Shonagh

[Mazza22]

What are people's opinions on Shonagh for DD? Would like to pass on some irish heritage without having too difficult a spelling. Pronounced Show-na

I like the name , my dsd is Shona spelt that way

I think it's lovely.

Thanks guys :) maybe Shona would be a better option for spelling... Just love a bit if the silent irish gh!

I think it's better spelled Shona

Shona is lovely. The gh is unneccessary if she's being brought up outside Ireland.

I'd go for Shona with no "gh". But I'm in NI and know a few Shaunaghs???

Shona is beautiful

Is Shona more Scottish than Irish?? It reminds me more of a Scots Gaelic name than Irish Gaelic..... Not that I know anything about either!!!!!

I know an Irish Shona who spells it without the gh - not so sure that the gh is even that popular in Ireland anymore though I could be wrong. It's a nice name though I think I do prefer it spelt Shona.

Shona is scottish - comes from seonaid. The Irish equivalent is Sinéad (shin-ade).

I find it a bit dated, same with Sinead - I've always seen it spelt Shona.

Thanks for all the feedback - very useful

I wouldn't know how to pronounce it

Have come across both Irish and Scottish Shona(gh)'s. In Ireland I've only seen it spelt Shona which is the I'd spell it. I'm not hugely keen on it but it's fine.

Not keen. Give you one guess why :).

( and yes you do get shortened to Sho or Shon

If you're in England you'd have to be prepared for her to be called "Shon-Ag", quite a lot I think.

I have a very similar name and, while I love that it's different now, I grew up thinking names weren't very important because no one used mine! Including teachers. People try to pronounce the gh which leads to, in your case, show-nag! My children also had problems with it at pre-school etc doing the 'who am I' projects. My children have 'easy' names! And only 3 unlike my 4, though I regret that now I'm divorced.

X-post

I absolutely love the name Clodagh but probably won't use it (maybe for a middle name) because I wouldn't want her to be called Clod-ag all the time. With Shona there is an acceptable spelling to make it easy for non Irish people though so I would go with that OP.

Thanks everyone - really useful feedback. :)

My gd is Shona beautiful name.

I love the Shonagh spelling. If people can learn to cope with Aoife and Niamh (see these all the time on here), they'll manage a Shonagh.

I've known a Sheonagh, Shona and Shonagh.

I do find Shona a bit old fashioned. It seems a bit 1970's or 80's to me. There are much prettier Irish names imo.

there was a Shonagh in my class at primary school, it did take me a while to learn to spell it but I always quite liked the name.

mind I wanted to call my daughter Caoimhe but hubby said a firm NO. spoilsport, such a pretty name.