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Original poster

Ivalo

27 replies

Ty89 · 29/12/2022 13:32

Hi everyone,

I was wondering what your opinion is on the Greenlandic girl name "Ivalo", given to a non-Greenlandic baby girl. Possibly nicknamed "Iva" or "Lola". And which sibling names would hypothetically go well with it.

Thanks! 😄

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Firebird83 · 31/12/2022 13:56

It looks masculine to me, probably because it’s so similar to the Bulgarian boys name Ivaylo.

user1492757084 · 30/12/2022 14:39

It's a very pretty name in sound so if using Ivalo why not just call the child Ivalo with no nick name?

Topseyt123 · 30/12/2022 02:02

Ivalo is a place in Finnish Lapland, with apparently the most northerly airport in the European Union.

We flew there when taking the kids to see Father Christmas.

inquisitorgeneral · 30/12/2022 01:30

I think in the UK it would be mispronounced constantly or mistaken for a boy's name. Unless you have a compelling reason to choose it, I wouldn't recommend it.

Luredbyapomegranate · 29/12/2022 22:27

Too much like the boys’ names Ivo and Ivor

Ida or Adela maybe?

Adultchildofelderlyparents · 29/12/2022 20:00

I love it. I would have no problems recognising or pronouncing it and I also know it as a Danish girls name like someone above. Yes it is also a place name in Finland. I don't see any issue using it. It's no different to someone using Paris with no French connection or Siena with no Italian connection.

ammyy · 29/12/2022 19:49

If you have no connection to Greenland and/or Inuit culture I would not use it. It is a difficult name for english speakers and a strange choice for someone who has no connections to the land/people. There are beautiful unusual names that are more easier to pronounce and work better.

ammyy · 29/12/2022 19:46

timoteigirl · 29/12/2022 16:45

Ivalo is a location in Lapland, not used as a person's name. However, Inari - also a location in Finish Lapland - is used as a boy's name. Other Lapland locations used as names are Saana and Malla for girls.

Inari is a female name. Not used on boys.

timoteigirl · 29/12/2022 17:56

You asked for our opinions on the name so many of us knew it is a location in Lapland. Sorry not aware it is a Danish princess's middle name. Other sibling suggestions here worthstart.com/inuit-names/

pairofrollerskates · 29/12/2022 17:51

I'd assume it was a boy name

Pawtucketbrew · 29/12/2022 17:42

I think it means needle or sewing doesn't it? I know a Greenlandic Inuit lady called this. Note that often Inuit are named after ancestors and a lot of thought goes in to choosing a name that fits. I'm not sure it would be offensive to an Inuit that you used that name but I would probably research the language and meaning of the name a bit more first. Personally I find it an odd choice for someone with no connection to the culture or people.

TangledWebofMincemeatDeception · 29/12/2022 17:39

I like it. But I'm Danish.

It's likely that many people will assume it's a masculine name.

whatausername · 29/12/2022 17:36

What's the correct pronunciation?

whatausername · 29/12/2022 17:35

Why go to the effort of finding an extremely unusual name (for those outside of Greenland) only to contrive and use a different name. Make up your mind.

Enko · 29/12/2022 17:29

timoteigirl · 29/12/2022 16:45

Ivalo is a location in Lapland, not used as a person's name. However, Inari - also a location in Finish Lapland - is used as a boy's name. Other Lapland locations used as names are Saana and Malla for girls.

Ivalu is a Greenlandic Inuit feminine given name meaning "tendon, thread, sinew." It was among the 10 most popular names given to girls born in Greenland during the past decade. Ivalo is a Danish variant.

Like I said above it is the name of one of the Danish Princesses Princess Josephine of Denmark, Countess of Monpezat[1] (Josephine Sophia Ivalo Mathilda; born 8 January 2011)

timoteigirl · 29/12/2022 16:45

Ivalo is a location in Lapland, not used as a person's name. However, Inari - also a location in Finish Lapland - is used as a boy's name. Other Lapland locations used as names are Saana and Malla for girls.

MeanderingGently · 29/12/2022 16:41

Beautiful name, but I know it as a Finnish name, it's a place in Finland high above the Arctic circle. It has wonderful associations for me of the most extraordinary winter I spent in the country some years ago, like living in another world....

Saucery · 29/12/2022 16:29

I like it but prefer Iva.

Kanaloa · 29/12/2022 16:29

It’s ok. I would think it’s a bit daft to choose a specific name from your culture then try to tell people her name is Lola.

winonarose · 29/12/2022 16:28

It's an ok name but a bit try-hard IMO. I also personally dislike names with the sound of "low" in them. But the choice is yours, of course :)

Enko · 29/12/2022 15:59

I really like it. It's the middle name of one of the Danish princesses.

I dont think it is likely to cause issues and yes you could ,hose nicknames but Ivalo is so pretty in its own right.

MerryChristmasTree · 29/12/2022 15:05

I thought it was a boys name when I read it.

Comedycook · 29/12/2022 13:43

Like the pp, I also thought when I saw the thread title, that it was a boy's name.

HeatAndEat · 29/12/2022 13:43

It's a place in Finish Lapland.

kindlyensure · 29/12/2022 13:42

Isn't Ivalo an airport in Finland?

(However, Ivo is sweet for a boy and Iva is nice for a girl)