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Baby names

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

Original poster

Aulay?

35 replies

scotte · 28/12/2023 11:42

We're in central Scotland, thinking of baby name for DS2 and came across Aulay (aw-lee, as in MacAulay).

It is a Scottish name meaning "ancestors descendant", which I quite like, but is very uncommon - I've only ever known 1 in person.

I think it's cute for a little boy... not sure if it sounds masculine enough for adulthood? Would appreciate mumsnetters opinions!

DS1 has a well known Scottish name beginning L.

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Original poster
scotte · 28/12/2023 13:18

HuggyWuggy · 28/12/2023 12:19

You may as well call him Macaulay as in Macaulay Culkin - that would make more sense.

Not sure what you mean by it would make more sense?

Aulay is given first name, Macaulay is a surname name which people now give as a first name.

I have a Mac surname so using Macaulay actually makes far less sense.

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Original poster
scotte · 28/12/2023 13:15

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 28/12/2023 12:20

Café

I had to google this to get it 😂

Not the same pronunciation and I doubt anyone in Scotland would read Aulay aloud that way!

OP posts:
LizzieFromTheForest · 28/12/2023 12:57

No.

wineosaurus4 · 28/12/2023 12:31

I'm also a Scot, I do like the vibe and I'm guessing your other son is called Logan, which if so they go nicely I think. Although saying it aloud it just sounds like 'Ollie' which is very popular and will likely be mistaken for that all the time.

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 28/12/2023 12:27

Never heard of it before, but I like it!

You may as well call him Macaulay as in Macaulay Culkin - that would make more sense.

What do you mean by 'make more sense'? Names are a personal choice - they don't need to 'make sense'.

Muu · 28/12/2023 12:23

I’m not in Scotland and I’ve never heard of the name but it sounds lovely. It doesn’t sound cutesy to me at all.

bleuclair · 28/12/2023 12:22

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 28/12/2023 12:20

Café

😀

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 28/12/2023 12:20

Café

HuggyWuggy · 28/12/2023 12:19

You may as well call him Macaulay as in Macaulay Culkin - that would make more sense.

ditalini · 28/12/2023 11:51

How do you feel about people assuming he's called Ollie? In many Scottish accents there won't be a distinction.

If you don't think that'll irritate you then I think it's a nice name.