[Opinions] Re: How would you pronounce the name Elisha
in reply to a message by Cam
I am from the Netherlands, so my pronunciation of the name does not match the two options that you listed. I would pronounce it as ay-LEE-shah.
However, if I had to choose between the two pronunciations that you listed, then I would go for number 2, as that matches the Dutch pronunciation the closeliest.
And to answer your other question: I would at first assume the name to be female, as I would with the majority of names that end in -a (the exception of course being the few -a names of which I already knew in advance that they are male, like Ezra and Reza). The feminine appearance of the name to me is further emphasised by the fact that the name closely resembles the traditional feminine name Alicia and some of its variant spellings, such as Aleesha.
I think I might end up not being the only person who is reminded of Alicia when seeing this name (if not here on BtN, then in real life), which leads me to think that you might have a bit of a hard time passing Elisha off as male in any country that isn't Israel (where Elisha originates from). As such, it might perhaps be better to reserve Elisha for the middle name spot and to choose a more clearly masculine name for a first name.
Either way, the best of luck with whatever you choose to do. :)
Proud first-time aunt to Emilia (born November 2015).
However, if I had to choose between the two pronunciations that you listed, then I would go for number 2, as that matches the Dutch pronunciation the closeliest.
And to answer your other question: I would at first assume the name to be female, as I would with the majority of names that end in -a (the exception of course being the few -a names of which I already knew in advance that they are male, like Ezra and Reza). The feminine appearance of the name to me is further emphasised by the fact that the name closely resembles the traditional feminine name Alicia and some of its variant spellings, such as Aleesha.
I think I might end up not being the only person who is reminded of Alicia when seeing this name (if not here on BtN, then in real life), which leads me to think that you might have a bit of a hard time passing Elisha off as male in any country that isn't Israel (where Elisha originates from). As such, it might perhaps be better to reserve Elisha for the middle name spot and to choose a more clearly masculine name for a first name.
Either way, the best of luck with whatever you choose to do. :)
Proud first-time aunt to Emilia (born November 2015).