Which pronunciation of "Ione" is best?

We don’t know what we’re having (I am 18 weeks), but if it’s a girl, we’ll name her after my grandmother [name]Ione[/name]. My grandma pronounces her name “EYE-ohn”. We are also contemplating calling our LO “eye-OH-nee”. Her MN will most likely be another family name, [name]Katherine[/name]. I am picturing calling my little girl either [name]Ione[/name] (EYE-ohn) or [name]Ione[/name] [name]Kate[/name] (eye-OH-nee [name]Kate[/name]).

I realize that the “proper” pronunciation in “I-uh-nee”, but I don’t think that we’d consider calling her that.

It’s funny because I also have a name that I always have to tell people how to pronounce, and it hasn’t bothered me one bit so I don’t think my daughter would be too bothered by having to always correct the pronunciation. Plus, you only have to tell someone once, and then they know. BTW my name is [name]Tamara[/name] rhymes with camera.

I’d love feedback regarding the pronunciation. Her name is likely to be [name]Ione[/name], no matter what, so please don’t comment on how awful you think the name is. I’d just like your opinions on pronunciation tendencies and what sounds best.

Thanks!

I would say Eye-oh-nee. I love it! There’s one in my neighborhood around my daughter’s age…my daughter is [name]Leonie[/name]…and yes I have to clarify pronunciation all the time! I do find it annoying but I love her name.

Eye-own isn’t as pretty as Eye-oh-nee imo.

[name]Both[/name] this name & my daughter’s name manage to feel French/pink/girly/marshmallowy soft and calico print/prairie field/hardworking girl who rides horses. I don’t know why but that’s what they make me think of.

[name]Io[/name] could be a really great nickname!

I read it like EYE-one. It’s a lovely name no matter how you pronounce it :slight_smile:

I prefer Eye-oh-nee. I think of actress [name]Ione[/name] [name]Skye[/name], even though she pronounces it the other way.

I’ve always pronounced it Eye-Oh-Nee. What a lovely name! and [name]Ione[/name] [name]Kate[/name] is just beautiful.

Well, actually, the proper pronunciation is ee-oh-nee. But if you don’t want to use the proper one, then the next best thing would be eye-oh-nee.

[name]Ione[/name] [name]Kate[/name] is very pretty.

I like your pronunciation of it, eye-oh-nee…very pretty

Thanks everyone. I am definitely finding this very helpful.

Now how to tell grandma that we’ll be pronouncing it differently… :slight_smile: :slight_smile: :slight_smile: