Javier vs. Xavier

Which spelling would you go with for a baby who will use the “Ha-vee-air” pronunciation, but is not Hispanic? Thanks!

ETA: just dreaming and adding to my list for the future. No specific baby in mind. :blush:

I would go with [name_m]Javier[/name_m]! I think this pronunciation with the [name_m]Xavier[/name_m] spelling would be hard to enforce.

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[name_m]Javier[/name_m]

I’ve never met anyone with either name so maybe that’s why, but I was under the impression that [name_m]Xavier[/name_m] was usually pronounced with a Z or SH sound! I’d go for [name_m]Javier[/name_m] for the pronunciation you want :blossom:

I’ve only known [name_m]Xavier[/name_m] to be pronounced as Ex-aye-vee-er or Zay-vee-er, never as Ha-vee-air, so I’d definitely go with [name_m]Javier[/name_m] for that pronunciation!

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[name_m]Javier[/name_m]. I do know a [name_m]Xavier[/name_m] who pronounces it the same way, but I think it would be hard to enforce in an English-speaking country (but maybe not a problem where you are?)

Thanks so much, everyone!

[name_m]Javier[/name_m] for sure! For [name_m]Xavier[/name_m], I say ex-zavier or maybe just zavier, but when I read [name_m]Javier[/name_m], I read it as hav-ee-air

For your preferred pronounciation, [name_m]Javier[/name_m].

because I (and I think a lot of people) would pronounce [name_m]Xavier[/name_m] like ZAY-vee-err) (The third syllable would sound like an uh from me)

Another vote for [name_m]Javier[/name_m], I immediately read it with the pronunciation you’re after but I’ve only known and would assume [name_m]Xavier[/name_m] is pronounced Zay-vee-er

I live in an area where both [name_m]Javier[/name_m] & [name_m]Xavier[/name_m] are pretty popular. Andmost commonly [name_m]Javier[/name_m] is ha-vier where as [name_m]Xavier[/name_m] is either zay-vier or ex-zay-vier.