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Iolanthe?
What are your thoughts on Iolanthe (EYE-oh-lan-thee)? I just can't seem to get it out of my head. It's my new guilty pleasure I guess, but definately as a middle name. I think it would be hard for people to pronounce in the States... and basically everywhere else.
Plus, what do you think of Annora Iolanthe? Do you like Emmelina Iolanthe or Antonia Iolanthe better?
Thanks in advance.
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I love Iolanthe and also Ianthe. I prefer the listed pronunciation in the database though. I love Antonia Iolanthe. I would prefer Honora over Annora and I dislike Emmelina.
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I love Iolanthe! When I was 10 my favorite name was Ianthe, so for me it hearkens back to those days. I prefer Antonia Iolanthe or Emmelina Iolanthe, in that order.
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I like it, but I prefer the simpler Ianthe. Both names are lovely and very Greek, though, so it's a pretty good bet that I'd like 'em. Also, I love Io, and getting to use that as a NN is appealing.Annora or Antonia Iolanthe -- Probably my favorite overall, though of Annora and Antonia, I prefer Antonia on its own. I think this flows best, though, and I do like Annora.
Emmelina Iolanthe -- No, because I'm sick of all the Em- names that are so popular right now, even if it is an alternate form. I also don't think they flow well together in syllable arrangement and name style.
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I've recently started loving the most unusal girls' names, so I'm definately a fan. When I first read it, I thought I might be mispronouncing it but I wasn't. I think others might have the same problem - they get it right but don't think they did.Anyhow...I'm usually not a fan of mn's having more syllables than first names, so I would normally prefer Antonia Iolanthe over Annora Iolanthe. (Plus I don't like Emmelina.) However, I also feel that it is a lot of syllables and many people might get tongue-tied trying to say her name (though the full name is rarely spoken). I would, thus, suggest a short fn, or maybe Ianthe instead of Iolanthe?(I seem to be much more talkative than usual today! Hope that's not bothersome.)

This message was edited 4/11/2007, 10:28 AM

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I like Antonia Iolanthe best. Iolanthe is quite obscure so I feel it needs a familiar (but not overused) first name to balance it out. Antonia is great. I'm a big fan of Iole and Iolanthe isn't far away from that ... So naturally I like it :-)
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I really like it. Seeing it in type each time I think laughing out loud anthe. But in prent it would be much more obvious. I like all three combos you put out but I might prefer Annora Iolanthe just because I love Nora so much. By the way the Royal Tenenbaums quote in your sig is the best! I love that movie!
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Thanks! It's my favorite.
Also, my sister is Erin. Not an uncommon name, but worth mentioning I guess.
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Love the name. A slightly shorter version with the same meaning is Ianthe.I have no problem pronouncing it because its Greek derivation is obvious to me (like Zoe, Chloe, Daphne, etc.) Much easier than Celtic names or creatively spelled modern names
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I prefer Jolanda or Jolanthe.
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I prefer the name Xanthe. It sounds similar to Iolanthe but its easier to pronounce.
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