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Baby names

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Original poster

Tierney?

39 replies

lena522 · 08/08/2009 18:17

I absolutely love this name for a girl, but I'm unsure on the spelling. I'm not keen on the 'er' part as I don't think it looks very nice on paper and could lead to people emphasising that part and saying tee-ERNIE which I really don't like.

I was considering spelling it Tianey, with Tia as a nn, and I've also seen it spelt Tianie, but I'm a bit unsure as I've heard it can be a boys' name? I spotted it on a baby name website as a girls' name though.

Any opinons, suggestions or advice appreciated!

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littlemissm · 10/09/2009 14:19

i know a lil girl with this name

GrapefruitMoon · 09/09/2009 17:43

There is an Irish name Tiernan which is similar (and is an actual first name rather than surname used as first name). Think it is related to the surname Tierney and pronounced teer-nan. Afaik it is a boys name but as it's not used much outside Ireland that probably doesn't matter...

Original poster
lena522 · 09/09/2009 17:22

ok thanks for the replies everyone

monniemae- I'm sure of the pronunciation just not the spelling. There is a family connection to Ireland and an Irish surname which is why I'm keen to use an Irish first name too

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SingingBear · 09/09/2009 16:40

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GreensleevesFlouncedLikeAKnob · 09/09/2009 16:37

I know a little girl called Thierry

monniemae · 09/09/2009 16:35

My surname is Tierney, there are a hell of a lot of Tierney families around even in the UK - it's pronounced Tear-knee (or, by English people unfamiliar with Irish words, Turn-ey, or Tierre-knee at first try). The only time I've heard of it as a first name is in America, for example the artist/photographer Tierney Gearon. I'm not a hater of unusual or renegade names but maybe if you're not 100% sure of the spelling or pronunciation - indeed if there's no cultural/familial connection to Ireland - it might seem a bit weird. Then again, if it helps people get their head round pronouncing/spelling my surname...x

mathanxiety · 17/08/2009 01:06

Please don't call anyone Peony. The temptation presented by the Pee sound would be way too much... Yes Tierney is an Irish surname. I have to say, using surnames as first names strikes me as very American. Tierney as a first name reminds me of Courtney and Whitney and Britney. I know a Kiernan, two Griffins (one b, one g), boatloads of Kellys (bs and gs). Even a Murphy. Not to mention one each McKenzie and McKenna, and several Kyles. Why no Moriartys? That being said, most Irish surnames were originally first names because they refer to a father or grandfather who had that first name, back inthe days before surnames became fixed -- hence O' and Mac or Mc. So what goes around comes around? I like Christina or Christiana, both lovely.

MummyToucan · 16/08/2009 22:28

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GrendelsMum · 10/08/2009 11:54

Tierney is my (Irish) friend's name, and I've always loved it. She doesn't pronounce it Tear-ney, but TEA-uh-ni, slightly to rhyme with peony.

I think it's due for a swift rise in popularity - it's so pretty and unusual, without being girlie or trying too hard.

tiredemma · 10/08/2009 07:49

Lena- They spell it exactly as you have spelt it.

audley · 09/08/2009 21:42

I know a Ti'anna said Tee Anna not Tee Ah Na

stleger · 09/08/2009 18:36

What about Catriona shortened to Triona (I think there was a thread on how to pronounce this as Irish pronunciation varies wildly across the island). Or Cliona which I think has alternative spellings to complicate matters?

maryz · 09/08/2009 18:28

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
lena522 · 09/08/2009 18:23

Not very positive feedback overall then lol

tiredemma- is it spelt Tierney or an alternative? x

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pranma · 09/08/2009 18:23

I had a friend named Theonie

AitchTwoOh · 09/08/2009 17:54

lol stleger. i mean no harm to anyone whose surname is tierney, it's just not one that you'd automatically think would make a good first name. mind you, on balance i think that's my objection, i'm not a fan of the surname/forename thing.

tiredemma · 09/08/2009 17:46

Its my nieces name (she is 5)

stleger · 09/08/2009 17:31

It is my nextdoor's surname. They are very nice indeed!

AitchTwoOh · 09/08/2009 17:26

christiana is lovely, tierney is an irish surname and not that nice.

franklymydear · 09/08/2009 17:14

sounds like the surname of a football player

Disenchanted3 · 09/08/2009 17:12

Surname, I knew a horrid family with that name.

Original poster
lena522 · 09/08/2009 17:11

Just had another thought- it didn't come to me at first but Christiana sounds like Christiano, as in Ronaldo, which puts me off a bit...

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Original poster
lena522 · 09/08/2009 13:02

That's something to think about as I was going to use Christina/Kristina as a middle name after my mum, but a variation as a first name isn't a bad idea. Thanks

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nappyaddict · 09/08/2009 12:58

Or how about Christiana and Tiana for short?

Original poster
lena522 · 09/08/2009 12:55

Oh ok thanks nappyaddict...in fact I think i prefer the pronunciation Tee-arna to Te-anna.

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