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

Help me pick between 2 boy names and spell them(Arabic)

30 replies

Heatherbaby · 10/09/2018 01:55

Hi guys

So for the longest time during this pregnancy I was going to go for Idrees.

Now I have backtracked and really like Nayel (pronounced Nile).

Which do you prefer and how would you spell it. My DD has an Arabic name that I chose to spell in a very British way. I want it to be easy to pronounce when read.

So Idrees / Idris (I like the nickname Rees hence not wanting Ris)

Nayel (I don't mind this spelling but don't want people to read nail as in hammer and nail)
Nile
Nyle
Niall (this is common Irish spelling but I read that it still get mispronounced as Neil or neeyaal).
Naell

Which do you prefer along with preferred spelling please. X

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Original poster
Heatherbaby · 15/09/2018 23:12

I don't see the lemonade connection either I'm afraid haha 🙈

Thanks for the alternative names contessas. Think Zaydan was a good one out of the choices as others I associate with people.

OP posts:
astoundedgoat · 15/09/2018 10:34

I really like Idriss.

ContessasGulagSpaDay · 15/09/2018 07:52

I like Nayal (spelt that way) but am half Arab, so I would Grin

For an alternative that's easy to pronounce, how about:
Nabil
Omar
Hassan
Adam
Nabih
Zaydan

SoupDragon · 15/09/2018 07:47

Lemonade??

UnrelentingFruitScoffer · 14/09/2018 23:49

Idris just reminds me of lemonade.

Original poster
Heatherbaby · 14/09/2018 23:46

Oh thanks guys, I really needed the extra thoughts today as I'm edging towards the due date and getting annoyed for not having a name as I'd named my daughter soon after my 20w scan I think!

Looks like Idris is edging it! My parents keep giving me negative opinions on both names, such as they once knew an old man called Idrees (I assume they didn't like him lol, but they seem to think thats a good enough reason to say I shouldn't use that name - bizarre).

However it will definitely be one of the 2! Maybe he will just look like one or the other when he arrives Grin I think the popular spellings are edging it too so I'll bare that in mind. Thanks again for all the replies x

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 14/09/2018 13:39

I think if you want “Nile” and aren’t averse to the British spellings then go for Niall or Nile. Niall if your DD already has a Scottish spelling.

However, I love Idris and far prefer it!

Greywind1523 · 14/09/2018 13:29

I think Nayal would be mispronounced so would go with Niall.

I think you’d have less issues with Idrees.

ladycarlotta · 14/09/2018 09:27

(also it's probably quite cool and recognisable because of Idris Elba, so it doesn't matter if it's less overtly western than Niall/Nayal)

ladycarlotta · 14/09/2018 09:26

I absolutely love the name Idris, spelt that way. Nice little bonus it's also a Welsh name.

Original poster
Heatherbaby · 12/09/2018 21:37

Aww thanks everyone. There doesn't seem to be a clear winner in terms of a name though I think the preferred spellings are the western versions Grin

@UAEMum we have all of those names in the family besides Niall!

Girls are so much easier to name Confused thanks again to everyone x

OP posts:
NotANotMan · 12/09/2018 18:28

I like Nile

UAEMum · 12/09/2018 02:43

We are a half Arab family. Good Arab boys names include (in my opinion)
Adam
Samy
Zakaria
Niall
Zain
........ thats it

MrsFoxPlus4 · 12/09/2018 02:15

I know a Niall & an Idrees so I’d choose those

Shadow1234 · 12/09/2018 02:10

I think Idris and Niall would be best spellings, and i love both
Names. Hard to chose one over the other.

Good luck!

starkid · 11/09/2018 15:57

Idris and Niall

MikeUniformMike · 10/09/2018 20:45

I'd go for Idris and Niall for the BC names, but you could use the Arabic spelling too.
إدريس and نيل ?

Icklepup · 10/09/2018 16:17

Idris or Nile

Original poster
Heatherbaby · 10/09/2018 11:44

Aw a brilliant range of opinions, thanks so much to everyone 🤗. I'm glad noone outright hates either of them!

I forgot to mention we needed Arabic/muslim names because of our culture but with us and the children both being born and raised in England, I wanted to ensure the names were easy for the kids and were "crossover" western names. So my DD is named an Arabic/Turkish name which I spelt in a traditional Scottish way as is more commonly seen.

Idris isn't necessarily western but has gained popularity recently and seems easy enough to pronounce.

Funny you mention a naughty Idris User147, thats not the first time I heard that!

@brandnewstart congrats on your baby girl. Leela is a beautiful name. I agree with keeping the spelling as easy as possible... I know a Leila who is constantly mispronounced as you mentioned.

OP posts:
TheMythicalChicken · 10/09/2018 07:15

Nayel is a fabulous name.

Yellowsunredroses · 10/09/2018 07:15

Idris
Nile

user1471530109 · 10/09/2018 07:13

Pronounced. I can spell (usually).

user1471530109 · 10/09/2018 07:12

I wouldn't go with the Irish spelling if you're not Irish! Personal opinion

I've taught a fair few Idris but never a Nayel. Yes I'd have proundounced it wrong first, but once corrected it would be fine! I think the Arabic spelling is much nicer. If you feel you have to change it then Nyle. Or Niyel?

I prefer Nayel btw. Taught a naughty Idris!

RavenWings · 10/09/2018 07:09

Well, is it an Arab connection you want? I would pick Niall personally but there's no point choosing that if you want a link to Arab culture.

I really like Idris. Idrees - I'm ok with the variation but if you aren't Arab people will just think you can't spell.

Sunflower321 · 10/09/2018 07:09

I would pronounce them differently:

Idris as I-driss
and
Idrees as I-drees

Swipe left for the next trending thread