Emmeline pronunciation

[jpc-uk]

One of my daughters is called Emmeline. Here in the UK, it is definitely pronounced Em-uh-leen. The name was more common in the 18th century, not least because of Charlotte Turner Smith’s novel of the same name. And, of course, suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst made the name very well known here. Pronouncing the name as Em-uh-line would be considered a mispronunciation (or an eccentricity I suppose) over here, and certainly one that get’s my daughter’s goat. That said, if one hasn't come across the name before, then one can see why Em-uh-line might be chosen....

[morganalefaye]

I agree with pp that as far as I know nearly everyone in the UK says Em-uh-leen for various reasons, including the fame of Emmeline Pankhurst. I love the name, and actually I like the leen pronunciation the best, although I might be biased as it's what I'm used to. I often find that -line endings sound a bit forced and over the top to my ear (an exception being Caroline) but that's probably a mixture of my accent and my oddness I agree that pronouncing it -lyn makes it sound quite trendy, and I'd be likely to assume it was spelled Emmalyn if it was said like that.

However you say it, it's a lovely name. I think you should choose the pronunciation you like best/the one that seems most natural to you, and just be prepared to correct people when they use the wrong one. As lots of others have pointed out, most names get pronounced wrongly at some point. At least with Emmeline people have a 1 in 3 chance of getting it right

[marissalou]

Just thought I'd mention that I love how this name looks but I've never known how to pronounce it.

[lizabethm]

I am from the US and just reading the name I would assume it is Em-uh-leen. I could see there being pronunciation issues, but I'm sure once you correct people they will get it easily.

[ferntailwp]

I'm from the Midwest USA and I've always pronounced it Emmaline. The others never even crossed my mind until you mentioned them. I much prefer Emmaline to the others, and I have it as one of my top mns (Either with Cameo or Spencer). It shouldn't matter, though, go with what you like.

[elainelea]

When I first saw this name years ago, I thought it was Emma-leen, but everyone corrected me to Emma-line, rhyming with Caroline. I think that is the much more common pronunciation, so I don't think that you'd have to correct people very often. Most people think Emmeline is pronounced that way!

[shaymin2]

I think Emma-line is the general English pronunciation. This is my favorite pronunciation. I associate it with the girl from Anne of Green Gables who pronounced it that way and the Ben Folds song.

[arilee_sc]

Emmeline is one of my favorites too! I like emma-leen the best. The line pronunciation sounds awkward to me, and the lyn pronunciation doesn't fit with how it is spelled. I do like it spelled Emalyn though! However, emma-leen will always be tops for me!

[lineska]

Emmaline rhyming with Caroline.

Leen is fine and def the accepted pronunciation in many places, just not Lynn!! Big pet peeve when people say lynn for Caroline/Madeline/Emmaline names...why??

[strawberry36]

Emmeline prn as Emmaleen is more European style I guess (British, French, but also Spanish, German, Italian, Dutch speakers for example)

If you live in the US and your daughter might travel internationally in the future, she at least has a name that most people will be able to pronounce even though it might be slightly different from what she is called at home. Better that then having to spell your name every time.