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I prefer the Greek pronunciation of Iphigeneia (ee-fee-YEN-ee-ah). I love it. I also really like Ismene, but I still prefer Iphigeneia because I like the way it flows better.

Iphigenia ("if-i-jeh-NIE-uh") was one of my first GPs. I've loved it forever. Iphigeneia is probably more authentic. I would pronounce it, "if-i-jeh-NAY-uh" and would be sad to give up my beloved long "i" pronunciation.

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I've always known my way wasn't very authentic, like Sophia as "so-FIE-uh." But I can't help loving them. They are so British Empire.

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Ismene -- if it's "iz-MEEN" then I love it. If it's "iz-MEE-nee" then it makes me think of "is meany." This makes no sense because "iz-MEEN" does too. There is no explaining my odd brain.

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Of the two I have to give Iphigeneia precedence over Ismene. But both are gorgeous.

I think Iphigeneia is a bit of a mouthful and every time I look at it I pronounce it differently. I do like Ismene, though. I really like the way it looks but I'm not crazy about the sound. It could grow on me though.

I would prefer Ismene, because I can pronounce it. ...... I think.

Iphigeneia in Greek is actually pronounced "if-ee-YE-nee-a". There is no j/g sound.

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Both names are beautiful and classic, as well as rare. Personally I prefer the name Ismene. I think it has a better sound. And while hearing Iphigeneia, I always think of the girl that was sacrifised by her father for the sake of a war, and this is kind of sad and pessimistic. Yet, it's still a beautiful name.

Of the two, I like Ismene better (pronounced is MEE nee). Instead of Ismene, I'd prefer Antigone. She was a much stronger character!

I say it "if-ih-jen-EYE-ah" because that's how a classics prof said it in class once.

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I really love looking at Ismene, but I always say it "iz-MEE-nee"... like "is [a] meanie" in my head when I read it. So that has kinda given it an odd quirk. I still really like it, because for some reason it reminds me of a raspberry tart. I have no idea what that's about.

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I actually prfer Ismene, honestly. Iphigeneia is nice, but so long.

This message was edited 7/6/2011, 6:51 AM

There's a Greek movie, a few clips of which are on youtube, I believe called Iphigeneia. Her father says her name, in his native tongue and it is pronounced like: iff-ee-hayne-ya. There is no "j" sound. The "g" is prn more like a g in Spanish which is like an "h". I always thought it had the "j" sound before that but I prefer the original pronunciation. I don't think it it as useable as other names may be unless you are Greek or use it as a middle name. I love it though and would love to see a child with this name. I don't care for Ismene.

I've always said if-ə-jin-AY-ə. I like it and have been liking it more lately. That and Iphigenia. I prefer Iphegenia. Don't like Ismene. Very few Greek -ee names appeal to me. So I definitely prefer Iphigeneia.

I have never seen Iphigeneia before but I'm thinking "ih-FIH-jee-NAY-uh". I don't like the name - it's overly complicated (imagine learning to spell that!) and I don't think it's useable in real life.

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Ismene is pretty though, and not very different from more usual names like Esme or Isla. I'm saying "IZ-meen" but I don't know if thats right.