Iona Woodland

[mrswoodland]

My husband and I are going to be having a baby this year. We haven't found outage gender but like Iona for a girl. Our surname is Woodland.

Does Iona Woodland sound silly because the surname is a noun?

Yes, it sounds quite silly!

We also had to discount Iona as surname is a noun so I know how you feel.

What about Ione (pn Ionie), I think it's Greek.

It could be worse. I went to school with Iona Gunn.

Leona
Fiona

My DD has just spent a car journey reading out fake book titles like:

Touching your toes, by Ben Dover
Blushing, by Rosie Cheek
Crime does not pay, by Laura Norda.

And I'm afraid Iona Woodland sounds like the author of a book like Caring for Trees...by Iona Woodland.

Iona Lotta Woodland

Imelda
Imogen
Alana/Alanna(h)
have a similar feel IMO

I love Iona too but we ruled it out because of the same issue, and Ivo/Ivor for a boy

Ione would be better. Or how about Nola, Heidi, Ariane, Viola, Leonie...?

It's not great - Iona is a place as well as sounding like "i own a" so I wouldn't recommend it with Woodland (although it is a really gorgeous name). What about Leona or Irina? Or pick something completely different as a first name and use Iona as a middle name.

Iona is gorgeous but not with your last name. I don't even think you'd get away with putting a mn in there to break it up.
Other suggestions. I'm guessing you like short names
Lara Woodland.
Lucy Woodland
Eliza Woodland.
Lily Woodland.
Larna Woodland
Nina Woodland
Laila Woodland
Alicia Woodland.

Yes, OP, with the experience of having lived with it a long time, I'd recommend you don't do this. You'll probably get sick of the 'hilarious' jokes before she can even write her name. It is 'one of those' names that slightly haunts you. I've grown to love my name but have a 'non-noun' maiden name so always have had the option to keep that if I married a Mr Carr or something. If you really don't care what other people will inevitably say though, give her whatever name you like! And like others said, Ione is also lovely - or Skye, if you just like Scottish islands?

Oh my!

Haha! Yep. Any Iona jokes and you're all banned!

Just kidding.

No, sorry MrsWoodland, I came on to tell you it sounds like 'I own a woodland', but I think you know that already!

Iona is a very pretty name so I see why you want it to work, but it doesn't. I have a noun surname too and it does rule out lots of otherwise lovely names, unfortunately.

How about Innes instead?

Sugarpie, Ivana Woodland is nearly as bad, sounds like someone who has had too many gins saying "I want a woodland".

Have to agree with others on here. It's a lovely name, but a little silly with your surname.

My relative claims to have taught a Tamara Knight, but I think she's having me on there.

Saw someone on TV the other night named Robin Banks. She had a posh executive job, so obviously her crime-laden name had not hampered her on her way up.

Woodland makes me think of Greek myths and nymphs dwelling in forestry places. How about nymph or goddess names?

Diana
Artemis
Xanthe
Minthe
Daphne
Chloe
Athena

MORNINGHEAVY, 😂😂😂
You are so right ! Oh dear, that made me laugh.

I think it's a gorgeous name!

I realise I'm in the minority here but I'd go for it. It's beautiful. And memorable.

How about Lola instead?

FishinthePercolator We must have gone to the same school!

Iona Gunn.

Her parents must have been absolute morons.

I often wonder about the problems she must have going through airport security these days.

Proper arf.