Issues with name pronunciation - what would you do?

[Lindsey123]

Hi Ladies,

Just having a last minute brain failure and wondered if you'd help.

My OH and I took literally 8 months to decide on a name for our baby girl that we both liked. It was HARD - I like foreign or unusual names; he likes traditional. I like long and flouncy, feminine names; he likes one syllable names We decided finally on Katja - and both love it - unusual in the UK (if common in Germany and Scandinavia), can be Kat for OH, Kitty while she's a baby, and Kate or Katie if she wants to hide later if she's shy at school. She can also fit in with our three cats who stole all of my suitable baby names when I was sure I wasn't ever going to want a baby haha

We were delighted - at least till last night. One of my work colleagues (who'd been sworn to secrecy!) told everyone the name at a work retirement do, and I'm almost glad she did, as NOBODY could say it! They were all saying it like CATCHER - and it sounds awful in our NE accent. I've spent so much time in Norway and know many Germans, all of whom say it perfectly....great grandma here can't say it, and immediately suggested other names, though great grandad can

I LOVE the name and think there is nothing else in the world that will suit us as well...but if nobody can say the damn thing, I'll be irritated forever. What would you do? Call her it but encourage Kat or Kitty as a nickname for those who can't say it, or change the name altogether? xx

PS - it's supposed to be like this - the German version, the second one down: https://www.forvo.com/word/katja/

 

[kmbabycrazy]

I have a friend named this, she's ukranian and it frustrates her so much when people can't say it so people who can't say it call her Kat. I'd do that. I don't think you should change the name if you love it. Plus you don't want it to take another 8 months lol x

 

[oneteddybear]

I wouldn't change her name. You have already decided it's fine for her to be called by nicknames ( that you like) so the people who can't prononce her name can use nicknames. As soon as people hear you call her by name enough they will pick up on how to say it.

 

[MrsKB 82]

Would you consider changing the spelling to Katya to avoid the pronunciation problems?
Have to say, I wouldn't even think of pronouncing it like 'catcher'!
xxx

 

[Lindsey123]

Would you consider changing the spelling to Katya to avoid the pronunciation problems? Have to say, I wouldn't even think of pronouncing it like 'catcher'!
xxx

I like all of the spellings Katja, Katya (which would definitely be easier on school registers) and Katia It wasn't that people were reading it out wrongly, but repeating it from my colleague's announcement as Catcher haha It's just the Teesside accent, I guess. Maybe we should change the spelling, encourage nicknames AND I'll sit in the house and rock in the corner, repeating the proper pronunciation to myself till I go mad haha

Thank you x

 

[Lindsey123]

Plus you don't want it to take another 8 months lol x

Haha this made me laugh - it was a distinct possibility

 

[Lindsey123]

You have already decided it's fine for her to be called by nicknames ( that you like)

FAB point and put my mind at rest almost instantly THANK YOU

 

[MrsKB 82]

Would you consider changing the spelling to Katya to avoid the pronunciation problems? Have to say, I wouldn't even think of pronouncing it like 'catcher'!
xxx

I like all of the spellings Katja, Katya (which would definitely be easier on school registers) and Katia It wasn't that people were reading it out wrongly, but repeating it from my colleague's announcement as Catcher haha It's just the Teesside accent, I guess. Maybe we should change the spelling, encourage nicknames AND I'll sit in the house and rock in the corner, repeating the proper pronunciation to myself till I go mad haha

Thank you x

With Katia you run the risk of people saying Kateeya (or 'cattier' lol) and I'm guessing that's not how you want it pronounced!
I have to say, I've purposefully not chosen names that are difficult to spell or have a variety of pronunciations because it would irritate me too if people got it wrong.
xxx

 

[Emerald87]

Sneaking over from 2nd tri - I love the name personally. I can see how pronunciation would be difficult but that shouldn't put you off because it's beautiful.

 

[Lindsey123]

Would you consider changing the spelling to Katya to avoid the pronunciation problems? Have to say, I wouldn't even think of pronouncing it like 'catcher'!
xxx

I like all of the spellings Katja, Katya (which would definitely be easier on school registers) and Katia It wasn't that people were reading it out wrongly, but repeating it from my colleague's announcement as Catcher haha It's just the Teesside accent, I guess. Maybe we should change the spelling, encourage nicknames AND I'll sit in the house and rock in the corner, repeating the proper pronunciation to myself till I go mad haha

Thank you x

With Katia you run the risk of people saying Kateeya (or 'cattier' lol) and I'm guessing that's not how you want it pronounced!
I have to say, I've purposefully not chosen names that are difficult to spell or have a variety of pronunciations because it would irritate me too if people got it wrong.
xxx

Very good point too. It's important that this doesn't happen because OH chose Lucia as a middle name, and if Katja became Kateeya, it'd sound ridiculous and like a nursery rhyme haha- Katteeya Looceeyah.

It def. has to be short vowels and two syllables for Katja - so thanks very much for the point about Katia. I think you are right

 

[Lindsey123]

Sneaking over from 2nd tri - I love the name personally. I can see how pronunciation would be difficult but that shouldn't put you off because it's beautiful.

THANK YOU I'm back smiling again

I love this forum and how kind and helpful people are

 

[MrsKB 82]

Would you consider changing the spelling to Katya to avoid the pronunciation problems? Have to say, I wouldn't even think of pronouncing it like 'catcher'!
xxx

I like all of the spellings Katja, Katya (which would definitely be easier on school registers) and Katia It wasn't that people were reading it out wrongly, but repeating it from my colleague's announcement as Catcher haha It's just the Teesside accent, I guess. Maybe we should change the spelling, encourage nicknames AND I'll sit in the house and rock in the corner, repeating the proper pronunciation to myself till I go mad haha

Thank you x

With Katia you run the risk of people saying Kateeya (or 'cattier' lol) and I'm guessing that's not how you want it pronounced!
I have to say, I've purposefully not chosen names that are difficult to spell or have a variety of pronunciations because it would irritate me too if people got it wrong.
xxx

Very good point too. It's important that this doesn't happen because OH chose Lucia as a middle name, and if Katja became Kateeya, it'd sound ridiculous and like a nursery rhyme haha- Katteeya Looceeyah.

It def. has to be short vowels and two syllables for Katja - so thanks very much for the point about Katia. I think you are right

I'm a teacher so am quite used to varying pronunciations/spellings of names!
I love Lucia but is that loo-seeya or loo-cheeya?!
xxx

 

[Lindsey123]

Would you consider changing the spelling to Katya to avoid the pronunciation problems? Have to say, I wouldn't even think of pronouncing it like 'catcher'!
xxx

I like all of the spellings Katja, Katya (which would definitely be easier on school registers) and Katia It wasn't that people were reading it out wrongly, but repeating it from my colleague's announcement as Catcher haha It's just the Teesside accent, I guess. Maybe we should change the spelling, encourage nicknames AND I'll sit in the house and rock in the corner, repeating the proper pronunciation to myself till I go mad haha

Thank you x

With Katia you run the risk of people saying Kateeya (or 'cattier' lol) and I'm guessing that's not how you want it pronounced!
I have to say, I've purposefully not chosen names that are difficult to spell or have a variety of pronunciations because it would irritate me too if people got it wrong.
xxx

Very good point too. It's important that this doesn't happen because OH chose Lucia as a middle name, and if Katja became Kateeya, it'd sound ridiculous and like a nursery rhyme haha- Katteeya Looceeyah.

It def. has to be short vowels and two syllables for Katja - so thanks very much for the point about Katia. I think you are right

I'm a teacher so am quite used to varying pronunciations/spellings of names!
I love Lucia but is that loo-seeya or loo-cheeya?!
xxx

I'm a teacher too haha That's why I was desperate for an unusual name - one that wasn't on my register I now have six Bethanys in one class after a move around! It's Loo-see-ya (but I like both xx

 

[MrsPear]

We have picked the name Joni and are a bit worried too that people will not be able to pronounce it (it's supposed to be like Joni Mitchell but I think people might read Jonny). However, if we changed the spelling it would look like and be a different name to me. I think the same of Katja- if you spelt it differently it just wouldn't be the same.

If you love the name I think you have to go for it, and accept that some people's accents might make it sound a bit different, but the people you know and are friends with will all know how to say it correctly and that's what matters. She/you will only need to tell people once and then they will know how to say it and even though the accent might make it sound a bit funny, that's only one part of the country and it seems like most people on here say they would be able to pronounce it correctly!

xx

 

[MrsPear]

PS I think it's a beautiful name- definitely go for it. x

 

[Lindsey123]

We have picked the name Joni and are a bit worried too that people will not be able to pronounce it (it's supposed to be like Joni Mitchell but I think people might read Jonny). However, if we changed the spelling it would look like and be a different name to me. I think the same of Katja- if you spelt it differently it just wouldn't be the same.

If you love the name I think you have to go for it, and accept that some people's accents might make it sound a bit different, but the people you know and are friends with will all know how to say it correctly and that's what matters. She/you will only need to tell people once and then they will know how to say it and even though the accent might make it sound a bit funny, that's only one part of the country and it seems like most people on here say they would be able to pronounce it correctly!

xx

I'd definitely say Joan-ie I agree with you

 

[EmzLouise]

Isn't it pronounced kat-e-ya? I've only guessed that from the spelling, nor have I read any other posts.

Just correct people, that's what I do. Bubzys name is Keana, pronounced Key-yana. People often say key-na, or they use her nickname, which is Keekee. I just correct them and they don't make that mistake again. Maybe because I say it in a tone of voice that states if they get it wrong again I'll hit them ever so slightly.

 

[notmommyyet]

I got it right. But if the problem isnt the spelling then people are just dumb if they cant repeat a name. Its not hard to say. My real name is easy to say but spelled soo weird. Some people get it right some dont. Hasnt really bothered me any

 

[loveandbabies]

I like it, and read it correctly. People will get used to it and I will become second nature to say it correctly I have given my children relatively normal names but with odd spellings for some uniqueness. I named my daughter Melodie and my son will be named Jaxon. I used to get tired of spelling out her name all the time but it has just gotten to the point where I automatically spell it for ppl if they are writing it for something.

 

[leahsbabybump]

Hi hun just listened to german pronunciation and how about you just change teh spelling to Katia When i saw it with your spelling i would have pronounced it "Kaja" my borad yorkshire accent would have missed out the the T changing the pronunciation if that makes sens lol
If you feel ok with a spelling change I think most people would pronounce it properly.
My son has a Kurdish name we changed the spelling to make it easier for people who dont speak kurdish to pronounce it iykwim :-/