We named our little girl [name_f]Elodie[/name_f]. She is almost 3 months old. Although we love [name_f]Elodie[/name_f], we are finding that people are having a REALLY hard time spelling/pronouncing/remembering her name. I know it’s not a common name, but we have been very surprised by how challenging it is for people. We are considering changing her name to another one that we also love (crazy I know) as I really don’t want her to have years of correcting people. Did other Mamas with Elodies have similar experiences?? Thanks for your thoughts!
I’m not an [name_f]Elodie[/name_f] myself, but I have a family member whom is named that and an acquaintance, it rhymes with [name_f]Melody[/name_f] ([name_f]EL[/name_f]-oh-dee) and I know my family member hasn’t encountered problems with pronunciation, only once when a [name_m]French[/name_m] person said it the [name_m]French[/name_m] way and emphasized the E at the end.
I’m actually a bit surprised that you have met so many that have problem pronouncing it, but you could try and tell them it rhymes with melody?
But I understand if this troubles so much that you would like to change name, she’s still a baby so it would be better to do it now sooner than later
I agree that telling them it rhymes with [name_f]Melody[/name_f] is your best bet. At risk of altering their pronunciation a little, you could also say, “Like [name_f]Ella[/name_f], then the letter D.” Maybe like [name_f]Emily[/name_f] but with different letters?
I too am surprised it’s that difficult. As far as unfamiliar names go, [name_f]Elodie[/name_f] is a definitely on the tame side. [name_f]May[/name_f] I ask who are or what the ages are of those misunderstanding? A lot of her future peers will also have unusual names and I don’t know if they will find it as difficult.
Great question about who is having difficulty with the name…our baby has some health issues that have required many (20+) appointments. Without exaggerating , not one of the receptions/doctors etc. have said her name correctly. I’d say the demographic has been mostly 40+ crowd. I will then say it’s [name_f]Elodie[/name_f], like [name_f]Melody[/name_f]…but I like your other suggestions for corrections (nice to mix it up…ha ha). I don’t love the name [name_f]Melody[/name_f], so it gets tiring comparing her name to one that isn’t my favourite (minor detail). Maybe we’ve just had bad luck so far!
Thanks for the feedback! And yes, we’ve definitely been using [name_f]Elodie[/name_f], like [name_f]Melody[/name_f] as our go to!
With us, people are tending to say [name_f]Elodie[/name_f] with the ‘o’ as in ‘lot’…plus folks are putting the emphasis on the ‘o’ like el-LOAD-ie.
I’m sorry you’re having such a hard time with the name. I think it’s lovely; I have a cousin with this name. She’s 7 now, and I don’t think she’s ever had problems with others pronouncing or spelling it (and she was also raised Bilingual).
Keep her name the way it is! Others will learn over time.
People are just weirdos, they CAN pronounce it and will eventually remember
If they drive you crazy tell them to call her [name_f]Elle[/name_f] and just you and the millions of people who can pronounce it call her her full name… I really wouldn’t worry. I actually don’t know one personally but lots of Melodys … If they don’t have an issue you wont .
When I see the name I pronounce it ee-LOAD-ee. I’m all for changing it.
My next door neighbors have a daughter named [name_f]Elodie[/name_f] and she’s the only one I’ve ever heard of in real life. She’s almost 2(?) now so I’m not sure how much trouble she has with people mispronouncing or misspelling her name. I think it’s a good idea to say “like melody” to help with pronunciation. I adore the name [name_f]Elodie[/name_f]!
Funny how people are pronouncing it, I would definitely put the emphasis on “[name_f]EL[/name_f]”.
I know it can seem isolating when fixated on one name, but tons, even really popular ones, have pronunciation issues. Look at [name_f]Madelyn[/name_f] vs. [name_f]Madeline[/name_f], every -anna vs. -ana name, etc. Then even so, I’ve heard of people with pretty basic American names getting butchered by those who maybe aren’t native speakers. I don’t know if really any name is “safe” from a global perspective.
As she grows up, I think her generation is going to be used to having to ask people how to pronounce their names and having to remembering it. I mean, even my own GenZenniel is used to it. [name_u]Diversity[/name_u] and the overall pool of names being used keeps growing.
If you still love this name, I wouldn’t give up on it. And if she hadn’t had this many doctor visits (well wishes for your little babe btw) you may not have even thought about this.