Ione

[agentmillion]

What do you think of the name Ione (eye own ee)?

I think it is currently top of my list for DD3 with 3 weeks to go. I am slightly put off but the fact that I don't think many people will have heard of it and I will be constantly repeating it. Do you think it she would have problems with people knowing how to pronounce or spell it? It was the name of one of my Great Aunts and there are also distant cousins in my family with the name, so to me it is fairly normal, but DH had never really heard of it and feels it is a bit too unusual.

The other names on our shortlist are
Nina
Rosanna
Clara
Phoebe

I assume the stress is on the 1st syllable so not like Iona at all? More like a Greek goddess name? I really like it but can I throw in...
Ianthe ?

I thought the stress was like i-O-nee , not EYE-o-nee. Like i-O-na, ee-NO-nee (Oenone). I don't like it if it's EYE-o-nee.

It's pronounced i-O-nee, with the stress on the middle syllable.

I think it's lovely. I'm having the same worries about calling this baby Xanthe - will she have to spell out her name forevermore...? But I think rather that than a name with teasing potential.

Great suggestion of Ianthe from pp. I adore it.

The model Coco Rocha has an Ioni. Same pronounciation and maybe a little easier to get the pron right from looking at it written down?

Love Ione! It's on our list too but ultimately I think a bit too close to DD's name, or I'd definitely consider it next time.

I think the pronunciation should be fine - as a pp said, people should pick it up after hearing it once or twice. It's a short enough name and the pronunciation is fairly intuitive, especially as most people will be familiar with the prounciation of Iona, Hermione, Daphne and the like.

Angharad Xanthe is so beautiful too!

I love Ione- there is a book by Anne Fine that I read as a child with an Ione in and I've loved it since then.

I have a Rosanna and obviously think that is great too and I also really like Phoebe (already used by family) and Clara. I think you have fantastic taste in names!!

I know an Ionie, it's a gorgeous name!