Okay, so I first heard this name on Downton [name_u]Abbey[/name_u] and I swear they say it as luh-vin-ya not luh-vin-ee-uh (I could just be mishearing it, though), so I’ve always said it this way. Does anyone else say this name as 3 syllables, not 4, or is it just me? It’s a lovely name either way.
I’d say luh vin ya
I would say La-vin-ee-ah. But the English probably say it differently
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I, personally, prefer to pronounce “[name_f]Lavinia[/name_f]” with three syllables.
Luh-[name_m]VIN[/name_m]-ee-uh
I’m American.
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The only person I’ve ever met in real life with this name was 4 syllables La vin ee ah, however I believe both pronunciations are acceptable.
I’d say lah-vin-ya.
[name_u]West[/name_u] coast Canadian here, I pronounce it Luh-[name_m]VIN[/name_m]-ee-uh.
I’m American, and I’ve always pronounced it with four syllables. The reason I heard about the name was the great Romanian gymnast [name_f]Lavinia[/name_f] Milosovici, and hearing commentators pronounce it. Both American and British commentators pronounced it with four, although I like both!
I had always pronounced it with 4 syllables, but then I met a teenager 2 years ago who had it said with 3 syllables. Probably acceptable either way.
[name_f]Edit[/name_f]: Im in the United States for reference
I pronounce it with four syllables, “lah-vin-ee-ah”
I’m from the US, and I’ve always said La-vin-ya. I don’t recall where I’ve heard it though, and I never met someone with the name. I really do prefer la-vin-ee-ah though.
I say Luh-vin-ya, though I could see it being luh-vin-ee-uh.
I say it with three syllables upon first glance - my mom says it with four. I like the sound of both, personally.
“luh-vin-ya” is how I’d say it, and I’m English for reference.
Thank you for your replies!
Okay, so so far 6 commenters say it the way I do. Good to know it’s not just me and that it is an acceptable pronunciation.
3 syllables