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I reached a point where I've come to accept that the name Marilou is like a chameleon; it adapts a new pronunciation to new cultural environments, and I've learned to respond to each one with grace. These two are popular ones:

• By French speakers and in Latin countries: mah REE looh (as in Marie + Lou)
• In English-speaking countries: MARE ee loo (as in Mary + Lou), and some would even dare to sing Ricky Nelson's, "Hello Mary Lou" as I cringe and roll my eyes listening.

Sadly, there are others ...
• MAY looh (May Lou)
• MARE looh (Mare Lou)
• MAR looh (Marlou)
• MAAH looh (Malou). You gotta love those clever Filipinos. They have a knack for shortening people's names.   » read more