# Different Ways To Pronounce Names Spelled The Same **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 30, 2007, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/different-ways-to-pronounce-names-spelled-the-same/410055 "2007-06-30T17:59:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rediff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e47774/32.png) [@Rediff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rediff)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2007, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/different-ways-to-pronounce-names-spelled-the-same/410055/1 "2007-06-30T17:59:43Z")
I was looking for names that are spelled the same way but often pronounced differently. For example: Beatrice I have known people who say “BEE-a-trice”. And I’ve known others say “bee-AT-trice.” Or Leroy: I have heard it pronounced “LEE-roy.” and I’ve heard people say “la-ROY.” Any other examples. I am looking for general examples, not one time things by some girl or guy who to stupid to say it right. LOL 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2007, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/different-ways-to-pronounce-names-spelled-the-same/410055/2 "2007-06-30T18:51:13Z")
The Perfect Master: SEE-sil to Americans, SESS-il to the British Maurice: Maw-REES in the USA, MAWR-is across the pond Colin Powell pronounces his first name COE-lin, while my cousin Ron’s son Colin is CAHL-in. ---
**Author:** ![stucco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@stucco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stucco)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2007, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/different-ways-to-pronounce-names-spelled-the-same/410055/3 "2007-06-30T20:01:16Z")
I have two friends named Kaya. One is ‘KAY-uh’ and the other is ‘KAI-uh’. (rhymes with papaya) Similarly, Leah can be ‘LEE-uh’ or ‘LAY-uh’ and Cara can be ‘CARE-uh’ or ‘CAR-uh’ ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2007, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/different-ways-to-pronounce-names-spelled-the-same/410055/4 "2007-06-30T21:01:59Z")
Shithead. They \*swear \*“shi-theed” is the only way to pronounce it. Yeah, now. Wait till little Shithead starts school. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ms.Pumpkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a87d85/32.png) [@Ms.Pumpkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms.Pumpkin)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2007, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/different-ways-to-pronounce-names-spelled-the-same/410055/5 "2007-06-30T21:12:05Z")
[QUOTE=Sternvogel] Maurice: Maw-REES in the USA, MAWR-is across the pond. [/QUOTE] Really? I have an uncle Maurice who pronounces it “MORE-iss”. I’ve met others as well. Could be a Maine/New England thing. My contribution: Caroline. Sometimes CarolINE, sometimes CarolIN. ---
**Author:** ![if6was9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e47c2d/32.png) [@if6was9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/if6was9)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2007, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/different-ways-to-pronounce-names-spelled-the-same/410055/6 "2007-06-30T21:25:03Z")
Jimmy Carter was on Paula Deen’s show once. He was talking about pecans, pecan pie. He said it gets pronounced 4 different ways: PEE-can PEE-kahn pee-CAN PEEK-an ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2007, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/different-ways-to-pronounce-names-spelled-the-same/410055/7 "2007-06-30T21:29:30Z")
Andrea is a good one. I have known it to be ANN-drea, AHN-drea, and Ahn-DREA ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2007, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/different-ways-to-pronounce-names-spelled-the-same/410055/8 "2007-06-30T21:49:10Z")
Lana: Lah-na or Lay-na, the same goes for Alana Alyssa: AH- lissah, Ah- lee-sha, or Ay-lissah, I’ve heard all three and can never keep them straight. ---
**Author:** ![jabiru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@jabiru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabiru)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2007, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/different-ways-to-pronounce-names-spelled-the-same/410055/9 "2007-06-30T22:36:55Z")
Elaine = Eelayne or schwa-layne ---
**Author:** ![counsel\_wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/65b543/32.png) [@counsel\_wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/counsel_wolf)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2007, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/different-ways-to-pronounce-names-spelled-the-same/410055/10 "2007-06-30T22:43:11Z")
In real life my name is Ralph. I can count the number of people who ask me upon first contact (having seen it written down previously) which pronunciation I use in single digits. For the record, it’s a silent L. ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2007, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/different-ways-to-pronounce-names-spelled-the-same/410055/11 "2007-06-30T23:01:50Z")
Anthony. ANT-uhnee in the UK ANTH-uhnee in OZ ---
**Author:** ![seosamh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@seosamh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seosamh)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2007, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/different-ways-to-pronounce-names-spelled-the-same/410055/12 "2007-06-30T23:27:15Z")
Craig = kray-g in the Commonwealth = kreg in the US of A, I believe. ---
**Author:** ![Kneepants\_Erasmus\_the\_Humanist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/54ee81/32.png) [@Kneepants\_Erasmus\_the\_Humanist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kneepants_Erasmus_the_Humanist)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2007, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/different-ways-to-pronounce-names-spelled-the-same/410055/13 "2007-06-30T23:42:47Z")
There is a street here called “Maria”. Apparently people pronounce it “Mariah”. I’ve no idea why, and I refuse to participate. Wacky Minnesotans and their ridiculous verbal quirks. I have _got_ to get the hell out of here. ---
**Author:** ![bundykala](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@bundykala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bundykala)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2007, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/different-ways-to-pronounce-names-spelled-the-same/410055/14 "2007-06-30T23:52:04Z")
Rhiannon is one. Some people say REE-uh-nin Others say Ree-ANN-on I’d say Ree-ANN-in ---
**Author:** ![KlondikeGeoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3e96dc/32.png) [@KlondikeGeoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KlondikeGeoff)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2007, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/different-ways-to-pronounce-names-spelled-the-same/410055/15 "2007-06-30T23:55:03Z")
Geoffrey JEFFree, which I insist is correct JOFFree, maybe British, but one Brit I know of that name also uses the first one. Then, some idiots say GODfree. I know I am godlike, but cheech, where do they see the “d?” ---
**Author:** ![Avarie537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Avarie537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avarie537)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2007, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/different-ways-to-pronounce-names-spelled-the-same/410055/16 "2007-06-30T23:55:19Z")
[QUOTE=stucco] Similarly, Leah can be ‘LEE-uh’ or ‘LAY-uh’ [/QUOTE] Blasphemy! I am not a princess from a galaxy far far away, nor do I have buns on my head. _Her_ name is spelled “Leia.” ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2007, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/different-ways-to-pronounce-names-spelled-the-same/410055/17 "2007-07-01T00:05:19Z")
[QUOTE=Rediff] For example: Beatrice I have known people who say “BEE-a-trice”. And I’ve known others say “bee-AT-trice.” [/QUOTE] My ex mother in law was Bee-triss. [QUOTE=counsel wolf] In real life my name is Ralph. I can count the number of people who ask me upon first contact (having seen it written down previously) which pronunciation I use in single digits. For the record, it’s a silent L. [/QUOTE] How do you pronounce it, Rouf? My ex father in law was called Ralf with the L. I haven’t seen Beatrice and Ralph in years, I ought to stop by to see what they are up to. ---
**Author:** ![counsel\_wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/65b543/32.png) [@counsel\_wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/counsel_wolf)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2007, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/different-ways-to-pronounce-names-spelled-the-same/410055/18 "2007-07-01T00:10:26Z")
[QUOTE=racer72] How do you pronounce it, Rouf? /QUOTE] R long a f silent e. Rafe is probably the best phonetic rendition. Think of the AL in words like walk and talk, you don’t pronounce the L there (at least in most every dialect I’ve heard). ---
**Author:** ![jabiru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@jabiru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabiru)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2007, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/different-ways-to-pronounce-names-spelled-the-same/410055/19 "2007-07-01T00:41:49Z")
Helena = Hellenna or Heleena or Helayna ---
**Author:** ![Chanteuse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9de053/32.png) [@Chanteuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chanteuse)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2007, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/different-ways-to-pronounce-names-spelled-the-same/410055/20 "2007-07-01T00:53:51Z")
[QUOTE=if6was9] Jimmy Carter was on Paula Deen’s show once. He was talking about pecans, pecan pie. He said it gets pronounced 4 different ways: PEE-can PEE-kahn pee-CAN PEEK-an [/QUOTE] All those pronunciations, and not one is correct. 😉 It’s puh-CAHN. As for that first pronunciation, my dad always said that was something country folk used to keep under their beds at night and emptied every morning. 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/different-ways-to-pronounce-names-spelled-the-same/410055.md?page=2)