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

Áine (Irish - pronounced onya)

133 replies

FrazzledCareerWoman · 06/12/2021 21:21

Yes or no... obviously no one will read it correctly..: but I love it Grin

not for my hypothetical last chance baby number3 that I might not even have

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Original poster
FrazzledCareerWoman · 08/12/2021 22:41

Btw... totally don't care /get offended if someone thinks my fave name in the world is ugly , it's just an opinion. Everyone has different associations to sounds and spellings. I really don't like some of the most popular names , Archie for example or Olivia

I was interested to read all the different regional pronunciations so thank you 🙏🏼 (I am not Irish husband has Irish dad hence the surname)

OP posts:
Original poster
FrazzledCareerWoman · 08/12/2021 22:37

@SeanChailleach

Looks up Old Irish spelling in dil.ie and finds Áine, Áne, from Án.
Thank you, I was curious how the old Irish spelling would be different to modern Irish!
OP posts:
Original poster
FrazzledCareerWoman · 08/12/2021 22:32

@SuperLoudPoppingAction

Áine has a name day in France because it was popular in Brittany at one point, so I don't think the coincidental written resemblance to 'groin' has been seen as much of a problem, historically.
Interesting thank you
OP posts:
SeanChailleach · 08/12/2021 13:42

@StrychnineInTheSandwiches

Opinionated! Say it isn't so.
Opinions is what the baby names board is for. Thoughtful, respectful opinions that inform, enlighten or entertain.
StrychnineInTheSandwiches · 08/12/2021 12:53

Opinionated! Say it isn't so.

SeanChailleach · 08/12/2021 12:52

Looks up Old Irish spelling in dil.ie and finds
Áine, Áne, from Án.

GogLais · 08/12/2021 12:50

You are the one with the issue, @StrychnineInTheSandwiches.
You seem opinionated, entitled and ignorant

StrychnineInTheSandwiches · 08/12/2021 12:48

@SeanChailleach

Garlictwist said it was ugly, and you defended them. I'm still not clear what it adds if you don't specify what aspect of the name you find ugly.
Their right to hold an opinion. I'm sorry that's an issue for you.
SeanChailleach · 08/12/2021 12:46

Garlictwist said it was ugly, and you defended them.
I'm still not clear what it adds if you don't specify what aspect of the name you find ugly.

StrychnineInTheSandwiches · 08/12/2021 12:46

Anyone who disagrees with you is rude no doubt.

GogLais · 08/12/2021 12:44

You come across as rude @StrychnineInTheSandwiches. There is no need for it

StrychnineInTheSandwiches · 08/12/2021 12:40

Seriously though, what are you adding to the conversation by saying you think it's ugly?

I'm indifferent to Áine, never said it was ugly. I just don't agree with people who say it's offensive if someone states that they find a particular name to be ugly. Rude if you say it to someone who bears that name, yes. But on a names board where people are canvassing opinions? Of course not.

GogLais · 08/12/2021 12:36

@StrychnineInTheSandwiches

I'm not saying it's Welsh, it is Welsh. I'm saying it's ugly. As that's my opinion.

I presume you're okay with me thinking Bertha is ugly?

Blodwen is welsh, Blodwyn isn't @StrychnineInTheSandwiches.

As I said, have the decency to spell it properly.

StrychnineInTheSandwiches · 08/12/2021 12:34

Bertha is a lovely sounding name

Fact check: untrue

SeanChailleach · 08/12/2021 12:32

Let's be fair now, "Strychnine" is downright hideous...
Seriously though, what are you adding to the conversation by saying you think it's ugly? What's ugly? The look of the word on the screen in whatever font you have? The sound? This thread has covered a very wide range of pronunciations - do you dislike all of them?

Bertha is a lovely sounding name, and no, it's not polite to say it's ugly.
Blodwen is gorgeous in Carmarthen accent.
Áine is one of the most beautiful names ever, it means "radiant, awe inspiring", and the Áine I know is one of the most awesome people in the world. I am not a fan of Modern Irish spelling but that isn't terribly helpful to say on here.

witsendeverytime · 08/12/2021 12:31

I like it but think she'd be forever trying to correct peoples pronunciation or just let them call her something else - like Annie as that's what it looks like. Maybe a middle name?

StrychnineInTheSandwiches · 08/12/2021 12:06

I'm not saying it's Welsh, it is Welsh. I'm saying it's ugly. As that's my opinion.

I presume you're okay with me thinking Bertha is ugly?

GogLais · 08/12/2021 12:03

@StrychnineInTheSandwiches

There are lots of names from other cultures I find ugly and I have no qualms saying so. For example, Blodwyn - sorry, Wales. Or Bertha - sorry, Germany!
If you're going to say a name is Welsh and ugly, could you have the decency to spell it properly please.

It's Blodwen, and it was the name of a relative. It's not ugly but a bit dated

StrychnineInTheSandwiches · 08/12/2021 11:53

I think it's offensive to say 'all Irish/Indian/Vietnamese names are ugly'

I don't think it's offensive to state that you find an individual name to be ugly.

Goldentimes · 08/12/2021 11:48

@StrychnineInTheSandwiches

There are lots of names from other cultures I find ugly and I have no qualms saying so. For example, Blodwyn - sorry, Wales. Or Bertha - sorry, Germany!
The British invaded Ireland and forced anglicisation. Brutally ripped our language, culture and names away over centuries.

Irish names, language and culture are being reclaimed here so it's very ignorant of any English or British person to just say "I think it's an ugly name".
Course you do. So did the invaders hence forced anglicisation Hmm.

In the north of Ireland having an Irish name can still carry risks of discrimination and disrespect. Even violence.
So please if you're not from Ireland and don't understand all of this please please don't call our names ugly.

Negligee · 08/12/2021 11:03

Well, unless we all start using the international phonetic alphabet, I don't see how it can be resolved. The rhotic/non-rhotic thing causes enough confusion in baby names threads.

LizzieAnt · 08/12/2021 11:00

@SeanChailleach

This is where we start confusing ourselves with imprecise phonic spellings.
Well, that does happen a lot on these threads, that's for sure Grin
smoko · 08/12/2021 10:42

I think Annya sounds much nicer to the ear than Onya

SeanChailleach · 08/12/2021 10:41

This is where we start confusing ourselves with imprecise phonic spellings.

LizzieAnt · 08/12/2021 10:26

As far as I know, Áine isn't said like Ana anywhere SeanChailleach? I don't think so anyway.