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Baby names

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

Original poster

Eoin or Billy for baby boy?

82 replies

PreggersWithBaby2 · 03/08/2024 10:20

Torn between Eoin or Billy. Which would you choose? I feel like Billy is growing in popularity which is turning me off slightly.

For some background, both names have been chosen in memory of family members. We have a daughter who has a dreaded name on mumsnet - a "shortened" name 😱😱😱 like Billy, so those style of names don't bother us and we won't be using William!

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Calliopespa · 12/08/2024 13:18

PreggersWithBaby2 · 12/08/2024 12:35

@Jessieshome I so agree about the pronunciation thing. It is not very often you read someone's name before meeting them, and in the situations it happens (doctors, school...) surely you just correct the person and move on. We are actually having a dispute on the spelling for Eoin so that's why we are currently leaning more towards Billy.

That’s true. But I’m liking Billy as written I do think Eoin looks a bit like “Eeeyoooin” which makes me think of Eyore ( the donkey)

Original poster
PreggersWithBaby2 · 12/08/2024 12:35

@Jessieshome I so agree about the pronunciation thing. It is not very often you read someone's name before meeting them, and in the situations it happens (doctors, school...) surely you just correct the person and move on. We are actually having a dispute on the spelling for Eoin so that's why we are currently leaning more towards Billy.

OP posts:
fourelementary · 12/08/2024 12:34

MercyChant66 · 03/08/2024 15:30

In Scotland, the Eoin that I know is pronounced 'Ian'

Me too!!

Jessieshome · 12/08/2024 12:31

PreggersWithBaby2 · 04/08/2024 16:48

I still think Billy is nice too 🤣 the other spelling I had for Eoin was Eoghan (I'm Irish) but seeing as Eoin posed pronunciation problems I don't think the spelling Eoghan will make it any easier 🤣

The Eoghan spelling makes it easier for me to pronounce it correctly. I had no idea how Eoin should be pronounced, as I've never seen it before and have not spent much time in Ireland or know many Irish people. I might have attempted something like Yoyan, knowing I was probably wrong! Sorry!

There's nothing wrong with having a name people can't initially pronounce properly, my maiden name was a nightmare but most decent people are interested, ask, learn and remember, the only irritating moments will be with strangers, but again just correct them, it's no big deal! I don't know why Mumsnet has such an issue with it, encouraging people to give up names they love just because some people may initially have to be taught how to pronounce it.

Both of your choices are lovely.

VeryStressedMum · 12/08/2024 09:13

WickieRoy · 03/08/2024 10:33

I'm in NI and quite enjoying the idea of choosing between an Irish name and Billy. 🤣

I like Eoin better myself. Billy is fine though.

😂

Moreteaandchocolate · 12/08/2024 09:04

PreggersWithBaby2 · 11/08/2024 19:24

We are leaning more towards Billy if anyone wanted an update.

Billy is a lovely name! Thanks for the update 😊

Original poster
PreggersWithBaby2 · 11/08/2024 19:24

We are leaning more towards Billy if anyone wanted an update.

OP posts:
Piggywaspushed · 11/08/2024 19:15

I thought the Billy/ Eoin dichotomy too!

However, there is always Billy Connolly, who is:

a) a Catholic Billy
b) a really old Billy
c) a legend

HoratioNightboy · 11/08/2024 19:04

Thanks to all the Scots on this thread saying it's pronounced like Ian in Scotland. I had assumed that without a fada or strac they would all be pronounced the Irish way rather than the Gaelic way, but it looks like a whole new pronunciation as evolved!

Apileofballyhoo · 05/08/2024 13:07

I knew 2 Bills, 1 Billy and 1 Billy/Bill all in the southwest so it's common enough in the southern part of the country. Came across a Willy Power once... It's a common enough name in families with Anglo Norman surnames, along with Richard. Funny how both have shortenings meaning something else!

Original poster
PreggersWithBaby2 · 05/08/2024 12:28

I think first names should be something the parents love the sound of in its own right

Totally agree with this which is how we've narrowed it down to these two names. Both of us love other names that the other has vetoed!

OP posts:
IamnotwhouthinkIam · 05/08/2024 11:25

PreggersWithBaby2 · 05/08/2024 00:30

I like the idea of naming after people close to our hearts which is how we narrowed it down to Eoin or Billy.

I definitely love the idea of naming DC after people close to you, but imo it’s better in the middle name spot (you could even use both Billy and Eoin as lots of people have two middle names). I think first names should be something the parents love the sound of in its own right -if it happens to also be the name of a long deceased relative or something then that’s a bonus but I think it’s nice to give a first name that primarily makes you think of DC first.

DaffodilDora · 05/08/2024 10:42

WickieRoy · 05/08/2024 08:29

She's Irish. Billy wouldn't be as contentious south of the border.

Show quote history

I agree.
I'm in the south and know a good few Billys.
A lot more Liams though.

WickieRoy · 05/08/2024 08:29

Noodlehen · 05/08/2024 00:48

I thought the same. A super Irish name, or a super English one as two options seems weird. Assume OP is British?

Show quote history

She's Irish. Billy wouldn't be as contentious south of the border.

Apileofballyhoo · 05/08/2024 00:53

Eoghan is Own and Eoin is Owen, OP. Two different if similar sounding names. One is an Irish form of John (Naomh Eoin Baiste is the Irish for St John the Baptist) and the other is something to do with yew trees.

Noodlehen · 05/08/2024 00:48

WickieRoy · 03/08/2024 10:33

I'm in NI and quite enjoying the idea of choosing between an Irish name and Billy. 🤣

I like Eoin better myself. Billy is fine though.

I thought the same. A super Irish name, or a super English one as two options seems weird. Assume OP is British?

Starlightstarbright3 · 05/08/2024 00:47

if you are in England , Scotland or wales consider Owen as an alternative .

i also expected it to be Ian .

Ohmydreams · 05/08/2024 00:39

WickieRoy · 03/08/2024 10:33

I'm in NI and quite enjoying the idea of choosing between an Irish name and Billy. 🤣

I like Eoin better myself. Billy is fine though.

Opened this for the exact reason lol. So funny as in n.ireland thus question would literally never be asked.

For context Billy would remind us on king Billy,which a Catholic wouldn't use and Eoin is irish and a protestant wouldn't use...obviously there is exceptions to this but none the less that's a basic explanation

Notthatcatagain · 05/08/2024 00:36

GoldenPombear · 03/08/2024 15:41

My friend Billy had a 10 ft willy...

And he showed it to the girl next door

Original poster
PreggersWithBaby2 · 05/08/2024 00:30

I like the idea of naming after people close to our hearts which is how we narrowed it down to Eoin or Billy.

OP posts:
Original poster
PreggersWithBaby2 · 05/08/2024 00:28

Bigearringsbigsmile · 04/08/2024 19:59

Neither name is great.
Have you any alternatives?

No but thanks for your input 👍

OP posts:
IamnotwhouthinkIam · 04/08/2024 22:33

Voted Eoin despite potential pronunciation issues outside Ireland, as I think most people would assume Billy was actually William on the BC and he might find that annoying when older (like many others I do love timeless William with the nn Billy though! 🤣) I just don’t think Billy is like Liam or even Jack, Max etc yet, ie. popular enough in its own right that people will forget the name it originated from.

Bigearringsbigsmile · 04/08/2024 19:59

Neither name is great.
Have you any alternatives?

JazzTheDog · 04/08/2024 19:54

FayCarew · 03/08/2024 13:21

I know how to say Eoin but only because I asked, and I was quite surprised as I has expected it to be 'Ewan' or 'Ian'.

Billy might get called William.

I like both but would put William Eoin on the BC.

If your DC is something like Evie, Teddy or Reggie, then I'd put Billy on the BC.

Edited

My only knowledge of Eoin is ex Aberdeen player Eoin (Ian) Jess so I voted Eoin thinking that Ian isn't used much now 😂

RuthW · 04/08/2024 19:36

Billy is awful, so Eoin.