People from Spain, France, Greece, Germany and -I believe- the Netherlands and many other European countries would pronounce it "EE-sis", "EE-zis" or even "I-zees". (I do not know about Ancient Egyptian, but in theory Ancient Greek should be the closest approximation.)So it may not be as obvious there to mix it up with the terrorist group which is only known in English speaking countries as "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria". (Frankly, I know this group as DAESH, and do not recognise it as a "State" as it does not fulfill the necessary conditions such as a known government, an anthem, a flag...) This "polemic" -if you could call it that- is very US centered. I do not say that people born before the 2010s in the States, Australia, or maybe even the UK would not have a hard time of it if they were named "IE-sis". But aggressive and judgemental adults should remember that I.S.I.S. is above all an acronym not a name! You couldn't well keep someone from calling their child Mia because those are the letters of "Missing In Action" or Seth because it could be read as "Slavery Extended over the Totality of Humankind". (There is nothing to prevent bullying children from bullying children, I'm afraid, except trying to explain simply where the name comes from and hope they will remember it as they grow up. That's were a middle name would come in handy: middle names and nicknames may not yet be your friends but -considering the level of violence a simple name can apparently bring- they could very well save your lives!)For me "I-zees" is a short, simple name, not very common as it is quite daring to call one's child with a deity's name. I wouldn't use as a first name because of it, but I have nothing against using it as a middle one.
― Anonymous User 1/20/2023
8
As commented by Ylva before me, it's also pronounced EE-sees or EES-ees in other languages such as Spanish.
So it may not be as obvious there to mix it up with the terrorist group which is only known in English speaking countries as "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria". (Frankly, I know this group as DAESH, and do not recognise it as a "State" as it does not fulfill the necessary conditions such as a known government, an anthem, a flag...) This "polemic" -if you could call it that- is very US centered. I do not say that people born before the 2010s in the States, Australia, or maybe even the UK would not have a hard time of it if they were named "IE-sis". But aggressive and judgemental adults should remember that I.S.I.S. is above all an acronym not a name! You couldn't well keep someone from calling their child Mia because those are the letters of "Missing In Action" or Seth because it could be read as "Slavery Extended over the Totality of Humankind". (There is nothing to prevent bullying children from bullying children, I'm afraid, except trying to explain simply where the name comes from and hope they will remember it as they grow up. That's were a middle name would come in handy: middle names and nicknames may not yet be your friends but -considering the level of violence a simple name can apparently bring- they could very well save your lives!)
For me "I-zees" is a short, simple name, not very common as it is quite daring to call one's child with a deity's name. I wouldn't use as a first name because of it, but I have nothing against using it as a middle one.