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Baby names

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

Original poster

Iona

66 replies

yourbowloficecreamislookingatme · 07/08/2023 14:48

We like Iona but neither of us are Scottish so we don't feel comfortable using it. Can you think of any similar names that might be more fitting for an English girl?

Others we like: Susannah, Helena, Diana, Lucy, Maria.

Any feedback on our list or suggestions welcome.

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faban · 10/08/2023 19:24

I know 2 toddler Ionas. Neither are Scottish but love Scotland

KirstenBlest · 08/08/2023 18:10

The welsh name Iona isn't the same as the name of the island. The welsh one is from the word for January.

RosesAndHellebores · 08/08/2023 18:02

Was in the 60s

IAmKenough · 08/08/2023 16:08

@LylaLee I Own a Macintosh.

LylaLee · 08/08/2023 16:04

RosesAndHellebores · 07/08/2023 19:34

It's fine and as you aren't Scottish your surnames unlikely to be McInstosh. Oh how she suffered.

Googled Iona McIntosh and just got a PhD candidate.

RightOnTheEdge · 08/08/2023 15:58

Thank you for explaining @GeezerLickerLouisaKnicker and @loislovesstewie I dont like being ignorant about things like that.
The woman I know has a little boy with the first name Cohen. She has no religion and I just thought it was a cute name. I wasn't aware of the meaning.

IAmKenough · 08/08/2023 15:04

KirstenBlest · 08/08/2023 14:10

@IAmKenough , those are mainstream names. I'm thinking more of names that are closely linked to a culture or religion. Something like Maqsud or Safiya if you are white British and not muslim, or Matsuri or Itsuki if you have no connection with Japan.

I think iona is much less obscure than those and it's a Scottish name so culturally much more similar. Can't see the difference between an English baby being called Iona or a Scottish baby being called George - no biggie at all.

KirstenBlest · 08/08/2023 14:10

@IAmKenough , those are mainstream names. I'm thinking more of names that are closely linked to a culture or religion. Something like Maqsud or Safiya if you are white British and not muslim, or Matsuri or Itsuki if you have no connection with Japan.

Fivebeanchilli · 07/08/2023 22:29

I love Iona and definitely don't think you need to be Scottish.
How about Ione? (eye-OWE-nee) I think that's lovely.

Mmmmpavlova · 07/08/2023 22:17

The Iona Institute would massively put me off this name I'm afraid.

arlequin · 07/08/2023 22:05

42coats · 07/08/2023 15:36

Has negative connotations for me. The Iona Institute is a right wing catholic organisation in Ireland, anti women, anti choice.

The Iona Community is the total opposite though

JengaNonConfirming · 07/08/2023 21:47

What about Ione?

IAmKenough · 07/08/2023 21:45

KirstenBlest · 07/08/2023 19:53

origins outwith England and no-one cares
I care. It depends on the name, but I find it strange when someone names their child a name from a different culture or religion.

So many names in very common usage have origins outwith uk and have now become completely accepted. Is that a problem?

Francesca?
Sophie?
Erin?
Max?

All common names from abroad?

SoAndSoSaidSo · 07/08/2023 21:08

We love Iona, but could not use if we had a girl. Our surname is just a huge no with it.

Rassy · 07/08/2023 20:01

It's a beautiful name but I'm biased as it is DD's name Wink

KirstenBlest · 07/08/2023 19:53

origins outwith England and no-one cares
I care. It depends on the name, but I find it strange when someone names their child a name from a different culture or religion.

IAmKenough · 07/08/2023 19:42

Use Iona if you like it.

Most of the names suggested on Mumsnet or actually given to babies now have origins outwith England and no-one cares. Go for it, it's a lovely name.

KirstenBlest · 07/08/2023 19:40

Susannah - like, also like Susan but know too many Sues
Helena - prefer Helen
Diana - lovely, a friend's name
Lucy - like but so many L names popular (Lily, Luna., Lyra etc)
Maria - like, also like Mary

Iona needs the surname to be considered.

From your list, Diana stands out.

Figgygal · 07/08/2023 19:38

It's a new p&o cruise ship
It's the first thing that came to mind
I couldn't use it for that

Appleofmyeye2023 · 07/08/2023 19:35

My daughters name was going to be Iona

except I never had a daughter 🤦‍♀️😭

the ds came out ok and aren’t too bad aged 26 and 30
🤣🤣🤣

RosesAndHellebores · 07/08/2023 19:34

It's fine and as you aren't Scottish your surnames unlikely to be McInstosh. Oh how she suffered.

RosaSkye · 07/08/2023 19:29

Love love love Iona and definitely think you should still use it.

I liked Ffion but felt that was too distinctly Welsh for me to use.

alternative suggestions -

Iris
Skye
Ianthe
Imogen
Flora

crazeekat · 07/08/2023 19:25

i'm louise. it's a french/german name depending on what google says that day. no german/french in my family at
all. no one was insulted when i visited those countries.
Go with Iona and while you're at it come to Scotland and see the beautiful
Isle of Iona for yourselves and u will know why it's a pretty name. beautiful place to be named after and no one will
take offence, promise.

Olika · 07/08/2023 19:04

Love Helena

IglesiasPiggl · 07/08/2023 19:00

I went to school with a girl called Iona. English family,Iona was a place of special significance for them, so that's why they gave her the name.