different. It's a strange new twist in naming practices if this is a more common thing than I realize!
I have never heard of this before - demanding a mispronunciation of a name. Has anybody else seen this done before?? The only example I can think of is the difference between the pronunciation of Bette Davis and Bette Midler's names...but this is a little different. It's a strange new twist in naming practices if this is a more common thing than I realize!
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This might be a bit picky sounding, but I hate when I hear Italian names starting with Gia-, Gio-, and Giu- here in the states pronounced as gee-AH, gee-OH, and gee-OO instead of jah, jo, and joo. Fortunately, I only know one person with one of those names (it's Giacomo) and his parents were born in Italy, so it's jah, not gee-AH.
And since I'm on an Italian name kick, I know a someone named Raffaella and her parents pronounced it raf-ee-EL-ah.
I almost forgot. I went to school with a guy named Joel, pronounced jo-EL.
And since I'm on an Italian name kick, I know a someone named Raffaella and her parents pronounced it raf-ee-EL-ah.
I almost forgot. I went to school with a guy named Joel, pronounced jo-EL.
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I say Gia as gee-AH because just JAH sounds funny, but then again, I only use that on the internet, so I really don't say it at all. In real life I do try to have people pronounce Giovanna and Gianna correctly.
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I pronounce Joel like that. It's the regular German pronunciation of the name and the only one I like. I didn't know it was considered wrong.
I hate the Italian Gi- thing as well. It's luckily not as common, but what I hate even more is that I know a Guiliana who pronounces her name joo-lee-AH-nah. It doesn't even make any sense.
I hate the Italian Gi- thing as well. It's luckily not as common, but what I hate even more is that I know a Guiliana who pronounces her name joo-lee-AH-nah. It doesn't even make any sense.
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Then I'm wrong.
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...
How else would you pronounce Guiliana?
How else would you pronounce Guiliana?
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Well, if I'd see it, I'd pronounce it gwil-ee-AN-a. Since when is "gui" pronounced as "joo"? Seems her parents got it confused with Giuliana.
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*smacks forehead*
Ahhh I had a dyslexic moment there for a moment. I was like, "What? That totally does NOT make sense Ela. What crack are you on?"
And then I realize... oh.
Lol. Woospie :)
Ahhh I had a dyslexic moment there for a moment. I was like, "What? That totally does NOT make sense Ela. What crack are you on?"
And then I realize... oh.
Lol. Woospie :)
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Wow, I have a little cousin with a speech impediment who says her name (Claire) like that, (Chloe with out the -ee). It sounds so wrong to my ears.
The only one I can think of that I mispronounced (sort of) is Ivan. Every place but the U.S. pronounces it ee-VAHN, but I adore it pronounced EYE-van. It sounds so handsome that way to me.
The only one I can think of that I mispronounced (sort of) is Ivan. Every place but the U.S. pronounces it ee-VAHN, but I adore it pronounced EYE-van. It sounds so handsome that way to me.
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EYE-ven is also acceptable, if not technically correct. ie. Ivan the Terrible
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Oh I know, but on most name boards, everyone scorns the EYE-ven pron.! .
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My mom knew a family that named a daughter Yvonne.
Only problem is, they pronounced it WY-vuh-nee.
This was out of ignorance, though, not because it was a deliberate mispronunciation.
Only problem is, they pronounced it WY-vuh-nee.
This was out of ignorance, though, not because it was a deliberate mispronunciation.
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I was meaning to asking something like this, but I never got around to it. It's nice to know that there are other stubborn people out there.
The one name that I pronounce "wrong," according to the database and several of the people here, is Zuleika. I don't like it with ei as in weight (zoo-LAY-kah). It sounds horrible. I like it with an ei as in height (zoo-LIE-kah). I think that ei as in receive (zoo-LEE-kah) is cute too, but it's just not as nice.
LEE was actually how I pronounced Zuleika when I first saw it and LIE is how it was said the first and only time I've ever heard it spoken aloud.
The one name that I pronounce "wrong," according to the database and several of the people here, is Zuleika. I don't like it with ei as in weight (zoo-LAY-kah). It sounds horrible. I like it with an ei as in height (zoo-LIE-kah). I think that ei as in receive (zoo-LEE-kah) is cute too, but it's just not as nice.
LEE was actually how I pronounced Zuleika when I first saw it and LIE is how it was said the first and only time I've ever heard it spoken aloud.
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I've always like the German ei, which is also part of the reason why I like zoo-LIE-kah better than zoo-LAY-kah. Somehow it's easier for me to justify ei being said as an IE than an AY.
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I can't think of anyone on the spot who purposefully mispronounces their name, except for one kid whose name is Meldick, he chucked an 'r' in there in primary school coz of the obvious 'dick' thing (so it became Meldrick). But then he dropped the last syllable altogether and is just known as Mel now.
Also I actually went through a stage in Year 9 (that's...eighth grade I think) when I wanted everyone to call me 'Brookie' so I popped those two wee dots over the 'e' in Brooke like my friend Zoe had lol. Obviously everyone was too kind to point out my lack of knowledge of how diaresis works, but I grew out of that stage pretty quickly anyway :-P
There are a couple of names I mispronounce on purpose because I like them better that way (but I'd never use them for this reason): Siobhan (I prn it as shob-HAN) and Mae (MY).
Also I actually went through a stage in Year 9 (that's...eighth grade I think) when I wanted everyone to call me 'Brookie' so I popped those two wee dots over the 'e' in Brooke like my friend Zoe had lol. Obviously everyone was too kind to point out my lack of knowledge of how diaresis works, but I grew out of that stage pretty quickly anyway :-P
There are a couple of names I mispronounce on purpose because I like them better that way (but I'd never use them for this reason): Siobhan (I prn it as shob-HAN) and Mae (MY).
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Charmian and Viola.
I love Charmian pronounced "KAR-mee-an", but I hate "SHAR-mee-an" and "CHAR-mee-an".
I love "VIE-uh-lah", but I dislike "vee-OH-lah", it just makes me think of the musical instrument.
I love Charmian pronounced "KAR-mee-an", but I hate "SHAR-mee-an" and "CHAR-mee-an".
I love "VIE-uh-lah", but I dislike "vee-OH-lah", it just makes me think of the musical instrument.
This message was edited 5/6/2009, 4:38 AM
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But the vee-OH-la pronounciation isn't wrong
Wasn't this about "purposefully mispronounced names"? I know for a fact that vee-OH-la isn't wrong at all, so it's maybe a pronounciation you don't like, but it's not wrong. It's not Chloe being pronounced CHLO. It's a legit pronounciation, as far as I know...
Wasn't this about "purposefully mispronounced names"? I know for a fact that vee-OH-la isn't wrong at all, so it's maybe a pronounciation you don't like, but it's not wrong. It's not Chloe being pronounced CHLO. It's a legit pronounciation, as far as I know...
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agree as well
I love Rowena pron. with an open "eh" sound as in "bet", rather than with a long -ee sound.
I love Rowena pron. with an open "eh" sound as in "bet", rather than with a long -ee sound.
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Big ditto
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Is it ro-ENN-a if you spell it Rowenna?
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Probably. After all, Morwenna is mor-WEN-na, and Rowenna is very similar.
Of course, now we're kree8ivleigh spelling/inventing a name to get to a deliberate mispronunciation!
Of course, now we're kree8ivleigh spelling/inventing a name to get to a deliberate mispronunciation!
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Oh, good one. I was crushed when I learned it was row-EE-na. I had been saying (and loving) ROW-en-na for years.
I hate row-EE-na. It's so...whiny.
I hate row-EE-na. It's so...whiny.
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Ditto, I thought row-ENN-a was right too
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Ditto about Rowena!
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My mother's name was Zoe and my daughter's middle name is Zoe, and in my family we've always pronounced it without the final E sound. I don't consider this a mispronunciation, though, I consider it an alternative pronunciation.
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My little cousin's name is Chloè Elizabeth, and she was named after some kinda perfume her mom used to wear, but everyone always says it like "Chloe" and that's how we say it. If she wanted it to be "Chlo" that's how she should have filled out the birth certificate. It sounds like she's trying to create a problem and make people feel sorry for her. Her baby might call herself "Chloe" when she gets older to cut out alot of the hassel.
There's also a in my class at school named Halley. But she says it like Hailey and I think it's kida weird, because everyone calls her Halley (like Hal-ie)and then she gets all mad and expects us to feel sorry for her. It's kind of annoying.
There's also a in my class at school named Halley. But she says it like Hailey and I think it's kida weird, because everyone calls her Halley (like Hal-ie)and then she gets all mad and expects us to feel sorry for her. It's kind of annoying.
This message was edited 5/5/2009, 1:54 PM
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Ione
I wish Ione was pronounced "EYE-ə-nee" instead of "eye-OH-nee". I think it sounds much nicer that way.
I wish Ione was pronounced "EYE-ə-nee" instead of "eye-OH-nee". I think it sounds much nicer that way.
This message was edited 5/5/2009, 1:22 PM
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I knew a Danielle...but it was said Duh-neel. I thought it was just Dan-yell for the longest time.
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Caitlín
I hate it when people pronounce Caitlín like Katelyn. It's KAHT-leen, people, no Kate in there. That first "i" isn't pronounced, it's simply there to indicate that the following "t" is slender. And "í" has an "ee" sound - it's long, that's what the word fada means. The Katelyn pronunciation sounds diabolical to me. Caitlín is an Irish name, and people should at least attempt to pronounce it the Irish way. And I also hate it when people leave the fada (accent) off - it changes the sound.
I hate it when people pronounce Caitlín like Katelyn. It's KAHT-leen, people, no Kate in there. That first "i" isn't pronounced, it's simply there to indicate that the following "t" is slender. And "í" has an "ee" sound - it's long, that's what the word fada means. The Katelyn pronunciation sounds diabolical to me. Caitlín is an Irish name, and people should at least attempt to pronounce it the Irish way. And I also hate it when people leave the fada (accent) off - it changes the sound.
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I've never known anyone with this name who pronounced it correctly, which is sad, because it sounds SO much nicer as KAHT-leen.
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The only one I can think of is Aisling, which I prefer to be pronoynced as EYE-zling. I love that.
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One that sticks out in my mind is a girl I know named Hallie that pronounces it HAY-lee instead of HAL-ee. What's even more confusing is she sometimes goes by Hal.
Speaking of mispronouncing your kid's name, it reminds me of my cousin's brother-in-law whose mom misspelled his name. His name is Kieth (KEETH), not a typo. I can't stand looking at his name and typing it out like that made me cringe. I feel like I'm dyslexic.
Speaking of mispronouncing your kid's name, it reminds me of my cousin's brother-in-law whose mom misspelled his name. His name is Kieth (KEETH), not a typo. I can't stand looking at his name and typing it out like that made me cringe. I feel like I'm dyslexic.
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Kieth reminds me of boys named Micheal. Their parents apparently don't know how to spell. I also went to school with a guy named Nicholas, except on his birth certificate it was spelled Nichloas, he said. Don't know if that was the truth or not.
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Angella
I knew a child named that, her mother said that they were aiming at Angela (rather than AnGELLa), but were "Young and dumb". The little girl was a first child.
I knew a child named that, her mother said that they were aiming at Angela (rather than AnGELLa), but were "Young and dumb". The little girl was a first child.
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I work with a Tiffany whose birth certificate says Tefrany. Because this is on her birth certificate it's on all work related papers also. She says it's just a mistake that was never corrected. Maybe Micheal and Nichloas are mistakes also. Maybe it's the registrar that's stupid and not the parents.
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No, I know some people who just 'prefer' the spelling Micheal, etc.
No doubt though that there have been mistakes made in recording down names, but you wouldn't expect them to be so frequent.
No doubt though that there have been mistakes made in recording down names, but you wouldn't expect them to be so frequent.
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LOL
The Nichloas thing reminds me of when my younger sister, Caroline, started HS she somehow got put into the school's system as "Carloine," so that name appeared on every roll list, etc until she finally got it fixed. That became a NN her friends call her now.
The Nichloas thing reminds me of when my younger sister, Caroline, started HS she somehow got put into the school's system as "Carloine," so that name appeared on every roll list, etc until she finally got it fixed. That became a NN her friends call her now.
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Now would that be pronounced...
car-low-een, or car-loin? Or something different.
Any way, it's flippin' hilarious :)
car-low-een, or car-loin? Or something different.
Any way, it's flippin' hilarious :)
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I know a guy named Micheal. Even though it's in the database as a legit name, I still find it confusing and it makes my eyes cross. It also reminds me of a friend I had in high school named Cristhina pronounced like Christina. She was really embarrassed and said as could she would correct the spelling.
This message was edited 5/5/2009, 12:15 PM
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I've heard of someone named Halley, but it was pronounced like Haley with a long a, rather than a short one like it should be with a double consonant.
As a kid I always thought Emil was pronounced EM-il, like Emily but without the final ee. I still only like it that way, even though it's wrong. I'd never use it anyway so it's not a big deal.
Your Chloe story reminds me of how I heard a family member of mine pronounce Zoe as ZO the other day. It didn't hit me for a second that she hadn't said the ee, but I never said anything. It's going to cause a lot of trouble to mispronounce a common name! Chloe is going to get her name mispronounced correctly for the rest of her life!
As a kid I always thought Emil was pronounced EM-il, like Emily but without the final ee. I still only like it that way, even though it's wrong. I'd never use it anyway so it's not a big deal.
Your Chloe story reminds me of how I heard a family member of mine pronounce Zoe as ZO the other day. It didn't hit me for a second that she hadn't said the ee, but I never said anything. It's going to cause a lot of trouble to mispronounce a common name! Chloe is going to get her name mispronounced correctly for the rest of her life!
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Emil
Emil is pronounced that way (EM-il) too. I guess it's not the English pronunciation but it is a legit pronunication and the only way it's pronounced here (Sweden)
Emil is pronounced that way (EM-il) too. I guess it's not the English pronunciation but it is a legit pronunication and the only way it's pronounced here (Sweden)
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I know a Nina who insists her name is pronounced NYE-na instead of NEE-na.
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I prefer Elisabeth pronounced uh-lis-uh-beth
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I think that's actually accepted. I've known a couple people named that pronounced that way, it just hasn't gotten on BtN.
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Ew! If she wanted to give her child a name that sounds like Chlo she shouldn't spell it like Chloe. That poor girl will have her name mispronounced her whole life.
I don't think I've heard names purposefully mispronounced. I can't think of any right now anyway. I love the name Rhys but only pronounced like 'rice' (or almost like rice, a bit more guttural) and that's the reason it's only a gp. I could never bring myself to use it and then not use the correct pronunciation. Yes, it's too bad it's not pronounced the way I like it, but I'm not going to try to change it.
I don't think I've heard names purposefully mispronounced. I can't think of any right now anyway. I love the name Rhys but only pronounced like 'rice' (or almost like rice, a bit more guttural) and that's the reason it's only a gp. I could never bring myself to use it and then not use the correct pronunciation. Yes, it's too bad it's not pronounced the way I like it, but I'm not going to try to change it.
This message was edited 5/5/2009, 11:09 AM
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Even the pronounciation 'Chlo' sounds a tad drab... eek!
I really like the name Rhys too, but for the longest time I had bene pronouncing it 'rice'. I'm still adjusting to saying 'reese' when I see it though.
I really like the name Rhys too, but for the longest time I had bene pronouncing it 'rice'. I'm still adjusting to saying 'reese' when I see it though.
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I've never been able to bring myself to prn Rhys as "reece"
It has ALWAYS been "rice" in my mind. It's muchmuchmuch nicer that way. It makes more phonetical sense to me as rice as well.
I think in some cases (where you can actually get away with it), mispronounced names are alright.
It does bother the heck out of me that former Miss USA Shanna Moakler pronounces her name SHAY-na though.
And a really big LOL: I'm not logged in and my verification letters are p o o :P
It has ALWAYS been "rice" in my mind. It's muchmuchmuch nicer that way. It makes more phonetical sense to me as rice as well.
I think in some cases (where you can actually get away with it), mispronounced names are alright.
It does bother the heck out of me that former Miss USA Shanna Moakler pronounces her name SHAY-na though.
And a really big LOL: I'm not logged in and my verification letters are p o o :P
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I know a couple of people who gave their children Irish names, Siobhan and Saoirse, that they mispronounce but I am not positive that they ever really knew how to say them properly. I think it's kind of dumb to name your child something you cannot pronounce or think sounds better mispronounced.
This message was edited 5/5/2009, 10:58 AM
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I agree too. I'd pronounce those correctly, and then to have myself corrected... I'd feel awkward.
It's hard enough with 'made up' names that you have to make a guess at, but real names said badly? :/
It's hard enough with 'made up' names that you have to make a guess at, but real names said badly? :/
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I agree. Seems "dumb" to me, too.
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Out of interest...
How did they pronounce them?
How did they pronounce them?
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I agree - one should ideally know how to say their own child's name properly.
Growing up I had a last name that no-one could figure out because of the dastardly conjunction of two vowels (to make an "ow" sound, rather than an "oo" sound, which everyone thought it should be) and I got mighty tired of calling attention to myself every roll call by piping up "Actually, it's...". I can only imagine the fun little "Chlo" will experience.
Growing up I had a last name that no-one could figure out because of the dastardly conjunction of two vowels (to make an "ow" sound, rather than an "oo" sound, which everyone thought it should be) and I got mighty tired of calling attention to myself every roll call by piping up "Actually, it's...". I can only imagine the fun little "Chlo" will experience.
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I've always thought that Chloe was prn like Chlo. That is, until a year ago. :P U like the Chlo prn better. Bt yes, I've heard of the misprn of a name before.
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But why would you think that if your name is Chloe?
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Because I wasn't always Chloe :)
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I wouldn't say the Greeks love diaereses(diaeresis is the singular). They're not used in the Greek language at all. They're used on words in other languages and often on those of Greek origin.
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Yes :) that's true.
We spell it "Klo" and it really means "toilet" in German
We spell it "Klo" and it really means "toilet" in German
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Lol, oh no. Poor little Chlo... one can only hope that she never goes to Germany, I guess?
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Or that someone named Galen never comes here to Sweden. It means "crazy".
There is a lot of names that means something "bad" in other languages. Quite funny actually :P
There is a lot of names that means something "bad" in other languages. Quite funny actually :P
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Is it Pippa that's seriously, seriously bad in Swedish?
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yes, but I still love it!
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