3 syllables: je, re, my. Stress on je.
JER-uh-mee
/ˈdʒɛɹəˌmi/
jeremy is pronounced JER-uh-mee (/ˈdʒɛɹəˌmi/). It has three syllables (je-re-my), with the stress on "je". Jeremy is a male given name pronounced with two syllables, typically stressed on the first: /ˈdʒærəmi/ in General American. In many contexts it functions as a proper noun, used to identify a specific person. Although common in English-speaking regions, its pronunciation remains relatively stable across dialects, with slight vowel shifts and unstressed syllable reduction in casual speech.
Jeremy is a male given name pronounced with two syllables, typically stressed on the first: /ˈdʒærəmi/ in General American. In many contexts it functions as a proper noun, used to identify a specific person. Although common in English-speaking regions, its pronunciation remains relatively stable across dialects, with slight vowel shifts and unstressed syllable reduction in casual speech.
- Misplacing stress on the second syllable or making it a triplet of syllables. Keep stress on the first syllable /ˈdʒær-ə-mi/. - Over-articulating the middle vowel, turning /ə/ into /eɪ/ or /iː/. Let it be a quick schwa or near-schwa. - Digging the /r/ or flattening the final /i/ in non-rhotic accents; keep a light rhotic touch only if the dialect uses /r/ clearly. - Neglecting the initial /dʒ/ blend; practice with jam-like onset until the sound is firm. - Merging the second and third consonants or producing a longer last syllable; keep the final /mi/ compact and clear.
"Jeremy introduced himself and asked for directions."
"The reporter interviewed Jeremy about the project."
"In the classroom, Jeremy shared an insightful observation."
Pronounce it as two syllables with stress on the first: /ˈdʒærəmi/. Start with the /dʒ/ blend (like jam), followed by a stressed short /æ/ in the first syllable, then a soft /ə/ (schwa) in the second syllable, and end with /mi/ where the /i/ is light. In fast speech, the middle /ə/ often reduces further and the ending may sound like /mi/ without a strong vowel. Audio reference: say “jar” + “uh” + “mee.”
Common errors include reducing the first syllable too much (/ˈdʒæri/), flattening the /r/ in non-rhotic accents, and over-pronouncing the middle vowel as a full /e/ or /ə/. Correct by maintaining a crisp /æ/ in the first syllable, using a light, quick /ə/ in the second syllable, and keeping the final /mi/ with a short, relaxed /i/. Practice with minimal pairs like /ˈdʒærə/ vs /ˈdʒærmi/.
In US English, you’ll hear /ˈdʒærəmi/ with a clear /r/ and a final /i/. In UK English, the /r/ is weaker or non-rhotic in some accents, yielding /ˈdʒærəmi/ or /ˈdʒæɹəmə/ with a lighter final vowel; Australian often mirrors US but with more centralized vowel qualities and a slightly slower, broader /ə/ in the middle. Across all, the initial /dʒ/ and rhotic influence on the vowel /æ/ remain the salient anchors; the middle vowel quality and the final vowel duration vary by dialect.
The difficulty centers on the reduced middle syllable and the quick transition from /æ/ to /ə/, especially in rapid speech, which can blur the two syllables. Learners often overemphasize the middle vowel or misplace the stress, and non-native speakers may mispronounce the initial /dʒ/ blend. Focus on sustaining a crisp /ˈdʒ/ onset, a short /æ/ in the first syllable, and a soft, quick /ə/ into /mi/ for a natural rhythm.
Is the name ever pronounced with a long /i:/ or a reduced second syllable in casual speech? Typically not—the standard is two syllables with /ˈdʒærəmi/. Some very casual or speaker-specific reductions may lead to /ˈdʒærmi/ or /ˈdʒəmi/ in rapid, slurred speech, but that deviates from the common pronunciation and can cause confusion. For clarity, maintain the middle /ə/ and final /mi/ as separate, even in quick talk.
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- US: Maintain a strong /r/ influence; the final /i/ is light. Use /ˈdʒærəmi/ with a short, crisp /æ/ and a brief /ə/ in the middle. - UK: Often slightly less rhotic; the middle vowel may approach a lifted schwa /ə/ or even /ɪ/ in some speakers. Aim for /ˈdʒærəmi/ with a softer /r/ and a quick middle vowel. - AU: Similar to US in onset; the middle /ə/ tends to be a more centralized vowel; keep the final /i/ short and bright. IPA: /ˈdʒəɹ(ə)mi/ depending on speaker. - General tip: practice with a mirror to monitor lip rounding for /dʒ/ and ensure the jaw drops slightly at the /æ/ without tension. Use minimal pairs: jam vs jeremy to distinguish onset and middle vowel quality.
Jeremy is the English form of the Hebrew name Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah in many Bible translations). The root Y-R-M-Y-H in Hebrew relates to “Yahweh will exalt” or “God exalts.” The name entered Greek transliteration as Iérémias and Latin as Ieremias, later anglicized to Jeremiah in Early Modern English. The shortened forms include Jerry and Jeremy, with Jeremy becoming common in 17th–18th century English-speaking communities, especially in Britain and colonial America. Historically, the name carried biblical authority and was often associated with leadership and prophetic figures, influencing its enduring presence in Christian-influenced naming traditions. Over time, usage broadened beyond religious contexts, maintaining strong usage among English-speaking populations and across modern cultures, where it typically denotes familiarity and approachability rather than formality. The pronunciation shift is minor: the initial voiceless postalveolar affricate /dʒ/ remains stable; the first syllable reduces slightly in rapid speech (→ /ˈdʒær-ə-mi/), while the intervening /ə/ in unstressed positions may reduce, affecting rhythm and timing more than segmental realization. First known use in English records traces to the early modern period, with popularization through biblical translations and subsequent diasporic communities shaping spelling and pronunciation conventions.
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Words that rhyme with "jeremy"
-rie sounds
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