Interchangeable Pronunciations

[solyma.livejournal.com]

A few days ago I made a post with some of my favorite names. Here is the link. One of the names was Madeline, with the ending pronounced "lin" and not "line". Several people voiced that because of the pronunciation, the name should be spelled Madelyn. Where I'm from, names that end in "line" are pronounced either way. I know several Caroline's that are pronounced "lin". I really like that spelling of Madeline, but prefer the "lin" pronunciation.

What do you all think of a name that has interchangeable pronunciations? For example, I have a sister named Leslie. We have always pronounced it "lez-lee" but others pronounce it "les-lee". My sister goes by either one and doesn't care which she is called. Alternatively, I have a friend named Leslie who very specifically only goes by "les-lee".

What do you think of a child named Madeline that goes by both pronunciations ("mad-uh-lyn" and "mad-uh-line")? Do you think having both pronunciations would be too confusing to the child? I know they're not as similar as the different ways to say Leslie, but I'm just curious what your thoughts on this are. Do you know anyone who goes by more than one pronunciation?

And I'm not pregnant, I just like names. :)

Comments

[sarahrose.livejournal.com]

To me, Caroline is "line" and Carolyn is "lin."

Madeline and Madelyn are "lin" auromatically to me; I have to be told it's "line."

My middle name is Lesley (God, I hate that Y) and we've always said "lez-lee." I have never heard anyone I know say "less-lee." I hate the name anyway.

I think that if the kid doesn't care, it's fine. It's their name. I do, however, think that the two pronunciations of Madeline and Caroline are two different names (a total of four), but I think less-lee and lez-lee are one name; it depends.

My friend Cara is car-uh (like the vehicle) but EVERYONE says care-uh, and she has come to accept it, lol.

[solyma.livejournal.com]

Haha thank you so much for your comment! And I'm glad Madeline is automatically "lin" to you too... I'm not alone! :)

[sarahrose.livejournal.com]

:)