[Facts] Pronunciation of -iyah names
A great number of names ending with -iya(h) appear on the U.S. SSA list in 2011, including Aniyah, Janiyah, Zariyah, Samiyah, Jaliyah, Kaliyah, Zaniyah, Taliyah, etc. I have never met anyone with this type of name, and I'm curious about how they are generally pronounced. Is the ending "eye-ah" (as in Mariah) or "ee-ya" (as in Leah)? Or can it go either way?
Also, any info about why this ending has become so popular?
Also, any info about why this ending has become so popular?
Replies
I think it can go either way, but I believe it is usually "ee-ya", because this is mostly a suffix abstracted out of the name Aaliyah, from the late African-American singer.
Aaliyah's fame as well as the natural progression of fashion have led to -iyah replacing -isha and -ika as the most common suffix in newly created African-American female names.
Aaliyah's fame as well as the natural progression of fashion have led to -iyah replacing -isha and -ika as the most common suffix in newly created African-American female names.
I agree with the "ee-ah" rather than "eye-ah" pronunciation.
But even more, I think the -iyah ending helps to set the desired syllable emphasis.
For example, Zaria could be ZAR-ee-uh. Zariyah looks like Zuh-REE-uh.
Talia is very acceptaed as TAHL-ee-uh (or even TAHL-yuh), so Taliyah sets that distinction.
But even more, I think the -iyah ending helps to set the desired syllable emphasis.
For example, Zaria could be ZAR-ee-uh. Zariyah looks like Zuh-REE-uh.
Talia is very acceptaed as TAHL-ee-uh (or even TAHL-yuh), so Taliyah sets that distinction.