08 March 2024 , 11:10
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A mum has been left scratching her head after hearing strangers constantly mispronounce her son's name. Despite it being a popular name, she says almost everyone she meets pronounces it incorrectly and spells it with all the wrong letters.
She said on Reddit : "No one can pronounce my baby's name - Callum. I get people asking if it’s 'Call-em' as in 'call 'em' or 'Kay-lem' all the time. I’m in the US where the name is less popular, but it’s a top charting name internationally and I had never thought it difficult to pronounce. Am I wrong? Is he going to have to clarify how to say his name his whole life?"
She went on to explain how she fell in love with the name because it's "easy to spell and say" - but has been left disappointed in her decision after seeing this reaction. She added: "I still love his name and wouldn’t change it, but I’m already sick of people asking how to pronounce it. The pronunciation should be 'Cal (as in California)-um'."
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Commenting on her post, one user said: "No, you're not wrong. They're idiots. If they give you s*** about it, ask them how to pronounce Callahan." Another user added: "I'm also surprised that Callum would be mispronounced often. For those that don't initially get it, a quick correction should be all that's needed, though."
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A third user said: "I’m convinced all names are mispronounced about half the time. Some is having a different native language, some is not being a reader and not exposed to names outside their circle, some is laziness and not giving af, and some is just plain illiteracy. I’ve mentioned before I know an Anne who constantly gets both Anna and Annie. Callum is a great name. I know one who was born last year. Pronounced the correct way. (Like your son.) Also know a Callan in the same age range. In US midwest for what it’s worth."
One more user added: "i think it’s the two Ls. Often when we see an unfamiliar word, we look for words we do know. in this case Call. So they decide it’s call and then add however they pronounce um. It’s worth correcting people for such a great name. Like another poster said, so many names are mispronounced or pronounced differently depending on area."