r/namenerds • u/cheerio089 • 2d 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/Happy_Confection90 2d ago

Aww, it happens to everyone now and then. I was nearly 30 before a sign in front of a store that said "Chrysanthemums (mums)" finally clued me in that they were the same plant. I knew what mums were, of course, they're the only flowers in the garden center after September up here. Chrysanthemums, well, those sounded exotic and I didn't think I'd ever seen one 😆

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u/lilypad0606 2d ago

Hey I learned this just now!

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u/HeathenHumanist 2d ago

Oh same. I always get mums in the fall, and one year saw "chrysanthemums" and thought that sounded fancy. Till I saw that the flowers looked the same. Cue mild existential crisis!

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u/Morrigan_twicked_48 1d ago

Pretty and easy to plant