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Baby names

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

Original poster

Nuala?

90 replies

Emilyjoy · 16/08/2018 08:57

Is Nuala too old of an name? My husband is from Belfast and his family are all in Northern Ireland, so he’s keen for an Irish name. I love Nuala! Pronounced nula or new-la. But I’ve heard it’s like a middle aged woman’s name like a British Tracy or Sharron? What do people think? Would Nola maybe be better? I also love maeve 😍

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w4ytoomuch · 17/08/2018 16:54

I know a 20yr old Nuala, she's lovely and it's the only time I've heard the name so I say go for it !!

TornFromTheInside · 17/08/2018 16:22

It's a lovely choice to have made!

Just please tell us your surname is not Cahula ;-)

Original poster
Emilyjoy · 17/08/2018 16:09

I’m going to go with it. I really love the name, I think it sounds pretty and unusual, probably because in the uk it’s pretty much unheard of and rare. Yes, I know If she ever goes to live in Ireland they will hate her name. But I searched the name on Facebook and Instagram, and it seems plenty of teenagers and 20 years old seem to have the name. So, not strictly only old women she will share the name with :)

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ladycarlotta · 17/08/2018 13:11

I've heard of a few baby Barbaras lately! It's kind of hipster. And I knew an epicly cool Fionnuala when I was a teenager - she'd be about 30 now. I think given what others have said, viz:

  • you won't live in Ireland
  • Nuala is pretty and you like it
  • at SOME POINT it will be granny chic and then you'll be ahead of the curve
you should just go with it. It's your baby and if you love it, don't let other people's opinions hold you back.
VanillaSugar · 17/08/2018 13:01

Yes I did, Tom, thank you.

Would you name your newborn Paula? Would you name your newborn Nuala? They look similar and do they both have the same old-fashioned, dated, non-traditional vibe?

Not trying to be funny or Hmm but I'm trying to put this into a non NI context.

TornFromTheInside · 17/08/2018 12:45

Name her 'Nuala-Vajazzle' to irk the Irish contingent saying it's very old fashioned and dull.

TornFromTheInside · 17/08/2018 12:43

I think she meant is it a tad bland/nondescript in the way that Paula might be considered, rather than it sounding the same - but I could be wrong.

Cbeebiesrehab · 17/08/2018 12:03

Do you live in Ireland OP?
I think it sounds beautiful but I live in England and haven’t heard it before so do not know any connotations. I say go for it! :)

SuperstarDJ · 17/08/2018 12:00

Unless you pronounce Paula, Poo-la, I’m struggling to see how it’s like Nuala.

TornFromTheInside · 17/08/2018 00:23

Is Nuala like Paula then?

Very much so, just jumble up some letters and swap a P for an N!

VanillaSugar · 16/08/2018 23:35

Is Nuala like Paula then?

Original poster
Emilyjoy · 16/08/2018 21:58

In 10/20 years though, the old Nualas will be granny’s, and Nuala will have reached “granny chic” status. So the teenage/20 year old Nualas will have ahead of their time unique names? No? Just trying to concvince myself. Atleast living in Oxford in the uk, nobody will know about the old fashioned nualas.

My baby has lots of bright red hair and never sleeps, so maybe a name meaning “devilchild” is quite fitting 😂😂😂

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TornFromTheInside · 16/08/2018 21:44

Does Nuala mean 'devilchild' in Irish? ;-)

VanillaSugar · 16/08/2018 21:27

Oh dear. I feel sorry for all the Nualas!

RavenWings · 16/08/2018 21:15

Jesus no. Speaking as an Irish person it's just awful, very frumpy as others said.

Attie17 · 16/08/2018 21:14

I love the name Nuala. Many of the Nualas I know are aged 50 or more. But I also know a couple of toddler Nualas, so maybe it is having a resurgence. Even if it isn’t, I think it’s beautiful. It’s on our shortlist for our baby, as is Nora! But I like Nuala way more.

TornFromTheInside · 16/08/2018 20:51

I know a teenage Nuala pron Noo-Ah-la. Parents said it was Indian.
Can't find much support it as an Indian name - not that Google knows everthing! Everything points to it being more Irish than Guinness!

Original poster
Emilyjoy · 16/08/2018 20:34

See I quite like Norah too! Norah and Ada were on my list 😂😂

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MikeUniformMike · 16/08/2018 20:05

I know a teenage Nuala pron Noo-Ah-la. Parents said it was Indian.

DramaAlpaca · 16/08/2018 20:03

I'm in Ireland & agree with others that Nuala is really frumpy. It's granny-not-at-all-chic. It's marginally better than Norah though.

Nola is pretty & sounds much younger & fresher.

Fooferella · 16/08/2018 20:02

Freaking autocorrect. Caoimhe

Fooferella · 16/08/2018 20:02

What about caomie? Pronounced keeva. I think it's beautiful.

Fingermoose · 16/08/2018 19:57

Does it have to be a secret or could you see what your husband's family thinks? I know a Nuala who lives in England and people do struggle with pronunciation.

kenandbarbie · 16/08/2018 19:46

I only know nualas who are in the age range 36-45.

TornFromTheInside · 16/08/2018 19:08

Mary, Elizabeth, Grace, Emily etc were all old lady names not too long ago, and now they're not.

You can't be ruled by a something being 'old lady' in one part of the world. That perception changes and more and more people begin to realise a new found beauty in older names.