Long story short, I posted somewhere else about the pronunciation of the name Kasia. I have a Polish family and so does my husband, so KAH-sha as the pronunciation seemed straightforward, but when we revealed it to other people, they assumed it was ka-SEE-uh or KAY-zhuh (Asia with a K). We adore Kasia (and so does my Polish family) but want to make sure pronunciation won’t be a problem. Somehow, this post turned into a small but vocal group of native Polish-speakers online ripping apart my pronunciation of Kasia, saying KAH-sha is how you pronounce kasza, which is a food. They were adamant that the “si" sound is lighter than the American “sh”. And they’re not wrong. HOWEVER, for all intents and purposes, I live in America, and there are lots of Americanized versions of names. I think explaining to people in everyday life that it’s pronounced KAH-sha (Tasha with a K) is perfectly acceptable, instead of explaining to everyone “It’s Tasha with a K, but technically the ‘sh’ sound is lighter and the tongue position is different than how you’d typically say it.”
Am I being crazy? I’m about to write off the name simply because there was a lot of negativity around me '“butchering” a name by how I would phonetically explain it to people. I’ve met Kasias and this is how they pronounced and explained their name, so I’m not sure why so many people were jumping down my throat about it
Don’t name your kid [name_f]Kasha[/name_f], it’s porridge in many Slavic languages and many won’t hear the difference. [name_f][/name_f]How about pronouncing it Ka-see-a?
But we don’t speak Slavic, we speak English. Lots of names have unfortunate meanings in other languages. Should I go to the people I know named Kasia and tell them to change their name because it means porridge? It’s s an actual name so I don’t understand the hate.
I’m not sure that a name meaning something non-name-like in another language means it should be ruled out. Look at [name_f]Pippa[/name_f] which is very popular in [name_f]English[/name_f] speaking countries but means something rude in Scandinavia. It does seem like [name_f]Kasia[/name_f] would invite many different pronunciations so you’d have to be okay with correcting people.
I think people are often protective of names from their culture and sensitive about (perceived) mispronunciations, which is probably where the negative comments are coming from.
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I don’t speak Polish so I wouldn’t register the difference in pronunciation between “Kasia” and “kasza”. While the difference in consonant sound may be obvious in Poland, if you’re using the name outside of that context, then some adjustment for accent and language is inevitable. For example, in [name_f]Argentina[/name_f] the [name_f]English[/name_f] name [name_f]Jessica[/name_f] is pronounced more like “Shessica”. It’s not really a question of right or wrong pronunciation [name_f][/name_f]- it’s just a different linguistic context.
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Where I live (Ireland), a lot of Polish people use Anglicised pronunciations of their names when talking to [name_f]English[/name_f] speakers. E.g. I know a Łukasz who introduces himself as “Lucas” in [name_f]English[/name_f]. I expect it’s because [name_f]English[/name_f] speakers can’t pronounce Łukasz properly and trying to correct people all the time is tiring.
Choupette has put it perfectly [name_f][/name_f]- sounds will change, depending on language, accent, and dialect [name_f][/name_f]- and those nuances may well be lost, especially if the sound isn’t one commonly used in the language of wherever you are.
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I’ve heard people say similar things to ‘like [name_f]Tasha[/name_f] with a K’, for the sake of ease (think “Mairead to rhyme with parade”, “Akosua [name_f][/name_f]- the second bit is like couscous”) [name_f][/name_f]- it’s not the perfect, native pronunciation but it gets those unfamiliar far closer than they might otherwise get.
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I think the important thing here is that you [name_f][/name_f]- and your Polish family [name_f][/name_f]- are happy with it (and it seems that they are) and that the other possible meaning isn’t rude or derogatory?
The irritation you feel now when defending the name will only get worse if you have to defend it when your baby is born. I have a name that I frequently had to explain the same way growing up and it was tiresome. (though the name has since become more popular)
That being said, this is your child and if you love the name and have the patience to explain or potentially defend your choice then go for it! It is pretty. MOST people will adjust after the initial explanation and get used to it, especially family and people closest to you. It wouldn’t be the end of the world.
Also, Tasha is gorgeous. Maybe Tasha gives you the sounds you want with more familiarity and less drama.
For what it’s worth I live in the US and when I read the name my initial pronunciation was “Kay-Zia” like Asia with a K
[name_f]My[/name_f] last name is a common word, and it still stumps people. [name_m]Plenty[/name_m] of people have to spell or pronounce their names for others on a daily basis, especially in a world that is increasingly multicultural. It’s just part of life. [name_f]Kasia[/name_f] is fine.
[name_m]Hi[/name_m], welcome back! As I was unfamiliar with this name I tried to come up with every possible pronunciation in my head before checking what you were asking about, I did initially think ka-see-uh and kay-zee-uh or kay-see-uh. [name_f][/name_f] But I can easily see all of the pronunciations you have listed, and honestly I think it is a very nice name and somehow all the pronunciations do work, you’d obviously just have to pick the one you prefer and that makes the most sense to you which it seems you have (Kah-sha)
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If you truly love this name and wouldn’t mind having to correct people occasionally, then I think it would be fine. Although of course your child may find it a bit annoying to have to correct people on her name, you can only hope she’d learn to love it too. To save that hassle I’d consider using it as a middle name instead or looking at other similar names that could give you the same feelings that [name_f]Kasia[/name_f] gives you. At least consider all your options but best of luck!
[name_m]The[/name_m] pronunciation versus the spelling [name_f][/name_f]- are you okay correcting the pronunciation frequently? I think it’s an easy correction to say “like [name_f]Sasha[/name_f] with a K”, and I actually know a [name_f]Kasia[/name_f] in the US who pronounces it like that (she is Polish-American). But I do think on first glance many won’t be familiar with the name and will say “Cassia” or “Kay-zhuh”, so if you’ll feel frustrated correcting it, that’s something to consider. It’s 100% a usable name in the US, just a matter of if you are okay having to correct the pronunciation with new people.
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[name_m]The[/name_m] difference in Polish versus [name_f]English[/name_f] pronunciation [name_f][/name_f]- I understand why people feel defensive about mispronunciations of names from their culture, but I also think that there’s a difference between intentionally mispronouncing a name or doing it out of ignorance, versus teaching people a pronunciation they’ll understand. It’s not like you’re naming her [name_f]Oliwia[/name_f] pronounced with an [name_f]English[/name_f] W sound instead of a Polish W/English V sound. I think since the difference is so imperceptible for most [name_f]English[/name_f] speakers, you could teach them the “correct” pronunciation and they’d still probably hear it as “Kasha”. It’s a natural thing in linguistics [name_f][/name_f]- we struggle to say or even differentiate sounds that don’t exist in our native languages. [name_f]So[/name_f] I wouldn’t let this put you off of the name [name_f][/name_f]- Polish speakers can pronounce her name the Polish way, and [name_f]English[/name_f] speakers can pronounce it “Kasha”, and it will work out fine.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with explaining [name]Kasia[/name_f] as [name]Tasha[/name_f] with a K. As previous posters have said, [name_f]English[/name_f] speakers like me would probably hear no difference between the distinct Polish sounds you’re describing. If your proposed explanation doesn’t bother your family, who cares what strangers on the internet think (I say, as a stranger on the internet ).
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I do think you would have to explain the pronunciation fairly often, but with the diversity of names used today people are used to learning new names. If needing to explain the pronunciation would bother you, maybe skip the name. If you’re fine with taking that effort though, I say there’s no reason not to use it!
I’m sorry you had such a bad experience! I think it’s perfectly normal and acceptable to use a pronunciation that English speakers will be able to handle, especially as it seems like your family is happy with it. Most people in real life will probably accept the name easily, and I doubt many people will make those kinds of comments to your face. If [name_f]Kasia[/name_f] is the name you want to use, you should go for it!
Those comments you received sound exasperating. I don’t see any reason for you to write off [name_f]Kasia[/name_f]. There’ll always be other perspecitves and opinions but you know the facts relevant to your family, location and circumstances while they do not.
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You’re in the best position to determine how [name_f]Kasia[/name_f] will be recognised, understood and pronounced in your community. [name_m]You[/name_m] can decide how best to teach your pronunciation. Making small adjustments to account for linguistic differences is very common.
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With everything you’ve mentioned, your plan sounds absolutely reasonable and appropriate.
Hi, Polish native here. It’s perfectly fine to name your daughter Kasia - in Poland we’re fully aware that our names are hard to pronounce. I don’t even know how to describe difference between ś and sz without saying it loud.
Kasia in Polish ha letter ś (written as si) which sounds like silencing someone (“Shhh!”)
Besides, Poles in internet are quite savage: experts of everything, first to argue, short-tempered and mean. In real life they would be much more polite and won’t make fun of you.
I personally don’t see the point of using it in a non-Polish environment, especially since [name_f]Kasia[/name_f] is never used as a full name in Poland, only as a nickname for [name_f]Katarzyna[/name_f]. But also the international league of Polish immigrants won’t arrest you for it haha
Because I think it’s a nice name. It’s easy to pronounce, recognizable as a name, and sounds pleasant to me. [name_m]The[/name_m] Kasias I’ve never have been really sweet people so I have a positive association with it. [name_m]The[/name_m] United States is a melting pot. As someone else stated, cultural names are pretty common.
I would wonder how many of those Polish speakers would have trouble saying some English/American names if an American were living in Poland… not to say that people shouldn’t try to say others’ names correctly, but it can be difficult when the sound in question doesn’t exist or isn’t intuitive in another language.
I think since your families are Polish, it should only really matter what you all think. and I completely agree that living in America, you’re better off only expecting what Americans can pronounce. this doesn’t mean that if someone uses the correct Polish pronunciation that they are wrong, but it also doesn’t mean the American pronunciation is either. I know a couple of Polish-American girls named Zosia. people call them ZOH-sha because that’s the easiest pronunciation for English speakers. I have (distant) Polish relatives, so I used the Polish pronunciation when I could. one girl preferred this because she spoke Polish at home, but the other didn’t care. I don’t think that makes her or her family any less Polish.
fwiw, I would know how to pronounce Kasia (at least, I would know it as KAH-sha) because there was an America’s next top model contestant with the name. that’s probably a very niche association now though. it’s a very easy correction though.
I have known three women throughout my life with the name [name_f]Kasia[/name_f] and all three have had different pronunciations
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I don’t think it’s a problem [name_f][/name_f]! [name_f]My[/name_f] name is [name_f]Alana[/name_f] and when people say it I often correct them but they get it on the second try. It used to bug me when I was younger but for the most part I know people mean me
I do not mean to be rude by this post, but I am having a hard time following your logic. Here’s how it reads to me:
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[name_m]You[/name_m]: We have Polish family, so we are going to name her [name_f]Kasia[/name_f]. All Americans will initially call her ka-SEE-uh, but it’s Polish, so we’ll just teach them that it’s KAH-sha and they’ll learn.
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[name_f]Me[/name_f] (regular American): [name_f]Ok[/name_f], that’s great. Cool family tie.
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Polish people: Ummmm. That’s not how you say that name. What you are saying means porridge. Don’t use this name.
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[name_m]You[/name_m]: Yes, but I speak [name_f]English[/name_f].
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[name_f]Me[/name_f]: Then why are you using this name? Pronounced like that? It’s Polish in spelling, yes, but not in pronunciation/meaning. Now you are just confusing Americans and Polish people alike. I’m starting to think you are secretly Russian just trying to mess with us
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If you use this name, you will always[name_f][/name_f] be correcting Americans on the pronunciation. That’s fine if you’re ok with it. But when you explain this Polish name to Polish people, they will also pronounce it “wrong” compared to you. It feels like a lose-lose to me.
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Sorry if that was harsh. To quote [name_m]Justin[/name_m] Bieber, “something ain’t clockin’“
).