When you’re naming your little one, you want to give them a moniker which will represent them – and hopefully, they won’t be embarrassed to use it as they grow older.
It can be tough because you’re expected to name them pretty soon after you’ve welcomed them into the world, and you want to opt for something unique so that their classmates won’t be sporting the same title when they’re in school.
But some parents arguably take it a little too far. This was evident when a woman on Mumsnet asked other parents how they would pronounce the name ‘Eieoie’ – and many had absolutely no clue.
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In the comments, some parents tried to figure out how the name would be pronounced, with some joking that it would need to be “screamed” or “yodelled”. One mum even said: “I’d pronounce it like Eeyore.”
Someone fumed: “This name is trying too hard. There are no consonants, for f***’s sake. It sounds like a line from Old Macdonald.” Another wrote: “Ee Eye Oh Eye, if I didn’t have a chance to Google how to pronounce it first.”
Someone else on Mumsnet suggested it could be pronounced as “Ee-oh-ee. But perhaps it’s one of those Irish names whose pronunciation (to my English eye, anyway) bears no relation to how it’s spelt.”
“That would be a really difficult name to live with,” a concerned parent pointed out, with another sharing: “It sounds horrible to my ears,” and someone else agreed: “Seriously, I am genuinely asking – is this a real name or have you made one up? Either way, that kind of person is in for a lifetime of mispronunciation, confusion about spelling, and ridicule.”
According to the My First Name Rocks website, “the true meaning of ‘Eieoie’ cannot be described with just a few words”. It adds “Your name is your destiny, heart’s desire, and personality. Eieoie is a name that indicates a gift of gab – the ability to persuade others effortlessly.
“You are expressive, optimistic, outgoing, and inspiring. Charming and cheerful, you are the life of the party for any social event. You fascinate others with your creativity, especially in writing. You have the innate ability to explain complex concepts in a way that is easy to understand.”
So, while nobody can seem to agree on how to pronounce it, it certainly seems to have a sweet meaning.