I heard a lovely name - Ishmay

[BikeRunSki]

I met a woman (early 20s) called Ishmay . Definitely spelt like that. I thought it was a lovely name. Can find no reference to it in Google, only Ismay as a surname, so must be made up, but I like it, sounds as if it should be Scottish to me.

I worked in a school with a few Ismay girls and two Ishmael boys. The girls sounded like Ishmay when accented. Could it be that?

Sorry just seen you saw the spelling. Im guessing a variated of Ismay then which is definately used as a first name.

Yes, must be a variation (she's was wearing a name badge and sent me an email). I still love it, never come across it in all my 45 years.

Ismay is a very old girl's name, 12th century at least. Origins are obscure (definitely not Scottish!) but mostly considered Celtic. Some books/websites claim it as French or German but it's really not known.

I'd always assumed it was pronounced IZZ-may so I'm not sure if your name is connected or not. Why not email her back and ask her? I'm sure she'll be flattered that you love the name and will be happy to tell you its origin.

Isme. Means something like 'honoured' or 'respected'.

I think Ishmay is awful. Especially for a girl.

Ismay makes me think of that awful Titanic man.

Esmé is quite nice.

It just sounds like Ishmael with a syllable missing.

And I'm not a fan of the name Ishmael anyway.

There is Ishmaya, which I think sounds nicer.

I know a toddler Ismay, it's a lovely name