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[Opinions] Xochiquetzal
My wife and I found the name XOCHIQUETZAL was beautiful enough to give to our daughter. The problem is that most Americans can't remember more than 3 syllables, so we have just been calling her Xochi. I'd like to comment on the name but for some reason it won't let me. What do other participants think of this name?
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I don't think it's a problem of remembering 3 syllables (there are plently of 4 or more syllable names which people can remember, spell and pronounce perfectly well such as Maximilian, Alexander, Elizabeth, Francesca) it's just that Xochiquetzal is very hard to spell and pronounce, and it doesn't exactly roll off the tongue. To be honest, even Xochi isn't that easy to pronounce (is the X pronounces like a Z, so ZOH-chee?). It'll be hard to her to learn to spell, and for friends/teachers to spell or say correctly. I think it's a bit difficult to pull off this name in real life so I personally would keep it as a middle name.
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I dont think the problem is that Americans are unable to "remember more than 3 syllables" this name is very difficult for native English speakers (and other languages as well) to pronounce. I'm going to assume that unless you are fluent in Spanish or a Native American dialect this name doesnt exactly roll off your tongue sounding pretty. I'm also finding different pronunciations online and I dont think any of them sound attractive and now Im not sure whats considered correct. Unfortunately this is one of those instances where I feel like the problems outweigh the benefit and there's a good chance your child will be frustrated because of the problems she will encounter due to her name. Learning to spell it and constantly correcting people for the rest of your life would also be a nightmare.I'm not trying to be rude but you asked what people think about the name, I can appreciate that it's special to you and would keep it as a middle name.
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I think it's a really pretty name, but I'm not at all surprised it has a lot of trouble and I wouldn't expect anything else from people. Some people just aren't good with exotic or foreign words and names. Like how in school half the kids were afraid of reading the word Quetzalcoatl. If you actually look at it and think about it, it's not hard, but whatevs. Xochi is really pretty for a nn.
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I quite like it. I knew a girl called Quetzalxochitl (pretty much the same elements backwards, I'm given to understanding) and I've always found these kind of names really interesting and exotic. She had a hell of a time with it, though, because nearly everyone she met couldn't pronounce it. Which is the luck of the draw, I guess, but in the end pretty much everyone called her Quet or something similar.So really, its an interesting name, but the pronunciation problem is going to be something that will never go away.
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While interesting, it would be a difficult name for an American child to have. I can imagine people having a hard time even pronouncing Xochi. How about using Xochiquetzal as a middle name?

This message was edited 11/13/2011, 8:23 AM

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