Is this a pun? (稀/希)


I'm reading a manga in which a character says, 「って稀！」 in response to another
character doing something unusual. I understand that 稀 can be translated as
"rare," "unusual," etc. However, the character being spoken to in this case is
named 希 (reading: のぞみ), which is almost the same as 稀 (and indeed, can share
the same reading/meaning).

Is this meant to be understood as a pun, or is it just a coincidence that
arises from natural speech?




From what I can see, I don't think this is a pun. To begin with, the
character's name is not まれ but のぞみ. 希 is rarely read as まれ in modern standard
Japanese.

Still, 稀 is a relatively bookish word, and ordinary speakers wouldn't say
"って稀！" to mean something like "That's rare!" in speech. With more context, I
may be able to say something more. Either way, the chances of it being a pun
are slim to none.




From what I can see, I don't think this is a pun. To begin with, the
character's name is not まれ but のぞみ. 希 is rarely read as まれ in modern standard
Japanese.

Still, 稀 is a relatively bookish word, and ordinary speakers wouldn't say
"って稀！" to mean something like "That's rare!" in speech. With more context, I
may be able to say something more. Either way, the chances of it being a pun
are slim to none.

