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Baby names

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Original poster

How do you pronounce Gobnait?

41 replies

Thatextrainch · 25/04/2017 19:12

I'm fairly familiar with Irish name pronunciations but this one has stumped me. A quick Google suggests 'Gob-nit' but is it really that simple as it's fairly English phonetic.

I'm meeting a Gobnait tomorrow and don't want to make a twat of myself.

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DramaAlpaca · 25/04/2017 20:49

The ones I've come across pronounce it GUBnet. The stress is on the first syllable, and the second syllable is very soft.

With apologies to any Gobnaits around, I think it's hideous.

BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 25/04/2017 20:45

I always wanted to be called Assumpta.
Somehow my Presbyterian parents didn't agree

NotSoHankyPanky · 25/04/2017 20:38

Gob nit. Know a few in West Cork. Awful name. Youngest I know would be 40.

buttercup54321 · 25/04/2017 20:33

what a horrendous name!!!

IhatchedaSnorlax · 25/04/2017 20:28

I'm Irish & have never heard this name before Blush. I'm not keen on it but I do love Assumpta as well as Attracta & Blanaid.

florascotianew · 25/04/2017 20:00

In Scottish Gaelic, the 'ait'/'aid' ending would be a very soft 'nidge' sound, amost 'nishdt'. So it's not harsh, really, though 'Gob'/'Gov/Gonn' is not perhaps the most pleasing. Gobnait= Gobvnisht/ Gonnishdt is not too bad.
I know a v nice young person named Seonaid = Shonn-idgsh/Janet, and her name looks very plain written down but sounds quite pretty if said correctly.

In Irish mythology, Gobnait was the wife of the blacksmith god, Gabhan (pronounced Gowan).

BuckinghamLass · 25/04/2017 19:54

I quite like it!

Thank goodness I'm done with babies x imagine the slaughter if I'd floated Gobnait here. Look at the pasting Duane got.

highinthesky · 25/04/2017 19:50

I like Assumpta! It sounds like a girl that would never get into trouble outside wedlock.

Concepta on the other hand, well thats just asking for it Grin

MaudGonneMad · 25/04/2017 19:41

I quite like it! A grand Wesht Cork name.

pnguin · 25/04/2017 19:40

Errrr gob-nate? That's a cracker.

twinjocks · 25/04/2017 19:33

I would have always known it as 'Gob-nit' - hideous name (apologies to any lovely Gobnaits out there) - up there with Concepta and Assumpta!!

cavabienmerci · 25/04/2017 19:30

An in-law of mine, who grew up in the Gaeltacht in rural Donegal, has informed me that Gobnait is Gaelic for Deborah (my name). It is pronounced Gobnitch to my Northern Irish ears, so I think not really a soft or lyrical name. However, his lovely mum who speaks Gaelic , thinks it IS an absolutely lovely, soft, lyrical name if you are a native Gaelic speaker. She is a very kind person though and knows me so may be very diplomatic....

highinthesky · 25/04/2017 19:20

Just relieved to find you're not considering naming a baby this!

Original poster
Thatextrainch · 25/04/2017 19:16

Thanks, yes, not the most beautiful of Irish names.

OP posts:
3littlebadgers · 25/04/2017 19:16

Yes definitely Gubnit I know one.

villainousbroodmare · 25/04/2017 19:14

GUBnit. Definitively. Not a stylish moniker, is it?

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