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HelpLooking for some opinions on...
Hello,
I'm looking for some opinions on the name Nephele. There aren't many comments on the name so I'd figure I'd ask about it. I like the meaning, the sound, and the look of the name. I'm Greek so it wouldn't be too weird for me to use it. My question is about pronunciation. The name is pronounced "neh-fell-ee". I figure most people would say "neh-fell". Should I go with the Greek spelling: Nefeli (it doesn't look as pretty to me but seems more intuitive pronunciation wise)? Should I change it to Nephelie (which isn't a legit spelling, which I hate, but it would make pronunciation easier)? Or should I try Nephelë with the umlaut/diaeresis? I don't know if the diaeresis would just be a nusiance and if it would work at all since I'm from the USA.
So, give me all your opinions about the spelling. If you want to give me opinions on the name itself, go for it. Thanks so much!
HTB
"And like a little girl cries in the face of a monster that lives in her dreams, Is there anyone out there? 'cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe" - Maroon 5
I'm looking for some opinions on the name Nephele. There aren't many comments on the name so I'd figure I'd ask about it. I like the meaning, the sound, and the look of the name. I'm Greek so it wouldn't be too weird for me to use it. My question is about pronunciation. The name is pronounced "neh-fell-ee". I figure most people would say "neh-fell". Should I go with the Greek spelling: Nefeli (it doesn't look as pretty to me but seems more intuitive pronunciation wise)? Should I change it to Nephelie (which isn't a legit spelling, which I hate, but it would make pronunciation easier)? Or should I try Nephelë with the umlaut/diaeresis? I don't know if the diaeresis would just be a nusiance and if it would work at all since I'm from the USA.
So, give me all your opinions about the spelling. If you want to give me opinions on the name itself, go for it. Thanks so much!
HTB
"And like a little girl cries in the face of a monster that lives in her dreams, Is there anyone out there? 'cause it's getting harder and harder to breathe" - Maroon 5
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Replies
I like the sound a lot, but pronunciation will definitely be an issue an English-speaking country. Nefeli is okay, but I'm really not a fan of Nephelie. I doubt Nephelë will really help matters as it'll be left off most of the time anyway.
If I really, really loved Nephele I'd use it as is and just deal with the pronunciation and spelling errors. Since Americans are familiar with Greek names like Phoebe, they'd probably catch on pretty quick ("The E at the end is pronounced just like in Phoebe and Chloe"). And if your hypothetical daughter got sick of correcting people she could always go by a nickname like Nell/Nellie or Effie.
If I really, really loved Nephele I'd use it as is and just deal with the pronunciation and spelling errors. Since Americans are familiar with Greek names like Phoebe, they'd probably catch on pretty quick ("The E at the end is pronounced just like in Phoebe and Chloe"). And if your hypothetical daughter got sick of correcting people she could always go by a nickname like Nell/Nellie or Effie.
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My cousin recently had a kid called Nefeli! You're right, Nephele is prettier, but no one will pronounce it right. I hate hate HATE the ë with the diaresis. My mn is Zoë and I find it unbearably pretentious. Honestly, I like Nephelie. It has a slightly French vibe, but a Greek sound, and even if it's not a legit spelling, so what? You can anglicize Nephele however you want, as long as the pronunciation stays true.
It's a beautiful name that deserves more love.
It's a beautiful name that deserves more love.
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Well, my first thought on seeing Nephele was "oh god I am so gonna say that wrong!"
I would've guessed it to be Greek because it reminds me of the horrors of Persephone (which I was pronouncing "percy phone" until we did the Greek myths at school).
My guess at pronunciation was "neh-feel" with the stress on the second syllable. Neh-fell-ee is nicer but I still want to stress the middle syllable instead of the first.
For me Nefeli makes so much more sense pronunciation-wise. That actually looks like neh-fell-ee. Nice and easy. I don't think it needs to be Nephelie...
Nephelë makes sense with pronunciation too but I reckon that umlaut really would get annoying especially when typing.
So... my vote is for Nefeli.
It's an okay name, and fine if you're Greek. If you weren't Greek (or living there) I'd probably be like "Um, why?"
I would've guessed it to be Greek because it reminds me of the horrors of Persephone (which I was pronouncing "percy phone" until we did the Greek myths at school).
My guess at pronunciation was "neh-feel" with the stress on the second syllable. Neh-fell-ee is nicer but I still want to stress the middle syllable instead of the first.
For me Nefeli makes so much more sense pronunciation-wise. That actually looks like neh-fell-ee. Nice and easy. I don't think it needs to be Nephelie...
Nephelë makes sense with pronunciation too but I reckon that umlaut really would get annoying especially when typing.
So... my vote is for Nefeli.
It's an okay name, and fine if you're Greek. If you weren't Greek (or living there) I'd probably be like "Um, why?"
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