The surname "Kinnear" is fairly uncommon, but it can be tricky to spell correctly. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced /kɪˈnɪr/. The "k" sound is straightforward, followed by the "ɪ" sound as in "it." However, the second syllable can be tricky - it contains an unstressed "i" sound that is pronounced like a short "uh" sound, followed by an "n" sound and a stressed "ir" sound, which sounds like "ear." So, it is spelled "K-i-n-n-e-a-r," but the pronunciation is slightly different from its spelling.
The word "kinnear" is a surname of Scottish origin. The etymology of the surname can be traced back to Gaelic/Celtic origins. It is believed to be derived from the Gaelic personal name "Mac-an-fhigheadair", meaning "son of the physician". Over time, the spelling and pronunciation have evolved, resulting in variations such as Kinnear, Kynnier, Kinner, and Kinneir.