How to pronounce surnames
Say it like SUR-naymz. Surnames has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUR).
VoiceSpeed
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce surnames. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
US American/ˈsɝˌneɪmz/SUR-naymz
UK British/ˈsɜːˌneɪmz/SUR-naymz
- SUR
- naymz
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Surnames pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- naymzGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of surnames
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SUR-naymz.
What does surnames mean?
noun
- plural of surname How to pronounce surname
- third-person singular simple present indicative of surname How to pronounce surname
Questions about saying surnames
How do you pronounce surnames?
Say SUR-naymz. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɝˌneɪmz/. In British English it is /ˈsɜːˌneɪmz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in surnames?
Surnames has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SUR). Broken into parts: SUR · naymz.
Is surnames pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈsɜːˌneɪmz/ (SUR-naymz).