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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Having doubts about chosen Boy's Name

83 replies

MsMittens · 27/03/2015 11:57

Hi all,

DH and I had decided on Donnacha (pronounced Done - aka) for DC2. I imagine that nn will be Don or Donny. Our surname is Blair.

We had picked it because we wanted an Irish name that was unusual but not too out there and that people in England (specifically London/Surrey) would be able to pronounce without too much trouble.

For some reason, now 35 wks and I am having doubts. Would be really interested to hear people's views on the name - do you like it?

(p.s. we don't know whether we are expecting a boy or a girl but still love our chosen girl's name)

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maplebaconchips · 27/03/2015 11:59

I really don't like it. Sorry. Unusual and not in a good way.

Original poster

MsMittens · 27/03/2015 12:01

Thanks for the reply maple - looking for straw poll reaction to the name so it is really helpful.

OP posts:

TheWildRumpyPumpus · 27/03/2015 12:03

I don't really like the sound of it - it seems quite harsh to the ears.

I don't think you'll have any problems with people being able to pronounce it - my kids have Polish, Indian, Irish names in their class and don't find any of them 'weird' or unpronounceable.

The actual name though, not my favourite.

Jackieharris · 27/03/2015 12:05

Don't know how to pronounce it.

Either way it doesn't sound nice.

Sorry.

YoSaffBridge · 27/03/2015 12:11

I'd say its one of those names that could have pronunciation problems over the years. Not because the actual pronunciation is difficult, it's just in the Cillian category for me of being easily mispronounced when someone's glancing through a list.

Also if I was have a dense moment, it might not twig that it was a boys name and I might expect them to be a girl (which would be reasonably idiotic but it does depend on how familiar you are with Irish names, I'd say)

cosmicglittergirl · 27/03/2015 12:15

I had to say it a few times to get the feel of it, I've never heard it before. Initially I wasn't sure, but it grew on me. If you like it go for it, however I had my DD2 three weeks ago and her name was chosen until the last minute when I just felt it wasn't right and we chose something else so I know how you feel. I tested my choices out on a few good friends to gauge responses. Donny is a cute nn too.

lemonyone · 27/03/2015 12:16

I'm glad you are rethinking this one.

I'm afraid to me it sounds like a girls name - like Donnatella - but perhaps Polish rather than Irish. Is that a problem to have a boy with a girlish sounding Polish name? probably not but it's just how it sounds to me on first hearing.

I'm also not too keen on Don/Donny because of the Donny from New Kids on the Block vibe, or because of Don Draper from Mad Men - but those are really niche complaints and i might just be a little bit picky on that.

DianeLockhart · 27/03/2015 12:25

Not massively keen. I'm not familiar with it and on first glance I don't think I'd have known if male or female based on the spelling.

It's not awful and would probably grow on me with familiarity but I think there are nicer irish names and easier ones too.

Ludways · 27/03/2015 12:26

I had a name for dd right through pg, had a wobble at about 38 weeks and changed it, wish I'd stuck with my original choice.

IssyStark · 27/03/2015 12:32

Humm, not one I've ever come across (grew up in the North) and I would guess that pronunciation.

However, I think the bigger problem is that your son will be assumed to be a girl as the name ends with an 'a' and looks similar to other girls's names.

IssyStark · 27/03/2015 12:34

Oh, and of course you don't need to decide now.

We were unsure all through the pregnancy about our boy's name for number 2. After he was born we still weren't sure if we could land him with such a mouthful but it was a family name. in the end, after a week of him being unnamed, we decided to go with it, and now he's definitely a Cory/Cornelius.

lemonyone · 27/03/2015 12:36

Ludways - I had a wobble at 40 weeks and changed the name I'd had for my DC.

I'm thrilled I did it. I'd been ignoring a lot of people saying 'yes, it's nice, but it's a serial killer name IMO'.
Now when I hear the nam I feel relief because they were right! It is a serial killer name and I can't think what on earth I was thinking when it was my No1 choice for 40 weeks!

Original poster

MsMittens · 27/03/2015 12:37

Thanks all for the input - really appreciate it!

That's the thing with this wobble - not sure if its a blessing in disguise or I will regret not going with our chosen name if we do decide to change. Oh for a crystal ball

OP posts:

Trooperslane · 27/03/2015 12:38

I really like it..... and I'm from the North too and don't associate it as a girl's name at all.

Original poster

MsMittens · 27/03/2015 12:40

p.s. Issy I love your DS's name. Unusual and nice to have a family connection. Cory is a lovely nn.

OP posts:

DramaAlpaca · 27/03/2015 12:44

I'm in Ireland so I'm familiar with the name.

I would write the spelling phonetically as DUN-a-ka. The 'a' is a short vowel, as in 'cat'.

I know a few boys with it, though to be honest it's not a name I particularly like. It was a difficult name at first to my English ears, but I soon got used to it, as will people in the UK if you use it.

There are various spellings - I know a Donnacha, a Donncha and a Donnchadh.

The version you are planning to use would be the one I prefer out of the three.

If you love it, go for it. There are so many 'unusual' names around these days and Donnacha is no harder to get used to than any other name that is slightly 'different'.

wigglesrock · 27/03/2015 13:36

I like it, I went to school with one, it was shortened to Don occasionally. There's a few in my daughters primary school (NI), as far as I know they're not shortened at all.

Sophronia · 27/03/2015 13:40

I quite like it. I used to live in NI so I knew how to pronounce it.

gymboywalton · 27/03/2015 13:42

it's a no from me
don't like the way it looks or sounds

OutragedFromLeeds · 27/03/2015 14:13

My DS has a Donnacha in his class (West London/Surrey borders).

He's a sweet boy and I really like the name now, but when I first heard it I did think it was a girls name (and insisted DS must be confused when he told me that Donnacha was a boy!).

Donnacha's mum is Irish and it sounds much nicer in her accent than our London ones imo.

madreloco · 27/03/2015 14:17

It's a perfectly normal and common Irish name.

Most MN'ers will tell you its awful and they can't pronounce it though (why the think this is a problem or anyone but them, I'm not sure).

If you like it, use it. In RL, people just need to be told how to pronounce it once, and thats it.

sweetpeame · 27/03/2015 14:21

I know 2 Donnacha's, one 3 and one 5. One of them lives in Ireland so not especially unusual there. The other lives in Australia and has one Irish parent, I suppose it's unusual there. He has a nn which isn't related to his full name but I don't think his full name has ever caused too many problems! To me (Irish) it doesn't sound unusual and I think it would be relatively easy for non-Irish people to pronounce. Consensus on here seems to be that people don't like it but I've seen much worse names suggested on this forum ;-)

Original poster

MsMittens · 27/03/2015 14:56

Drama your phonetical spelling is much more accurate - thank you. It is DUN-a-ka with the 'a' is a short vowel, as in 'cat'.

Yes it is not out there at all in Ireland, just conscious of the fact that DS would be growing up in the UK. I think it will be one of those names that may divide opinion .

Very grateful for all the comments though, helps to hear people's thoughts and we are reluctant to canvass opinion IRL.

OP posts:

NerrSnerr · 27/03/2015 14:58

I had never heard of it and would have assumed he was a girl.

Penguinotterfoxbadger · 27/03/2015 15:43

I don't hate it, and I'm sure people would get used to pronouncing it.

That said, I don't like it very much either - sorry

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