How Do You Pronounce Hermes in Ancient Greece?

When it comes to fashion luxury brands, few names are as iconic as Hermes. Known for its high-end leather goods, silk scarves, and elegant clothing, Hermes is a brand that has been around for over 180 years.

However, with such a storied history comes some confusion about the correct pronunciation of the brand’s name. In this article, we will discuss how to pronounce “Hermes” in ancient Greece.

Firstly, it’s important to understand that the pronunciation of “Hermes” has evolved over time. The brand name is derived from Greek mythology – Hermes was the messenger of the gods and god of commerce and thievery. In ancient Greece, the name was pronounced “her-meez” with a hard “h”.

To break it down further, let’s look at each syllable separately. The first syllable “her” should be pronounced with an emphasis on the ‘e’, making it sound like ‘hehr’. The second syllable “meez” should be pronounced with a long ‘e’, similar to ‘mees’ but without the ‘s’ sound at the end.

It’s also important to note that in ancient Greek, there were no silent letters or diphthongs (a combination of two vowels), so each letter was pronounced individually. This means that when pronouncing “Hermes”, every letter should be spoken.

Nowadays, however, the pronunciation of Hermes has shifted towards a more French-sounding pronunciation with a silent “h”. This is because the brand originated in France and adopted this pronunciation for their marketing campaigns.

So how do you pronounce Hermes today? Well, it depends on who you ask.

While some people still use the traditional Greek pronunciation of “her-meez”, others opt for the French-influenced “air-mez”. Ultimately, both pronunciations are considered acceptable.

In conclusion, while the correct pronunciation of “Hermes” in ancient Greece is “her-meez”, the brand’s name has evolved over time and can now be pronounced as “air-mez” with a silent “h”. Whether you choose to use the traditional or modern pronunciation, it’s important to remember the brand’s rich history and influence on fashion.