3 syllables: I, a, go. Stress on a.
ee-AH-goh
/iˈɑɡoʊ/
Iago is pronounced ee-AH-goh (/iˈɑɡoʊ/). It has three syllables (I-a-go), with the stress on "a". Iago is a proper noun used primarily as a male given name and as the fictional antagonist in Shakespeare’s Othello. In modern usage, it can refer to anyone named Iago, often carrying literary associations with duplicity or manipulation. The pronunciation typically has a two-syllable structure, with accent on the first syllable, and varies slightly by dialect.
nounIago is a proper noun used primarily as a male given name and as the fictional antagonist in Shakespeare’s Othello. In modern usage, it can refer to anyone named Iago, often carrying literary associations with duplicity or manipulation. The pronunciation typically has a two-syllable structure, with accent on the first syllable, and varies slightly by dialect.
How to Pronounce Iago
"Iago is often invoked in discussions of Shakespearean villains."
"The linguist referred to the Italian name Iago, noting its Italian roots."
"In some Spanish-speaking contexts, Iago may be treated as a familiar given name."
Common English pronunciation is two syllables with primary stress on the first: /ˈiː.æ.ɡo/ (US) or /ˈiː.æ.ɡəʊ/ (UK/AU). Some speakers shorten the first vowel to /ɪ/ or /i/. Emphasize the second consonant cluster /ɡo/ or /ɡəʊ/ clearly. Tip: start with a clean long “ee” vowel in the first syllable, then logic the /æ/ in the middle, and finish with /ɡo/ or /ɡəʊ/. Audio reference: listen to Shakespearean name readings and Italian names for similar vowels.
Mistakes include flattening the first vowel too much (say /i/ as in seat without distinct /iː/), and slurring the final /o/ into /ɒ/ or /əʊ/. Another error is misplacing stress on the second syllable. Correction: practice the first syllable with a crisp /iː/ (or /ɪ/ as you prefer), clearly articulate /æ/ in the middle, then deliver /ɡo/ or /ɡəʊ/ with a rounded final vowel.
In US English you’ll often hear /ˈiː.æ.ɡo/; in UK English, /ˈiː.æ.ɡəʊ/ with a lighter final syllable and a rounded /əʊ/; in Australian English, /ˈiː.æ.ɡəʊ/ or /ˈaɪ.æ.ɡəʊ/ with a tendency toward a centralized or rounded final vowel. The second syllable tends to be a schwa in non-stressed positions in UK/AU; rhoticity is usually not a factor in this name, but the /ɡ/ is consistently hard.
Two main challenges: achieving a crisp, stressed first syllable with a distinct /iː/ or /ɪ/ and producing a clean, non-reduced final /o/ or /əʊ/. The middle /æ/ can be tricky if your language doesn’t contrast front vowels; keep it short and open. Also, the /ɡ/ must be released before the final vowel; practice with minimal pairs to separate /æɡo/ from /æɡoʊ/ in your mouth.
The name combines a front vowel in the first syllable with a dental/alveolar /ɡ/ cluster, which can lead non-native speakers to misplace the tongue for /ɡ/ or to lengthen the middle vowel unintentionally. A practical focus is isolating the transition between /æ/ and /ɡ/ and ensuring the final vowel is properly rounded (US: /o/; UK/AU: /əʊ/). Practice with mouth-position cues and a slow tempo before speeding up.
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Iago is the form used in English for the Italian name Iago, which itself is a variant of Giacomo, the Italian form of James/Jacob. The lineage tracks to Hebrew Yaakov, meaning ‘supplanter’ or ‘holder of the heel,’ via Latin Jacobus and Jacomus in medieval Europe. In Italian, Iago is a contraction/phonetic adaptation of Giacomo, with stress typically on the second syllable in older Italian renditions but often anglicized to /ˈiː.æ.ɡo/ or /aɪˈæɡo/ in English-speaking contexts. The Shakespearean Iago, introduced in the early 17th century, solidified the name’s association with a sly, morally ambiguous advisor. In modern usage, Iago as a given name persists in Italy, Spain, and Portuguese-speaking regions, often maintaining a close pronunciation to the Italian/Spanish forms, with English speakers commonly anglicizing it to two syllables: /ˈiː.æ.ɡo/ or /aɪˈæɡo/. The name’s first known literary appearance traces to the Venetian setting of Othello, and the character’s notoriety has reinforced a specific auditory expectation across English-speaking audiences.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Iago" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Iago" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Iago" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Iago"
-ngo sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
