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ArchivesRe: Eimear- AY-ver or AY-mer
in reply to a message by Lauren
No problem.
It is the difference between a written 'm' & 'mh' and 'e' & 'é.'
Eimear is pronounced [EH-mer]
Éimear is pronounced [EY-mer]
Eimhear is pronounced [EH-ver]
Éimhear is pronounced [EY-ver]
All of these names are considered proper Gaelic.
And all are mostly considered to be synonymous.
So naturally their varient pronunciations roll into each other.
I couldn't wager as to the most "original" form.
The only confusing part is the first 3 names are feminine, but "Éimhear" is masculine. I can't speak with absolute certainty as to why this is, but I'm trying to find out.
It is the difference between a written 'm' & 'mh' and 'e' & 'é.'
Eimear is pronounced [EH-mer]
Éimear is pronounced [EY-mer]
Eimhear is pronounced [EH-ver]
Éimhear is pronounced [EY-ver]
All of these names are considered proper Gaelic.
And all are mostly considered to be synonymous.
So naturally their varient pronunciations roll into each other.
I couldn't wager as to the most "original" form.
The only confusing part is the first 3 names are feminine, but "Éimhear" is masculine. I can't speak with absolute certainty as to why this is, but I'm trying to find out.
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Replies
Éimhear, Eimear and Eamhair are cognates of Emer (EE-mer) and you do find Éimhear more commonly on girls here in the UK (though it's still a rare name, Emer is more popular)
Éibhear is a male name, according to legend the son of Míl, leader of the first Gaels to settle in Ireland. Perhaps that will help?
Devon
Éibhear is a male name, according to legend the son of Míl, leader of the first Gaels to settle in Ireland. Perhaps that will help?
Devon
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Of course, Emer
..is the oldest written form, and the m would have been pronounced as a v sound, so Emer is correctly ayver/evver(the quality of the vowel is different to assess as accents are not recorded in the earliest forms). The h just indicates changes that have already occurred in the spoken language.
..is the oldest written form, and the m would have been pronounced as a v sound, so Emer is correctly ayver/evver(the quality of the vowel is different to assess as accents are not recorded in the earliest forms). The h just indicates changes that have already occurred in the spoken language.
1
The name Eamhair/Emer/Eimear is of ancient celtic origin. All of various pronunciations are nonsense. By adding a fada here there and everywhere does not make the name more authentically celtic. The name has always been pronounced EE mer. Just when the British decided to launch their attack on our culture & heritage, their anglo phonetics unfortunalty infiltrated the spellings of our names, possibly to make it easier for them to read. Hence, Eamhair and Eimear became E-MER. Although, the spelling has changed, the delightful pronunciation has not. As a matter of interest, althought the actual meaning of the word has never been certified, it is said that the lover of Cu Chulann was Eimear & that she was blessed with the six gifts of womanhood; beauty, voice, sweet speech, good with a needle, wisdom and chastity.
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