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ArchivesPronunciation of Leonora (this is especially directed towards Chrisell, though all help is welcome)
I always assumed it was pronounced lee-oh-NOR-ah, but Chrisell said she had an aunt who was Leo pr. LAY-oh, and I believe she said her aunt's fn was Leonora pr. lay-oh-NOR-ah. I really like Leo. Is it possible that Léonora with the accent is said lay-oh-NOR-ah? Or it it like the Hellen-ah/hel-LAY-na/hel-LEE-nah debate where the same name is pr. several ways? Or did I remember it wrong and pull Leo pr. LAY-oh out of no where? *sigh* Confusion. Either way, Leo pr. LAY-oh is wciked cool.
~ Arcadia
~ Arcadia
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Replies
Yes, my Aunt is Leonora, pronounced lay-oh-NOR-ah. She was born in England to my English-Scottish grandmother and Czech Jewish grandfather, but I have no idea who thought of the name or whether she was named after someone - I'll try to find out (because I'm curious, now!).
But I think you've hit the nail on the head, anyway - it's the LEE/LAY debate. I've never met another Leonora so I can't say whether the 'lay' pronunciation is particularly Australian or English as opposed to American.
Hope that helped - if I can find anything out about the origin of Leo's name I'll let you know (although it'll probably be after I go home for Christmas!)
:-)
But I think you've hit the nail on the head, anyway - it's the LEE/LAY debate. I've never met another Leonora so I can't say whether the 'lay' pronunciation is particularly Australian or English as opposed to American.
Hope that helped - if I can find anything out about the origin of Leo's name I'll let you know (although it'll probably be after I go home for Christmas!)
:-)
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Like you, I've always and only heard the lee-oh-NOR-a version; however I've also only ever met people named Leonie who pronounce it lee-OH-ni. (Surprising numbers of them, come to think of it!) But the more British, with French influence obviously, version is more like LAY-oh-ni. Perhaps the same might apply to Leonora?
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