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Violet or Mairi?

38 replies

MimiDaisy11 · 20/05/2021 11:52

We've been settled on Violet for quite a while but now I'm not so confident about it. We also like Mairi (We're Scottish hence this spelling & pronunciation). Also not too bothered about how popular a name is if it's outside the top 30 which both names are.

Opinions?

OP posts:
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Cbeebiesrehab · 20/05/2021 11:59

I know quite a few Violets so Mairi seems more unusual to me. Can you clarify the pronunciation for me? Is it more like mai-ree? :)

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emmathedilemma · 20/05/2021 12:05

Mairi

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HoldingTheDoor · 20/05/2021 12:15

I think Violet is nicer.

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thatllberight · 20/05/2021 12:16

Mhairi I'd pronounce with the proper V sound, Mairi I'd say like Marie. I know a Mairi who is Marie rather than Mhairi.

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thatllberight · 20/05/2021 12:16

And Mhairi is lovely.

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RuthW · 20/05/2021 12:18

Both lovely

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ZoyaTheDestroyer · 20/05/2021 12:21

No idea if this is the correct pronunciation but the Mairi is know is pronounced ‘marry’.

I met a Mhairi at a work event a while ago and had to sight-read her name so pronounced it ‘varry’. She corrected me to ‘marry’. I’m not sure where I went wrong.

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bethabean · 20/05/2021 12:21

I like Violet :)

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Serpenta · 20/05/2021 12:26

I know a few Mairis and they usually pronounce it 'marry'. But then the odd one will inexplicably pronounce it Varry like Mhairi. Having said that some of the Mhairis pronounce it 'marry' too, even though that's wrong.

Basically I prefer Violet.

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Chunkymenrock · 20/05/2021 12:30

I don't like Violet as it looks like Violent to me. Love the other choice. I'd have pronounced it as 'My ree', but is that wrong OP?

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MimiDaisy11 · 20/05/2021 13:00

Sorry, I should have clarified the pronunciation - although I guess that's a plus point for Violet as the spelling and pronunciation isn't going to lead to confusion.

Like others said it's pronounced like the word "marry" although there's a bit more emphasis on the first syllable. I've seen the pronunciation written as "Mah-ree".

"mh" in Gaelic is supposed to be pronounced like a "v" sound. Although there are lots of Mhairis who don't follow this and just pronounce it like Mairi. The confusion comes as Gaelic has some language features that English doesn't. Mhairi is the vocative form of Mairi so it's strange for English speakers to see someone's name change depending on the grammar being used.

OP posts:
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BramStoker · 20/05/2021 13:03

I think Mairi - with the pronunciation you have described above - is lovely and much nicer than Violet IMO

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MargosKaftan · 20/05/2021 13:20

Violet.

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emmathedilemma · 20/05/2021 13:26

I'd pronounce it as you've described "mah-ree" with a v if it's an mh at the start

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twoofusburningmatches · 20/05/2021 13:35

Mairi is lovely!

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TatianaBis · 20/05/2021 15:01

Violet Mairi

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Pommes · 20/05/2021 16:15

Mairi is beautiful.

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Twickerhun · 20/05/2021 16:19

Not violet due to shrinking violets / violet Elizabeth bott
I love Mairi

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DalPalak · 20/05/2021 17:02

There's nothing wrong with Violet, but I think Mairi has a sweeter sound and is more unusual.

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DotDotDotDotDot · 20/05/2021 17:41

I’d choose Violet, it’s one of my favourites at the moment. Although the pronunciation of Mairi you’ve said is lovely too, so much nicer than Mary.

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braggingaboutbrasize · 20/05/2021 17:50

Mairi is my second name. Pronounced Mah-ree as you say, OP. I love it too. I've met very few fellow Mairis, we are very rare.

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schnubbins · 20/05/2021 17:54

Mairi is perfect!

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Peachbubble · 20/05/2021 18:17

Violet is my choice.

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savvy7 · 20/05/2021 18:26

Violet would be my choice

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partyatthepalace · 20/05/2021 19:25

Violet is lovely - sweet but strong

Mairi pronounced like the French Marie as you say is lovely - but I always here it said MAAR-ree which I have to say is pretty hard and ugly.

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