Hey Nameberries. I named my little girl Elowen. She is almost 1 and I’ve noticed that Elowen is quite hard for people to say. People stumble over it. I think it’s all the vowels which make it harder to remember. I’m having name regrets! We’ve called her ‘bubba’ for the past year and so it wouldn’t be too hard to change it. The taboo around changing names doesn’t bother me (too much!). Any thoughts? Thank you
How do you want it to be pronounced? And how do people pronounce it? That can help to understand the situation better 
2 Likes
[name_m]Hi[/name_m] 
I say it El-o-wen. But I’ve been getting El-o-ween (rhymes with Halloween). I find mainly people who speak [name_f]English[/name_f] as a second language find it harder to say - I think because of the vowels
I think it would be an easy correction, like, your pronunciation makes sense and it’s not strange. I don’t there’s need to change it.
As for English-as-second-language speakers, it’s not about [name_f]Elowen[/name_f] tbh. It’s the language. I am one, there are names I have hard time with, but I eventually learn how they are said.
5 Likes
Thank you for your thoughts [name_f]Ethel[/name_f] [name_f]Mary[/name_f] I genuinely appreciate them
You pronounce it as I would. Try to get people to say El-o-when. That might get them away from El-o-ween. You picked a lovely name you love. People who love you should try to pronounce it correctly. It is not a hard name.
1 Like
Stick with it if you love it. I personally think it’s a gorgeous name. Most people have to either spell out parts of their name for forms/appointments etc or correct the pronunciation of aspects of their name. I don’t really think it’s that big a deal
You’ve mentioned issues with the pronunciation, but do you genuinely still like the name? Is there another name you have in mind to change it to?
In general, I’d say it’s best to get the name changed as early as possible, before the child is old enough to remember being called by a different name.
However, if your only concern about the name is with the pronunciation, I don’t think it’s an insurmountable issue. Her friends, colleagues etc will learn how to pronounce it eventually. [name_m]Plenty[/name_m] of people have “difficult” names and get along with them just fine.
1 Like
I think it’s a lovely name, and if you’re open up it, [name_f]El[/name_f] or [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] are very easy nicknames.
You could also use a little mnemonic device at introductions: like L.O.L. but L.O.N. (When you say it quickly you should get the “w” sound back in there).
I wouldn’t worry about what other people call her, and maybe if you find yourself using her name more yourself other people will catch on! That’s a trick I have as a language teacher—rather than “correct” which can make people self-conscious, I just repeat with the correct pronunciation. So when someone says, “Here’s a snack Elo-ween.” You can say, “say thank you, El-o-WEN. El-o-WEN loves this snack.” [name_f]Hope[/name_f] that helps!
[name_f]Elowen[/name_f] is such a lovely name and I think it’s fairly easy to correct the pronunciation but I think the real question is do you still love it? That you avoid calling her it would suggest not so if you’d feel more comfortable with something else, I’d change it sooner rather than later
1 Like
Maybe call her [name_f]Ella[/name_f] as a nickname? I don’t think I would change it at this point.
As [name_f]Ethel[/name_f] [name_f]Mary[/name_f] said the name is decent and I think changing it might be a bit excessive. [name_m]Just[/name_m] a simple correction would be fine. The way you guys pronounce it is how I pronounce it off the back.
While I understand your frustration and respect whatever choice you decide to make as her mother, I do not consider a name being frequently mispronounced a valid reason to go through the whole process of changing it. Is the name associated with anything dark? Anything controversial? No. Is the name one of those wild and humiliating names celebrities pick for their children? Absolutely not. It appears to me as if you need to be more assertive, if that is the right term to use here, when correcting people, whether you feel like you are bothering them or not. Each time Elo-ween is said, remind them it is Elo-wen. If it persists, sound it out for them. It may take time for some people to get used to. If somebody expresses annoyance, then too bad for them. It’s on them for not listening the first few times. It is your child’s name, after all. People need to learn to say it right, and they will in time if the time is given.
I think it’s a very pretty name and if you corrected people they would learn how to pronounce it. [name_f]English[/name_f] as second language is hard. If you aren’t in love with the name any more but wanted something similar, [name_f]Eloise[/name_f] or [name_f]Elodie[/name_f] are pretty too.
Isn’t it just said ELL-o-wen?
Thanks everyone It’s a lovely name and you are right. I think I’ve had naming in decision since she was born and just couldn’t seem to decide on what to call her. xx
1 Like