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[Opinions] Viola
What do you think of Viola? How do you pronounce it? Do you prefer Violet/Violette/Violetta/etc.? I know that it's similar to the word for 'violate' or 'rape' in just about all Romance languages, which is disappointing for me because I know French. But I love the name Viola. Do you find it a problem that it's close to 'violent' and 'violate' and 'violation'? Also, a viola is a musical instrument. Does that affect your view of the name?Sorry, lots of questions.
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I love Viola. My first association us the musical instrument and then the flower. I pronounce it vy-OH-luh.I prefer Viola over Violet. For some reason Violet sounds prissy and spoilt whereas Viola us young and sweet. Violet also looks and sounds more like the word violent, I pronounce it VY-let.If you are planning to love in France or a French speaking area, that meaning might be a problem. Otherwise, I don't think it's a big deal.
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I say "vy-OH-la." I definitely prefer Violet etc. because I think they both look and sound prettier. There's nothing really wrong with Viola and I'd be pleased to meet one, but I wouldn't use it myself. I have heard about the violent/violate thing and I don't think of that myself when I come across the name. I also like the viola (the instrument,) so that is a positive association for me.
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I just think of the flower really. I think it's pretty, but I prefer Violet. I actually think Violet is gorgeous, but DH always says "violent" when I say it, so that's what he thinks of!
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I actually quite like the name Viola. I pronounce it Vie-OH-la. I think it has a better sound than Violet etc. The "violent" association doesn't really bother me. Where I live this isn't really an issue anyway, since in my language the word is not related.
I do think of the musical instrument, but that's rather a positive thing. It's a nice instrument ;-)

This message was edited 5/30/2013, 9:15 AM

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I pronounce it vie-OH-la. It never has occurred to me that it is close to "violent," or the other words you mentioned.I have known one Viola. When I met her, she was 17, and this was about 25 or 30 years ago. At the time, I thought it was unusual for a young person to have the name. I still would think the same thing if I met a young Viola.I like this name very much.

This message was edited 5/30/2013, 9:18 AM

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Viola is a family name for me (my great-great grandmother was Lena Viola) and I like it now much more than Violet (which always does sound like 'violent' to me). 'Twelfth Night' is my favorite Shakespeare play and it's neat that the name is from there too.
Not sure I'd use the name but it is very pretty and I'm liking it more and more! :)
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In the US, Viola is pronounced Vy-OH-La. I find it very unattractive, outdated and hillbilly.
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I pronounce it VIE-oh-lah. I love the name, it makes me think of the Twelfth Night character. I don't care that it sounds like violent or any of those words. Also, I love that it's an instrument, too. It's one of my personal favourites!
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I say veeOHla, like the character in Twelfth Night. And I like it much more than all the other options. I don't think about rape etc at all - pansies, if anything. I've only met one Viola, who pronounced it my way and was learning to be a drummer.
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