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Baby names

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

Original poster

Noleen

36 replies

lilyjune · 12/07/2012 22:24

Saw this name recently and thought it was quite unusual - we're not really getting on well picking a girl name but both of us think we like this...any thoughts?

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mathanxiety · 13/07/2012 06:22

No way is it derived in any form from Fionnuala, or from Nuala. Most sites that claim to have Irish baby names are full of balloon juice.

It's a feminine version of Noel that isn't Noelle.
I knew one in school (in Ireland), spelled Noeleen.

It's a bit like Geraldine, Gerarda, or even Nigella, imo.

I prefer Noelle, or Nola or Nuala, or Finola..

sashh · 13/07/2012 04:58

For some reason I now have Dolly Parton's Jolene in my head.

anniewoo · 13/07/2012 01:10

Yes 'een' means little in irish( tho the spelling is different- 'in' with a fada over the i- can't do the fada on the iphone. Maureen is little Mary etc

gingerchick · 13/07/2012 00:21

Noleen is in an Australian comedy series which I can't remember the name of definitely is said in an exaggerated aussie accent in my head so I wouldn't

Viviennemary · 13/07/2012 00:15

It's awful. There are so many pretty girls names.

FormerlyTitledUntidy · 12/07/2012 23:44

No, like penis explained it doesn't work that way. Een is little, in the way a mother could be nora and the daughter noreen, Maire, maureen etc. and then the names became names in their own right.
I will get out my baby names book in the morning :)

tethersend · 12/07/2012 23:41

YES. I love it.

PenisVanLesbian · 12/07/2012 23:37

You can't take a diminutive, change the spelling and add een on the end, no. Little Nol doesn't add up to Fionnuala at all.

And really be careful on those American baby name sites, they are full of shite. I just looked at one that said Killeen is an old irish girls name. It's a cleaning product firm most famous for scourers, in fact.

Original poster
lilyjune · 12/07/2012 23:31

Sorry no way is it ten times worse than Hortense. Much prettier

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Original poster
lilyjune · 12/07/2012 23:30

I like Maebh (worked with someone with this name) but hubbie does not.
That's where we're having problems - liking ANYTHING the same..

Does een mean little? So going back to Finnuala, if you take the first part as Nol and not Noel, maybe it's a little nuala?

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FormerlyTitledUntidy · 12/07/2012 23:13

See now, I prefer Noreen. Well, I like nora so "little nora" is cute. Definitely not linked to fionnuala though.

Do you like other Irish names?

UnnamedFemaleProtagonist · 12/07/2012 23:08

Awful. I am singing Noleen to the tune of Jolene too. In fact, it is beyond awful. Ten times worse than Hortense.

PenisVanLesbian · 12/07/2012 23:06

I've googled and they seem to be based on one bogus list, with some made up names, wrong spellings and so on, so not a reliable source.

Why would it be a derivative, its totally different? They might be thinking of Nola, which is an anglicised spelling of Nuala. Noeleen as in Noel and Noelle, it was commonly given to girls born near christmas.

Hullygully · 12/07/2012 23:05

no

Original poster
lilyjune · 12/07/2012 23:03

Finnuala's not for me either

PenisVanLesbian - there are a few websites where it says it is. What's your take on it?

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Original poster
lilyjune · 12/07/2012 23:01

Noreen is definitely Irish granny though, isn't it? That all moved to England in the 60s.

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FuckerSnailInYourHedgerow · 12/07/2012 23:01

Fin-ooo-la.

I like Noeleen, I only know one, she's in her thirties. I know a lot of older Fionnualas though.

PenisVanLesbian · 12/07/2012 23:00

Its not a derivative of Fionnuala, no. (finn-oola)

skippy84 · 12/07/2012 23:00

Finn ooh la

skippy84 · 12/07/2012 22:59

Not mad about it myself either. Sorry.
I do quite like Jolene though. Smile

Original poster
lilyjune · 12/07/2012 22:58

Right just did a bit more research and apparently it's a derivative of Finnuala?
No idea how you say that

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FormerlyTitledUntidy · 12/07/2012 22:57

Is Noreen any better?

Original poster
lilyjune · 12/07/2012 22:57

Plus do people call you No-el-leen whereas I was thinking No-leen?

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FormerlyTitledUntidy · 12/07/2012 22:56

Even if you don't want it to be the feminine version of Noel, it still is!

I don't mind it, but its a real "mammy" name here.

Original poster
lilyjune · 12/07/2012 22:56

Haha I LOVE Dolly Parton

I think Noeline is pretty - did you have problems with your name? Do you like it?? Is it pronounced the same?

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