I love the name [name]Viola[/name] and have come across two different pronunciations for it. I like the name said both ways, but I was wondering if one is more correct or original than the other, and which seems to be the favorite. Would it be vee-oh-la like the instrument, or vye-oh-la, like [name]Violet[/name] but with a instead of et? Any thoughts are appreciated!
I’ve heard it both ways as well.
I’d pronounce it vee-oh-la until corrected.
Vye-oh-la seems a tad snooty to me, like an [name]Anna[/name] wanting to be called Aww-nuh instead of An-nuh
I see what you’re saying. I think I will go with vee-oh-la. It seems more kid-friendly too, and [name]Violet[/name] is another option for the vye sound. Thank you!
I’ve always been told vee-oh-la for the instrument, vye-oh-la for the name!
[name]How[/name] was it pronounced in [name]Shakespeare[/name]?
[name]Vi[/name] like eye ola.
But I know there are two ways and if prompted to say Vee-ola I would say it that way.
I also like it either way & prefer it over [name]Violet[/name].
I pronounce it -vee oh la- like the instrument. I used to be in orchestra in middle school, I played the Violin, so I immediately think of the instrument when I hear [name]Viola[/name].
Thank you. I think it is more distinctive that [name]Violet[/name] without being weird. I know someone who says it Vye-ola. I will check with people in my family and see what they say as well.
It is Vye-oh-la in [name]Shakespeare[/name].
Regarding Twelfth [name]Night[/name] they say Vye-oh-la.
I’d ask the person called [name]Viola[/name] but would assume vee-oh-la.
Thank you. So in [name]Shakespeare[/name], it is Vye-ola. The person I know says it vye-ola too. Now I am very conflicted! I really like Vye-ola but Vee-ola is really cute as well. I don’t want to use them interchangeably.
So the connotation with the instrument is a good thing? [name]Do[/name] you think that it will immediately call up the instrument in everyone’s minds?
I personally would think it’s a good thing. I don’t know if everyone will immediately think of the instrument like I do. I guess it depends on how familiar you are with instruments.
I pronounce it vye-oh-la like in [name]Shakespeare[/name]. When referring to the instrument, i say vee-oh-la. I think it just depends if you want people to think of the instrument or [name]Shakespeare[/name]?
I say it as vee-oh-la, but I think the vye-oh-la pronunciation is amusing in the “funny like a Southern twang” sort of way. The instrument association would be good to me, if anything. I don’t think everyone will make the same association though.
I have always heard it Vye-o-la, like the actress [name]Viola[/name] [name]Davis[/name].
I’m surprised it hasn’t come up yet…viola is the Spanish word for “rapes” (like, “violates”).
Whenever this comes up about this name I stand up in its defense.
FWIW the prn vee-oh-la is closer to the Spanish prn, as well as the instrument.
(Coincidentally, the instrument name is also the same in Spanish, so if the language can deal,
I’d think people could too). But, it’s just one factor to know about with the name.
I say vee-oh-luh
Vye-o-la like in [name]Shakespeare[/name] and then the amazing adaption in She’s the [name]Man[/name] haha… love that movie. I love the name too. I’m over [name]Violet[/name] already.
Vye-oh-lah. The other pronunciation seems funny to me, but that is my opinion.
The British pronunciation (which I love) emphasizes the first syllable: “VYE-oh-lah.”