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

Having doubts about chosen Boy's Name

83 replies

MsMittens · 27/03/2015 11:57

Hi all,

DH and I had decided on Donnacha (pronounced Done - aka) for DC2. I imagine that nn will be Don or Donny. Our surname is Blair.

We had picked it because we wanted an Irish name that was unusual but not too out there and that people in England (specifically London/Surrey) would be able to pronounce without too much trouble.

For some reason, now 35 wks and I am having doubts. Would be really interested to hear people's views on the name - do you like it?

(p.s. we don't know whether we are expecting a boy or a girl but still love our chosen girl's name)

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Original poster
MsMittens · 29/03/2015 22:36

Ha! I also remember the "no shorts" incident and the rugby connection was how the name came up! Funny you should say that turdfairy my DH said the same thing this evening that maybe it's a bit of a "guys" name.

OP posts:
turdfairynomore · 29/03/2015 21:39

There's something quite rugged about a lot of Irish boys' names-to me they are "men's names"?? Maybe it's the rugby/GAA link? Donnacha would be one of my favourite along with Daithi-though I'm from NI so pronunciation wouldn't be the issue it might be in England. That wouldn't stop me though!!

DramaAlpaca · 29/03/2015 20:28

Ha! I remember Donnacha O'Callaghan and the no shorts episode Grin

The other Irish name that's become more familiar in the UK thanks to a sports person is Eoin, as in Eoin Morgan the cricketer. There's also Eoin Colfer the author.

turdfairynomore · 29/03/2015 19:48

The rugby connection would be the one I'd make and so to be it's not at all girly! Far from it! In fact donnacha o'Callaghan looked very manly when he tried to play on with no shorts! (I have a very good memory for "interesting" sports highlights!)

Ficidy · 29/03/2015 19:39

I'm Irish and I've always hated this name. Then again, I'm not really keen on many Irish names and I don't think they sound very nice, even though I am a fluent Irish speaker. It is a harsh name. I'd choose another one, if possible, OP.

Original poster
MsMittens · 29/03/2015 15:32

As it happens, I have a "what?" first name which I have apent my entire life spelling and producing for people and it used to bother me a little when I was a kid but as and adult I like the fact that my name is not run-of-the-mill which is why we would like a more unusual name for DS.

Surprised that some think it sounds like a girl's name as I would never have made that connection (but as I said I'm Irish and know it as a boy's name). Glad someone of the other posters like it and spotted the rugby connection (I thought more people would have heard of the name for this reason).

Still undecided and DH and I really struggle to agree on names (arg!)

OP posts:
OutragedFromLeeds · 28/03/2015 18:01

Oh and for me banner and corner also end the same as banana and drama Grin. All with an 'uh'.

OutragedFromLeeds · 28/03/2015 17:31

Maybe it's just our bad diction in London then, but Peter, Taylor and Luca all end in the same 'uh' sound as Donnacha here, so I don't think a boys name ending in an 'uh' sound is in anyway unusual. Maybe it's more unusual in other parts of the country. I can only speak for myself, but I don't automatically associate an 'uh' sound with a girls name.

wigglesrock · 28/03/2015 17:18

I would say Peter and Luca, Peter would end in the same way as banner, corner and Luca would end in an a like banana, drama.

JanineStHubbins · 28/03/2015 17:16

Lu-ka
Pete-err

OutragedFromLeeds · 28/03/2015 17:15

How do you pronounce them out of interest Janine?

OutragedFromLeeds · 28/03/2015 17:14

They do in my accent Janine. I'm in the London/Surrey area the same as the op. I say 'Luke-uh' and 'Pete-uh'.

I can't speak for all people, with all accents obviously.

lemonyone · 28/03/2015 17:12

Madreloco - I don't like it particularly but I love other irish names. I'm a very 'English' but my DD has a 'German' name.

I think Outraged has it for me - it is just tipping over into girlish because it does remind me of those names combined.

JanineStHubbins · 28/03/2015 17:08

Peter and Luca end in the same sound? Confused

OutragedFromLeeds · 28/03/2015 17:04

I don't think it's because it ends in an 'uh' sound because you have Joshua, Noah, Jonah, Micah, Christopher, Peter, Luca, Tyler, Taylor etc. etc. which all end in the same sound and are all recognised as boys names.

I think it's because it's similar to Donna and Anneka, both of which are commonly girls names.

madreloco · 28/03/2015 16:59

I think they expect all names to conform to narrow english expectations?

JanineStHubbins · 28/03/2015 16:55

Why are people assuming it's a girl's name, out of interest? Just because it ends in 'a'?

I love it OP.

matchingmoll · 28/03/2015 16:48

I really like it. I don't think people in real life find "unusual" names half as "difficult" as some might think. And I like that it's a boy's name that ends in a. Makes a change!

madreloco · 28/03/2015 16:29

You can only speak for yourself, is the point. Just because you didn't like it doesn't mean ops kid won't.
I have an unusual name, I like it. But both your and mine experiences have zer o to do with OP and her choice.

Orangeisthenewbanana · 28/03/2015 16:12

I assumed it was a girl's name too!

MythicalKings · 28/03/2015 16:06

Mythical your personal experience has no bearing on OP's kid. hmm
And its pretty rude too.

Who would know better than someone who's been there? I'm better qualified to comment than someone who has never had problems with their name.

DahliaBloom · 28/03/2015 12:52

I quite like the sound of it, though its a bit close to Anneka. And the look of it makes me think Don'tcha.

But I agree his school friends probably wouldn't have a problem with the pronunciation - we are British and living abroad; my ds has a name that's quite hard for the locals to pronounce but the kids have no issue with it at all, just their parents.

gruber · 28/03/2015 12:34

I have to say, I'd assume it was a girls name by looking at it. Not keen on it either though I'm fairly open minded about names. Never heard of it and would be reluctant to spell it. Sorry!

madreloco · 28/03/2015 12:27

Mythical your personal experience has no bearing on OP's kid. Hmm
And its pretty rude too.

MsJupiter · 28/03/2015 09:25

Lovely name. Really surprised at the negative reaction. I'm in SE England by the way but would have no problem pronouncing it or understanding that it's a boy's name.