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Olivera
What do you think of Olivera (oll-eh-VAIR-uh) as a feminine way to honor an Oliver? Is it a nice alternative to the overused Olivia? Thanks!
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I like Olivera but the way to pronounce it would probably be confusing to many people. I think many people would assume it would be pronounced different ways. I'm still having a little trouble with it. Anyone who comes across this name would need to take time to get use to. But I don't think that means that you shouldn't use it.
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I don't know how you guys are pronouncing that...Because in the UK Aloe Vera is definitely not said like that. It is incredibly awkward, though. I can kind of get the aloe vera feel from the very necessary and natural spoken pause between the discrepant eh and VAIR syllables. They...are odd. I'm 99% sure it's my accent clashing with your transcription, because when I try to say it, it sounds weird, cumbersome, unnatural... it's hard to get my tongue around, and I'm a trilingual language fan. I think I have an idea in my head. but putting that with your syllables and saying it just can't work. Language-clash-esque thing, maybe? IPA pronunciation might be clearer...I dunno.I can't say I'm sold on it. It's okay, but I think Olivia is more popular for a reason...
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In the US aloe vera is pronounce al-OH VAIR-ah. The name Vera is usually pronounced VEER-ah in the US but will sometimes be pronounced VAIR-ah.(I edited because sometimes I swear it should be AL-oh and sometimes I feel it should al-OH. It's one of those words where there isn't a very distinct emphasis.)
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This message was edited 3/17/2012, 5:15 AM

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Yeah, I've only heard it said AL-oh VAIR-a (in the US). And I've only heard Vera said as VAIR-a too... I think. Or maybe I've never heard it said and that's just how my brain says it. :PI don't find Olivera hard to pronounce, it just sounds so dang close to aloe vera. For an Olivia alternative I'd go with Olive or Olivet(tte).

This message was edited 3/17/2012, 4:31 AM

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I always thought Vera should be VAIR-ah as a kid because of the plant, but Vera Wang's name is pronounced VEER-ah. I've also heard the name pronounced in a Western or some movie I've seen on TV as VEER-ah. But whenever I hear Aloe Vera it is AL-oh VAIR-ah. I've met a hand full of Vera's before, some were VEER-ah and some were VAIR-ah.
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This message was edited 3/17/2012, 5:25 AM

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I don't think it's just your accent that's making it hard to pronounce. I'm finding it rather difficult, too. Why not just go with either Olive or Olivia or even Olivie?
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How do you pronounce it? I pronounce Aloe Vera like "AL-oh VEER-ah."
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aloe vera:)
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YepI also think of margarine/olive oil spreads for some reason.I much prefer Olivia, regardless of its popularity.
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Totally!....what are you looking at?
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