Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Ewan or Euan?

32 replies

DesperatelySeekingDistraction · 13/04/2012 08:21

I think we've finally found a name we like (that hasn't already been used by friends and family) for DC2 if they are a boy. The only problem is the spelling.

Ewan seems like the most common way to spell it, so hopefully avoiding too many instances of "how do you spell that?" as he grows up and into adulthood. However, it looks like E-wan to me, and I think it could be misread in a hurry as Evan.

Euan - would most people pronounce it properly? If it is pronounced properly will it automatically be spelt Ewan if they just hear it IYKWIM?

Opinions please.

Thanks

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
englishmummyinwales · 17/04/2012 17:46

I have a Iwan and I can tell you for sure that almost everyone will presume it is spelt Ewan. But if you prefer Euan, then just go for it and spell it automatically when you say the name. I personally had an unusual maiden name and you just get used to spelling it out without being asked. Fantastic name, however it's spelt by the way, I have never regretted it!

irememberthesilverjubilee · 16/04/2012 20:12

Yes I am in the south east now but had my euan in Ireland.I really do prefer the spelling euan though. We made it even worse for him by giving him a double barrelled surname with the first part that can be a boys name.
He doesn't hate me too much .... Yet!!
op - my list of boys names for an imaginary second ds includes Seth!!
I think the spelling with EU is the Scottish way.

CecilyP · 15/04/2012 11:23

It is a popular enough name that people will have no difficulty pronouncing it, regardless of the spelling. I would go with the more common Ewan spelling, just so that, on a balance of probabilities, more people will spell it correctly. Whatever way you choose, be prepared for people spelling it wrong.

shemademedoit · 15/04/2012 08:19

Or you could go with the French and spell it Youn. (not very helpful...)

Original poster
DesperatelySeekingDistraction · 15/04/2012 07:33

eandemum are you in England? We live "up North" and I'm wondering if Euan is a spelling better received in Wales and Scotland rather than England.

OP posts:
Original poster
DesperatelySeekingDistraction · 15/04/2012 07:30

Thanks everyone, majority are for Euan (which is DH and I's preferred spelling) but still unsure.

eandemum's comment is the reason I'm unsure about my preferred spelling of Euan. I spent my childhood at school having to spell out my first name (easy to pronounce but three ways to spell) and explain how to pronounce my (unusual and unusually spelt and pronounced) surname to each teacher. At high school it was even worse as I had more teachers to go through the rigmarole with! It used to bother me as I was really shy and hated having to speak up in front of people until I got to know them better. Hopefully DC will be more confident than me but I'd imagine it could still irritate them to have to correct teachers and get party invites, christmas cards, etc from classmates with your name mis-spelt. (It certainly irritated me but I was a sensitive little soul!)

OP posts:
eandemum · 14/04/2012 23:27

I have Euan
but if I had to choose again I would spell it Ewan - as he is often called Evan and the pron of Euan seens to be problematic!

pegster · 13/04/2012 20:22

I wanted the welsh spelling of Iwan - you could go for a complete change if there's an disagreement with your DP? Wink

droves · 13/04/2012 19:50

Why don't you write down both spellings with your surname and see which looks better ? .

Great name either spelling ! .

PoppadumPreach · 13/04/2012 19:43

another vote for Euan here. much more authentic and just looks so much better.

MsTimTam · 13/04/2012 19:41

Definitely Euan, was my first choice if dd1 had been ds1.

DottieRose · 13/04/2012 19:34

I like Euan....great name!

Discowomb · 13/04/2012 19:28

I like Euan Albert

AberdeenAngusina · 13/04/2012 15:43

It's a great name either way.

Original poster
DesperatelySeekingDistraction · 13/04/2012 15:23

So far Euan is winning, which I'm pleased about as it is my preferred spelling. Its now on the very short list of boys names for DC2 if baby is a boy so Euan Albert or Seth Albert it is. (Albert is after DH's lovely grandfather)

Thanks MN jury.

OP posts:
Gincognito · 13/04/2012 11:07

Euan, definitely. Beautiful name.

meala · 13/04/2012 11:07

My DS has Euan as a middle name. Lovely name

BackforGood · 13/04/2012 11:04

I'd go for Euan, but either is commonly used so I don't think it would create a problem with either spelling or pronounciation. He will just get used to saying "Euan with a U" when he give his name as lots of people do who have names that can be spelled in different ways.

lovingthecoast · 13/04/2012 11:02

I prefer Euan and don't think you'll have issues with spelling. TBH, my first assumption would be that it was spelt this way.

However, as you can see from this thread, both seem equally accepted and approved of so really I wouldn't worry.

If it swings it either way, I think Euan is more popular in Scotland and the Blairs' son is Euan.

Daya · 13/04/2012 10:47

Great name, would have been my choice if I had a boy.

Much prefer Euan, closer to the gaelic spelling and looks nicer.

squoosh · 13/04/2012 10:36

Ewan looks much nicer. Don't like Euan at all.

Stellan · 13/04/2012 09:37

I think of Greek names beginning with Eu:
Eulalia
Eugenia
Euclid
Euphemia
Eugene
Eunice
Euripides

But I think of Euan/Ewan as being Scottish so I think that's why the Euan spelling doesn't leap out to me. It makes sense pronunciation wise though. I just think with 'Eu' at the beginning, the name 'looks better' if the ending is longer.

HeidiHole · 13/04/2012 09:31

Euan

Stellan · 13/04/2012 09:29

I prefer Ewan. Most people will pronounce it correctly because of familiarity with Ewan McGregor. Euan is fine too but I'm not sure it looks right to me.

pressingbuttons · 13/04/2012 08:47

doesn't matter; it's 'known' enough that most people would able to pronounce it either spelling. You could also go Ewen....

Swipe left for the next trending thread