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I've decided that in American English it would be MEL-liss-s'nd. A lot like Millicent but with Mel instead of Mil, and a soft d instead of a soft t at the end. That's the only way I can say it, and have it seem both natural and reasonably correct, and still like it.

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I prefer Melicent or Melisend for usability where I live, because it comes out sounding almost the same, and it does not look as self-consciously French. But it might also seem less traditional. So, whichever.

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I always thought it was me-li-sawnd, or -saahnd; but French is not my strong point.

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I like it a lot, and coming from one who runs from the room at the mention of Millicent, that's high praise.

I think it is usable, but daring. I love it, personally. It's a very red name for me synesthetically, with a streak of green.

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It would be very hard for me to envision someone of low social status with this name.

Because it's French, the -de is a very subtle sound, like how in Les Miserables the -le isn't really pronounced. I love it. That's pretty much all I have to say on the matter. Love it.

I think it is. I like it.

I pronounce it mel-ih-SAHND, and I like it, although I prefer Millicent. I think Melisande is usable. It has the same romantic, storybook vibe as Guinevere without the baggage.

I like it. I think it has a nice sound. I pronounce it mel-ih-SAHND (the A like the A in dark)

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It's definitely usable in my opinion. I prefer it spelt with the accent, Mélisande. It looks more complete to me.

I really like it! Though I do prefer Melusine ;)

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When I say it sounds like "MEL-iss-ahnd" ...something sort of in between "sand" and "send." But I'm not sure if that's right

This message was edited 5/30/2012, 11:28 AM

I adore Melisande, although I admit I'm never quite sure if the "s" is pronounced like an "s" or a "z." But I do know that it's three syllables in length, with the stress on the last syllable, either "mel-ee-SAHND" or "mel-ee-ZAHND." The middle syllable could be more like a short "i" if you don't want to be perfectly French about it. :-)

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Melisande and Corisande appear together in my head.

This message was edited 5/30/2012, 11:27 AM