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HelpNina Pronunciation
Hello all -
I need opinions. I am 25 years old, and my parents named me Nina when I was born. Only problem is, they intended for it to be pronounced as 9-uh, not Neenuh. As you can imagine, this has provided me with a great deal of turmoil surrounding my name for my lifetime thus far. I have constantly been called "Neen-uh", even after I correct people. My family and friends have always called me 9-uh, but I basically answer to Neenuh in all other instances and rarely correct people when they call me by that pronunciation.
Recently, I began dating a person who, for whatever reason, got the pronunciation of "Neen-uh" stuck in his head and calls me by that although I have explained to him that it is not how anyone else in my life pronounces it. His friends and family all think my name is Neenuh, not Ny-nuh. This wasn't a big deal at first, but I am starting to feel a bit of identity crisis and can see this being a problem down the road (like, when he meets my friends and family and busts out the mispronunciation. I'm not sure they will appreciate that - especially my parents).
I have considered giving up on my first name entirely and starting to go by my middle name, which is Lorraine. Unfortunately, I like that name even less, but at least people would know how to say it. I thought maybe I could give it a different spelling, like Lorayne? However, my sister's name is Lauren, and it seems like Lorraine and Lauren be wayyy to similar. So, I'm at a loss. I hate my name and I don't know how to handle it.
What would others do in my situation?
I need opinions. I am 25 years old, and my parents named me Nina when I was born. Only problem is, they intended for it to be pronounced as 9-uh, not Neenuh. As you can imagine, this has provided me with a great deal of turmoil surrounding my name for my lifetime thus far. I have constantly been called "Neen-uh", even after I correct people. My family and friends have always called me 9-uh, but I basically answer to Neenuh in all other instances and rarely correct people when they call me by that pronunciation.
Recently, I began dating a person who, for whatever reason, got the pronunciation of "Neen-uh" stuck in his head and calls me by that although I have explained to him that it is not how anyone else in my life pronounces it. His friends and family all think my name is Neenuh, not Ny-nuh. This wasn't a big deal at first, but I am starting to feel a bit of identity crisis and can see this being a problem down the road (like, when he meets my friends and family and busts out the mispronunciation. I'm not sure they will appreciate that - especially my parents).
I have considered giving up on my first name entirely and starting to go by my middle name, which is Lorraine. Unfortunately, I like that name even less, but at least people would know how to say it. I thought maybe I could give it a different spelling, like Lorayne? However, my sister's name is Lauren, and it seems like Lorraine and Lauren be wayyy to similar. So, I'm at a loss. I hate my name and I don't know how to handle it.
What would others do in my situation?
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Replies
I'm a little confused as to why you are getting serious with a perso who doesn't even bother to get to know your name.. but since this is a name opinion board and not a relationship opinion board, I will pass on telling you what I think of that.
You name is your name. It seems absolutely ridiculous to me that you are considering changing your name because of other people and not yourself. I understand not corecting people who are inconsequential, but letting people (who are close to you no less) call you the wrong name because you are tiered of repeating yourself seems looney.
Other suggesting spelling your name Nyna and keeping the pronunciation the same, I would go with that if you really care alot about your name being mispronounced from jump street. But when you meet people, do you say, "Hi, my name is Nina. That's spelled N-I-N-A." The only people who should be pronouncing your name wrong are the ones who see it on paper.
I'm sure, once you let everyone in your circle know what your name ACTUALLY is, there will be fewer and fewer people mispronouncing it. Because everyone will be referring to you are 9-ah and not neen-ah, no one will have to guess what it is.
You name is your name. It seems absolutely ridiculous to me that you are considering changing your name because of other people and not yourself. I understand not corecting people who are inconsequential, but letting people (who are close to you no less) call you the wrong name because you are tiered of repeating yourself seems looney.
Other suggesting spelling your name Nyna and keeping the pronunciation the same, I would go with that if you really care alot about your name being mispronounced from jump street. But when you meet people, do you say, "Hi, my name is Nina. That's spelled N-I-N-A." The only people who should be pronouncing your name wrong are the ones who see it on paper.
I'm sure, once you let everyone in your circle know what your name ACTUALLY is, there will be fewer and fewer people mispronouncing it. Because everyone will be referring to you are 9-ah and not neen-ah, no one will have to guess what it is.
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I've never heard Nina pronounced 9-uh. But if I were you I'd just go with Neen-uh. People always get my name wrong as well so I just stopped correcting them.
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I have never seen 9-na. only Nee-na. You should change it to Niena or Nyna.
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I've only ever heard Nina pronounced "NEE-nuh". "NIE-nuh" is just.. strange, to me.
If it were me, I'd probably just change the pronunciation to "NEE-nuh". It's simpler as it wouldn't involve changing your given name. Your family will still call you "NIE-nuh", but new people you meet will call you "NEE-nuh".
If it were me, I'd probably just change the pronunciation to "NEE-nuh". It's simpler as it wouldn't involve changing your given name. Your family will still call you "NIE-nuh", but new people you meet will call you "NEE-nuh".
This message was edited 10/28/2011, 11:02 AM
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It's up to you... I see it and automatically prn. it Neenah... If I had a friend w/ a dif. prn., I would make the effort for her sake. If your bf doesn't have the respect to learn how to say your name right and his fam don't either, I'd wonder where they're at w/ other aspects of manners and respect for others... I know it's a small thing, but if they won't make the effort on a small thing, what effort will they make on little things... Perhaps it's something that could be talked out and ironed out. A person who respects you will address you by what you choose to be called...
Guess N.L. is out?
Guess N.L. is out?
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If you could face being Ninette, all your pronunciation problems would disappear. You'd still have to re-educate everyone you know, though. Are you really sure you want that? if it was me, I'd let my parents and their friends use 9-uh and go with the flow, since the flow at least has the advantage of accuracy.
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I'd just let him know that he's mispronouncing your name. People correct other people on the pronunciation of their names all the time, so I doubt he'll be offended or anything. You can just mention it casually next time he mispronounces it. I'd let other people know when they do it too.
Lorraine is lovely, but I wouldn't go by Lorraine if I had a sister named Lauren. The names are way too close.
Lorraine is lovely, but I wouldn't go by Lorraine if I had a sister named Lauren. The names are way too close.
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If I wanted to be called 9-uh, I'd change the spelling to Nyna. I actually like Nyna... I know it's made up but it's simple and I see it as distince from Nina, not a variation. Then people wouldn't be able to call you Nee-nuh because it wouldn't make sense with the spelling Nyna.
If I wanted to be Nee-nuh, I'd stay Nina and make the announcement of "I'm changing my name to Nee-nuh for clarity" or whatever.
Have you met his family? If not say "Hi, I'm 9-uh" when you do (even if he has already said "this is Nee-nuh").
Don't go by your mn! I don't like Lorraine either, and Lorraine/Lorayne and Lauren is a confusing sibset.
If I were you, I'd either keep Nina "9-uh" and keep correcting people who can't say it, or I'd change it to Nyna.
If I wanted to be Nee-nuh, I'd stay Nina and make the announcement of "I'm changing my name to Nee-nuh for clarity" or whatever.
Have you met his family? If not say "Hi, I'm 9-uh" when you do (even if he has already said "this is Nee-nuh").
Don't go by your mn! I don't like Lorraine either, and Lorraine/Lorayne and Lauren is a confusing sibset.
If I were you, I'd either keep Nina "9-uh" and keep correcting people who can't say it, or I'd change it to Nyna.
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I agree with everything Dracotorix said! -
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other spellings?
You could also use Ninah if you like the "i". This one would remind people of the pronunciation because of the name Dinah.
or maybe Naina (or does that look like nay-nuh?)
or just correct people!
You could also use Ninah if you like the "i". This one would remind people of the pronunciation because of the name Dinah.
or maybe Naina (or does that look like nay-nuh?)
or just correct people!
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I hate my name and I don't know how to handle it.
I'm a bit confused. Do you hate your name because you always have and want to change it, or because everyone is mispronouncing it?
If it's the latter, I'd firmly but politely correct people when they mispronounce it. Keep doing that until they get the picture; it's your name, and you deserve to have people say it correctly.
I'm a bit confused. Do you hate your name because you always have and want to change it, or because everyone is mispronouncing it?
If it's the latter, I'd firmly but politely correct people when they mispronounce it. Keep doing that until they get the picture; it's your name, and you deserve to have people say it correctly.
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I know a 9-uh
I know a woman named Nina (Pacific Northwest Native American) who spells and pronounces it the same way you do, with a long "i" sound. I've never heard anyone mispronounce her name so it can be done. Courage!
I would correct everyone including your significant other. That's way too personal of a thing to let boil under the surface, at least if I were in your shoes. It's who you are. If you don't take care of it in the beginning it will only fester and come out some other way.
I know a woman named Nina (Pacific Northwest Native American) who spells and pronounces it the same way you do, with a long "i" sound. I've never heard anyone mispronounce her name so it can be done. Courage!
I would correct everyone including your significant other. That's way too personal of a thing to let boil under the surface, at least if I were in your shoes. It's who you are. If you don't take care of it in the beginning it will only fester and come out some other way.
This message was edited 10/26/2011, 3:29 PM
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You could spell your name differently. It wouldn't have to be official, or changing it by law (unless you wanted to), but you could just do it informally and spell it Nyna.
If you dislike both Nina and Lorraine, why not just change your name? Again it doesn't have to be official, but if you want a different name, then go for it!
If you dislike both Nina and Lorraine, why not just change your name? Again it doesn't have to be official, but if you want a different name, then go for it!
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Yup, correct 'em
I'd take a hard-line and start correcting everybody every time they mess it up. And only answer to the correct pronunciation. Seriously, they should be able to figure it out.
I actually know a Nina pronounced nine-uh and if anyone got it wrong the first time she just corrected them and that was it.
I'd take a hard-line and start correcting everybody every time they mess it up. And only answer to the correct pronunciation. Seriously, they should be able to figure it out.
I actually know a Nina pronounced nine-uh and if anyone got it wrong the first time she just corrected them and that was it.
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I'd keep correcting people.
I used my middle name for a few years and I just kept correcting people until they got it. Part of the reason I switched to my middle name was because people often got my first name wrong (Haven) and I never liked it...but I ended up feeling fake using it. It wasn't 'me.' My best advice is to just correct people and keep correcting them. They will get it - look at Colin Powell. :-D
I used my middle name for a few years and I just kept correcting people until they got it. Part of the reason I switched to my middle name was because people often got my first name wrong (Haven) and I never liked it...but I ended up feeling fake using it. It wasn't 'me.' My best advice is to just correct people and keep correcting them. They will get it - look at Colin Powell. :-D
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