Ruari

[BertieBeatle]

I started a thread recently deciding between 4 irish boys names and you were all very helpful We've now decided he will be Ruari/Ruairi. We are now choosing the spelling!
I prefer Ruari as I think phonetically it will be easier in England and confuse people less - I like it's simplicity. There seems to be about 20 recognised ways of spelling Ruari and this spelling seems to be more popular in Scotland along with Ruaridh, whereas Ruairi and Ruairidh seem to be most popular in Ireland.

So what do you prefer Ruairi or Ruari? And if you are Irish or Scottish would you consider both of these 'acceptable' spellings? I don't want to use a spelling that makes it look like we can't spell but am not against a slightly anglicised version as he will be half English and grow up here.

Thanks everyone!

[WestCoastDreamin]

I prefer Ruaraidh (Scottish) but spell it however you want as folk will call him Rory and spell it Roory anyway!

[GiveMyHeadPeaceffs]

I've only known it spelt Ruairi so I'd probably prefer that way.

[Cel982]

I'm Irish and would see Ruairí as the 'proper' spelling, but fair enough if there are legitimate Scottish variants. Realistically you're going to have to spell it for most people no matter which one you use!

[BertieBeatle]

Thank Give - that's DH's preference. I'm just worried the extra 'i' reads a bit like Roo-air-ee to someone who doesn't know the name.

[MitzyLeFrouf]

I'm Irish and wouldn't really consider Ruari to be an acceptable spelling, although they might in Scotland. It goes against the 'broad with broad, slender with slender' Irish vowel rule.

So I vote Ruairi.

[BertieBeatle]

Thanks Cel. I think we will have to spell it out the first time but Ruari just seems a bit easier to remember.
I could just go with Rory but he's been little Ruey to me and dh for a while now and Rory doesn't feel right.

[LadyAntonella]

I'm Irish and I've never seen Ruari before. I'd go with Ruairi if you want it to be traditionally Irish, or Rory if you want to avoid confusion over pronunciation. I don't think Ruari will be any easier to pronounce in English tbh.

Fwiw I have an Irish relative called Rory. I know at least one Scottish Rory too.

[BertieBeatle]

Thanks ladies I think I'll end up going with Ruairi. I like Rory but it doesn't feel like his name and reminds me of people I know with that name. It doesn't shorten to Ru either which we both love. It's still an option though.

[LunaLoveg00d]

I'm Scottish and have a boy called Rory - he was born in England and his name was considered unusual anyway without adding to the confusion with the spelling. I also know an adult Irish Rory spelled the same way.

Either is good - but if I had to choose I'd go for Ruari as it's more phonetic - Ru-a-ri.

[allegretto]

People will ask how to pronounce Ruari anyway so you may as well go for the "proper" spelling.

[Nospringflower]

Scottish and I like Ruaridh. Rory is not the same name so can't use that!

[Nospringflower]

Scottish and I like Ruairidh. Rory is not the same name so can't use that!

[HailGallaxhar]

Ruairi, definitely.

[BertieBeatle]

I looked through the name stats and Ruari was used quite a lot in Scotland. The most popular spelling used (ruaridh) didn't obey that slender vowel rule either. I'm in England so hardly anyone will know that rule (my husband is Irish and didn't know it). I'm a name nerd so normally spelling something 'wrong' would make my toes curl but when I told my family the spelling Ruari they found it a lot simpler, as that extra i seems to throw people.
I don't want to make a massive error though, as it's a big deal naming someone. Thanks for all your advice so far, I am taking it all on board.

[MitzyLeFrouf]

If someone is going to be thrown by 'Ruairi' the chances are they'll be thrown by 'Ruari' too.

[BertieBeatle]

Yeah you're probably right. I might be over complicating this decision!

[Jaguarana]

I prefer the spelling Ruairi.

I have a Rory, and he often gets called Roo. It started when he was small & cute, & it stuck

My Rory is half English & half Irish & we went for the Rory spelling because it's easier. I prefer the pronunciation of Rory too.

[BertieBeatle]

I s'pose there's nothing stopping us having a Rory nicknamed Ru
Haven't ruled that out. I'm just so used to pronouncing his name the other way it would feel odd at first.

[villainousbroodmare]

Your opening spelling hurts my eyes!
Please spell it Ruairí. Or Ruairidh. The other is as bad as Peeter or similar!

I have a friend called Johnathan who is terribly embarrassed by his name, and to me your version of your chosen name is the same story.

Great name btw!

[Gungdjur]

Agree with villainous! I would be embarrassed for you if you used the made up version.

[MartinRohdesBellybuttonFluff]

Yes, agree with all who mentioned broad/slender vowel rule.

It should be Ruairí or Ruairidh, definitely not Ruari.

[BertieBeatle]

Haha its not as bad as Peeter or Johnathon!! If you google it it comes up sooo much. It even comes up on sites called 'Irish baby names' no wonder people get confused. Maybe it's got popular in America?

[BertieBeatle]

Fair enough I think we are leaning towards Ruairi now. Dh doesn't seem to mind but I don't want people thinking we can't spell when we to to Ireland which we do quite a lot.