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Baby names

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

Original poster

Rory, Ruari or Ruairi

31 replies

BertieBeatle · 08/03/2016 14:54

Hi all,

After MUCH debate dh and I have decided on this name for our little boy.
Dh is Irish and much prefers the spelling and pronunciation of Ruairi.
I love the name and am more than happy to choose it but I'm worried about making his life difficult as we currently live in the UK and plan to stay for the foreseeable future.
We are considering the spelling Ruari which is more phonetic and apparently also a recognised spelling.
What's everyone's views? Will Ruairi cause issues in the UK? How would you spell it?
Or do you think we should just go with Rory?
Especially interested to hear from people who have chosen Irish names with slightly challenging spellings for their children and whether or not you regret it!

Thanks!

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Nospringflower · 08/03/2016 16:59

I'm in Scotland. Prefer the sound of ruooree to roary. Here quite a few people spell it Ruaridh. Not sure how helpful any of that is!

Original poster
BertieBeatle · 08/03/2016 16:38

I think my issue with Rory is I've known quite a few adults Rory's over the years and I tend to associate the name with them.

Thanks for the tip about Ruari. I will strike that one off the list then. Ruairi or Rory it is!

In terms of pronunciation, I would pronounce it similar to Rure-y rather than Roar-y. Is that right? I know my pronouncation won't be identical to the Irish pronunciation but that doesn't completely put me off as there isn't a name in the world that sounds identical when said by me and dh, but hearing him say Ruairi is lovely.
My concern is mainly round whether he will resent me choosing a difficult name and how frustrating it could get constantly spelling it. It's really hard to know. Thanks for the comments so far, very helpful.

OP posts:
MrsCharlesBrandon · 08/03/2016 15:21

I'm currently living with a 12 year old who curses me for giving her a name that should be easy to spell but isn't. We've had countless variations on invitations over the years!

I like Ruairi, but please consider the fact that both you and your son will be spelling it out to people for the rest of their life. If you're living in the UK then maybe Rory is the way to go.

Maryz · 08/03/2016 15:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Diggum · 08/03/2016 15:17

I like the Irish spelling, Ruairi.

I have a very unpronounceable looking Irish name and lived in UK till I was 7 without any issues. People learn to pronounce all kinds of unfamiliar names (Polish, Ukrainian, Islamic) in Ireland and the U.K. I think it's nice to reflect a child's heritage and people are always polite (in my experience) and ask or will be happily corrected.

I've had no issues except if I'm booking a restaurant (even in Ireland) when I just spell it phonetically!

MitzyLeFrouf · 08/03/2016 15:11

Whatever you do don't go with Ruari. It's wrong. Some British people will still be foxed by it and Irish people will tell you it's spelt incorrectly. So it seems a bit pointless.

Personally I prefer the spelling and pronunciation of Rory. The roo-a-ree sound isn't as nice as roar-y. In my opinion anyway.

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