Pronunciation nightmare!

KristaNbHam

I'm southern, and many things sound different here than they do anywhere else. 

My problem is that there are always two options... southern, and everyone else. I should also note that I'm a teacher and Yooneek names irk me. 

DH's great-grandmother was Evangeline... not EE-vangeline, but eh-vangeline.  Southern pronunciation...

We are naming DD2 Evangeline, and were going to use the southern pronunciation of eh-vangeline. The E makes the same sound as if you were saying Evan. 

We also decided to call her Evie... eh-vie. This is where the problem comes in, because 85% of the world would pronounce that Ee-vie. Should I change the entire pronunciation of the first name just so that people do not mispronounce my child's NICKNAME? I am so frustrated with myself for even typing this. I have always been one to say, "I will never be one of those people who names my kid one thing and calls them another...", but here we are. 

 Gut reaction.... EE-vie   or Eh-vie?  How would you pronounce it? Would you side-eye the person pronouncing it Eh-vie? 

 

Zimger

I would pronounce it ee-vie. I wouldn't side eye it but some people might. I have a few names on my list that are pronounced differently in the US than they are anywhere else. We may not use them for that reason.

Many people will not get it right the first time. But, since it is a family name and is based in your families heritage/culture I would encourage it's use. Some people seem to want a cookie cutter approach when it comes to names. I think that culture and a families traditions are more important.

tinktink20

I would pronounce it however she was introduced to me as.  

KristaNbHam

tinktink20:

I would pronounce it however she was introduced to me as.  

Let's say there is no introduction, and you're reading the name from a list of possible applicants. How would you pronounce it?  

mummalove

It's not very often that you are reading someone's nickname when you first meet them, so I don't think it's a big deal. At the Dr's office, school, etc., she will have "Evangeline" written on the paperwork.

I'm guessing, at school, she will then write Evie (if she wants) but by then she will have already told her teacher, "I like to be called Eh-vie"

 I would prepare yourself for a lifetime of correcting people with the E/eh of her name in general though. (although that would not stop me from using it in this case, because it's so minor and is clearly a meaningful name) 

persephonerose

I would not refrain from using the name because the nickname you like might be pronounced differently.  Even with the first name people might not pronounce it the way you mention. I am southern but my first reaction to the name is either an Ah-vangeline or E-vangeline sound because these are the ways I have heard it pronounced previously. 

That said, it might not be a problem in your area. And as an adult she can figure out if she wants to bother correcting people on how to pronounce her name.  As far as a nickname goes.. the best laid plans and all. As she grows up her nickname might be completely different from Evie.  My mom wanted me to be "becky" so bad. I hated it and all my friends hated it.

Fink

My gut reaction on seeing Evangeline or Evie would be EE-vangeline or EE-vie, but I wouldn't side-eye Eh-vangeline or Eh-vie.

But if you introduce your daughter as Eh-vangeline, I would shorten to Eh-vie.

MelissaOrlando

I'm originally from KY (southern), and my stepsister went by Evie (ee-vie). I have heard a few people say "eh-vie" before and it always sounded like they were mispronouncing it.

SarahBBowers

Evangeline is a beautiful name!  I would pronounce it Eh-vie.....but thats also my grandmother's name so that's the only way I've ever heard it (full name is Evelina).

LoCarb

I pronounce it Ee-vie but I say if ppl say it eh-vie in your area then you should have np worrying abut correcting everyone.  The correction should only come if you move.  

FWIW-Mario is pronounced differently on the west & east coast (or used to be) w/ the A being short/long respectively. The few that I have known, realize it's a region thing, correct ppl and move on.

If ppl in your area pronounce it w/ a long E then yes, I would change the NN to reflect such. 

sesigs

Joy2611:

KristaNbHam:

tinktink20:

I would pronounce it however she was introduced to me as.  

Let's say there is no introduction, and you're reading the name from a list of possible applicants. How would you pronounce it?  

Why does it matter?  Lots of names are difficult to pronounce from how they are spelled because parents have no idea how to spell these days.  One quick "Oh, it's Eh-vie," and the problem is solved.  

How is it any different than a Christopher saying "Yes, that's me.  I prefer Chris."  It's not.  You're overthinking!  :-)

Secondary - I really like Evangeline but hate Eh-vie. 

This. You are over thinking it. You are correct most of the world will say EE-vangeline or EE-vie but all it takes is a quick correction. But if your concern if that you DON'T want to have to correct people then you may want to pick a different name. 

kerribear1717

FWIW I would pronounce Evangeline how to like it, with the eh and not a hard EE.  However, I would definitely say EE-vie.  I don't really like the way eh-vie sounds.

One other thought to add.  When people are saying the full name Evangeline I would probably never correct them to say the "eh" instead of the "EE" because it's such a quick sound when you say it.  It doesn't really quite change the whole sound of the name (ex. if someone was saying "line" at the end vs. "lynn" or "lene" to me that changes the sound a lot) but the first sound is said so quickly it's neither here nor there to me.

But since Evie is very short, how you say the first sound does change it all.

Food for though.  My name is Kerri.  I grew up in FL and I pronounce the "er" in my name like "air", so when I say it, it sounds like K/air/EE.  However, I have family that was born/raised in NYC, they say K/eh/ree (eh like egg).  And my Godmother from CT says K/Ah/ree (ryhmes with carry, ah like apple).  It's never been an issue at all for me.  You child will understand people from different places say thing differently.

bumpuser5823822

I'm from the midwest and I definetly would have mispronounced Evangeline wrong, but I would have said Evie right. Probably a weird combo?

But I think I pronounce Evie the way you want because I have known another little girl who went by that and that was how it was pronounced.

austenreader85

I feel like this is asked all the time and the answer is always "it's going to be ok."  I'm from VA and I would say Eh-van-ge-line.  I wouldn't assume a nickname.  So I'd follow her cue after she said "I go by Eh-vee." 

Personally, Eh-vee annoys me, same for Evelyn.  I prefer Ee-vee.  But it's no big deal.

juniper19

Let's see...

First of all I'm a life-long NYer and I would pronounce Evangeline with an "eh" sound at the beginning.

I'm sure there are people who will see Evie and think it is pronounced EE-vee but if she introduces herself as EH-vee I don't think there will be any confusion.  My husband's aunt is EH-vee (short for Evelyn) and it is lovely.

guilletskichuk

I'm in Canada and have only heard of Evangeline as being pronounced as Eh-vangeline...never Ee-vangeline.

I would automatically pronounce Evie as Eh-vie. Perhaps because I have a friend named Evelyn and we've always called her Eh-vie. 

victoria+james

My first reaction would be to pronounce it eevie but one correction and I'd have it. I love the sound of ehvie, I'd stick with it!

alliejo725

1. I'm not from the South, and I've only ever heard the name Evangeline pronounced eh-vangeline. So I don't think that should be a major concern.

2. Generally, Evie = ee-vee, while Evy or Evi = eh-vee. Both are acceptable nicknames for Evangeline.

MelissaRae1525

I've only ever heard Evangeline and Evie pronounced Eh-vangeline amd Ev-ie. I know a little girl named Evie prn that why so maybe that's why. Also my cousin's baby is Evelyn nn Evie prn Ev-ie. 

AwBeth

I don't think it would be too difficult to correct people on the pronunciation.  I knew two Evie (eh-vie)'s growing up and it was no big deal. 

Also, I get kind annoyed when people call Evelyn's Eee-vie because it's not Eee-velyn, it's Eh-velyn.  So don't change the pronunciation!!

Leah&JP

alliejo725:

1. I'm not from the South, and I've only ever heard the name Evangeline pronounced eh-vangeline. So I don't think that should be a major concern.

2. Generally, Evie = ee-vee, while Evy or Evi = eh-vee. Both are acceptable nicknames for Evangeline.

I was thinking this as well. Perhaps using the spelling Evy might clear up pronunciation.

FrickandFrack

I pronounced it as ehvie.

khill562

I would pronounce it eh-vie but I am also from the south.

bearkatjen

I don't really think of eh-vangeline as a different pronunciation, but more like people's drawls short-cutting the ee sound. I dont' think people in the South will have problems going from eh-vangeline to eeivie. I do think people would trip over eh-vie though.

sweetpea2003

I would pronounce it Eh-vangeline and Eh-vee. 

The only Evie I know is an Evelyn and that has that "eh" sound so she pronounces it Eh-Vee.  I think it is cute! 

Anne22202

I have an Evie (ee-vie) and a good number of people pronounce it as eh-vie, no matter what.  So, I say pronounce it however you want!  Either way you will occasionally have to correct people.  

Strunella

I would say Ee-vee.  My middle name is Alana, and my parents pronounce it a-lan-a (the middle "a" sounds like the first syllable in lanolin.)  But I quickly learned that the rest of the world says a-lahn-a.  I got so tired of correcting people, that I now just pronounce it the way everyone else does.

MelleTX

this