How do you pronounce Gianna?

Rileypie · December 2013

One of our favorite names for our baby girl is Gianna Rose. Problem is how people pronounce it, it makes me think I choose something less ethnic. I'm Italian, DH is not but baby will have both last names (I know I know I am one of those people... As a teacher you would think I would know better!.). Anyway the proper way to say it is JAHN-na, not the seemingly American way of saying it gee-AH-na. How do you pronounce Gianna? Should we just pick the name we like and deal with it or choose something more simple? Our back up is Layla/Laila Rose. Thanks for your thoughts ladies! Naming a a tiny human is so hard!

SuperMom17 · December 2013

I know several and all pronounce Gee-On-Uh. Fwiw, I am just not a fan. If it ere pronounced as John-Uh I wouldn't mind it so much.

==N== · December 2013

I love it but I would say gee-ahna

diamondduck13 · December 2013

You'll get a lot of gee-ahn-a in the US

Only you can know how much it will annoy you to correct everyone

nittanyllama · December 2013

I would say gee-ah-na, sorry.

brooksidebride · December 2013

I pronounce it the "Americanized" way... Gee Ah Nah. And I love it!

JAHN Na is so pretty too, though! And since that's correct and that's how you like it, I'd go for it and just know you'll have to correct people and she will too when older. To me, that's not a big deal. For people who are in her everyday life, you/she will tell them once. For one time acquaintances and encounters... It's just once too!

If I came across this name "on paper", I'd say Gee Ah Nah, but as soon as I was corrected, I would be conscious of it and say JAHN Na from that point forward.

Layla is fine, but I like Gianna soo much more (both pronunciations).

Rileypie · December 2013

Thanks for the input ladies. It won't annoy me to correct people since we are in the US and I can't expect people to say an Italian name the way I would, I am just not sure I want to have to correct everyone outside my family...which is looking like I would have to.

sunflowermama42212 · December 2013

I've just never ever heard it pronounced any other way then
gee-ana and I think a lot of people will pronounce it that way so you might be setting her up to constantly correct people. If that doesn't bother you then go for it

sulsa78 · December 2013

I automatically say Gee-AH-Na. Gorgeous name! Too bad our last name is Irish...that would've been my 1st choice!

aprilbaby2014 · December 2013

As a preschool teacher, I have had three Gee-Ahn-Na's ... Two of which were full Italians . I have nothing against the "Correct pronunciation" but in America, it will be "Americanized"

BleubirdOnAWire · December 2013

It's the same with Giovanni. Well, it comes down to how much correcting you can bear. I'd also weigh in the pronounceability of the last names. If it's all prone to mistakes then it may be really too much.

Luna C · December 2013

I know many very Italian families who have used this name and every single one of them pronounces it gee-AHN-a

Helenahhandbasket · December 2013

Jahn-ah, though both of the Giannas I know say it the "wrong" way.

I am of Italian heritage, FWIW.

plus12012 · December 2013

NittanyMama said:

I would say gee-ah-na, sorry.

This is definitely how I'd pronounce it.

nflan16 · December 2013

My top choice for a girl is Gianna. It goes nicely with my Italian last name. I will be pronouncing it the 'American' way, as that's the only way I've heard it and love it. Gee-ah-na.

kleigh926 · December 2013

I say it Gee-ah-na too. I think Gianna Rose is gorgeous! I guess you just have to decide what you're comfortable with.

Unknown · December 2013

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JaysonandKristin · December 2013

Good lord, do my aunt and uncle know they pronounce my cousin's name incorrectly?

She is Gianna, and we were told to call her Gee-Ahn-Uh.

Helenahhandbasket · December 2013

JaysonandKristin said:

Good lord, do my aunt and uncle know they pronounce my cousin's name incorrectly?

She is Gianna, and we were told to call her Gee-Ahn-Uh.

Yeah, they do. My cousins do it as well to their DD.