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Baby names

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

Original poster

Ronin not Ronan

37 replies

TallyHoAndToodlePip · 15/12/2016 14:33

If I said to you that my sons name was 'Ronin', would you think I'd actually said 'Ronan'? For clarity, it's pronounced 'roe-nin'.

DH and I like the name Ronin but he dislikes Ronan because he doesn't want people to think we named our boy after Ronan Keating. He's not a fan lol. I think he's being silly and that both are nice but DH isn't budging.

Would we end up with massive name regret because we'd have to keep saying "No, not Ronan, Ronin!" Confused

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PhilODox · 15/12/2016 16:54

Smile You took that with such good grace I feel churlish now!
Thanks
People get very defensive about baby name choices, probably because of pregnancy hormones.

Anatidae · 15/12/2016 15:26

He's thinking that it's some sort of romantic lone wolf thing - it's really not. It has very negative overtones

Original poster
TallyHoAndToodlePip · 15/12/2016 15:14

You all have a good point. Thanks for your honesty and opinions.

Personally, I honestly prefer Ronan. I think that means something like 'little seal' - far more adorable anyway you look at it! As I said before though, DH is having none of it and prefers Ronin and that includes its meaning.

It's not that we're looking for a name of Japanese origin, just that we liked how it sounded. Not looking to be quirky or give the kid a complex!

Maybe we'll both have to back down. I won't get to use Ronan and he won't get to use Ronin. Back to the drawing board!

OP posts:
PhilODox · 15/12/2016 14:57

Indeed, Anatidae. They are supposed to commit seppuku.
Dishonourable not to do so.

Anatidae · 15/12/2016 14:55

Ones... not ines... autocorrect

Anatidae · 15/12/2016 14:54

Ronin has quite negative connotations. Are you sure? It's not just masterless. It implies the master has been disgraced.

It's also used as slang for unemployed salarymen. It's not a name I'd choose. Plenty of other nice Japanese Ines if that's what you're after

squoosh · 15/12/2016 14:54

I'd think of the Robert de Niro film.

PhilODox · 15/12/2016 14:51

Semantics.
Samurai were paid warrior class.

Original poster
TallyHoAndToodlePip · 15/12/2016 14:46

PhilODox a Ronin was a Samurai without a master and samurai's were military nobility. Not paid Japanese killers.

OP posts:
Staranise123 · 15/12/2016 14:41

To my ears Ronan sounds different to Ronin, more like Tobin. Even if people mishear the first time, they will only need to be told once.

MoreThanUs · 15/12/2016 14:38

I'd definitely think Ronan.

PhilODox · 15/12/2016 14:37

Ronin, as in paid Japanese killers?
Pretty sure spelling of the name will be the least of the comments !