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Baby names

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Original poster

Help with DD1 shortlist (and pronunciations!)

28 replies

PointyDogs · 19/04/2012 11:27

We're expecting DD1 in a few weeks, and are narrowing down the shortlist. Luckily DH and myself tend to like the same sort of names, which helps! Interested in what you all think of the following, especially pronunciation of some of them - how would you immediately think to say these when you see them? Will DD have a lifetime of correcting people? At least they are mostly fairly short to spell out :)

Cassia (kass-ee-a)
Cara (kar-a)
Ciara (key-a-ra)
Talia (tally-a)
Aoife (eef-a)
Rebekah
Iona

Other names we have liked but discounted as being too popular right now are Isabelle and Amelia. I like Abigail and Matilda, DH hates. We've both got Irish grandparents, so like some Irish names, but not ones that will cause too many difficulties in England. Surname is a two-syllable normal sounding name.

mmm - just realised they all end in "a" - not intentional!!

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StrandedBear · 19/04/2012 11:29

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Original poster
PointyDogs · 19/04/2012 11:32

I prefer Rebecca myself, but DH likes the more traditional spelling...

OP posts:
Stellan · 19/04/2012 11:32

Cassia - I thought this was pronounced KA-shuh.

Cara - I would pronounce it as you do.

Ciara - I thought this was pronounced KEER-uh.

Talia - Again, I would pronounce it as you do.

Aoife - While the pronunciation isn't obvious to most English people, I think there's enough Aoifes around that it won't be too problematic. It's not a long name to spell out if necessary either.

Rebekah - You will constantly get people spelling it Rebecca.

Iona - Can't foresee any pronunciation issues.

blackteaplease · 19/04/2012 11:32

I though Ciara was pronounce kir-ra not key-a-ra and Tailia was tah-lia as written not tally-a. You might find a problem with pronounciation if that is the version that you truly want. Or maybe I'm wrong Shock

You may also find yourselves correcting spelling of Rebekah from Rebecca but it is a Jewish variant.

They are all lovely names, you might have to pick one out of a hat if you can't chooose.

Theas18 · 19/04/2012 11:33

In case it bothers you cassia would often be pronounced cash-a and Talia tah-le-er at least round here.

Stellan · 19/04/2012 11:34

I wasn't sure whether it was tar-lee-uh or ta-lee-uh (as in sounding like Natalie).

manicinsomniac · 19/04/2012 11:45

I agree with all your pronounciations and like all your names.

I would keep the Rebekah spelling. I'm a Rebecca and always wanted the Jewish spelling - just to be a bit different! Mind you, there are fewer Rebeccas now (was top 5ish when I was born) so less of an issue.

I like Cara, Rebekah and Iona best I think.

welovesausagedogs · 19/04/2012 11:57

I like Iona from your list

minipie · 19/04/2012 12:14

I agree with all your pronunciations except possibly Ciara, I might pronounce it Chee- ara (thinking it was Italian)

I like Cara and Talia best.

tigrou · 19/04/2012 12:50

Iona wins hands down for me. Lovely. The rest are fine, but I find them just a little bland in comparison. I prefer the Rebecca spelling, seems less harsh.

BlueChampagne · 19/04/2012 13:08

Cara or Iona - as long as Iona works with your surname (I own a ...)

Can I also suggest Corinna?

maddywest · 19/04/2012 13:15

is Iona pron eye-owna or Yona? Have Welsh friend with a Iona pron Yona.

Original poster
PointyDogs · 19/04/2012 13:15

thanks for the input everyone. With my accent I think I pronounce some of these slightly harsher than others would anyway e.g. Tally-a rather than Tah-lee-a. I don't mind a little variation to be honest, I'll not get too stroppy if someone is only slightly out! I'm pleased that no-one has suggested Sierra for Ciara - that is one I have come across elsewhere, but seems more an American thing, hopefully not an issue over here.

The one that still surprises me, although I have come across it elsewhere, is Cassia pronounced Cash-uh. I know that is the correct way for the spice, but as a name I automatically assumed it was like Cassie with an a.

I'm not sure if we are going to be able to narrow it down to the planned 3 options - we may end up just waiting until she joins us, and see what fits! Cara and Iona I think are my favourites at the moment, but it changes day by day!!

OP posts:
Original poster
PointyDogs · 19/04/2012 13:17

It is Iona like I-own-a (and is ok with our surname!). I love it because we spent part of our honeymoon on Iona, lovely memories and a lovely name :)

OP posts:
blackteaplease · 19/04/2012 13:17

Iona is eye-ona like the Scottish Island

Hippee · 19/04/2012 13:19

Rebekah would make me think of Rebekah Brooks, but I guess she won't be in the news forever.

birdofthenorth · 19/04/2012 13:19

I thought Talia was Tar-li-ah not Tah-li-ah. Agree with the rest of your prononciations. I like Cara, Rebekah or Iona the best.

How about Isla, Cora, Carla?

DharmaBumpkin · 19/04/2012 13:21

Ciara is KEER-uh, lovely name :)

Stellan · 19/04/2012 13:25

Ciara pronounces it as Sierra - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ciara

WestWinger · 19/04/2012 13:27

They are all lovely, but Cara is my favourite.

cece · 19/04/2012 13:30

Cassia - I would say how you say it
Cara - ditto
Ciara - I always say it so it rhymes with nearer
Talia - I thought it had an h in it? The way you spell it I am not sure how I would attempt it, would it said liek Thalia or completley differently? I say Thalia (have a friend with one) Ta - lee - a
Aoife - I would have absolutely no idea how to say this one!
Rebekah - one of my least favourite names, ever! sorry
Iona - I would say it I - own - a

Out of those names I would go for Iona. Are you Irish?

Original poster
PointyDogs · 19/04/2012 14:22

cece - I have Irish grandparents, and MIL is Irish.

OP posts:
tumbleweedblowing · 19/04/2012 14:26

pointy Iona is one of my favourite names ever, and I can't for the life of me think why none of the DDs are called that. But for the special reasons you've given about the place, I don't see how you could go with anything else!

Clararara · 19/04/2012 14:51

Iona is lovely, as long as it's alright with your surname, if your surname sounds like a noun, they will be "I Own A ........."

On the subject of Irish names the name Orla is gorgeous.

cece · 19/04/2012 16:20

Well in that case my favourite Irish girls names are Una and Mairead.

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