Incredibly common Irish name is one of the 'most mispronounced' in the world

Irish names are known to be difficult to pronounce, with names like Caoimhe, Siobhan and Aoife often stumping those not from Ireland - but it's a different moniker that's actually the most mispronounced in the world

Irish monikers often leave people scratching their heads due to their distinct spelling, steeped in the Emerald Isle's traditions and history. These Gaelic names, sometimes replete with confounding consonant combos and accent marks called fadas, can really throw off anyone not versed in Irish culture.

Take for instance names like Caoimhe, Siobhan, and Aoife; they've been known to give those outside Ireland a hard time, resulting in both intrigue and the occasional exasperation.

The web is awash with hilarious anecdotes and viral incidents illustrating the struggles many face with certain Irish names. Yet, one name stands out above the rest as the "most mispronounced name in the world".

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According to a recent study, the Irish name Sean wins the title for causing the most global tongue twist a surprising fact given its popularity. This could come as shockingly unfortunate news for sporting greats like cyclist Sean Kelly, GAA icon Sean O'Neill, and yes, even the beloved bookmaker brand Sean Graham.

In Irish lore, Sean translates to 'God is gracious' and has consistently remained among the Top 100 boys names across Ireland. In 2023, the version spelt Sean secured the 14th spot on the list by the Central Statistics Office, reports Belfast Live.

This revelation comes courtesy of a study by WordFinderX, tapping into Forvo, an online pronunciation guide equipped with audio playbacks. They used this resource to pinpoint the top names that leave people puzzled worldwide.

Sean has become a pronunciation sensation, topping the charts on Forvo with a staggering one million entries that's about 200,000 more listens than any other name on the platform. Not to be outdone, another Irish favourite, Saoirse, has graced Forvo's top 20 list with 293,000 listens, securing the 20th spot.

Hot on Seans heels, in second place is the Basque moniker Xuxa, which you say like Shoo-shuh, entering the site 802,000 times. The Latin-rooted Victoria took the third spot with 696,000 listens.

Meanwhile, rounding off the top five are the melodic Spanish name Francisco and the historically rich Greek name Plato, as reported by Mirror UK.

It's not just Sean and Saoirse flying the flag for Ireland; plenty of widely-known names found their way into the top 20 most frequently mispronounced. Alexander, Benjamin, and Michael all commanded significant attention with 422,000, 399,000, and 364,000 listens respectively.

And let's not overlook Thomas with 344,000 requests, followed closely by those scratching their heads over David, requested 339,000 times. Mary wasn't too far behind with 330,000 enquirers, and Laura was sought after with 322,000 curious listeners clamouring for clarity on how to say her name right.

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