Page 2 | Iona | Mumsnet

yourbowloficecreamislookingatme · 2023-08-07T13:48:34+00:00

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.

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

LostBiro · 07/08/2023 18:48

Iona is pretty but as someone said above, you have to be careful if your surname could also be a noun, eg Iona Carr, Iona Bridge, Iona Castle etc...you get the idea!

LadinLee · 07/08/2023 18:42

Honestly, go for Iona. Beautiful name.
Lots of people choose Irish and French names like Niamh or Elise with no connection. Why not Scottish

continentallentil · 07/08/2023 18:12

Iona has a long and important history in the UK as a centre of Christianity, which long predates the existence of England and Scotland. I don’t think whether you are religious or not matters either, it’s part of British culture.

But if you are set against it the obvious alternative is Ione (Eye-oh-nee)

I like Diana, I also like Susannah but the possibility of Susie might put me off.

Claudia
Serena
Adela
Cassia
Carina
Yolanda
Marina
Cliona
Francesca
Joanna
Philippa
Sabrina
Saskia
Miranda
Celia

Stella
Hera
Aphra
Honor
Esther
Aster
Thora
Laura
Flora

Lois
Ines
Jocelyn
Merryn
Frances

Verity
Ianthe
Ismene
Meredith
Caroline
Marguerite
Marianne

Allthebears · 07/08/2023 17:52

I think it's fine.
I also like Ione, which is greek in origin (I-own-ee).

uncomfortablydumb53 · 07/08/2023 17:48

I love Iona and I don't think you need to be Scottish at all
I know a Seona in the SW

KirstenBlest · 07/08/2023 17:47

@Friggingfrog , like 'I own a' Eye-ow-na.
I know lots of welsh Ionas all say it as Yonnah

Iona Abbey - Wikipedia

User6761 · 07/08/2023 17:41

Having said that I know several non-religious families (in Scotland) who have used the name.

User6761 · 07/08/2023 17:40

babysharkdoodoodedoodedoo · 07/08/2023 17:03

Can I ask why you’d assume a Christian family? (Not being confrontational - I love the name Iona and am a Christian 😁 Just didn’t know the name had strong Christian connotation? If so that’s a positive for me and would put it higher on my baby name list!)

Show quote history

Very strong Christian associations.

Iona had a huge influence on the establishment of Christianity in Scotland, England and throughout mainland Europe.
St Columbia built his first Celtic church and established a monastic community on the island. Iona became a place of pilgrimage.

midsomermurderess · 07/08/2023 17:21

Eye own a. The island.

Friggingfrog · 07/08/2023 17:05

How are you pronouncing it? In welsh it’s pronounced yonna which is how I would say it. Is it like eye onna?

babysharkdoodoodedoodedoo · 07/08/2023 17:04

FWIW the Iona I know is British/South African.

babysharkdoodoodedoodedoo · 07/08/2023 17:03

Peony654 · 07/08/2023 14:51

I don’t think you need to Scottish but I’d assume you were a Christian family.what about Isla? Helena is lovely too.

Can I ask why you’d assume a Christian family? (Not being confrontational - I love the name Iona and am a Christian 😁 Just didn’t know the name had strong Christian connotation? If so that’s a positive for me and would put it higher on my baby name list!)

User6761 · 07/08/2023 16:26

Isla, derived from the Scottish island Islay (which is pronounced Isla), is one of the most popular names in England. I really wouldn't let your lack of Scottishness put you off using Iona (or any other Scottish name!). Iona is lovely. You might also like Ailsa.

toastofthetown · 07/08/2023 16:09

I don’t think an Iona has to be Scottish. I know two English Ionas which is probably informing my view though.

Ione is sonically similar. Frances, Cecilia, Georgina, Marina, Rosalind, Tess and Vita fit well with other names on your list. I love the name Diana.

brokenlore · 07/08/2023 16:04

It's a pretty name, but depends on your last name.

loislovesstewie · 07/08/2023 16:01

I knew a lovely young woman from Chile who was called Iona, I've thought it was a sweet name since just because I liked her.
And I wouldn't call a child Cohen because I think that is disrespectful. I think I'm right that it means priest and is an hereditary title?

GeezerLickerLouisaKnicker · 07/08/2023 15:40

RightOnTheEdge · 07/08/2023 15:29

but you certainly couldn't call it offensive in the same way that calling a child Cohen would be.
Sorry if its a stupid question, but why would Cohen be offensive?
I'm just curious because someone I know has a son called Cohen.

In Judaism, Cohen is more of a religious title than a name. It is passed down through the father's line and historically has been added onto a person's given name, rather than being used as a standalone surname... but in more recent times, Jews in certain countries were forced to adopt fixed surnames, and Cohen was sometimes used in this way. But traditionally, it has always been a title rather than a name.

MissHavershamReturns · 07/08/2023 15:39

lovely name! Go for Iona!

midsomermurderess · 07/08/2023 15:37

I agree that you so t have to be Scottish to use Iona. I think it’s lovely, as is the place, pretty and serene.

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.

boldofyoutosway · 07/08/2023 15:32

Names somewhat similar to Iona:
Anna
Fiona
Iyanna
Viola
Mona
Leona
Catrina

Haven't checked if they're English or not but I mean if you want a really English name you'll have to go for something like Agatha.

I went to college with a few Nigerian-Brits and a few of them has quite 1950s English names like Patricia and I thought it was endearing.

Mrstwiddle · 07/08/2023 15:31

I prefer Iola and it's less Scottish possibly?

RightOnTheEdge · 07/08/2023 15:29

but you certainly couldn't call it offensive in the same way that calling a child Cohen would be.
Sorry if its a stupid question, but why would Cohen be offensive?
I'm just curious because someone I know has a son called Cohen.

LilyLemonade · 07/08/2023 15:28

I definitely would not think you have to be Scottish to use Iona. It’s a lovely name.

I also like all your other options - Helena most of all.

What about
Io
Iseult
Miranda
Livia

WhereisWallandurr · 07/08/2023 15:26

Skype and Bonnie seem a million miles away from Iona. I don't think OP is actively looking for Scottish names, quite the opposite it seems.