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Baby names

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

Original poster

May McManus

111 replies

Evmamai · 13/02/2025 18:28

Hi all, I posted before but looking to know thoughts on this.

We have a toddler named Eve and are expecting baby girl 2. We love the name May it’s our favourite name but our surname is McManus and we are worried it doesn’t flow.

Thoughts on May McManus?

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bungobungobungo · 13/02/2025 20:01

YourWinter · 13/02/2025 19:52

No… M M M is too much, reminds me of the wrestler Mick McManus!

I was thinking that too. My parents used to go to watch him in the Kelvin Hall!

Getuptherenow · 13/02/2025 20:01

In Ireland we pronounce mc as mac because that's where it comes from. Mac means 'son of' in Gaelic. The name is son of Manus. Also, how else would you pronounce May other than it rhyming with day? Some of the pronunciation stuff on mumsnet is bizarre.

HotCrossBunplease · 13/02/2025 19:58

Whoarethoseguys · 13/02/2025 19:50

I am English and pronounce it to rhyme with, day. i haven't heard any other pronunciation of it. How else is it pronounced?

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Well, yes, I rhyme it with all the same words you rhyme it with. But my vowel is different to yours!

Listen to the Nicola Sturgeon in the video I posted. Imagine her saying “the rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain”. (Which is the same “a” sound as May). Now say it yourself.

IHateWasps · 13/02/2025 19:54

Whoarethoseguys · 13/02/2025 19:50

I am English and pronounce it to rhyme with, day. i haven't heard any other pronunciation of it. How else is it pronounced?

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I have no idea. I also pronounce it to rhyme with day but now it’s making me question how I pronounce day.

YourWinter · 13/02/2025 19:52

No… M M M is too much, reminds me of the wrestler Mick McManus!

Dithercats · 13/02/2025 19:52

Lovely name use it.
My child's name is an alliteration which rhymes with that name - and we love it.

Whoarethoseguys · 13/02/2025 19:50

IHateWasps · 13/02/2025 19:07

I’m from the Central belt. I’m intrigued to know how English people pronounce it now.

Show quote history

I am English and pronounce it to rhyme with, day. i haven't heard any other pronunciation of it. How else is it pronounced?

BatInATopHat · 13/02/2025 19:49

I think it's a great name and flows nicely. It's cool, yet also 'normal' so stick with your gut instinct

minipie · 13/02/2025 19:46

Too many Ms for me, bit tongue twistery

Isla McManus
Cara McManus
Beth McManus (although not with Elizabeth)
Freya McManus
Rose McManus
Lila McManus

Whoarethoseguys · 13/02/2025 19:45

If you love it then you should use it. I think May McManus sounds sounds perfectly ok.
I don't see any issue with a first and second name starting with the same letter. And McManus isn't a ridiculous name!

Scrabbelator · 13/02/2025 19:42

The 2 names together sound like an old woman's name. With a name like that, I picture someone 70+
Maya Mc Manus, or Maia Mc Manus are very similar but don't sound as old fashioned.

HotCrossBunplease · 13/02/2025 19:40

IHateWasps · 13/02/2025 19:33

I genuinely cannot hear any real difference.

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If I could upload a voice note I’d record me and my English husband saying

“Play away and stay for a day”

Very different vowels.

Jennifershuffles · 13/02/2025 19:39

Love it

Original poster
Evmamai · 13/02/2025 19:37

wizzler · 13/02/2025 19:34

How about Kay as an alternative ?

I think I might sound like the pickiest person on earth right now, but my name starts with the Kay sound and it feels too similar, I think I also like softness of May that Kay doesn’t really have. Also Vernon Kay and Kay Burley come to mind … I’m realising every time I hear a name I picture a very specific person and that really influences how much I like the name 🤣.

OP posts:
leftorrightnow · 13/02/2025 19:35

Sounds like something you’d get teased about

wizzler · 13/02/2025 19:34

How about Kay as an alternative ?

IHateWasps · 13/02/2025 19:33

HotCrossBunplease · 13/02/2025 19:14

Just Google any news report about Theresa May!

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I genuinely cannot hear any real difference.

Original poster
Evmamai · 13/02/2025 19:19

Well if all the Scots here seem to think it’s okay then I’ll take that as a win!

No offence to the English of course!

OP posts:
PolliFlinders · 13/02/2025 19:18

I'm Scottish, and I think it sounds lovely.

HotCrossBunplease · 13/02/2025 19:14

IHateWasps · 13/02/2025 19:07

I’m from the Central belt. I’m intrigued to know how English people pronounce it now.

Show quote history

Just Google any news report about Theresa May!

HotCrossBunplease · 13/02/2025 19:13

Evmamai · 13/02/2025 19:04

We are just north of Glasgow in Stirlingshire but I think how we are saying May is the same as you.

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Highly likely cause I’m from Stirling! 😀

In this video Nicola Sturgeon says “May” at about 2 mins 48 and Jon Snow probably says it the English way at some point for comparison.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music that you love, upload original content and share it all with friends, family and the world on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/2M-kD7Acsy0?si=A9Ym3qvDLDm3t9s0

WitcheryDivine · 13/02/2025 19:11

I think it’s too hard to say. You might hear your full name quite a lot or need to use it a lot depending on job. It looks brill written but just think it’s a mouthful Unfortunately.

Maddy/Madeleine
Margo
magda
Leila has the ay sound

weebarra · 13/02/2025 19:09

I think it's lovely. Also Scottish and absolutely don't think your surname is ridiculous! What a weird thing to say.

IHateWasps · 13/02/2025 19:07

HotCrossBunplease · 13/02/2025 19:01

Well, it obviously depends where you are from in Scotland as there is no one single accent, but the Glaswegian or central belt “a” vowel in “say, stay, play” etc is quite distinct, it’s one of the vowels that my English husband and son enjoy imitating when they take the piss out of my accent. In fact, the word “eh” (meaning, isn’t it?) said in the same way is a very distinct feature of some Scottish dialects. I’ll see if I can find an example on YouTube.

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I’m from the Central belt. I’m intrigued to know how English people pronounce it now.

Theextraordinaryisintheordinary · 13/02/2025 19:06

Maybelle/Mabel