Violet/Violette

KirstyB · #1 April 30th, 2012, 12:03 PM

Are they pronounced the same?
If not, how is Violette pronounced? More emphasis on the let sounds than Violet?

RootBudSkyTree · #2 April 30th, 2012, 12:23 PM

You could probably get away with them sounding the same, but I'd think you'd have to correct people on Violette since Violet is more common.
The way you described pronouncing Violette makes sense to me just because the end looks more like an "ette" name.... like Colette, KWIM? And Violet is like the color/flower.

Allie_SMg · #3 April 30th, 2012, 01:48 PM

I don't know... if I saw the name, I'd just pronounce it the same as "Violet" and I think most people would assume it's just a different spelling of the same name.

Belita · #4 April 30th, 2012, 04:54 PM

I agree with RootBudSkyTree. I'd pronounce them Violet and ViolETTE. I actually read them that way to myself when seeing your thread title before even opening the thread.

Aillidh · #5 April 30th, 2012, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allie_SMg

I don't know... if I saw the name, I'd just pronounce it the same as "Violet" and I think most people would assume it's just a different spelling of the same name.

I think I would just think it was an alternate spelling to Violet but same pronunciation.

mrsjl · #6 April 30th, 2012, 07:40 PM

I just automatically in my head say them differently. Violet is VY-LIT and Violette is VY-O-LET

but if I were talking to/about a Violette in real life I would probably say it the same way as Violet.

DaveViolette · #7 May 1st, 2012, 09:34 AM

Here's some thoughts from a Violette, David A. Violette that is! My surname comes from the French Violet/Violette and refers to the flower. My first ancestor in North America was born in France in 1744 and came to Acadia (now Nova Scotia) with his parents in 1749. You will find many people with the surname Violette in the USA and Canada. In fact, we have a Violette Family Association.

As to pronunciation: Those in Canada will typically pronounce their last name as Vee-o-lett - in the French manner - but most in the USA use an Anglicized pronunciation of Vy-o-let. A Spanish form of the name would be Violetta, and in Italian probably Violetti.

mrsjl · #8 May 1st, 2012, 10:13 AM

Hello, Mr. Violette! I have a French last name as well. Do people always say yours wrong, too? I live in Nova Scotia, but my father-in-law (whose last name I now have, since marrying his son) is from Quebec.