The Most Popular Vowel, Ranked

Choose the vowel you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 5, 2024 06:53
Consider a world where the simplicity in our written and spoken words hinges greatly on certain letters that vary mostly in sound. Determining the most cherished among these special characters enhances how we understand attraction to linguistic elements. This takes us beyond mere usage and dives into a preference that could influence art, branding, and language trends. By actively participating in this voting process, you contribute to a broader understanding of collective inclinations. Your input aids in crafting a continuously updated list that reflects current cultural appropriations. Is there a particular one that resonates with you more strongly? Here, your preferences help illuminate the collective's favorite.

What Is the Most Popular Vowel?

  1. 1
    33
    votes

    E

    It is the most commonly used vowel in the English language, accounting for approximately 11.16% of all letters. It appears in most of the English words, such as "the," "he," "she," "me," "we," etc.
    The letter 'E' is an elegant and symmetrical character that boasts a simplistic yet striking design. It is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful letters in the alphabet due to its graceful curves and balanced proportions. The 'E' is versatile and commonly used in various languages and writing systems worldwide.
    • Shape: The 'E' is shaped like an open rectangular frame with three evenly spaced horizontal bars.
    • Symmetry: The 'E' is symmetrical, with its left and right halves mirroring each other.
    • Curves: The curves of the 'E' are smooth and perfectly balanced, giving it a visually pleasing aesthetic.
    • Legibility: The 'E' is highly legible and easy to recognize, even at small sizes and in different fonts.
    • Usage: The letter 'E' is used regularly in numerous languages, including English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, and many others.
  2. 2
    38
    votes

    A

    It is the second-most frequently used vowel in the English language, accounting for around 8.17% of all letters. It is found in numerous English words, such as "cat," "hat," "bat," "mat," etc.
    The letter 'A' is considered one of the most beautiful letters in the alphabet. It possesses a unique and elegant design that has captivated people for centuries. The 'A' is characterized by its triangular shape with two diagonal lines meeting at the top point. Its symmetry and balance contribute to its beauty and appeal.
    • Shape: Triangular
    • Lines: Two diagonal lines meeting at the top point
    • Symmetry: High
    • Balance: Perfectly balanced
    • Design: Elegant and captivating
  3. 3
    9
    votes

    I

    It is the third-most commonly used vowel in the English language, accounting for approximately 6.97% of all letters. It is seen in many words, such as "bit," "sit," "fit," "hit," etc.
    The first word 'I' in Wordle is a pronoun that refers to oneself or the speaker.
    • Type: Pronoun
    • Origin: Middle English, Old English
    • Pronunciation: /aɪ/
    • Part of Speech: Subject pronoun
    • Pronoun Case: Nominative
  4. 4
    7
    votes

    O

    It is the fourth-most frequently used vowel in the English language, accounting for around 7.51% of all letters. It is used in many English words, such as "hot," "not," "lot," "pot," etc.
    The letter 'O' is a beautifully rounded and symmetrical letter that exudes elegance and grace. Its shape is a perfect circle, representing harmony and unity. It is often praised for its simplicity and timeless appeal.
    • Shape: Perfect circle
    • Symmetry: Highly symmetric
    • Simplicity: Minimal, yet visually striking
    • Versatility: Can be used in various fonts and writing styles
    • Pronunciation: Vowel sound 'oh' or 'ah'
  5. 5
    8
    votes

    U

    It is the fifth-most commonly used vowel in the English language, accounting for approximately 2.75% of all letters. It is used in many English words, such as "cup," "cut," "but," "nut," etc.
  6. 6
    17
    votes

    Y

    It is sometimes considered a vowel, and it appears in around 2.76% of all letters in the English language. It is found in numerous English words, such as "my," "by," "fly," "sky," etc.
    The letter Y is a vowel frequently used in English language.
    • Phonetic symbol: /i/ or /j/
    • Pronunciation: Sounds like a long 'e' or 'i' or 'ai' in most cases
    • Usage: Used as a vowel in diphthongs and certain words
    • Position in alphabet: 25th letter of the English alphabet
    • Frequency in English language: Mid-range among the most commonly used letters
  7. 7
    6
    votes
    Together, these two vowels account for approximately 19.33% of all letters in the English language.
    The 'E and A (combined)' vowel is a unique combination of the vowels E and A, resulting in a distinct sound formed by blending the individual phonetic qualities of both vowels. It is commonly used in several languages and is considered one of the most popular vowels due to its versatility and frequent occurrence in words.
    • Phonetic representation: /i:/ + /æ/
    • Symbol: EA
    • Pronunciation: A distinct sound that combines the longer 'ee' sound with the open 'a' sound
    • Usage: Found in various languages, such as English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese
    • Frequency: Commonly occurring in a large number of words
  8. 8
    8
    votes
    I and E (combined)
    AgnosticPreachersKid · CC BY-SA 3.0
    Together, these two vowels account for approximately 14.13% of all letters in the English language.
    The I and E (combined) vowel is a phonetic sound created by combining the individual sounds of letter I and E in the English language. This unique vowel sound is formed by smoothly transitioning from the short sound of 'ih' as in 'sit' to the long sound of 'ee' as in 'see'. It is commonly heard in words like 'time', 'pie', and 'line' where the combination of 'I' and 'E' creates a distinct hybrid vowel sound.
    • Phonetic representation: /aɪ/
    • Common words with the sound: {"time","pie","line","bike","spike","life","like","shine","smile","while"}
    • IPA symbol: ʌɪ
    • Vowel quality: Diphthong
    • Mouth position: Starts with a relaxed and central 'ih' sound, then transitions to a wide and spread 'ee' sound
  9. 9
    9
    votes
    A, E, and I (combined)
    AgnosticPreachersKid · CC BY-SA 3.0
    Together, these three vowels account for approximately 26.3% of all letters in the English language.
    The most popular vowel, A, E, and I (combined), is a character that represents the merging of the individual vowels A, E, and I. It is commonly used in various languages to denote different sounds and phonetic variations that cannot be represented by any of the individual vowels alone.
    • Symbol: Æ
    • Pronunciation: Various sounds depending on the language
    • Latin Alphabet Equivalent: AE
    • Phonetic Transcription: /æ/ or /eɪ/
    • ASCII Representation: Æ
  10. 10
    9
    votes
    A, E, I, O, and U (combined)
    Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain
    Together, these five vowels account for approximately 50.56% of all letters in the English language.
    The most popular vowel 'A, E, I, O, and U (combined)' is a concept that combines the individual vowels A, E, I, O, and U to represent a group of sounds commonly used in languages worldwide. It is used extensively in phonetics, linguistics, and language learning.
    • Definition: A symbolic representation of the combined sounds of the vowels A, E, I, O, and U.
    • Usage: Used to denote a group of vowel sounds in languages worldwide.
    • Phonetic Representation: Symbol: /æʌeiɔu/ or /aeiou/.
    • Classifications: Monophthongs (simple vowel sounds) and diphthongs (gliding vowel sounds).
    • Frequency: Highly prevalent in various languages, being the foundation of countless words.

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Ranking factors for popular vowel

  1. Ease of pronunciation
    Vowels that are easy to pronounce may be used more frequently, and may also be perceived as more popular.
  2. Length
    Vowels that are longer may be used more frequently in speech and may be considered more popular.
  3. Cultural significance
    Some vowels may have cultural significance or be associated with certain words or phrases in a language, which could affect their popularity.
  4. Phonological context
    The popularity of vowels can also depend on their position within words and the phonological context in which they appear. For example, some vowels may be more popular at the beginning or end of words, or in certain types of syllables.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular vowel. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or vowel is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2152 views
  • 146 votes
  • 10 ranked items

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Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each vowel once every 24 hours. The rank of each vowel is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular vowel

Background Information: The Importance of Vowels in Language Vowels are one of the most important components of language. They are the sounds that give words their distinctiveness and help us communicate effectively. Vowels are essential in every language, and they are used in various ways, such as in poetry, songs, and speech. There are five primary vowels in the English language: A, E, I, O, and U. Each vowel has its unique sound and pronunciation, and they can be combined with consonants to create different words. Despite their importance, not all vowels are created equal. Some vowels are used more frequently than others, and they play a more significant role in shaping the sound of a word. So, which vowel is the most popular? At StrawPoll, we have conducted extensive research on this topic, and the results may surprise you. Read on to discover the most popular vowel and what it means for the English language.

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