4 syllables: Daph, ne Du Mau, ri, er. Stress on Daph.
DAF-ee doo muh-REE-ur
/ˈdæfi duː məˈriɚ/
Daphne Du Maurier is pronounced DAF-ee doo muh-REE-ur (/ˈdæfi duː məˈriɚ/). It has four syllables (Daph-ne Du Mau-ri-er), with the stress on "Daph". Daphne Du Maurier is a proper noun referring to the renowned English author Daphne du Maurier (1907–1989). The name combines a given name with a double-barreled surname of French/Norman origin, commonly pronounced with stress on the second syllable of the given name and on the first syllable of the surname, yielding a fluid, formal English cadence. The full name is frequently encountered in literary contexts and biographical references.
nounDaphne Du Maurier is a proper noun referring to the renowned English author Daphne du Maurier (1907–1989). The name combines a given name with a double-barreled surname of French/Norman origin, commonly pronounced with stress on the second syllable of the given name and on the first syllable of the surname, yielding a fluid, formal English cadence. The full name is frequently encountered in literary contexts and biographical references.
How to Pronounce Daphne Du Maurier
"Daphne Du Maurier published many classic novels including Rebecca."
"Critics often discuss Daphne Du Maurier's distinctive narrative voice."
"During the lecture, the instructor cited Daphne Du Maurier as a key figure of Gothic fiction."
Pronounce as DAF-nee DOO-moh-RYER in broad US English, with the surname stress on the second syllable of Maurier: Du Maurier. IPA: US /dæˈfiː du məˈrɪər/. For UK/other British varieties you may hear /ˈdæfi djuː ˈmoʊr.jɪeɪ/ or /ˈdæfi djuː məˈrɪər/ depending on accent. Start with a crisp DAF-nee, then a slight pause, then DOO-muh-RYER with emphasis on RYER.
Common errors: flattening the second syllable of Daphne (DAPH-nee) instead of DAF-nee; mispronouncing Du Maurier as 'doo-MOOR-yer' instead of the two-syllable 'Du' and 'Maurier' with 'ma-RIER' emphasis; misplacing stress on Maurier. Corrections: stress Daphne on the first syllable and Du Maurier on the second word with main stress on Maurier’s second syllable: /dæˈfiː du məˈrɪər/; keep the 'Du' as a light, separate syllable and ensure 'Maurier' ends with a clear 'ryer' sound.
US: /dæˈfiː du məˈrɪər/ with rhotic 'r' in Maurier. UK: often /ˈdæfi djuː məˈrɪə/ with non-rhotic 'r' and a potential 'j' sound in 'Du' (dju). AU: /dæˈfiː djuː məˈrɪə/ similar to UK but with Australian vowel quality; can be less rhotic than US. Key differences: rhoticity of Maurier, vowel length, and the treatment of 'Du' as a /du/ or /dju/ cluster; ensure the second syllable of Maurier carries primary stress in most varieties.
The two-word surname Maurier presents a tricky /ˈrɪər/ vs /ˈrɪə/ ending, and the unstressed /Du/ can easily blend into the following syllable. Additionally, Daphne’s second syllable is long in many accents (DAF-nee). The combination of a clear stress shift between given name and surname, plus possible /j/ sound in 'Du' in some accents, yields common mispronunciations. Focus on: separate syllables, correct nucleus for Maurier, and portmanteau-style linking without losing stress.
Because it combines a multi-syllabic, stress-shifted given name with a two-syllable surname whose final vowel and r-coloring vary by dialect. The sequence DAPH-nee DOO-mah-RYER requires careful attention to vowel length in Daphne, the 'Du' as a separate unit, and Maurier’s /məˈrɪər/ or /məˈrɪə/. Learners often average the stress or merge syllables; practice by isolating each component, then linking in natural speech while maintaining the intended stresses.
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US: rhotic /r/ in Maurier; MAURIER = /məˈrɪər/ with drawn-out r-colored vowel. UK: non-rhotic; Maurier often /məˈrɪə/ or /məˈrɪə/ with a shorter final vowel; Du sometimes sounded as /djuː/; AU: intermediate: /məˈriːə/ with broad vowel differences. IPA anchors: Daphne /ˈdæfi/ or /ˈdæfi/ with short a. Emphasize: DAF-nee and DU- MA- RI-ER with Irish-Dutch-influenced quality. Breathing: keep a small breath between given name and surname in formal usage, but in casual speech you may connect gently.”,
Daphne comes from the Greek name Daphnē (Δάφνη), meaning laurel or bay tree, associated with victory and honor in ancient Greece. The surname Du Maurier is of French origin, a hyphenated form likely derived from a family lineage in Normandy; Maurier relates to a location-based or family-name root and was anglicized in English-speaking contexts. The combination of a Greek given name and a French-Dominion surname reflects early 20th-century British naming conventions that favored distinctive, high-status, culturally European names. The name Daphne entered English usage long before literary fame, while the full interleaved form of Daphne Du Maurier rose to prominence with the novelist’s international acclaim in the mid-20th century, particularly after the publication of Rebecca (1938). First known use of the artist’s full name in public discourse aligns with early works and biographical references from the 1930s–1950s, cementing the form as a recognized proper noun in literary criticism and scholarly citation.
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Words that rhyme with "Daphne Du Maurier"
-ier sounds
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