Pronunciation of Cosima

[name_f]Cosima[/name_f] has been an on and off favorite of mine for a long while now, and I recently rediscovered it while looking back over old name lists. I love the meaning and association with the cosmos, not to mention that it’s well outside the top 1000.

Only problem is the pronunciation! I first heard the name through Orphan [name_m]Black[/name_m], so I assumed it was said koh-SEE-ma, but the name description indicates that KOH-see-ma is the correct pronunciation. Now, I can’t figure out which I prefer, or which would be more natural/instinctive for the average person.

[name_m]How[/name_m] would you automatically pronounce [name_f]Cosima[/name_f]? Is koh-SEE-ma completely incorrect, or just a variant?

I pronounce it koh-SEE-ma. I find this the most natural way. Although, admittedly, I heard the name from Orphan [name_m]Black[/name_m]!

Koh-SEE-ma (and I’ve never seen Orphan [name_m]Black[/name_m])

I pronounced it koh-SEE-ma at first but I’ve seen that KOH-see-ma is more correct so that’s how I say it now. I have [name_f]Cosima[/name_f] on my list with the latter pronunciation. I think both are nice though! I have no idea if one is “incorrect” but I’ve only seen it with the emphasis on the first syllable on the sites I know to be more reputable.

I love Orphan [name_m]Black[/name_m]! I would say Ca -See-Mah. But I could see people also pronouncing it [name_m]Cos[/name_m]-Ih-Mah. I prefer the former pronunciation. Also I wouldn’t rely on what the ‘correct pronunciation’ is since that seems like an archaic idea considering that this is an uncommon name and it’s subjective. [name_m]Just[/name_m] like if Care-a or Car-ah is the correct pronunciation of [name_f]Cara[/name_f]. If you like the Orphan [name_m]Black[/name_m] pronunciation, I don’t think it will be a problem or ‘wrong’ at all.

I’ve always said either KAWZ-ee-muh (kawz like cause) or kaw-[name_f]ZEE[/name_f]-muh.

I could be wrong but I’ve always pronounced it [name_m]COS[/name_m]-ih-ma.

The Nameberry page pronunciation key is technically incorrect. (At least, ‘KO’, to me, indicates a long ‘o’ sound.) [name_f]Cosima[/name_f] is actually pronounced KAW-see-muh, but not putting too much into that aw part. It’s more like just a short ‘o’ sound, more like…the ‘a’ in the word call…ish. (Yikes. Trying to describe this right without be a linguist.) Also, note that the ‘s’ makes an ‘s’ sound, not a ‘z’ sound. (It is not KAWZ-ee-muh.) The pronunciation is overall gentle and light.

However, here in the US, I definitely think people are more likely to naturally pronounce it koh-SEE-muh or kuh-SEE-muh, stressing that middle syllable either way, as they would with a name like [name_f]Louisa[/name_f] or [name_f]Virginia[/name_f], etc.

You can definitely pronounce it the way you like, the way that feels most natural to you. I have heard plenty of Giannas who say their name with 3 syllables instead of 2 – hahaha.

[name_f]Hope[/name_f] this could help at least a little! I apologize for how awful I apparently am at writing pronunciations… :wink:

Coh-SEE-muh -though I wouldn’t exaggerate the second syllable

[name_u]Love[/name_u] it! I’m British, and I’d say it COSS-im-ah.

In Italian it’s similar to CAW-zee-mah. However, I think English speakers are very unlikely to pronounce it that way.

In English there doesn’t seem to be an established pronunciation, so I think you could pronounce it however you like. koh-SEE-ma sounds lovely to me.