I was just looking around at boy names, when I stumbled across [name_m]Aurelien[/name_m]. Theoretically, he’s a name I should like as he fits all my boxes: he’s got the old Latin vibe, he’s grand, and he also has a great meaning. He’s also super similar to some of my other favorites (see [name_m]Lysander[/name_m], [name_f]Lydian[/name_f], and Valerian)
However, despite all of these plusses, I just can’t seem to like him that much!
I think I prefer the spelling [name_m]Aurelien[/name_m], but please feel free to make a case for either or both. I have been pronouncing him Aw-REE-lee-en, but please feel welcome to provide alternate pronunciations you may prefer!
Please help me love him, I can’t wait to see what you all come up with!!
I love Aurelian/Aurelien. I like both spellings. I have been pronouncing it similar to or-RAY-lee-en. I think it could lend itself to nicknames Ori/Aurie, Ray/Rey/Rei, [name_m]Lenny[/name_m]. You might prefer its alternatives; [name_m]Aurelius[/name_m] or [name_m]Aurelio[/name_m]. [name_m]Aurelius[/name_m] could be nicknamed [name_m]Russ[/name_m] or [name_m]Rusty[/name_m]. [name_m]Aurelio[/name_m] could be [name_f]Rio[/name_f], Lio/Leo.
[name_m]Aurelian[/name_m] is distinctive, golden, and poetic - it reminds me of gemstones, gold leaf, honey, [name_m]Saturn[/name_m], and autumn at the same time. Aw-REE-lee-en is nice - mystical, magical, like a spell. I also like aw-REH-lee-en for a slightly warmer feeling sound!
I personally prefer [name_m]Aurelian[/name_m] as [name_m]Aurelien[/name_m] reminds me a teeny bit of Alien
The [name_m]Aurelian[/name_m] at my kid’s school is Aw-RELLY-an (I get that’s not done by syllables but think it makes it easier to hear what I mean). I prefer this pronunciation that the “Aw-REE-le-an” one you’re saying.
Meanwhile, one of my bro’s friends is [name_m]Aurelio[/name_m] - Aw-REL-li-yo. I always thought it was super charming!
I’m having one of those, have I been PN this name wrong for years, moments! I have been saying Au- ray-lee-en, going by the [name_f]French[/name_f] [name_m]Aurélien[/name_m] and how I’ve heard [name_f]Aurelia[/name_f] PN (again with the ray sound. Perhaps this is a [name_m]Brit[/name_m] [name_f]English[/name_f] thing ).
Putting this name crisis aside for a moment!
These is how [name_m]Aurelian[/name_m] feels to me, from the meaning and my synaesthesia:
I would pronounce [name_m]Aurelien[/name_m] as “aw-RAY-lee-en”. He feels regal and strong! I picture a medieval soldier with honey colored hair, sun glinting off his sword as he defends his castle
@shanade213 Thanks for your response!! Or-RAY-lee-en is honestly nice, very pretty!! I also really like [name_f]Aurie[/name_f] and [name_m]Len[/name_m] as nns, so that def helps!!
@Greyblue Thank you as always Grace!! I loveee your descriptors of him, and I can def see the alien connection Aw-REH-lee-en is also very nice, I think I like that more!! Thank you
@EloiseT Thank you!! I really think I’m liking the Aw-RELLY-an pronunciation, thank you for showing me it works irl!!
@EdgeOfTheMeadow Ooh I loveee the emoji vibes - thank you for your response!! Yes I am very American, and the only [name_f]Aurelia[/name_f] I know says Aw-REE-lee-uh, but I like Au-ray-lee-en too!!
@daisydarcy [name_f]Love[/name_f] this description - thank you so much!! Definitely made me love him a bit more, as I feel many of my boy names fit that vibe
I also love [name_m]Valerian[/name_m] and [name_m]Lysander[/name_m]!
I prefer [name_m]Aurelian[/name_m] spelling.
Unfortunately with these [name_m]Aureli[/name_m] names, there doesn’t seem to be a widely accepted standard pronunciation. I remember seeing a post about [name_f]Aurelia[/name_f] a couple years ago and everyone seems to pronounce the name differently. First syllable can be aw, oh, ow, or short a. 2nd syllable can be reh, rey, or ree. I’ve come to like many of the pronunciations so I’m not too bothered by this.
I usually pronounce it as aw-rey-lee-in but first syllable can become a bit of a hybrid between aw and or, and the second syllable might sometimes be a hybrid of rey and reh
Daisydarcy describes [name_m]Aurelian[/name_m] exactly how I imagine him! I also love the “golden” meaning. (Plus the meaning works well for me because it can honor a family name that means yellow/gold). As a cousin of [name_f]Aurora[/name_f], meaning dawn, you can also think of Aurelian’s meaning as “Golden Dawn” symbolizing hopeful new beginnings!
).
Aw-REH-lee-en is also very nice, I think I like that more!! Thank you 
