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HelpRe: Iphigeneia (ETA)
in reply to a message by dramaelf
Iphigenia has been a GP of mine for decades. I say "guilty" because (a) it's too out there to give to a real child and (b) I'm using the old British "if-i-jeh-NIE-uh" pronunciation. I love the sound of it so much. But I always felt bad about altering the pronucnation from Greek that much.
I've been toying with pronouncing it "if-i-jeh-NEE-uh" which I thought was more authentic. But now that you've got Iphigeneia listed I'm starting to wonder if it should be "if-i-jeh-NAY-uh." What's a snobby, self-righteous name nerd like me to do?
The only honest answer is that I'm greedy and love both forms and all three pronunciations. :-) I use Iffy as a nn (another source of guilt), but also Effie and Idgie. I love the nn "NIE-uh" too, but can't make up my mind how to spell it (Nia or Nyah?). I can also see nns Jenny, Genie, and Neia.
ETA: I should disclose that I have a sentimental reason for loving Iphigenia. When my dh and I first got together and were talking names for potential children he said he liked unusual names from Greek mythology for a girl. I timidly offered Iphigenia and crossed my fingers. Miracle of miracles he loved it. I knew that we had a lot in common. :-) It even made me start to think Iphigenia was usable. So there's at least two people on the planet that think it could work on a real child.
Oh, and thank you Tiggs for the mention. But Jiffy is all yours. Very inventive nn for Iphigenia / Iphigeneia.
I've been toying with pronouncing it "if-i-jeh-NEE-uh" which I thought was more authentic. But now that you've got Iphigeneia listed I'm starting to wonder if it should be "if-i-jeh-NAY-uh." What's a snobby, self-righteous name nerd like me to do?
The only honest answer is that I'm greedy and love both forms and all three pronunciations. :-) I use Iffy as a nn (another source of guilt), but also Effie and Idgie. I love the nn "NIE-uh" too, but can't make up my mind how to spell it (Nia or Nyah?). I can also see nns Jenny, Genie, and Neia.
ETA: I should disclose that I have a sentimental reason for loving Iphigenia. When my dh and I first got together and were talking names for potential children he said he liked unusual names from Greek mythology for a girl. I timidly offered Iphigenia and crossed my fingers. Miracle of miracles he loved it. I knew that we had a lot in common. :-) It even made me start to think Iphigenia was usable. So there's at least two people on the planet that think it could work on a real child.
Oh, and thank you Tiggs for the mention. But Jiffy is all yours. Very inventive nn for Iphigenia / Iphigeneia.
This message was edited 5/18/2011, 8:47 AM
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