Lyra?

Girl Names
1

See the results of this poll: How do you pronounce Lyra?

Respondents: 73 (This poll is closed)

  • LEER-ah : 19 (26%)
  • LIE-rah : 44 (60%)
  • Both are correct: 10 (14%)
2

I think they’re both acceptable pronunciations. Personally I prefer ‘Lie-ra’ but wouldn’t blink an eye if someone told me Leer-ah

3

I’ve always heard it pronounced LIE-rah in astronomical contexts (plus The [name_u]Golden[/name_u] Compass), but I’m hardly an expert. I think it’s probably uncommon enough to where either would be wearable.

4

I pronounce it “LIE-ruh.”

5

I’ve heard [name_f]Lyra[/name_f] being pronounced mostly as LIE-rah while Lira more like [name_u]LEE[/name_u]-rah, but I don’t think it would be weird if either was used.

6

[name_f]Lyra[/name_f] is based on the musical instrument lyre, so it’s traditionally LIE-ra. I really loved this name as a kid when I read “The [name_u]Golden[/name_u] Compass,” and at that time I thought it was LEER-a. People certainly use that pronunciation, but I don’t think you can really consider it “correct.” Ultimately, I think it’s a name that looks prettier than it sounds either way, because neither “lie” nor “leer” are especially positive words. I still really want to like it.

7

I’ve never heard this name said aloud in my life, or at all for that matter.

I’m liking it, and both pronounciations seem fine to me. Though, I think I prefer [name_u]Lee[/name_u]-rah over Lie-rah =]

From all the replies, it looks like you can pick whichever pronounciation sounds best to you with no consequences.

8

[name_u]Lee[/name_u]-rah, because it comes from [name_u]Lyre[/name_u] (originally pronounced Leer).

[name_u]Love[/name_u] this name ”

9

It’s all LYE ruh to me. Never heard another pronunciation.

10

I say LIY-rah, and honestly find it quite hard to see how you get LEER-ah out of it.

11

I say LIE-ruh. LEER-uh, to me is either the currency Lira, or someone who leers, so not so great, but I think they’re both valid pronunciations (definitely LIE-ruh).

12

I’ve heard both equally, and I love it pronounced both ways. I say to go with whichever you prefer.

13

I prefer [name_u]LEE[/name_u]-rah, although I have heard both pronunciations being used and so think that both are valid. Maybe Lira would make it easier to get to the LEER-ah pronunciation you want? Best of luck!

14

[name_u]Lee[/name_u]-rah. Like the beginning of [name_u]Lyric[/name_u]…

15

I say [name_f]Lyra[/name_f] like the musical instrument [name_u]Lyre[/name_u] (lie-ra)

16

[name_f]Lyra[/name_f] comes from the musical instrument the [name_u]Lyre[/name_u] (a bit like a small harp). The instrument is definitely pronounced Lie-r, not Leer! (this has been checked in multiple dictionaries)

So if you want the spelling that makes sense from it’s roots, then it’s definitely Lie-ra. I think people are also more likely to know this pronunciation from ‘The [name_u]Golden[/name_u] Compass’ film, or the book series ‘His Dark Materials’, of which GC is a film of the first book - ‘Northern Lights’.

17

I pronounce it Lie-rah and would say this is the most natural pronounciation, however leer-ah appears to be a valid pronounciation, I would also say it depends where you live too, in the end go with what you like the most!