[name]One[/name] of the limitations I’ve put on naming options is that the name cannot end with a hard K sound. Our last name begins with a hard G and I think that the back to back K and G is hard. For example, my nephew is [name]Jake[/name] G___ and when you say his name, it’s not clear if his name is [name]Jay[/name] or [name]Jake[/name]. To avoid that, you have to emphasize the K sound and then it doesn’t really flow with the last name (you almost need to pause before starting on the G). A similar problem arises with the name [name]Luke[/name], which I really like, which is why I’ve discounted it as an option.
My husband just told me that he doesn’t really see the K/G problem and that it’s just me. Is it just me or does anyone else think it’s awkward/clunky/confusing? (I’m willing to accept it’s just me so don’t feel bad telling me it is.)
I definitely see it. I don’t think it’s a huge problem, per se–I think K endings would still work if you loved the name–but if that’s a variable you want to eliminate, I can understand why. My last name begins with a D, and I don’t want a first name ending in T, eliminating [name]Barrett[/name] and [name]Bridget[/name], for the same reason. You may like [name]Luca[/name] or [name]Lucas[/name], by the way.
I don’t think it is an issue. I repeated the names [name]Jake[/name] and [name]Luke[/name] with several last names that start with a hard G, and I naturally put enough emphasis on both names that it comes out sounding fine.
If you want some science: you are right-- both K and G are classed as ‘velar’ sounds, meaning they’re made in the same part of the mouth. G simply has more ‘voice’ than K. [Only G and K are velar sounds; other consonants are made slightly differently with different parts of the mouth].