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Help[Opinions] Avonia
Best known as the name of American actress Avonia Jones (1839-1867), this name is still in use today but is quite rare. If Facebook is any indication, the name is mostly used in the English-speaking world, as I have seen bearers from the United States, United Kingdom, South Africa and Australia. Also, the name's meaning is unfortunately uncertain, one can only make educated guesses about it.
Anyway, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts about this name, what you think are its strengths and weaknesses. Thank you in advance! :)
Anyway, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts about this name, what you think are its strengths and weaknesses. Thank you in advance! :)
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I'd name a ship this.
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I think it sounds rather nice, but maybe a little too much like an illness. Pneumonia...Avonia...
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I sort of like it, but I think I'd prefer Avania.
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I just looked it up on Wikipedia, and it's a town in Pennsylvania. It doesn't mention the actress.
My first impression was that someone was trying to 'dress up' Avon. It seems fake to me.
My first impression was that someone was trying to 'dress up' Avon. It seems fake to me.
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Yes, if you just search for 'Avonia' only, then Wikipedia automatically directs to the town: it doesn't go to a general page called 'Avonia' where one can see a list of people/towns/whathaveyou named Avonia.
Instead, it helps to search for Avonia Jones. That will direct you to the proper page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avonia_Jones
Instead, it helps to search for Avonia Jones. That will direct you to the proper page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avonia_Jones
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Hmmm. Well, I've always had a thing for Avon. Not the makeup manufacturer, but the river in England. I keep it as a GP / mn.
So Avonia starts out with a positive reference in my mind. Plus, the association with a Victorian era actress is alluring. If I'm pronouncing it correctly, "ah-VOE-nee-uh," then the long, stressed "o" sound is not my favorite. Perhaps it's "av-o-NEE-uh," which is more pleasing to my ears, but harder to get others (I suspect) to pronounce it that way. And finally, the "-ia" ending strikes me as a bit too much. I like Alexandra better than Alexandria for just this reason.
So, there are good things about Avonia and bad, for me. On balance, it's not taking root with me. But I wouldn't mind seeing it used. It's just not a favorite.
So Avonia starts out with a positive reference in my mind. Plus, the association with a Victorian era actress is alluring. If I'm pronouncing it correctly, "ah-VOE-nee-uh," then the long, stressed "o" sound is not my favorite. Perhaps it's "av-o-NEE-uh," which is more pleasing to my ears, but harder to get others (I suspect) to pronounce it that way. And finally, the "-ia" ending strikes me as a bit too much. I like Alexandra better than Alexandria for just this reason.
So, there are good things about Avonia and bad, for me. On balance, it's not taking root with me. But I wouldn't mind seeing it used. It's just not a favorite.
This message was edited 4/23/2013, 5:18 PM
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I quite like Avon, too - there's something pleasantly mysterious about it, can't quite put my finger on it. I'd only like it for a boy, though. :) Oh, and it also reminds me of Stratford-upon-Avon (as I had never heard of the river before), which is where William Shakespeare was born. ;)
Myself, I pronounce Avonia as ah-VOE-nee-ah. I prefer the long, stressed "o"-sound version, as I think the alternate option seems a bit awkward and is the less obvious choice (I think). But well, that's just a matter of personal taste, of course. ;)
Also, I see what you mean about the -ia thing, but I don't think that's as much an issue with Avonia. It's a fairly short name, and Avona would make it look a bit odd and 'naked'. Alexandria, on the other hand, is quite a mouthful, so then Alexandra makes more sense. But again, that's just a matter of personal taste. ;)
Anyway, thank you for your input - it was the most elaborate response so far, and I appreciate that. :)
Myself, I pronounce Avonia as ah-VOE-nee-ah. I prefer the long, stressed "o"-sound version, as I think the alternate option seems a bit awkward and is the less obvious choice (I think). But well, that's just a matter of personal taste, of course. ;)
Also, I see what you mean about the -ia thing, but I don't think that's as much an issue with Avonia. It's a fairly short name, and Avona would make it look a bit odd and 'naked'. Alexandria, on the other hand, is quite a mouthful, so then Alexandra makes more sense. But again, that's just a matter of personal taste. ;)
Anyway, thank you for your input - it was the most elaborate response so far, and I appreciate that. :)
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Avon is cool. It would be sort of cute (but cheesy) to have twins named Stratford and Avon :P Maybe for two pets...
Another possible pronunciation might be with 3 syllables: a-VON-ya, so that it rhymes with "begonia". I prefer it with 4 syllables though.
Another possible pronunciation might be with 3 syllables: a-VON-ya, so that it rhymes with "begonia". I prefer it with 4 syllables though.
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