According to expert, Cleveland Kent Evans ” eye-REEN has been the normal pronunciation in the USA for a couple of centuries. eye-REE-nee used to be the common pronunciation in England. However, many in England now use the two syllable pronunciation after it was introduced into the UK through American plays and films.”
Interesting, I’d though the English had ‘anglicised’ the Greek name as EYE reen from the get go. Obviously not.
It’s a shame that you’d encounter much hassle with the three syllabled pronunciation here. The way we say it is sooo nasal and severe. EYE reeeeen! Still, people can learn.
ee-REH-neh is how we say it in Norway…
I don’t like it too much myself, but I’ve always been a fan of Irina ^^
Also, the Norwegian name Eirin is pronounced EYE-rin which is also an ‘alternate’ pronounciation since most English speakers have said Irene when trying to say Eirin… ^^
Eirin means new healing and is a modern form of Eirny which is also nice, but when I say it in English it kind of sounds like irony so I’m not sure how well it would export… 🙂
Bewildertrix said,
October 28, 2009 @ 8:44 pm
According to expert, Cleveland Kent Evans ” eye-REEN has been the normal pronunciation in the USA for a couple of centuries. eye-REE-nee used to be the common pronunciation in England. However, many in England now use the two syllable pronunciation after it was introduced into the UK through American plays and films.”
Interesting, I’d though the English had ‘anglicised’ the Greek name as EYE reen from the get go. Obviously not.
It’s a shame that you’d encounter much hassle with the three syllabled pronunciation here. The way we say it is sooo nasal and severe. EYE reeeeen! Still, people can learn.
babynamelover said,
October 29, 2009 @ 12:18 am
I don’t like the eye-REEN way its awful lol. I thought it was interesting too 🙂 hmm I will keep thinking about eye-REH-nee.
Dearest said,
October 31, 2009 @ 2:14 pm
ee-REH-neh is how we say it in Norway…
I don’t like it too much myself, but I’ve always been a fan of Irina ^^
Also, the Norwegian name Eirin is pronounced EYE-rin which is also an ‘alternate’ pronounciation since most English speakers have said Irene when trying to say Eirin… ^^
Eirin means new healing and is a modern form of Eirny which is also nice, but when I say it in English it kind of sounds like irony so I’m not sure how well it would export… 🙂
babynamelover said,
October 31, 2009 @ 9:42 pm
Ooh Eirin is really pretty and it starts with EYE 🙂 I think Eirin would move better into English than Eirny 🙂