Re: Irene/ Eileen/Aileen
in reply to a message by Skylar S
Eileen and Aileen both seem very dated. Irene was never that widely used, so I don't tie it to a particular time; however, I do pronounce it with three syllables, which I greatly prefer to eye-REEN. I'd be less surprised to meet a little Irene than a little Eileen or Aileen.
Confusingly, I knew a woman named Aileen which everyone pronounced like Eileen. The reason, if you can call it that, was that there was a family tradition of using A- names, and they'd run out!
Confusingly, I knew a woman named Aileen which everyone pronounced like Eileen. The reason, if you can call it that, was that there was a family tradition of using A- names, and they'd run out!