Having doubts about chosen Boy's Name

[MsMittens]

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)

'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).'

It is a problem if you have a name that people can't pronounce. Constantly being called the wrong name or having to correct people is tiresome and sometimes embarrassing. The same goes for spelling.

It can be a problem if you have a child with a name that no-one can say or spell correctly as well, although how much it annoys you will depend on the individual person.

(I think Donnacha is actually very easy to pronounce btw).

I love it. It's one of my favourite boys names. Donnchadh is on the very short list for any future DSs, but I am in Ireland. Outside of Ireland, I would definitely still use it but would probably go with the spelling you're considering.

I'm surprised at all the bad reactions to it here, I think there's such a strong, pleasing sound to it. And it doesn't sound the least bit feminine to me, but maybe that's because I'm familiar with it as a boys' name.

I like it, but I live in Ireland so know it as a boys name

I've never heard the name before but I like it. However, your child will certainly go through his life repeating his name, spelling it out, etc. (and you will have to do the same for the first few years of his life before he can speak for himself). As someone with an only slightly unusual name who always has to repeat it and spell it for people, I can tell you it can be quite annoying. So for me, a name has to pass the "What?" test. In other words, it has to be a name that will not cause people to say, "What?"

Obviously, you may not feel this way at all and may have a higher tolerance for the "What" factor. And as I said, I think it is a very nice name.

There has been a Donncha and a Donnacha on the Ireland rugby team in recent years, pretty sure rugby is popular in London/Surrey area and some people will know the name that way. It's a strong name and if you love it I think you should go for it!

I really love it. Donny and Don are lovely nicknames too.

I don't like it and he probably won't either.

I speak as someone who has grown up in England with a Welsh name that no one can spell or pronounce correctly.

I'm from Northern Ireland and have just recently met my first Donnacha, honestly I don't like it...

When I hear the woman shouting at her child I cringe completely (although that might be due to the mother not the name) I don't like the sound of it.

Lovely name. Really surprised at the negative reaction. I'm in SE England by the way but would have no problem pronouncing it or understanding that it's a boy's name.

Mythical your personal experience has no bearing on OP's kid.
And its pretty rude too.

I have to say, I'd assume it was a girls name by looking at it. Not keen on it either though I'm fairly open minded about names. Never heard of it and would be reluctant to spell it. Sorry!

I quite like the sound of it, though its a bit close to Anneka. And the look of it makes me think Don'tcha.

But I agree his school friends probably wouldn't have a problem with the pronunciation - we are British and living abroad; my ds has a name that's quite hard for the locals to pronounce but the kids have no issue with it at all, just their parents.

Mythical your personal experience has no bearing on OP's kid. hmm
And its pretty rude too.

Who would know better than someone who's been there? I'm better qualified to comment than someone who has never had problems with their name.

I assumed it was a girl's name too!

You can only speak for yourself, is the point. Just because you didn't like it doesn't mean ops kid won't.
I have an unusual name, I like it. But both your and mine experiences have zer o to do with OP and her choice.

I really like it. I don't think people in real life find "unusual" names half as "difficult" as some might think. And I like that it's a boy's name that ends in a. Makes a change!

Why are people assuming it's a girl's name, out of interest? Just because it ends in 'a'?

I love it OP.

I think they expect all names to conform to narrow english expectations?

I don't think it's because it ends in an 'uh' sound because you have Joshua, Noah, Jonah, Micah, Christopher, Peter, Luca, Tyler, Taylor etc. etc. which all end in the same sound and are all recognised as boys names.

I think it's because it's similar to Donna and Anneka, both of which are commonly girls names.

Peter and Luca end in the same sound?

Madreloco - I don't like it particularly but I love other irish names. I'm a very 'English' but my DD has a 'German' name.

I think Outraged has it for me - it is just tipping over into girlish because it does remind me of those names combined.

They do in my accent Janine. I'm in the London/Surrey area the same as the op. I say 'Luke-uh' and 'Pete-uh'.

I can't speak for all people, with all accents obviously.

How do you pronounce them out of interest Janine?

Lu-ka
Pete-err

I would say Peter and Luca, Peter would end in the same way as banner, corner and Luca would end in an a like banana, drama.