Fionnuala?

[parmo]

We're expecting DC3 (already have 2 DSs) and as DH is Irish we were thinking of using an Irish name. Top of our list for a DD is Fionnuala but it's had mixed reviews from family and friends? What do you think and would it be spellable/prenouncable for a child growing up in England?

No, its not pretentious at all (what a ridiculous comment) - its a much loved perfectly normal Irish name.

I really hope it isn't seen as pretentious. Although this DC will be growing up in a generation of Beatrices, Matildas and Florences so would Fionnuala really stand out?

i'm from a country that's had basically no Irish immigration at all. i have never been to Ireland and i don't have any Irish friends that i can think of.

but i know exactly how to pronounce Fionnuala.

i'm really surprised that so many people have said they can't!! isn't it a classic Irish name? it's like Catriona or Siobhan surely, everyone knows the prn?

i think it's lovely and i'm shocked that so many people seem unsure of it! and it's not pretentious at all.

I know a small Fionnuala and AFAIK it causes no problems. It is an unusual name, but no harder to say than Niamh, Aoife or other Irish names (easier actually, as it's more or less as written. They nn her "Nula" hich is sweet.

It's only pretentious to someone who hasn't got a clue about anything Irish names.

I know a Fionnuala, am now very good friends with her - but she was the first one I'd ever met, and I'd heard the name pronounced before I saw it spelt. It's a lovely name. She goes by the shortening Fion (Fin).

Lovely -- classic Irish name that is as nice for a child as an older woman.

People will get used to the spelling.

people are so weird about Irish names on here.

It's lovely. I have to confess as someone with no links to Ireland/exposure to Irish names I wouldn't know how to pronounce it straight off, but now I know it's easy & I like it.

So the general consensus is that once told, people will soon get to grips with spelling/pronounciation?

So the general consensus is that once told, people will soon get to grips with spelling/pronounciation?

yes.. (apart from if your my mum but she is a chapter of her own )

go for it it is beautiful

People learn. Who knew how to pronounce Saoirse two years ago? I didn't know how to pronounce Grainne or Siobhan ten years ago. My aunt (50) is called Mhairi. when she was at school no-one knew how to say it. Now eveyone knows. well, in Scotland they do. Fionnuala is lovely.

I know a 6-year-old Fionnuala and I love it :) (they're an Irish family too!). Gorgeous choice!

Love Fionnuala - classic, feminine and with lots of lovely nickname options. People learn very quickly how to pronounce a name. I too had no idea how to pronounce Niamh or Siobhan but once told, I will always remember. Lovely underused name imo.

Honestly... when I saw the title of the post I thought it was a joke. But I'm ignorant and don't know any Fionnualas so don't listen to anything I say!!

Having read the pronunciation posts I like the sound of it.

It's not ignorant at all - I hadn't heard the name before I met DH!

Its lovely (tho im irish with an Irish nane and my DS also has a v irish name so maybe im.a bit biased!)

I can tell u tho that as a woman with an irish name who has lived and travelled outside of ireland, yes people will sometimes pronounce or spell it wrong but theres far stranger names out there, it has a lovely meaning and Fin is a cute nickname her friends can call her

I know a Finola, said exactly the same way but spelt differently, beautiful name

I love it its a lovely name and so what if other people dont like it/cant pronounce it you can always tell them! There are lots of irish names under that context I think like Saoirse and Niamh. I like them too! Oh to be Irish and have an interesting and pretty but also unpronouncable and difficult to spell name. Sigh. By the way Im Welsh but all the people I know with welsh names have them shortened anyway to something more pronouncable by the non-welsh speakers (the majority where I live inc me a bit ) so maybe be prepared for that?

I think it will be a constant burden to her tbh, if she's living outside of Ireland. I have no idea how to pronounce Irish names in general so would probably think it was Fee-on-yew-ar-la, which sounds ridiculous. I'd steer clear and go for something more well known outside Ireland.

My friend had a daughter called Niamh about 15 years ago and mostly got called Ny-am. Now, although most people have heard of her name, many spell it Neve. So you can't win!

So far DS2 normally gets asked how to say his name and then people are fine with it, but I think with having a shorter name it's easier for people to learn his than Fionnuala will be.

I'm really torn, on one hand I think people will get used to it but on the other I don't want her to be burdoned

Boys names are so much simpler!

I love it. Nuala is an excellent nickname too.

how is it pretentious?

it's not OP, it's lovely.

my ds has a very rare irish name and once told people know how to pronounce it and spell it. it's not an issue.

IAmBoo, DS2 is Sé so we're used to mispronunciation/spelling but figured it was easier than Fionnuala as it is so short. I'm probably worrying over nothing as I do regret the spelling of DS's name.

my cousin is Sé (he is my uncle's sixth child so tehre is reason behind the spelling). i love that way of spelling it.

Truely lovely name I say. Go with your gut.