Baby Names

Like Rhonda - Rhyanna has a phonetic origin of being Celtic.. hence the h.. but not everyone has to like it. and like Rhonda, it's also silent.

Think of it like Ryanna as in a femine form of Ryan.

Declan is cute so is Austin. Thanks for the suggestions and honesty :)

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I think thats why (in my opinion) the name isn't really useable unless you're in Ireland though, just like Ciara. Almost no one will pronounce it correctly. It is a pretty name though, I like Ryanna way better than just Ryan for a girl :).

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So it's the spelling that's deterring you? Ryanna is better than Rhyanna because of the spelling? Is the spelling confusing or just strange? I'm trying to get a feel for opinions outside my own.

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Both spellings are confusing, and it is just they spelling that is deterring me. I think Ryana would probably be best because it reminds me most of "Ryan", but Rhyanna reminds me of Rhianna, and Ryanna reminds me of Brianna. Though, Ryana is still a little confusing because I'd want to pronounce it RYAN-a instead of Rye-anna. So I think the spelling would deter me from using any version of the name at all. Its why no Celtic names at all are on my list. Sorry!

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Well phonetically Ryana is strange because technically in English you would have to pronounce it Rye-AINA because there is only one consonant between the two a's.

I wanted to use the origin of the name Rhiannon which means "great queen" and has to do with my personal heritage. I was trying to change the spelling of the name to reflect how it should be pronounced without losing too much of the actual origin. There is a totally different, but language related origin for the name Ryan and hence Ryanna or Ryana than there is for Rhiannon, Rhianna, and Rhyanna. If this gives you any indication of where I was going with this. I figured it was less likely to be said Ree-Onna if there was a Y in the name.

I meant to choose a somewhat unusual name but something that had been used before as well as something to reflect femininity and my family's heritage.

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I'm a little confused. Why don't you just use Rhiannon? Or if you want it to be reflective of Rhiannon, then why don't you pronounce it like Rihanna does?

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Because Rhiannon is even odder to me than the other version? just my opinion.

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Oh okay. I guess because I'm around this community so often, Rhiannon doesn't seem so farfetched to me! If you really love Rhyanna so much, obviously use it. But if I were you I'd expect a lot of confusion about why you spelled it that way when you want it to be pronounced how you do. Not because the way you spelled it is wrong (because it isn't), just because its not intuitive (to me, and it seems, to most other people here). I do like the sound of the name though especially because its a smidge less trendy sounding than Rihanna, and I wish you the best of luck!

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I appreciate your input - I want you to know. You've helped quite a bit.

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My point being the following pronounciation: hri-An-ahn (welsh) so there is more than one way to say even the root name itself and thus changing the ending of the word to a instead of on doesn't change how the name actually CAN be pronounced.

RHIANNON
Gender: Feminine

Usage: Welsh, English, Welsh Mythology

Pronounced: hri-AN-ahn (Welsh), ree-AN-ən (English), REE-ən-ən (English) [key]

Derived from the old Celtic name Rigantona meaning "great queen". In Welsh mythology Rhiannon was the goddess of fertility and the moon. This name is also borne by a princess in Welsh legends, the wife of Pwyll. As an English name, it became popular due to the Fleetwood Mac song 'Rhiannon' (1976).

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what does hri sound like, phonetically? because "i" in conventional phonetic alphabet is just like "ee", isn't it? Just a little confused!

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well if you look at the three combos.. when they want a long E sound they write it differently. In Celtic languages that would be a long I scenario.

Long E: ree
Long I: rhi

not that I'm nitpicking - merely explainiing how in the world I came up with the pronounciation I did.. not just on a whim. :)

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samaside.livejournal.com

Doesn't the RHY make a 'RHEE' sound? I mean, look at the name Rhys.

Also, I don't think that Rhyanna goes well with Brandon and Nathan at all.

I like the first poster's suggestion of Aaron though I don't mind Aidan that much. Kieran would be my favorite -an ending name. I also like Darren, Gordon, Morgan, Quinn, Kevin, Devon, Corran, Loren, Warren, Owen, Eoin, Hayden, and maybe even Sloane.

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I love Aaron, unfortunately my husband's sister has an Aaron so I can't use it or risk confusion and possible hurt feelings.

Ironically his other sister has a little girl named Kieran also.

There are some to think about there - Thanks for answering!

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Well in that case why is Ry and Rhy pronounced differently when the h is silent? Ryan is Rye-an not REE-an, so therefore it would make more sense (at least in my head) to pronounce Rhy-anna closer to Ryan than to Ree-Onna.

I have loved this name and heard of a couple people with this name and pronounciation before Rihanna the singer ever came round, and due to that everyone says it the way hers is said.

However.. in a previous post I made the point that if you want it said right, you have to spell it the way it should sound. If you wanted to get the RYE-ANNA sound.. how would YOU spell it?

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samaside.livejournal.com

I don't think most people would assume the H was silent when in a lot of names with an R and then an H it is not. Again, Rhys is a name in which the RHY makes a very distinct REE sound.

RHEA (REE-ə)
RHEANNA (ree-AN-ə)
RHIANNA (ree-AN-ə)
RHIANNON (hri-AN-ahn, ree-AN-ən, REE-ən-ən)
RHIANON (hri-AN-ahn)
RHYS (HREES, REES)
RIANNON (ree-AN-əN)

Those are all of the official Welsh and English pronunciations.

To get the RYE sound I'd go with RY or RAI probably. Ryanna isn't that bad. Of course, Raianna isn't exactly an option. Way too many vowels.

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I see your point.

Can you tell me what names with Rh do not have the "h" as silent? I can't think of any off the top of my head.

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samaside.livejournal.com

I wouldn't consider the H necessarily silent in those names above since they facilitate the sound. I mean, it's not unnecessary. Even in names like Rhoda, Rhonda, Rhett, etc. I would consider it there for a reason considering most people wouldn't go with Roda or Ronda or Rett.

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mizsfrankie.livejournal.com

I like Justin Raymond the best, I also like these others..

Holden Raymond
Dustin Raymond
Cason Raymond
Gavin Raymond
Trenton Raymond
Antwon Raymond
Ashton Raymond
Camron Raymond
Dillion Raymond
Evan Raymond
Jackson Raymond
Landon Raymond
Logan Raymond
Mason Raymond
Sheldon Raymond
Talin Raymond

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These are a lot of great suggestions - Thank you!

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taleofaredhead.livejournal.com

I don't really care for the name Rhyanna, although I love the name Rhys for a boy :P If I had to choose, I would pick Christine because I strongly dislike the name Kathryn :P

I really like Aidan :] The matching "un" sounds at the end feel a little awkward coming out of my mouth, but I like the name Austin.

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Is it the spelling? Would it be better as Ryanna?

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i12bmore.livejournal.com

I'm big on the name Pierson these days. It's a variation of Peter.

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I've never heard of that one, and I don't mind it really... I don't think hubby likes it.. but thanks so much for telling me.

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Not to nitpick, but technically Pierson is 'son of Piers', with Piers, not Pierson, being the variant of Peter.

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i12bmore.livejournal.com

I know--I was just streamlining, since Peter was the substitution I was aiming for. Thanks, though :-)

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I thought you might be, but I just had to open my mouth anyway. :P

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I could be wrong but I think Piers is actually a form of Peter.

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That's exactly what I said.

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lind-saay.livejournal.com

Rhyanna is awful. Not only the name, but especially the spelling. If you MUST use this, at least spell it correctly -- Rhianna. However, it's sooooooooooooooo trendy and all I can think of is that stupid singer who sings that "Let's break umbrella up into sixteen syllables" song.

Kathryn would be a much better first name.

Aidan is okay, but super trendy.

Your other kids' names are so much nicer than both of these.

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The reason for the different spelling is to disassociate the pronounciation from the singer because it's not the same pronounciation.

I appreciate you sharing your opinion - but I happen to think it's a beautiful name.

I won't do Kathryn as a first name due to our last name.

Nicer or not is a large opinion, and again I appreciate that your opinion is different.. but I respectfully disagree.

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Rhyanna is gross. Please don't make Kathryn or Christine suck by tacking them onto it. I read all your equivocations, they're still going to get wee lil Ryeanna called renal or anal or something relating to bread. Or Why Anna? Cos she's easy.

Why on earth not just use a real name? Rhiannon's gone into common use. These people and their stupid "zomg! I have a relative from a country I've never been to and they use lots of 'y' in their words so I will too when I name my kids!" schtick.

Aiden is so trendy that it's practically tacky on anyone under 20.

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Wow - there's an opinion and then there's tactless. Way to go on the latter.

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Speshul snoflakes get no quarter. And trust me, honey, I'm nothing compared to what you want to saddle your kid with. It's a person, not an accessory.

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I didn't ask what you or anyone thought of Rhyanna/Rhianna/Ryanna or however we spell it. Did you notice that before you replied?

To be perfectly honest - it's those whose opinions are tactfully stated that I even bother to listen to because at least they attempting conversation in a polite manner.

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This is the intarwebs, everything is fair game. Do you really think everyone is supposed to tactfully state their opinions? Are you new to the real world? Do your little faerie fae fryiends protect you from reality?

And you asked for which name combo, not "middle name." The combo would be both.

Rennae is just as bad as Rhyanna.

Your names suck.

The end.

And if you're not listening, why are you bothering to reply?

Edited Date: 2009-02-15 06:54 pm (UTC)

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Fair game or not.. I find you tactless. end of my point and opinion and therefore I discount yours. Have a nice day.

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I am crying inside.

Deep, heartfelt, weeping. Maybe even a bit of keening. However will I recover?

Oh noes! Someone on the internet is an idiot and setting their kids up for hell! And she doesn't like it when she's told that! I'm heartbroken!

*cricricricricricricricricri*

When little Rhyanna hits grade school (assuming she's not too much of a spechil snewflyke), I hope someone posts her here.

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Congratulations, you have made yourself look like a complete and utter fool. I don't like the name either, but what the hell? Criticism of names is totally merited, and anyone who's been in this community for a while will probably know that I'm not hesitant to tell people if I think a name sucks -- but it seems like you're just being insulting for the sake of showing off how snarky you are. It was extremely clever of you to put that terrible, stupid, nasty person who likes names that you don't care for in her place, but I think you've accomplished what you set out to do now, so for God's sake, shut up.

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morphinae.livejournal.com

WTH? You can't act like this in here, please refer to the community rules. Next time it's a ban.

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arbus.livejournal.com

oh i dont like rhyanna at all. but i would go with a classic for a middle, if you must, so stick with katherine/catherine.

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The spelling of Kathryn is after someone specific, I cannot change the spelling.

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krosp.livejournal.com

I think Rhyanna sounds pretty and understand you wanting to keep the h in there as a connection to Rhiannon (I also like that name).

But I think that somehow the pronuncation of Rhyanna, I would just assume was "REE-anna" because a lot of people replace the letter i with y, so I would assume that it was Rhianna with a y. Even though it SHOULD be rye-anna, everybody doing the y trend has made me just assume that most unexpected ys are an i in disguise lol..

So if you wanted to make it less ambiguous I'd spell it Ryanna, but either way you'll get people mispronouncing it so if you're going to go with that name, you'll just have to be prepared for it to be a name you'll have to explain and repeat and have people say it wrong. Some names are just like that and while it's not ideal, if you love it enough then it's still worth using the name.

I think I like Kathryn better, but Christine flows better, so either is good.

I don't have any suggestions on the boys' names, except that Aidan is really popular and I like Raymond as a middle name.

By the way I think you dealt with criticism really well in this thread :) was refreshing to see someone calmly explain and discuss opinions without getting defensive and heated :)

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