How do you pronounce the name Una?

[Jizzyjeff]

I'd love to get a percentage on how MNers pronounce this name, as I am thinking of using it for our baby daughter. I am especially interested in the pronunciation in the UK.

Yes YABU - Yoona
No YANBU - Oona

I’m not keen on it, not sure why but I’m Scottish and pronounce it ooo nah.

There are 3 scarletts in my sons small school
Not keen. Jasmine is pretty and Amber is lovely too. I’m sure your baby girl will suit whatever lovely name you choose for her. (I have 4 boys so never got to use my girls name)

[quote Puppalicious]@RuthW , where do you live? Is Una also a Scottish Gaelic name with the Yoona pronunciation? In my mind Yoona is simply wrong as it’s an irish name but I never thought of it being Scottish too.[/quote]
@Puppalicious Scottish people who don’t speak Gaelic fairly often give their children Gaelic names and pronounce/spell them completely incorrectly. Mhairi is the most well-known example of that- it is not pronounced “Marry” by Gaelic speakers, it’s “Varry”. Gaelic is much less taught and understood in Scotland that Irish Gaelic is in Ireland.

To add to my last post, I have never heard of Una Stubbs. Someone else has posted she is known to 40+ I think Una Healy would be the point of reference for under 40s and she is an OOna.

From the other names, I like scarlett the best

It’s an Irish name and is pronounced oona in Ireland.
Una

The actor is pronounced Yoona Stubbs.

I know someone called Una , pronounced Oona, I also know a Yuna, both lovely names

Amber, Jasmine and Scarlett are all lovely names too

Just as an FYI - it will also be pronounced as 'Ew-na' by many, especially in parts of Wales.

It's definitely not solely an Oona vs Yoona thing!

The one I know pronounces it Yuna

@WeatheringStorms22

Just as an FYI - it will also be pronounced as 'Ew-na' by many, especially in parts of Wales.

It's definitely not solely an Oona vs Yoona thing!

Ewe- na and Yoona sound the same to me? The female sheep is a Yoo?

@cariadlet

Maybe we should be posting our nationalities and where we live because that could affect your decision.

I said that I had never met a Una in real life, only know of Una Stubbs so would automatically pronounce it Yoona.

I wonder if those posters who do know Unas in RL and have only heard Oona are mostly Irish and/or live in Ireland.

But it’s an Irish name! There is only one correct way to pronounce it. It’s not a matter of ‘Oh, in Ireland they have their own pronunciation.’

It’s Oona. Una is an Irish name and there were quite a few at my school - all pronounced Oona. We also had a Nuala but we all called her Noodles.

Instinctively oonah, but the Stubbs rule cleary indicates that it’s acceptable to pronounce with a Y in England.

I’m Scottish and would say Yoona if I say Una written down. But if someone said it’s Oona then I would remember and say that.
You would have a similar issue with Jasmine as I know children with this spelling pronounced Yasmin as well!
They are all lovely names but sometimes people need a little help in knowing the pronunciation and spelling preferences.

I wasn't meaning that the Irish have their own pronunciation. I totally accept that it's an Irish name (although I didn't know that before reading the Una threads) so understand that Oona is the correct pronunciation.

But I do think that the correct pronunciation may be more familiar to people who live in Ireland, are Irish themselves or know a number of Irish families.

The spelling has long been anglicised and a different pronunciation has emerged. People like me who are not Irish and don't have Irish friends, family or neighbours might only be familiar with the Yoona pronunciation.

@Pollypudding

I’m Scottish and would say Yoona if I say Una written down. But if someone said it’s Oona then I would remember and say that. You would have a similar issue with Jasmine as I know children with this spelling pronounced Yasmin as well! They are all lovely names but sometimes people need a little help in knowing the pronunciation and spelling preferences.

Oh my god are you kidding me 🙈🤣

Jasmine pronounced Yasmine??? Whhhhhhhhyyy

Names change and travel. Petros/Pierre/Pedro/Peter.

I only know one Una and she pronounces it Yuna

Jasmine pronounced Yasmine??? Whhhhhhhhyyy

Because it is a very old name that has developed different pronunciations in different countries.

It's just sod's law that my 2 favourite names have different pronunciations...something I wanted to avoid 🙄

@Jizzyjeff, I like Jasmine but invariably shortened to Jazz. Am not sure about Jazz but you might like it.
I do like Scarlett and Amber ; they are quite dated (90s), but they're still lovely.
You'll find a name !

My sister is called Una. Pronounced Yoo-na.

@Jizzyjeff

It's just sod's law that my 2 favourite names have different pronunciations...something I wanted to avoid 🙄

Choosing your baby name can be a minefield Even when you like the name you have to make sure that the initials don’t spell something rude! Even Scarlett could be spelled with one t I suppose. Amber is lovely but I am biased as my little granddaughter is Amber. Choose the name, spelling and pronunciation you love and avoid arguments about right and wrong- as PPs have said- they are just variations. Just say- this is the way we spell/ say it in our family. Good luck OP.

Thank you Polly!

...and not keen on Jazz, no.

Uuugggghhhh