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Help[Opinions] Re: Avonia
in reply to a message by Dorchadas
Hmmm. Well, I've always had a thing for Avon. Not the makeup manufacturer, but the river in England. I keep it as a GP / mn.
So Avonia starts out with a positive reference in my mind. Plus, the association with a Victorian era actress is alluring. If I'm pronouncing it correctly, "ah-VOE-nee-uh," then the long, stressed "o" sound is not my favorite. Perhaps it's "av-o-NEE-uh," which is more pleasing to my ears, but harder to get others (I suspect) to pronounce it that way. And finally, the "-ia" ending strikes me as a bit too much. I like Alexandra better than Alexandria for just this reason.
So, there are good things about Avonia and bad, for me. On balance, it's not taking root with me. But I wouldn't mind seeing it used. It's just not a favorite.
So Avonia starts out with a positive reference in my mind. Plus, the association with a Victorian era actress is alluring. If I'm pronouncing it correctly, "ah-VOE-nee-uh," then the long, stressed "o" sound is not my favorite. Perhaps it's "av-o-NEE-uh," which is more pleasing to my ears, but harder to get others (I suspect) to pronounce it that way. And finally, the "-ia" ending strikes me as a bit too much. I like Alexandra better than Alexandria for just this reason.
So, there are good things about Avonia and bad, for me. On balance, it's not taking root with me. But I wouldn't mind seeing it used. It's just not a favorite.
This message was edited 4/23/2013, 5:18 PM
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Replies
I quite like Avon, too - there's something pleasantly mysterious about it, can't quite put my finger on it. I'd only like it for a boy, though. :) Oh, and it also reminds me of Stratford-upon-Avon (as I had never heard of the river before), which is where William Shakespeare was born. ;)
Myself, I pronounce Avonia as ah-VOE-nee-ah. I prefer the long, stressed "o"-sound version, as I think the alternate option seems a bit awkward and is the less obvious choice (I think). But well, that's just a matter of personal taste, of course. ;)
Also, I see what you mean about the -ia thing, but I don't think that's as much an issue with Avonia. It's a fairly short name, and Avona would make it look a bit odd and 'naked'. Alexandria, on the other hand, is quite a mouthful, so then Alexandra makes more sense. But again, that's just a matter of personal taste. ;)
Anyway, thank you for your input - it was the most elaborate response so far, and I appreciate that. :)
Myself, I pronounce Avonia as ah-VOE-nee-ah. I prefer the long, stressed "o"-sound version, as I think the alternate option seems a bit awkward and is the less obvious choice (I think). But well, that's just a matter of personal taste, of course. ;)
Also, I see what you mean about the -ia thing, but I don't think that's as much an issue with Avonia. It's a fairly short name, and Avona would make it look a bit odd and 'naked'. Alexandria, on the other hand, is quite a mouthful, so then Alexandra makes more sense. But again, that's just a matter of personal taste. ;)
Anyway, thank you for your input - it was the most elaborate response so far, and I appreciate that. :)
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Avon is cool. It would be sort of cute (but cheesy) to have twins named Stratford and Avon :P Maybe for two pets...
Another possible pronunciation might be with 3 syllables: a-VON-ya, so that it rhymes with "begonia". I prefer it with 4 syllables though.
Another possible pronunciation might be with 3 syllables: a-VON-ya, so that it rhymes with "begonia". I prefer it with 4 syllables though.
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