Another SSA post

anna7602

So if a name has gone from its peak at 771 in 2005 to 989 this year, I can pretty much abandon all hope that anyone will know how to spell or pronounce the name if I ever decide to use it, right?

Sigh. This is probably the one case in which someone hopes for a name to rise, if only ever so slightly, in popularity.

The name is Xiomara.

StrawberryAlarmClock

Her Spanish teacher will be able to.

GermanGirl2007

I really like that name a lot, but I have a feeling it will be butchered.  I feel like with X's and Z's, (generally speaking), people get overwhelmed or something.  My maiden name started with a Z, and even though it was spelled EXACTLY how it was pronounced, it got butchered all the time. I think that since 'X' is kind of an under-used, unfamiliar letter to people in terms of names, the odds of Xiomara getting butchered are high.

That said, I really love it, so I would totally endorse using it anyways if you can tolerate correcting people.

goodgollie

I think it depends on the name, not the popularity.  I assume Xiomara is pronounced "Zee-oh-mara".  I don't think its the most difficult name to pronounce.  I actually kind of like it.

barnwife

I love Xiomara! FWIW though, I speak Spanish pretty well. (I feel that's slipping as I don't have much chance to use it now, which makes me sad.)

JulieFe

I know this due to America's Next Top Model.

zaramarie81

I know how to spell and pronounce Xiomara. I worked with a lady with this name. All she had to do was tell me one time how to pronounce it. It didn't seem many folks had (permanent) trouble with her name... just needed help the first round. Honestly, from my understanding it's not that unusual of a name in Latino cultures.

Wish Upon A Star

I have always liked this name.

quezzo

I don't speak any Spanish, but I know exactly how to pronounce this name. The X makes the z sound. 

HannahO28

I think some people will have trouble with it when they read it. It would prevent me from using it personally. But take that with a grain of salt because it could just be that I don't like the name anyway. If you love it more than you hate correcting people's pronunciations, then you should absolutely use it. 

My name got mispronounced this weekend (Hannah). People will mispronounce even easy names.  

lelekay

I love this name!  I once had a student with this name, and once I confirmed it was how I thought it was pronounced, I never had trouble remembering.  I actually think it will be pronounced just fine.  It's a uncommon name, but fairly self-explanatory, IMO.

ycristina84

Hmmm...I speak spanish and pronounce the X like a soft J not a Z. How is it supposed to be pronounced? Im pronouncing it like Jimena or Javier. I like the name, though!

anna7602

ycristina84:

Hmmm...I speak spanish and pronounce the X like a soft J not a Z. How is it supposed to be pronounced? Im pronouncing it like Jimena or Javier. I like the name, though!

It's not pronounced like a J or a Z, but like a soft S- See-oh-mahr-uh.