View Message

Pronunciation Question: Bea
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!
vote up1vote down

Replies

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
vote up1vote down
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.
vote up1vote down
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).
vote up1vote down
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.
vote up1vote down
Beatrice is pronounced with two syllables by some English speakers. I don't know how common it is, though.
vote up1vote down