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Can I use a name they can't pronounce?

16 replies

Donostia · 18/11/2016 17:30

I love Rory

It means a lot to me, lovely memories of my Grandad (who isn't called Rory but was a massive Rory Underwood fan and I promised him age 7 Id call my son Rory!)

We nearly chose it for ds1 but went for Albert instead because we live in a country which struggles with pronouncing the letter R.

Now I'm pregnant with DC2 and there just isn't another name that comes close.

we have no idea how long we will live in this country for, we didn't intend to come forever but we're happy here.

So how bad would it be if we chose a name they can't really pronounce?

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TheCraicDealer · 18/11/2016 17:37

Normally I would say no, but as the name itself means a lot to you and there's always the potential to come back, imho you should go for it and pick a nickname or second name for him to use outside the house.

Also I'm biased because I think Rory is a great name Grin

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Donostia · 18/11/2016 17:46

it's so great isn't it?! and it means "red haired king" and DH is a redhead... it's the only name we both love.. DH is more worries about the pron issue than I am because his colleagues did a Confused face!

they are spanish so almost say R a bit like we say L and the long oar sound would shorten so.. "lolly"

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ScarletForYa · 18/11/2016 17:50

Rory Gallagher.

I rest my case.

Lovely.

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Chinlo · 18/11/2016 17:54

Rory in Spain is going to be pretty tough.

We were in a very similar situation, and we ended up ruling out a name we love because the pronunciation was basically impossible here.

However, we may still use it if we have a second son, based on one fact: The shortened version is pronounceable here. I would think about if you can shorten Rory or create a nickname for Spanish speakers. If not, I personally don't think I would be able to go with it. That's just me though. The idea of constantly hearing it getting mangled would stop me.

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Donostia · 18/11/2016 18:09

it's so hard. it's my last chance to use it!

we have no idea at all if we will be here 1 more year or 10! DH is in science research so waiting to see what happens with Brexit.

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Sophronia · 18/11/2016 18:49

Could you use it as a middle name?

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thedragonflyinn · 18/11/2016 19:03

Gorgeous name, you should use it if you love it.

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Donostia · 18/11/2016 19:51

no, middle name is Alexander after family, then a double barrel surname so can't add another in!!

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MitzyLeFrouf · 18/11/2016 20:45

How funny. When I saw the thread title I immediately thought of my friend Rory who married a Vietnamese woman. Her family can't pronounce his name at all. They call him Lolly.

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Awwlookatmybabyspider · 19/11/2016 12:59

Yes you can. Its your baby. However you have to be mindful of the fact that you can't throw your rattle out your pram when/if the mispronouciation starts to piss you off

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Horseshoe1 · 19/11/2016 13:09

I think you can and should! Loads of people live abroad with tough to pronounce names and manage fine! You could always come up with a nick name that Spanish speakers can pronounce?

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TownMouseCuntMouse · 19/11/2016 15:55

I'd go for it and pick a NN. I think Lolly is quite a cute NN anyway, but I am pretty free and easy with renaming my own kids ridiculous names not related to their actual names!

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Shurelyshomemistake · 19/11/2016 23:39

Lolly is a girls' nickname in Spain though. If you stay he might not thank you for that when older.

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TownMouseCuntMouse · 20/11/2016 16:41

Yeah, I'd say it's a girls' NN here too. But I can't say that would stop me 😄

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griffinsss · 20/11/2016 20:58

Rory is a fabulous name. Go for it.

I named my daughter a name that half my family can't pronounce due to being French speaking and am considering the name Heath for a future son (which they will pronounce more like "Eat"). I can't say a THING.

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badg3r · 20/11/2016 21:05

If you're not going to be permanently based there I would use it.

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