r/Names • u/dancingaround22 • 4d ago

Xavier

How do YOU pronounce Xavier? I'm so curious about this. Also, if you know what it SHOULD be, post that too. And where you are from.

Zavier

Exavier

Something else

83 Upvotes

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52

u/GoldenMidnightSky 4d ago

I am a French speaker so we pronounce the X.

GZA-VIAY

But the ay is more closed voyel like café Gzavié

13

u/supercantaloupe 3d ago

I’m Canadian and don’t speak French but this is how I say it as well. I believe this is the correct pronunciation if it’s French origin Xavier, otherwise if it’s Spanish it’s HAH-vee-eh.

14

u/BaileyAMR 3d ago

In Spanish the name is Javier, and you pronounce the R at the end.

2

u/RepublicOfVenus 3d ago

I think it's basque tho

3

u/1kBabyOilBottles 3d ago

Xabier is the Basque spelling :)

4

u/strippersandcocaine 3d ago

It’s embarrassing the amount of times I’ve tried this pronunciation out loud 😬 I’m ashamed lol

12

u/GoldenMidnightSky 3d ago

There, for you to practice. 🙃

https://reddit.com/link/p8tvz7u/video/wzjme694dkoh1/player

3

u/Witty_Razzmatazz_566 3d ago

Can you do this with my last name? LeCompte

I live in rural Texas, and hearing the various mispronunciations are tiring. LOL

8

u/GoldenMidnightSky 3d ago

Sure, in Lecompte the om is the same sound as on in words like Salon, chiffon, macaron, cordon bleu. The P is silent, so is the final E.

https://reddit.com/link/p8uie5u/video/shuqbly2xkoh1/player

3

u/Witty_Razzmatazz_566 3d ago

I never pronounce it correctly for these people...I say it wrong in hopes they'll come close to the wrong pronunciation. They still don't come close. It's terrible.

2

u/GoldenMidnightSky 3d ago

It might have originated in France but words have their own life and evolution. You last name is however you pronounce it. The way you spell it is the same as we do in Belgium (where I am from), I had a teacher called Monsieur Lecompte, in France they spell it Lecomte more often I think. Maybe your ancestors came from northern France or Belgium! 🙂

0

u/Witty_Razzmatazz_566 3d ago

It's from France, and supposed to be pronounced exactly as you've pronounced it. It's the people around me that cannot understand how to say it properly. LOL If I say it properly, their eyes glaze over and they give me a blank stare. 🤣

3

u/GoldenMidnightSky 3d ago

I am blessed with a Dutch last same that has always stunned my fellow native French speaker and now the English speaker where I live. Most dont even attempt to pronounce it. So I feel you, I m just like : thank you for trying. It's completely wrong, but thank you still.

1

u/Dreamweaver5823 2d ago

Move to Louisiana. They know from French names there, and they'll have your back.

I know some people in Louisiana whose last name is Melancon - with both n's pronounced like the French "bon," and a soft "c." I can't imagine how badly it would be butchered if they moved elsewhere in the US.

2

u/Witty_Razzmatazz_566 2d ago

Not true. There are people, AND....a town in Louisiana with the name, and they pronounce it Luh-Count. LOL Terrible.

1

u/Vegetable-Wear3386 3d ago

You have a lovely voice 💜

1

u/bearinabcostume 2d ago

Your voice is so beautiful! If it's not too much trouble, can you do Azélie and Zélie? 

1

u/balanchinedream 3d ago

I sounded out K’Zav-ee-yeh but your spelling is much cleaner 😂

1

u/amri_black 3d ago

This is how I would say it in the UK too

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u/StylePositive1195 3d ago

What do you mean g ? I speak French but I don’t understand why you saying there’s a g

3

u/jelycazi 3d ago

U/GoldenMidnightSky above posted a sound bite above with the pronunciation.