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Baby names

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

Original poster

Would you find this name difficult to pronounce?

80 replies

AladdinOnRepeat · 14/02/2013 10:16

I've got a beautiful 2 week old little boy and have named him Séamus.

When I've texted people to tell them his name I've had texts back asking how to pronounce it and whether I meant 'Shaymus' but had spelt it wrong Hmm and also had someone asking me how sea-mus is.

And alot of people have given me the Hmm face when I've told them his name and a couple of people have just been rude about it.

(Have had some nice comments too)

So, would you be able to read/pronounce/spell his name or have I set him up for a life time of having to correct people?

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lljkk · 14/02/2013 10:41

I would presume it was Shay-mus.
BUT, I am 99% sure your baby will drop the accent themselves by their teen years, maybe never to reappear.

BartletForTeamGB · 14/02/2013 10:41

I'm Scottish but live in England and wouldn't have a problem with saying it properly, assuming it is said the same as in Scottish Gaelic. I'd be surprised if people didn't know how to say it properly down here, although Seamus Heaney is the only famous one I can think of right now.

WankbadgersBreakfast · 14/02/2013 10:41

After Seamus Finnegan in Harry Potter, I'm surprised people have never heard of it. It's an awesome name, congratulations!

Original poster
AladdinOnRepeat · 14/02/2013 10:40

I did have a laugh when I was asked if I'd spelt it wrong and did I mean Shaymus! Have also had the comment that its very like seamen.

OP posts:
StairsInTheNight · 14/02/2013 10:37

DS (5) Has a Seamus in his class, we are in London. I was not aware this is an unusual or tricky name!

Would anyone really spell it Shaymu?s

badtime · 14/02/2013 10:35

Where I'm from (in NI) it would be pronounced more (but not exactly) like a English person saying 'sheer-mus', but I would expect the normal English pronunciation to be 'Shaymus', and I know that the normal pronunciation in other parts of Ireland is more like that as well.

Floggingmolly · 14/02/2013 10:35

Confused even

Floggingmolly · 14/02/2013 10:34

That spelling would only work in Ireland ? [Confused] That is the spelling, it's an Irish name.

HeartShapedSaw · 14/02/2013 10:34

I'm not Irish in the slightest and I knew how to pronounce it. My name is unusual but after correcting someone once its not an issue. Ignore them its a lovely name!

Smellslikecatspee · 14/02/2013 10:34

Its a lovely name and congratulations

Anyone else says anything just tell them to Feck off Grin

BabyRoger · 14/02/2013 10:31

Just to clarify - I would pronounce it Shay mus but I know that is not how it's spelt.

Muminwestlondon · 14/02/2013 10:30

I think Seamus is lovely and most UK people do know how to pronounce it (Seamus Heaney etc). I am quite surprised at your friends tbh!

McKayz · 14/02/2013 10:30

Sorry Thingummybob

McKayz · 14/02/2013 10:29

I'd know how to pronounce it.

Thingmummybob, Seamus is a hero in our house too!

Original poster
AladdinOnRepeat · 14/02/2013 10:28

Can't pronounce it - not can pronounce it

OP posts:
FastFoodNational · 14/02/2013 10:27

I'm Australian and would know how to pronounce it. It's not unheard of there. I think it's a lovely name and even if I didn't, it's not my child! People who make faces are just rude.

Original poster
AladdinOnRepeat · 14/02/2013 10:26

Shay-mus is how it is pronounced Smile

I'm not Irish or living in Ireland but his dad is (Irish) and baby Séamus has a very Irish surname and our other children have traditional Irish names too. He takes them to Irish clubs and to watch the hurling and dancing so we are used to hearing some of the more unusual Irish names and its surprised me a bit that people outside of our immediate small social circle can pronounce it iyswim. I don't want him to go to school and be teased by the other children for having an unusual name.

OP posts:
CityMa · 14/02/2013 10:26

Not difficult at all and I entirely disagree that the spelling you've used would only 'work' in Ireland!

Congrats, lovely name :)

Cwtchbach · 14/02/2013 10:25

I would have known how to pronounce it and I'm not Irish nor living in England. My son has a Welsh name living in England which is hard to determine from spelling but apart from in-laws (who I know do it on purpose to piss me off) everyone pronounces it correctly after being told first time.

NotADragonOfSoup · 14/02/2013 10:25

To me, it's obviously pronounced Shaymus Confused I'm London born and bred.

Are these people the same ones who can't pronounce Sean?

ThingummyBob · 14/02/2013 10:24

But Marceline, what about Sean or Siobhan or Niamh - all 'normal' names throughout the UK no?

ChiefOwl · 14/02/2013 10:23

I would pronounce shay-mus is that correct?

badtime · 14/02/2013 10:22

Shock at people who think 'Shaymus' is the correct spelling.

No, it is not difficult to pronounce. As for spelling, the fada may be dropped but other than that it should be fine.

I don't mean to be rude, but you seem to know a lot of ignorant people!

Lepreporn · 14/02/2013 10:22

It's a lovely name. I know how to pronounce it but I am Irish.

BabyRoger · 14/02/2013 10:21

I would pronounce it Shaymus.

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