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Original poster

Would you find this name difficult to pronounce?

80 replies

AladdinOnRepeat · 14/02/2013 10:16

I've got a beautiful 2 week old little boy and have named him Séamus.

When I've texted people to tell them his name I've had texts back asking how to pronounce it and whether I meant 'Shaymus' but had spelt it wrong Hmm and also had someone asking me how sea-mus is.

And alot of people have given me the Hmm face when I've told them his name and a couple of people have just been rude about it.

(Have had some nice comments too)

So, would you be able to read/pronounce/spell his name or have I set him up for a life time of having to correct people?

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StairsInTheNight · 14/02/2013 10:37

DS (5) Has a Seamus in his class, we are in London. I was not aware this is an unusual or tricky name!

Would anyone really spell it Shaymu?s

Original poster
AladdinOnRepeat · 14/02/2013 10:40

I did have a laugh when I was asked if I'd spelt it wrong and did I mean Shaymus! Have also had the comment that its very like seamen.

OP posts:
WankbadgersBreakfast · 14/02/2013 10:41

After Seamus Finnegan in Harry Potter, I'm surprised people have never heard of it. It's an awesome name, congratulations!

BartletForTeamGB · 14/02/2013 10:41

I'm Scottish but live in England and wouldn't have a problem with saying it properly, assuming it is said the same as in Scottish Gaelic. I'd be surprised if people didn't know how to say it properly down here, although Seamus Heaney is the only famous one I can think of right now.

lljkk · 14/02/2013 10:41

I would presume it was Shay-mus.
BUT, I am 99% sure your baby will drop the accent themselves by their teen years, maybe never to reappear.

Kormachameleon · 14/02/2013 10:44

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Allalonenow · 14/02/2013 10:45

Yes I would know how to pronounce it, I am not Irish though I have drunk the odd tot of Jameson whiskey! It is the Irish version of James I think?

WowOoo · 14/02/2013 10:46

Not for me. I've heard it and seen it many times.

Welcome the the world baby Seamus.Smile (sorry can't do the accent on this PC)

MadBusLady · 14/02/2013 10:50

It's one of only a handful of Irish names I would know how to pronounce.

(But I also think you'll have a tough time insisting on the accent.) Smile

PandaOnAPushBike · 14/02/2013 10:51

I wouldn't have a problem with it, but it's my dad's name so I suppose I have a head start.

cortneyfigel95 · 14/02/2013 10:58

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Littlemissmagnet · 14/02/2013 11:03

First congratulations on your new bundle.
I would know ( I'm Irish.)And people coming across it for the first time should try and make an effort not faces. Wouldn't worry what everyone else thinks as long as you and your DH like it.
The reason we have names is to make our little bundles little individuals and the world would be boring if we all had the same sort of name!

Frikadellen · 14/02/2013 11:30

Yes I know how to I am not Irish nor Scottish nor have I ever known a Séamus. I am actually surprised people doesn't know.
I have a Aoife people ask often how to say and spell after a while they get used to it. They will with your Séamus too.

MmeLindor · 14/02/2013 11:37

I would know how to pronounce it, and am surprised that folk wouldn't tbh. Ignore them, and congratulations on the birth of the wee man.

KatherineKrupnik · 14/02/2013 11:38

Lovely name. I would know how to pronounce it & I'm English living in England.

GetOrf · 14/02/2013 11:41

It's a lovely name. I would know how to pronounce it despite not being Irish or having and Irish family. It is one of the very common Irish names isn't it, like Niamh, Siobhan, Sinead, Padraig etc.

GetOrf · 14/02/2013 11:41

I've spelled all those names wrong haven't I. Grin

Original poster
AladdinOnRepeat · 14/02/2013 12:03

Thank you all - I was wobbling about his name but you've made me love it again!

OP posts:
LemonBreeland · 14/02/2013 12:06

It is hardly the most unusual name in the world. I can't believe people think it should be spelt Shaymus

OhThisIsJustGrape · 14/02/2013 12:18

I know how to pronounce it and I'm not Irish.

There are often people that don't know how to pronounce Sean, we have a local hairdressers called 'Shorn by Sean' and its lost on a shocking amount of people who insist on calling it 'Shorn by Seen' Grin

I love Irish names, although the spelling and pronunciation of some does take a while to get your head around so I think you'll always encounter people who don't know how to pronounce your sons name I'm afraid but then that can happen with English names too especially trendy made up names

Congratulations, I think it's lovely :)

SamSmalaidh · 14/02/2013 12:27

It's one of the most commonly used Irish names outside Ireland (along with Siobhan, Sinead, Roisin etc) so am surprised many people struggle with it. Though saying that my cousin is Siobhan and it does give cold callers trouble Grin She's had Sharon, Sabine, Sabrina, Savine Confused

Strix · 14/02/2013 12:29

I would have said See mus... but after being corrected (or reading this thread) I would say shaymus. But, I am American and we pronounce many things the wrong way. Smile

But, if you like the name, go for it.

One of the priveldges of parenthood is choosing the name. No one else really has a say.

MumOfTheMoos · 14/02/2013 12:32

Perfectly easy to pronounce - shaymus. It's a lovely name and absolutely the correct spelling.

Well done you for picking such a great name!

bulletwithbutterflywings · 14/02/2013 12:32

There is a wrestler in WWE called SHamus, it annoys me a LOT! It's not a complicated name!

McKayz · 14/02/2013 12:55

Bullet, he's Sheamus. But it is only a stage name, they didn't think Americans could pronounce Stíofán. (Should stop watching so much wrestling)

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