View Message

[Opinions] Melody and Elodie
Melody is an old favorite that is growing on me again. I'm really surprised that its popularity went even further down in 2011. Does anyone have any idea why? It's one of the names that should be more popular. I'm also quite surprised it wasn't more common in the 90s, it has the rhythm of popular 80s/90s names such as Tiffany and Stephanie but a word name quality such as Destiny and Brooke which are also common. Elodie is a new favorite. My mom is French and I know it's super overused there but that doesn't really matter. The thing is, I'd like to use the English pronunciation: ELL-o-dee. I like the French pronunciation but I think it would be really annoying to correct people all of the time. I'm fluent in French and have tried to explain the French pr. to some people I know but they just don't get the first syllable right. They say it like AY, but it's really more a very long EH - a sound that doesn't really exist in english.I also like Elle as her nickname. Do you think it would be fine to use the english pr.? After all Nicole isn't pronounced the French way in the US either as well as many other names.Opinions of Melody and Elodie? Which do you prefer?
Archived Thread - replies disabled
vote up1

Replies

I like Melody. I think it's sweet. I don't care if it's a bit dated, that doesn't bother me.
I totally understand about English speakers not using the correct pronunciation. My name should be pronounced fyah-MEH-tah, but few people know that, so I just use an Anglicized pronunciation (fee-ah-met-tah).
vote up1
Overall I prefer Elodie, but I have negative personal associations with it. Melody feels a bit frilly and cutesy.
vote up1
I prefer Melody. Elodie is nice and quirky, but Melody just sounds better.
vote up1
I had a piano teacher named Melody. :) Cheesy indeed. Plus I had a elementary school music teacher who named her daughter Melody. Also cheesy. :) I don't really have an opinion on the name either way. I agree that it fits in well with Tiffany and Stephanie.Elodie is nice. I like the English pronunciation and can't see why it wouldn't be fine to use that - assuming you are not in a French-speaking country that it. Elle is a great nickname.I definitely prefer Elodie.
vote up1
Melody is "growing on me again" too. It's awfully saccharine - the word is too saccharine and pleasant, and not edgy or evocative enough, to be fashionable right now - and I just don't care. I like it tons. I like the way it seems totally femmey, yet doesn't have any frills because the concept is super simple - and somehow it still bears plenty of power, and isn't trivial. Like Tiffany or Stephanie, only more modest and honest. Elodie pronounced like Melody-without-the-M annoys me (sorry). It clunks. It seems like Ella + Dee, but run together. The O does not come out as an O, it comes out as UH. Reminds me a little of elegy. And gives me an impression similar to Melilot (affectedly pastoral sounding). And I agree that non-French-speakers (I know there's a word for "French speakers" but I feel lame using it) can't say it right. Sure it's pretty in French, so I say leave it to the French speakers, because they can keep it nice.

This message was edited 6/16/2012, 11:10 AM

vote up1
Hmm when I say it the O comes out as an O. Not when I pronounce Melody, but with Elodie. But I want the O to sound like an O, so maybe that's why. I probably put more of an emphasis on it on purpose. I see what you mean, though.
vote up1
I prefer Elodie
vote up1