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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to want to give our baby a Welsh name even though we are not Welsh?

59 replies

stencil · 21/08/2012 21:41

We are thinking of naming our new baby girl Eleri(e) but are wondering if its ok to use such a traditional Welsh name when we are not Welsh and have no Welsh ancestry - or am I worrying unnecessarily? DH thinks its fine.

Also if anyone can help - we're unsure about the spelling and pronunciation. We prefer the spelling Elerie and wondered if this is an accepted spelling in Wales as I've only ever come across Eleri. I also don't know which is the correct pronunciation as it could possibly be pronounced in two different ways.

OP posts:
Redbindy · 21/08/2012 22:55

OP there are plenty of people giving their kids ancient Jewish names like Adam, John and David so your choice of recent Welsh names seems perfectly OK.

WelshMaenad · 21/08/2012 22:56

Not too far from us, complex, we do a lot of walking/camping in the Vale of Neath, it's a stunning part of the world.

QueenOfMuppets · 21/08/2012 22:57

My daughter has a very Welsh name and the first question people ask is where the Welsh heritage comes from (her maternal grandfather in our case) so be prepared to be answer that one lots of times.

Traditional spelling is probably better as using an unusual name with an extra letter on the end would be more confusing?

Though as my mum (who works in a school) often says, so many people have 'interesting' names or 'normal' names with 'interesting' spellings that a huge number of the current generation will be faced with a lifetime of "how do you say/spell that?"- so realistically it probably doesn't matter if you really wanted to spell it differently....

TheSmallClanger · 21/08/2012 23:01

Eleri is a lovely name. YANBU. All names have some sort of origin, there's not reason not to go with a Welsh one, if that's what you like.
I also love Bethan as a name.

SirChrisHoysThighs · 21/08/2012 23:26

YANBU it's a beautiful name.

I have no Irish heritage (DP does, his gran is Irish) but love the name Caoimhe but fully realise no one this side of the water would know how to pronounce it so if we gave a girl that name she would seriously struggle!!

As i'm 100% English back several (around a dozen) generations I really need some 'english' names but the celts and scandiwegians have comandeered all the lovely names so, well, screw that theory!

Shakey1500 · 21/08/2012 23:31

I'm Welsh and think you are definitely being unreasonable. I mean. how dare you choose to call your non-welsh child a traditional Welsh name? It's outrageous!

I'm joking, obviously Grin It matters not a jot, call your child whatever you like!

0lympia · 21/08/2012 23:37

I say do it! I'm Irish though. I've seen people argue on here that there's no such thing as English/Scottish etc, there's only 'british'. so yes you can use a british name.

secretlyahippy · 21/08/2012 23:38

I'm welsh and I think you should definately go with Eleri, infact everyone should give their child a welsh name as they are all utterly beautiful names Grin

Jelly15 · 22/08/2012 09:20

Eleri is a very well known girls name where I live. My DSs and DH have Welsh names.

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