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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Rian for a boy?

32 replies

Preposteroushypothesis · 07/05/2013 22:21

Hello! I am expecting DC2 in August, I have a DD and we also didn't know what sex she would be until she was born and DP and I managed to get through the whole pregnancy without agreeing on a single boys name! I fear
this is happening again so am trying hard to think of some names...

So I think I like Rian, pronounced Ree-an, rather than just an alternative spelling to Ryan. It is a legitimate name just not common but I really dislike 'made up' names and also bizarre spellings and am concerned people will think this comes under one of these categories!

Any thoughts?

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mejon · 07/05/2013 22:27

I'd think you'd mis-spelt Rhian which is a girl's name. Sorry.

ShadowStorm · 07/05/2013 22:29

I would think it was a creative spelling of Ryan.

RiaOverTheRainbow · 07/05/2013 22:30

I'd hear 'Rhian' and think it a very odd name for a boy. That said I think it sounds nice.

SirBoobAlot · 07/05/2013 22:31

Afraid that I would think it was a 'creative spelling' of Ryan. Sorry.

SanityClause · 07/05/2013 22:31

I've never heard of this name. I thought it was a "yoo-neek" spelling of Ryan.

I don't dislike the name, though, but I probably would think it was a made up name if I heard of it in RL.

idiot55 · 07/05/2013 22:33

I immediatly thought it was "ryan"

also I know a few sians, so may have guessed at Ran as pronounciation

tabulahrasa · 07/05/2013 22:33

I know a wee boy called Rian - it's an Irish name isn't it?

I quite like it.

pooka · 07/05/2013 22:33

As others -

either would think is a girl's name (like Rhianne or Rhian)
or
would think is a new way of spelling Ryan (and therefore naff)

cece · 07/05/2013 22:35

I taught a Rian once. (said Ryan). He used to have to explain his name a lot and I secretly think he wished it was spelt Ryan so he wouldn't have to explain it all the time.

TBH I think you would have similar prioblems. Plus it sounds like a girls name.

iwantavuvezela · 07/05/2013 22:37

Theres a well known South African author called Rian Malan. A well known name in those parts.

TallulahBetty · 07/05/2013 22:38

I would assume misspelled Rhian.

Bowlersarm · 07/05/2013 22:38

I would automatically think it was a girls name.

Cailinrua · 07/05/2013 22:42

I live in Ireland and know a Rian. It's just the Irish spelling of Ryan, pronounced the same too.

Original poster
Preposteroushypothesis · 07/05/2013 22:49

Ah! iwantavuvuzela you have actually just answered a question I have had in my head. My DP is from SA and I'm sure I have a memory of meeting a friend of his a few years ago called Rian, DP is away so couldn't ask him but I was wondering if it was perhaps a more common name there...in which case when people questioned me on it I would have a legitimate cultural reason for choosing that name Grin

The thing is I don't really mind correcting people on the pronunciation as long as it is a genuine name (I have an unusual name and have spent my entire life repeating it and spelling it out and it doesn't really bother me because I like the name). I just really hate incorrect or whacky spellings just to be different. Spelling it Rian but meaning Ryan is something I wouldn't do...I'm going to have to ask DP about an SA connection and if not rule it out!

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 07/05/2013 22:55

I'm Scottish and my Gaelic is limited (and also Scottish gaelic not Irish) but as far as I know they're both (rian and ryan) from Righ meaning king - which is pronounced ree... So IMO the pronounciation of Rian is more legitimate than Ryan anyway, lol.

If it is an Irish name? I'd have to google, but I think I'm right.

ImaginaryHat · 07/05/2013 22:59

An old schoolmate of mine has a ds called Rian. I've only ever seen it written down (on Facebook - its not someone who I still see), but I've always assumed it to be pronounced Ree-an.

CupOfTeaSandwiches · 07/05/2013 23:01

Rian is an Irish boys name, pronounced Ree-an. It means something along the lines of "little King".

iwantavuvezela · 07/05/2013 23:06

Yes definately a name in SA, and your pronunciation of it is as I would say it. The author by that name wrote a phenomenal book called my Traitors Heart.

ArabellaBeaumaris · 08/05/2013 06:36

Yeah, I also think of Rian Malan. I would assume a South African heritage. I like it.

wigglesrock · 08/05/2013 06:37

I'd assume it was pronounced Reean to rhyme with Cian.

Bunbaker · 08/05/2013 06:54

It looks like you forgot the B on Brian

Ficidy · 08/05/2013 15:02

It's Irish and pronounced Ree-an and not Ryan, even though it is the Irish for Ryan.

It's a lovely name. I don't like Ryan (too popular here) but I do like Rian!

Slippysnow · 08/05/2013 21:03

I taught a rian he was of Irish and carribean heritage. Lovely and mischievous

EhricLovesTeamQhuay · 08/05/2013 21:37

It's going to sound like you have named him a girl's name tbh.

squoosh · 09/05/2013 15:00

I know a recently born baby boy called Rían (ree-un). It's Irish, the authentic/traditional spelling and pronunciation of Ryan.