Message: "Pronunciation Question: Bea"

Pronunciation Question: Bea

by Jessamyn (guest)

3/31/2013, 6:34 PM

The name Beatrix has grown on me, and the nickname Bea is one I like too. But the pronunciation might be a problem. I live in America. How is the nickname Bea pronounced in English-speaking countries? How do you think most Americans would pronounce Bea?

Thanks!

#pronunciation

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- Phoebe (Kate)

4/1/2013, 6:20 PM

My great-aunt's name was Ella* Beatrice, and she went by Ella Bea. Bea was pronounced the same as "bee". I think most Americans would pronounce it that way.

*not actual first name

- Anneza

4/1/2013, 1:40 AM

My daughter Beatrice uses Bea with the sound of the insect or the letter of the alphabet. Some people who are more used to Afrikaans/Dutch make it sound more like BAYa, which annoys her because it's too close for comfort to 'beer' or 'bayer'. But I can't answer for Americans.

She's never signed her name with a B, which I think would solve the problem.

- তন্ময় ভট্টাচার্য্য (guest) +2

3/31/2013, 6:44 PM

I know a Beatrice in the US whose husband pronounces her name the same as he pronounces the ENglish word bee (at least to my ears).

- ClaudiaS +1

4/1/2013, 6:34 AM

I agree with the other responses--I know a young Beatrice who goes by Bea, "bee." I believe that is the usual English pronunciation although it does seem counter-intuitive, given that in Beatrice itself, Bea- is two syllables.

- Phoebe (Kate)

4/1/2013, 6:16 PM

Beatrice is pronounced with two syllables by some English speakers. I don't know how common it is, though.

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