People not pronouncing unborn baby’s name right

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am currently 30 weeks pregnant and my husband and I have decided to name our baby boy Wesley (we already announced his name). We didn’t think we would run into any problems with this name, but unfortunately, some family members, especially my mother-in-law, keep pronouncing his name as Wez-lee instead of Wess-lee. We have politely corrected multiple times, but they continue to mispronounce it.

I'm not sure if it's just my pregnancy hormones or if I'm overreacting, but I really dislike the "z" sound and prefer the "s" sound in his name. I know it seems like such a minor difference to some, but ever time I hear his name mispronounced, it makes me consider changing his name altogether. FWIW my husband and I usually refer to him as Wes.

Should we go ahead and change his name or should I try to let it go? Please let me know your thoughts.

I don't think Wesley is a unique name, sorry. Yes, let it go or change the baby's name

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have never heard someone say ‘Wez-Lee’, I’d find that super annoying. If you like the name, keep it and keep correcting them. At some point I’d probably tell them that I find it disrespectful they keep mispronouncing his name.

I have a name that can be said differently depending on which syllable you put the emphasis on. I don’t have any issue correcting someone, but they normally say it both ways and check - like “potato? Potahto?’ And I’ll answer ‘potahto’ or whatever. But if someone continually called me the wrong name even after being corrected I’d be very annoyed, it’s incredibly disrespectful.

You must be annoyed a lot.

No, I’ve actually never met someone who continually mispronounced my name after being corrected. I can’t imagine how rude someone would have to be to do that.

People with a different accent than you aren’t being rude and they aren’t mispronouncing anything. They’re saying your name in their accent.

This isn’t a My Fair Lady situation, and if you continually try to “correct” the way another person speaks, you are actually the one being rude.

No. The correct way to pronounce someone’s name is how they want it pronounced. If this was an ethnic name it would be considered a micro aggression to continually mispronounce it. You should really take the time to learn how to pronounce someone’s name if you’re going to be using it. Failing to do so is lazy and rude on your part.

Different languages have different sounds. I can promise you that if I gave you names in a wide variety of languages, you would not be able to perfect your pronunciation of every name and say it exactly as the person says it. Your comment sounds like you have little exposure to anyone different from yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wesley is sooo popular in this area. I know at least 5 under 5. It’s fine if you don’t mind a popular name.

Most people want a popular name. Who would give their kid an unpopular name. That doesn’t make sense.

Op stated it was a 'unique' name. It is not. So many other names are unique

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have never heard someone say ‘Wez-Lee’, I’d find that super annoying. If you like the name, keep it and keep correcting them. At some point I’d probably tell them that I find it disrespectful they keep mispronouncing his name.

I have a name that can be said differently depending on which syllable you put the emphasis on. I don’t have any issue correcting someone, but they normally say it both ways and check - like “potato? Potahto?’ And I’ll answer ‘potahto’ or whatever. But if someone continually called me the wrong name even after being corrected I’d be very annoyed, it’s incredibly disrespectful.

You must be annoyed a lot.

No, I’ve actually never met someone who continually mispronounced my name after being corrected. I can’t imagine how rude someone would have to be to do that.

People with a different accent than you aren’t being rude and they aren’t mispronouncing anything. They’re saying your name in their accent.

This isn’t a My Fair Lady situation, and if you continually try to “correct” the way another person speaks, you are actually the one being rude.

No. The correct way to pronounce someone’s name is how they want it pronounced. If this was an ethnic name it would be considered a micro aggression to continually mispronounce it. You should really take the time to learn how to pronounce someone’s name if you’re going to be using it. Failing to do so is lazy and rude on your part.

Different languages have different sounds. I can promise you that if I gave you names in a wide variety of languages, you would not be able to perfect your pronunciation of every name and say it exactly as the person says it. Your comment sounds like you have little exposure to anyone different from yourself.

I would certainly try, and not call them something clearly NOT their name just because it’s easier for me. I don’t mind correcting people or having them ask me for proper pronunciation. I do the same for people im not familiar with. As I said, I’ve literally never had someone continue to mispronounce my name after I’ve corrected them. Ever. I know I have a non-typical name with multiple pronunciations, and zero people have ever been that rude to me. Maybe I’ve just encountered people who give a sh!t, unlike yourself.

[Anonymous]

I am from the southeast and pronounce Wesley as Wezlee. I would only pronounce it Wesslee if it was spelled “Westley”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am from the southeast and pronounce Wesley as Wezlee. I would only pronounce it Wesslee if it was spelled “Westley”

That makes no sense. It’s not a French word, no silent t, like the word ballet

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am currently 30 weeks pregnant and my husband and I have decided to name our baby boy Wesley (we already announced his name). We didn’t think we would run into any problems with this name, but unfortunately, some family members, especially my mother-in-law, keep pronouncing his name as Wez-lee instead of Wess-lee. We have politely corrected multiple times, but they continue to mispronounce it.

I'm not sure if it's just my pregnancy hormones or if I'm overreacting, but I really dislike the "z" sound and prefer the "s" sound in his name. I know it seems like such a minor difference to some, but ever time I hear his name mispronounced, it makes me consider changing his name altogether. FWIW my husband and I usually refer to him as Wes.

Should we go ahead and change his name or should I try to let it go? Please let me know your thoughts.

I don't think Wesley is a unique name, sorry. Yes, let it go or change the baby's name

OP here. I never said that Wesley is a unique name. I purposefully selected a name in the Top 100.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have never heard someone say ‘Wez-Lee’, I’d find that super annoying. If you like the name, keep it and keep correcting them. At some point I’d probably tell them that I find it disrespectful they keep mispronouncing his name.

I have a name that can be said differently depending on which syllable you put the emphasis on. I don’t have any issue correcting someone, but they normally say it both ways and check - like “potato? Potahto?’ And I’ll answer ‘potahto’ or whatever. But if someone continually called me the wrong name even after being corrected I’d be very annoyed, it’s incredibly disrespectful.

You must be annoyed a lot.

No, I’ve actually never met someone who continually mispronounced my name after being corrected. I can’t imagine how rude someone would have to be to do that.

People with a different accent than you aren’t being rude and they aren’t mispronouncing anything. They’re saying your name in their accent.

This isn’t a My Fair Lady situation, and if you continually try to “correct” the way another person speaks, you are actually the one being rude.

No. The correct way to pronounce someone’s name is how they want it pronounced. If this was an ethnic name it would be considered a micro aggression to continually mispronounce it. You should really take the time to learn how to pronounce someone’s name if you’re going to be using it. Failing to do so is lazy and rude on your part.

Different languages have different sounds. I can promise you that if I gave you names in a wide variety of languages, you would not be able to perfect your pronunciation of every name and say it exactly as the person says it. Your comment sounds like you have little exposure to anyone different from yourself.

I would certainly try, and not call them something clearly NOT their name just because it’s easier for me. I don’t mind correcting people or having them ask me for proper pronunciation. I do the same for people im not familiar with. As I said, I’ve literally never had someone continue to mispronounce my name after I’ve corrected them. Ever. I know I have a non-typical name with multiple pronunciations, and zero people have ever been that rude to me. Maybe I’ve just encountered people who give a sh!t, unlike yourself.

But your works seems to only be people just like you. Have you ever travelled or met people from other countries? If no one has ever mispronounced your name after you told them then it doesn’t sound alike you have ever met anyone where English wasn’t their first language. This thread can give you some insights into a works you have never experienced. Some people can’t hear any difference between two similar sounds …like sss and zzz. Could be language / linguistic, or a hearing issue, or they are tone deaf or any number of reasons why they can’t / don’t perfectly pronounce a name. If you tried to speak Arabic, there are sounds your tongue and mouth and throat have never made before as an English speaker. While you believe that you would be instantly fluent and able to perfectly pronounce sounds you have never made and distinguish between extremely similar sounds your ears have never heard….that is a very ignorant and arrogant!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have never heard someone say ‘Wez-Lee’, I’d find that super annoying. If you like the name, keep it and keep correcting them. At some point I’d probably tell them that I find it disrespectful they keep mispronouncing his name.

I have a name that can be said differently depending on which syllable you put the emphasis on. I don’t have any issue correcting someone, but they normally say it both ways and check - like “potato? Potahto?’ And I’ll answer ‘potahto’ or whatever. But if someone continually called me the wrong name even after being corrected I’d be very annoyed, it’s incredibly disrespectful.

You must be annoyed a lot.

No, I’ve actually never met someone who continually mispronounced my name after being corrected. I can’t imagine how rude someone would have to be to do that.

People with a different accent than you aren’t being rude and they aren’t mispronouncing anything. They’re saying your name in their accent.

This isn’t a My Fair Lady situation, and if you continually try to “correct” the way another person speaks, you are actually the one being rude.

No. The correct way to pronounce someone’s name is how they want it pronounced. If this was an ethnic name it would be considered a micro aggression to continually mispronounce it. You should really take the time to learn how to pronounce someone’s name if you’re going to be using it. Failing to do so is lazy and rude on your part.

Different languages have different sounds. I can promise you that if I gave you names in a wide variety of languages, you would not be able to perfect your pronunciation of every name and say it exactly as the person says it. Your comment sounds like you have little exposure to anyone different from yourself.

I would certainly try, and not call them something clearly NOT their name just because it’s easier for me. I don’t mind correcting people or having them ask me for proper pronunciation. I do the same for people im not familiar with. As I said, I’ve literally never had someone continue to mispronounce my name after I’ve corrected them. Ever. I know I have a non-typical name with multiple pronunciations, and zero people have ever been that rude to me. Maybe I’ve just encountered people who give a sh!t, unlike yourself.

But your works seems to only be people just like you. Have you ever travelled or met people from other countries? If no one has ever mispronounced your name after you told them then it doesn’t sound alike you have ever met anyone where English wasn’t their first language. This thread can give you some insights into a works you have never experienced. Some people can’t hear any difference between two similar sounds …like sss and zzz. Could be language / linguistic, or a hearing issue, or they are tone deaf or any number of reasons why they can’t / don’t perfectly pronounce a name. If you tried to speak Arabic, there are sounds your tongue and mouth and throat have never made before as an English speaker. While you believe that you would be instantly fluent and able to perfectly pronounce sounds you have never made and distinguish between extremely similar sounds your ears have never heard….that is a very ignorant and arrogant!

lol. My dh is an immigrant and has a very very unique ethnic name. His entire family has unique ethnic names that I’ve learned to pronounce. Sorry, but you’re just selfish and lazy. And double/tripling down on purposely mispronouncing someone’s name is not a good flex.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have never heard someone say ‘Wez-Lee’, I’d find that super annoying. If you like the name, keep it and keep correcting them. At some point I’d probably tell them that I find it disrespectful they keep mispronouncing his name.

I have a name that can be said differently depending on which syllable you put the emphasis on. I don’t have any issue correcting someone, but they normally say it both ways and check - like “potato? Potahto?’ And I’ll answer ‘potahto’ or whatever. But if someone continually called me the wrong name even after being corrected I’d be very annoyed, it’s incredibly disrespectful.

You must be annoyed a lot.

No, I’ve actually never met someone who continually mispronounced my name after being corrected. I can’t imagine how rude someone would have to be to do that.

People with a different accent than you aren’t being rude and they aren’t mispronouncing anything. They’re saying your name in their accent.

This isn’t a My Fair Lady situation, and if you continually try to “correct” the way another person speaks, you are actually the one being rude.

No. The correct way to pronounce someone’s name is how they want it pronounced. If this was an ethnic name it would be considered a micro aggression to continually mispronounce it. You should really take the time to learn how to pronounce someone’s name if you’re going to be using it. Failing to do so is lazy and rude on your part.

Different languages have different sounds. I can promise you that if I gave you names in a wide variety of languages, you would not be able to perfect your pronunciation of every name and say it exactly as the person says it. Your comment sounds like you have little exposure to anyone different from yourself.

I would certainly try, and not call them something clearly NOT their name just because it’s easier for me. I don’t mind correcting people or having them ask me for proper pronunciation. I do the same for people im not familiar with. As I said, I’ve literally never had someone continue to mispronounce my name after I’ve corrected them. Ever. I know I have a non-typical name with multiple pronunciations, and zero people have ever been that rude to me. Maybe I’ve just encountered people who give a sh!t, unlike yourself.

But your works seems to only be people just like you. Have you ever travelled or met people from other countries? If no one has ever mispronounced your name after you told them then it doesn’t sound alike you have ever met anyone where English wasn’t their first language. This thread can give you some insights into a works you have never experienced. Some people can’t hear any difference between two similar sounds …like sss and zzz. Could be language / linguistic, or a hearing issue, or they are tone deaf or any number of reasons why they can’t / don’t perfectly pronounce a name. If you tried to speak Arabic, there are sounds your tongue and mouth and throat have never made before as an English speaker. While you believe that you would be instantly fluent and able to perfectly pronounce sounds you have never made and distinguish between extremely similar sounds your ears have never heard….that is a very ignorant and arrogant!

You do realize that “Wesley” is not Arabic, right? Would you really not call someone by their preferred pronunciation after they corrected you? From Wez to Wes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son is named Martin and when he was a baby it drove me crazy when people would pronounce it "Mar-in" with a glottal stop, to the point where i wanted a different name. Now I realize I was just hormonal. This won't bother you in a year or so.

My friend’s son is Martin. My Boston roots force my brain and mouth to say Mahtin. I try very very hard to say it correctly but it’s so difficult for me to pull it off naturally.

Op, this will be pronounced wrong his entire life. You will have to live with it or choose another name.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I knew a Shari who was very firm on the a being a short a like cat rather than Sh-airy. A big commitment by her!

You mean like a New York accent!?[/quote

But she was not from NY]

[Anonymous]

My husband wanted to name our daughter Josie. I liked it, but found I would say both Jo-zee and Jo-see. I decided to skip any ambiguous names and use a different one. Wes is easy though!

[Anonymous]

Keep in mind people you are close with you can correct if they pronounce with z, but the vast majority of people he interacts with are going to say it how they are used to saying it and it would be weird for you to correct such a minor difference.

If they called him weezly, sure you would correct anyone, but good luck correcting the little gym teacher, rec soccer coach, all the kids on your street about such a tiny difference they likely won’t even perceive (without across as a weirdo and/or giving poor Wesley a complex!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would change the name. This will irk you forever. Consider it a blessing you found out when there’s still time to change it.

+1 unless he is always going to be Wes (which is what I would name him and almost did name my son)

My daughter is Reagan. I never considered the different pronunciations and it's been driving me nuts her whole life. Wish I named her Megan or Morgan.