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Angus and Innes -too similar?

59 replies

Thinkingof4 · 02/03/2013 21:46

hi
I have 3 ds and am pg with dc4. Don't know if this is also a boy but suspect it may be! All our boys have scottish names (we are Scottish) and we need another similar type of name. Ds2 is Angus and one boys name we really like is Innes. Just wondering if people think this is too similar sounding? Thanks in advance for any opinions Smile

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Thinkingof4 · 04/03/2013 14:15

ohbugger I think Innes is from gaelic for island so not the same name, but I may be wrong!
We do already have a Hamish, which is now making me think we have too many ''s" sounds with angus/hamish/Innes?
Maybe I'm overthinking things!! Confused

I know Innes/Inez is Spanish girls name, and can be a girls name in scotland is is definitely predominantly a boys name here so I'm not too worried about that.

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FellNel · 04/03/2013 14:18

Similar, yes, but not too much so. I have heard much clumsier pairings! I give you Ewan and Owen, and Melanie and Emily. Confused

They are both lovely names by the way.

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Gilbertwasthebestcat · 04/03/2013 14:20

I think Innes is Gaelic for Angus. I have an Angus and was told this by an old lady from the Highlands. What about Gregor or Douglas?

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BabsAndTheRu · 04/03/2013 14:21

Love the name Innes, definitely a boys name here in Scotland. We have a Ruairidh, a Ross and a Mairi. If Mairi had been a boy she would have been Rhoddy.

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OhBuggerandArse · 04/03/2013 14:35

No, island is 'Inis'. Innes is taken from the genitive case of Aonghas, which you can see in the 'surname' form, MacAonghais, or 'MacInnes' in English.

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GlaikitFizzog · 04/03/2013 14:43

I think you might be over thinking.

Think of it like 3 sisters all ending in a Clara, alicia, Amelia? Or Lisa Laura Paula.

Hamish Angus and Innes all end differently, ish us, es.

Babs, love mairi! Good choice!

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GlaikitFizzog · 04/03/2013 14:45

OhBugger, I understand what you are saying, but in realiity how many people actually know that? I really don't think it's a reason to not use both names.

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itsallyourownfault · 04/03/2013 14:49

Both lovely. I love Scottish names. Great choices!

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BabsAndTheRu · 04/03/2013 15:15

Thanks Glaikitfizzog

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Ginebra · 04/03/2013 16:34

Yes they are too similar. I can't believe people are telling you it's fine.

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DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 04/03/2013 16:45

I would have more of a problem with Cameron and Callum in the same family.

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Whyriskit · 04/03/2013 19:45

Don't think they are too similar.
Innes is my current choice for DC3 if it's a boy - finding it interesting that the non-Scots on here think it could be a girl's name, that wouldn't have occurred to me.
I currently have two Scottish named DSs and as well as Innes on my list, I also have Campbell, William and Murdo.

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Thinkingof4 · 04/03/2013 21:21

ohbugger ok then, I don't speak any Gaelic (as you will have guessed!), I don't know if many non Gaelic speakers would know, so maybe not a problem unless we move somewhere further north and west like Hebrides!

whyriskit Campbell and murdo are still on our list too! I love Campbell but dh not so keen. Murdo is a really 'strong' name so might only use if I have a real bruiser!

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GlaikitFizzog · 04/03/2013 21:25

Can I throw Struan, Ramsey, Gregor and Fraser into the mix!?

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BabsAndTheRu · 04/03/2013 22:36

Struan and Murdo were some of the names on my list for DS1. Fraser is DP's name. Great minds think alike and all that. I liked Campbell but couldn't do it because Glencoe.

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ShepherdsSpy · 04/03/2013 23:49

Donald
Murdo
Magnus
Finlay
Torrin

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Offcolour · 05/03/2013 06:50

I have a Struan!

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Whyriskit · 05/03/2013 08:21

Babs - Campbell's my maiden name, hadn't thought about massacre connotations, hmmm.

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BabsAndTheRu · 05/03/2013 12:38

Ridiculous really, just being superstitious. I still think Campbell is a lovely name though.

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LindaMcCartneySausage · 05/03/2013 12:55

I love the name Innes. I don't think it's too similar to Angus.

I would love to use Innes for DC2 if it's a boy, but DH vetoed the name on the same grounds as others have said here. One of his friends has a a DD called Ines (French mother) and we live down south for now. In Scotland, I wouldn't hesitate to use it. Definitely a boys name.

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LindaMcCartneySausage · 05/03/2013 12:57

Baba - are you a MacDonald? Grin

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FoxyRevenger · 05/03/2013 13:00

We have an Innes, people always compliment us on it too. I have to say, I don't think it and Angus are similar, they go together really well though.

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EuphemiaLennox · 05/03/2013 13:05

How do you say Innes?
They way I'm saying it in my head, they are too similar.

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GlaikitFizzog · 05/03/2013 13:16

In-iss to rhyme with kiss
Angus to rhyme with fuss

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EuphemiaLennox · 05/03/2013 13:28

Ah, well then yes I do think they're too similar.

People will constantly mishear which one you are referring too, they'll just hear the 'ss' sound on the end and you'll have to repeat 'no Angus, not Innes'.

The stress on the name is in the same place, the initial sounds are not distinct from one. Another and they end in non distinguishable sounds unless you listen or speak very clearly. Could get quite annoying.

I have a brother and DH with similar sounding names and it is faff, clarifying who you're talking about, at times.

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