Home » Words beginning with G » How to pronounce Genevieve

How to pronounce Genevieve

How to Pronounce "Genevieve"

Definition: How to say "Genevieve" and use it in a sentence

Phonetic Spelling:

jen-uh-veev (pronounced: JEN-uh-veev)

How to say "Genevieve" correctly

Here are some definitions of Genevieve.

  • A female given name of French origin, meaning 'white wave'
  • A saint's name, borne by a 5th-century virgin martyr
  • A character in the Arthurian legends, the wife of Sir Lancelot
  • A woman of great beauty and charm
  • A person who is kind, caring, and compassionate

Learn to use Genevieve correctly with the following examples:

  • Genevieve is a classic and elegant name with a rich history.
  • I met Genevieve at the party last night, she was the one wearing the red dress.
  • Legend has it that Genevieve was the most beautiful woman in the kingdom.
  • She has the grace and kindness of a Genevieve.
  • Genevieve’s presence lit up the room with her warmth and charm.

Words close in sound to Genevieve:

Jennifer, Geneva, Evangeline, Gwendolyn, Geraldine, Giovanni, Janelle, Giselle, Gemma, Gene,

Synonyms for Genevieve

Genny, Gigi, Eve, Vivi, Jenny, Guinevere, Ginevra, Ginevieve, Jenevieve, Jenevieve,

Review Genevieve
{{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.singularReviewCountLabel }}
{{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.pluralReviewCountLabel }}
{{ options.labels.newReviewButton }}
{{ userData.canReview.message }}

Ways to improve your pronunciation of ‘Genevieve’

A couple of things to know that should help you perfect your pronunciation of ‘Genevieve‘:

  • Break down ‘Genevieve’ into each vowel, say it out loud whilst exaggerating the sounds until you can consistently say it without making a mistake.
  • Record yourself saying ‘Genevieve‘ in full sentences and then listen back. You should be able to mark your mistakes quite easily.
  • Find more tutorials on Youtube for how to pronounce ‘Genevieve‘ accurately.
  • Target one accent: mixing multiple accents can confuse you, especially for beginners. So pick just one accent (US or UK), perhaps UK and master that first!


A few more tips\techniques to boost your English accent and pronunciation, we recommend take on the following strategies:

Practicing speech contraction in speech is common in the U.S. and is viewed as a regular element of casual conversation. For example, altering “what are you going to do this weekend” to “what you gonna do this weekend” is widely accepted. Delve into terms like ‘gonna’ and ‘wanna’ for additional understanding.

Improving your intonation is vital for English fluency. The ways you use stress, rhythm, and pitch in English play a significant role in communicating your intended message and emotions. Many resources and videos on Youtube can aid you in learning these aspects to pronounce ‘Genevieve’.

Engage with multiple Youtube channels dedicated to English learning. These platforms offer free resources that tackle essential language skills. Pronounce.tv is one more outstanding source for honing your pronunciation.

Copying native speakers can markedly improve your pronunciation. Listen to how they pronounce ‘Genevieve’ and try to replicate the tone, speed, and rhythm in your speech, making it habitual.

Incorporate phonetic exercises into your daily practice. Getting to know and practicing the phonetic sounds of English can help you improve your pronunciation of complex vocabulary.

Consistently speak English in your daily conversations. The more you speak, the more comfortable you’ll become with the nuances of pronunciation and accent, boosting your overall communication skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you provide a phonetic spelling of Genevieve?

Certainly! The phonetic spelling of Genevieve is /ˈʒɑːnviːɛv/. This pronunciation breaks down as follows: “zh” as in the French “j” sound, “ah” as in “car,” “n” as in “nose,” “vee” as in “beet,” and “ev” as in “ever.”

How do French people say Genevieve?

In French, the name Genevieve is pronounced as “ZHEN-uh-vee-ev.” The emphasis is on the second syllable, which is pronounced with a soft “zh” sound similar to the “s” in the English word “measure.” The “vee-ev” part is pronounced quickly and smoothly, almost blending together. French pronunciation can vary slightly depending on regional accents, but this is the most common and widely accepted pronunciation of the name Genevieve in French.

Do people often mispronounce Genevieve?

Yes, people do often mispronounce the name Genevieve. The most common mispronunciation of Genevieve is “JEN-uh-veev” instead of the correct pronunciation “ZHAHN-vee-ev” or “JEN-uh-veev.” This mispronunciation is likely due to the spelling of the name, which can be confusing for English speakers. Genevieve is a French name, and the correct pronunciation reflects the French origin of the name. It is important to be aware of the correct pronunciation of names and to make an effort to pronounce them correctly to show respect and consideration for the individual.

Is there a specific way to pronounce the ‘vieve’ part of Genevieve?

In the name Genevieve, the ‘vieve’ part is pronounced as “vee-ev.” The ‘v’ is pronounced like the letter ‘v’ in the English alphabet, and the ‘ieve’ is pronounced as “eev.” Therefore, when saying Genevieve, you would emphasize the ‘vee-ev’ part with the stress on the second syllable. It is important to note that the pronunciation may vary slightly depending on regional accents or dialects, but the general pronunciation is as described above.

Is it Genevieve or Genevieve?

The correct spelling of the name is Genevieve. The name Genevieve is of Celtic or Germanic origin, possibly derived from the Germanic name Genoveva, which means “race” or “tribe” combined with the element “wefa” meaning “woman”. In French, the name is spelled as Geneviève, with an accent over the second “e”. Both spellings are valid, but the most common English spelling is Genevieve without the accent.

Are there any variations in the pronunciation of Genevieve in different regions?

Yes, there can be variations in the pronunciation of the name Genevieve in different regions. Genevieve is a French name, and the most common pronunciation is “ZHAHN-vee-ev” in French. However, in English-speaking regions, it is often pronounced as “JEN-uh-veev” or “JEN-uh-veev.” Additionally, the pronunciation may vary even within English-speaking countries due to regional accents and dialects. Overall, while there may be slight variations in how Genevieve is pronounced, the name is generally recognizable across different regions.

Is the emphasis on the first or second syllable in Genevieve?

The emphasis in the name “Genevieve” is typically placed on the second syllable, making it pronounced as “JEN-uh-veev.” This is a common pattern in French names, as French is a language that often places emphasis on the final syllable or the second-to-last syllable of a word. It is important to note that pronunciation can vary based on regional accents and dialects, but the traditional pronunciation of “Genevieve” follows the pattern of emphasis on the second syllable.

In what situations might someone struggle with pronouncing Genevieve?

Someone might struggle with pronouncing “Genevieve” in situations where they are not familiar with French pronunciation rules. The name Genevieve is of French origin and contains several vowel sounds that may be challenging for non-French speakers to accurately reproduce. The “g” in Genevieve is pronounced like the “zh” sound in the English word “measure,” which can be difficult for those not used to this sound. Additionally, the “v” sound in the middle of the name may be pronounced as a “v” or a “w” sound depending on the speaker’s accent. The ending “-ieve” in Genevieve also contains a diphthong that may be tricky for some individuals to articulate. Overall, the combination of unfamiliar vowel sounds and French pronunciation rules can make pronouncing Genevieve a challenge for some people.

Are there any famous individuals with the name Genevieve who have clarified the pronunciation?

One famous individual with the name Genevieve who has clarified the pronunciation is actress Genevieve Padalecki. She is known for her roles in television shows such as “Supernatural” and “Wildfire.” Genevieve Padalecki has publicly confirmed that the correct pronunciation of her name is “JEN-uh-veev,” with the emphasis on the first syllable. This pronunciation clarification can be helpful for those who may be unsure of how to correctly say the name Genevieve.

How do you spell Geneviève?

Geneviève is spelled G-E-N-E-V-I-É-V-E. The name is of French origin and includes an accent mark over the first “e” which is known as an acute accent. It is important to include the accent mark when spelling Geneviève to ensure the correct pronunciation and spelling of the name.

Most Popular Words

Most Recent Words

Skip to content