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Baby names

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

Original poster

Baby boy names Ruairidh

109 replies

Louisaa2020 · 28/08/2024 20:07

Hello, we have found out we are having a baby boy. I love the name Ruairidh but my husband is not so sure due to the spelling. What do you all think? Is it going to be spelled wrongly all the time? Any other name suggestions? We wanted something not too common. We thought about Rory instead but unsure?

Thank you for reading

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Crushedcandy · 28/08/2024 22:18

It’s a lovely name. I know one in Scotland, Ruairi . Irish mum and Scottish dad. Pronunciation isn’t a problem. If you like it then you should go for it. My heart sinks when I see threads asking for advice on baby name choices. It’s never going to end well.

WhoppingBigBackside · 28/08/2024 22:12

@abracadabra1980 , see my post.

abracadabra1980 · 28/08/2024 21:51

No idea even where to begin to pronounce it!

brightyellowflower · 28/08/2024 21:33

Gorgeous name, one of my grandsons is called Rory. But I think you would get that spelling as a default and it might get annoying correcting everyone?

WhoppingBigBackside · 28/08/2024 21:27

WhyIhatebaylissandharding · 28/08/2024 21:22

Much prefer Ruairidh over Rory, much nicer sounding and I wouldn’t worry about having to spell it.

Me neither, because most of the time it won't make a scrap of difference. They'll still get it wrong.

Are you ay eye arr eye dee aitch

Pronounce Ruairidh | NameShouts.com

Thanks for that useful link. My name wasn't on it. Sad

dylexicdementor11 · 28/08/2024 21:23

Talkwhilstyouwalk · 28/08/2024 20:23

As a recruiter I wouldn't have a clue how to pronounce it!

There are many free websites and apps that will help you pronounce names correctly.

www.nameshouts.com/

WhyIhatebaylissandharding · 28/08/2024 21:22

Much prefer Ruairidh over Rory, much nicer sounding and I wouldn’t worry about having to spell it.

AlwaysKindaKnewYoudBeTheDeathOfMe · 28/08/2024 21:16

Rauri??

Cruiso · 28/08/2024 21:14

I know a Rauri

AlwaysKindaKnewYoudBeTheDeathOfMe · 28/08/2024 21:05

I'm in Scotland and know quite a few Ruaridhs and they are all always known as Roo.

If you don't mind that go for it, I really dislike it though.

Mamma283828 · 28/08/2024 21:00

Just to add most people do make the effort the pronounce and write it correctly. It sounds best from his Scottish relatives though. 🙂

Mamma283828 · 28/08/2024 20:59

Stormtrooper45 · 28/08/2024 20:48

I have a Ruairidh and whilst I’m Scottish we don’t live in Scotland at the moment. He gets Roo a lot but to be honest most people get the pronunciation quickly when you explain, Rory with a U works well in our local accent…

We use Rory with a u to explain the pronunciation too. But some teachers he's had have then written it as Rury. 🙄

Pipsquiggle · 28/08/2024 20:58

If he lives anywhere other than Scotland, he will have to spell his name out all the time and tell people how to pronounce it.

I have a weird surname and have to spell it out all the time - hotels, doctors, dentists etc..... it's annoying. Personally, I would keep it simple.

Mamma283828 · 28/08/2024 20:57

OP we have one. 🙂 I love the name so much, I don't mind people misspelling it or mispronouncing it (often awfully). Even in Scotland some checked they pronounced it right. I've gotten used to the slight inconvenience and I am usually prepared to spell it out or explain how to pronounce it. We're expecting another child and I have no qualms about choosing another gaelic name. 😍

I do realise my child might mind the inconvenience so we've given him a traditional middle name that he can use instead if he wishes.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 28/08/2024 20:52

To give you something to think about my DD has Polish roots and we named her Sofia. It should really have been Zofia but I thought it would be too much. She tells me she would’ve really liked Zofia 😂

Original poster
Louisaa2020 · 28/08/2024 20:51

It's said like roo ree but I do see how it looks like it's hard to say and spell, back to the drawing board! Thank you all

OP posts:
HateThese4Leggedbeasts · 28/08/2024 20:50

If you are in England I think it will be constantly mispronounced and misspelled. Sorry. It's a nice name though .

I only know it from a relative called that.

Stormtrooper45 · 28/08/2024 20:48

I have a Ruairidh and whilst I’m Scottish we don’t live in Scotland at the moment. He gets Roo a lot but to be honest most people get the pronunciation quickly when you explain, Rory with a U works well in our local accent…

doubleshift · 28/08/2024 20:48

I have absolutely no idea where to start with saying or spelling that name. Is it common where you live? Never seen anything like it before (Surrey)

grafittiartist · 28/08/2024 20:31

My favourite name- that I wasn't brave enough to use. Love it!
I like the Welsh Rhodri too.

Summertimer · 28/08/2024 20:30

I think I’d probably go with Rory as I think a lot of Irish names are hard to spell. It does sound nice though, unlike Aisling pronounced Ashling or Sadhbd which is something like Sive/Sieve

BrotherUrgh · 28/08/2024 20:28

I think it might be a bit closer to Ruar-ree than Roo-ree, but that might just be my accent. (North Dublin.)

Andoutcomethewolves · 28/08/2024 20:26

Is it like Roo-ree? So kind of like Rory but with a long first syllable?

Apparentlystillchilled · 28/08/2024 20:26

Talkwhilstyouwalk · 28/08/2024 20:23

As a recruiter I wouldn't have a clue how to pronounce it!

The most anglicised way to pronounce it is Rory but there’s actually a slight inflection and it should be like a soft roo-ry. But (as an Irish person living in England), I think insisting on that might be hard for people.

romdowa · 28/08/2024 20:25

BluebirdBoogie · 28/08/2024 20:23

How do you pronounce it?

In irish its roo-ri , might be slightly different in Scottish