In 40+ years on this planet, I can probably count on one hand the number of cashiers, telemarketers, and sales associates who pronounced my name correctly without hearing it first. Quite a few still miss pronounce it even after hearing me say it. So, once and for all, the correct pronunciation is:
[al-uhn]
And, for those who must know, it is Celtic for "harmony."
Oh, you thought I was going to talk about my last name? Well, yeah. How come "title" is never pronounced "tittle," but "ridle" is so often incorrectly pronounced "riddle?" Seriously.
[rahyd-l-hoo-ver]
Not sure what it means, or even what the origin of the name is. We think it is either Dutch or northern German. But, we're certain it has been mangled along the way.