Name Question: Ava or Eva

Garfield28 · August 2009

I really like the name AVA, but have always wanted my daughter's name to start with an "E"...do you think it would be too confusing to name a child EVA, but pronounce it AVA???

Amrice78 · August 2009

yes

uofibabe · August 2009

Yes

whit022109 · August 2009

if you want it to be prounounced aye-vuh, definitely dont spell it eva. people would call her eeh-vuh.

tmhutch · August 2009

Yes, her name will be mis-pronounced her entire life.

mmitche0 · August 2009

noone would pronounce it that way but you

mwalliser · August 2009

Personally... if it's spelled Eva I want to pronounce it "Eve-ah". I've seen it spelled both ways and pronounced "Avah" though... it might cause some confusion growing up though...

bmstee03 · August 2009

She would def be called eeh-vah her entire life.

ocho2002 · August 2009

You can't change the pronunciation of a name. You need to decide whether the spelling or pronunciation is more important.

TeamV · August 2009

I would only do it if your family or community speaks a lot of Spanish. In Spanish, Eva would have more of an Ava pronunciation, because the "e" sounds more like "eh" when spoken. Otherwise, I'd go with Ava.

suedell · August 2009

My sister had this issue because my brother in law's first language is Spanish and in Spanish (as well as a lot of other languages) Eva is pronounced Eh-va. Then she found out that Ava means "bird" and Eva means "life" and she liked "life" better. My niece is now 4 and in school. She has no trouble correcting people on her own! Usually people get it after just telling them once. Hope that helps.

stace42 · August 2009

Yes - she will always have to correct people...stick with Ava, it is a great name.

MrsRebecca · August 2009

Yes.

jrlandrigan · August 2009

mwalliser:

Personally... if it's spelled Eva I want to pronounce it "Eve-ah". I've seen it spelled both ways and pronounced "Avah" though... it might cause some confusion growing up though...

This

NaHoku · August 2009

Until college, I always thought that Eva was pronounced "Ay-vuh," like Ava. That's because when I was growing up, my ballet teacher - who was from Czechoslovakia - pronounced it that way. So it depends on where you're from as to how you'd pronounce it.

I'd say that in the US, it is probably going to be mispronounced a lot, but I don't think it's ridiculous to spell it that way and I wouldn't consider it "changing the pronunciation of a name." If you're okay with doing a lot of "No, it's pronounced like Ava," and you're okay with your DD having to do the same, then go for it!

dansozzi · August 2009

yes

justrachet · August 2009

Every Eva I've known was latina and pronounced it with a long A sound, rather than a long E sound. So that's the way I've always pronounced it. But, Americans usually will say "ee" when they see an E.

ToledoDeux · August 2009

No, I don't think it is too confusing. That pronunciation of Eva is a valid alternative. I know a little girl with that spelling/pronunciation, and we were considering it for DD#1. You may have to correct people a few times....but who cares?

cinderellabella · August 2009

Eva (prounounced A-vuh) is on my short list of girl names. People will pronounce it the way you introduce her, or how she introduces herself. My full name can be pronounced in a few different ways, and people always pronounce it the way I introduce it. Spell and pronounce it the way you'd like, everyone else will follow. Yes