Genevieve

[Shatnerfan]

As in the actress Bujold what is the correct pronunciation of the given name. I've heard both Jen A Veev and John Vee Ev?

[Lennon]

I agree with Einstein that it is Jen a veev. But the second pronouciation you have put, looks to me the exact way a French person would pronouce it. Maybe thats why you've heard it both ways as I think the origin of the name is French - although I'm probably completely wrong there! :)

[Numbers]

For what it's worth I'd go with "john vee ev", as I've seen Genevieve spelt with a grave accent (sloping this way \ ) as it *is* French in origin. I also remember reading an article about Alison Moyet years ago in which she said that she used her middle name as she was sick of people mispronouncing her first name which is actually... oh well, you know the rest, That said, the more commonly heard version as far as the UK's concerned is "jen a veev" which is most likely related to the 1953 film of the same name which probably brought on all the confusion in the first place!

[Numbers]

Oops, meant that the accent is placed over the third 'e' which shortens the sound - similar to the 'e' in bet.

[Lennon]

Well I'm glad I didn't make a pr@tt of myself and that the name is French. Those are the kind of things I get mixed up with! Einstein, no offence taken with the name spelling - but it gave me a good laugh with your second post!! :)

[genevieve]

The correct pronunciation depends on which language you're saying it in. It is a french name which is pronounced Jean Vee Ev but if you're translating it into English it's pronounced Jen A Veev. It all depends on the nationality of the person, for example, I lived in Portugal and my parents are Portuguse, and the translation there for Genevieve is Genoveva, so it all depends on which language you're saying it in.