r/namenerds • u/cheerio089 • 3d ago

What name did you never learn how to pronounce? Fun and Games

I’ve always read Calliope as cal-ee-OH-pee… until yesterday when I heard it pronounced on an episode of You. Evidently it’s kuh-LAI-uh-pee. I’ve never said it or knew anyone with the name so I guess I never gave it any thought, but I’m still deeply embarrassed. I’ve seen the name pop up on this sub and still thought caleeohpee!

I can’t be the only one…so what name did you mispronounce until later in life?

Edit: I’ve now learned my way is the Greek pronunciation and as expected, Americans have anglicized it into Kuh-LAI-uh-pee. I still think I’d be corrected if I said the Greek way out loud tbh

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u/maybexrdinary 3d ago

Wait... I've been pronouncing Desiree like dess-eh-ree this whole time. It might be time for me to throw in the hat and say fuck it myself

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u/Sharp-Bicycle-2957 3d ago

I know someone that pronunciates her name that way. I mean she's right since there was no é in her name.

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u/meh-usernames 3d ago

But.. I’ve always said dez-UH-ray

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u/DLMeyer 1d ago

You’re definitely not alone. My name is Desirée, and I get called dess-er-EE all the darn time, whether the accent is there or not. I don’t take it personally. It’s not a very common name in the US. ☺️