Using a country-specific name when you have no links to that place

[Ca55andraMortmain]

Didn't really know how to describe it in the thread title!

Basically I've always really liked the name Ianto. I think it goes well with the Mylo, sholto, Arlo trend but is nicer and more unusual (here, anyway). Obviously though it's a very clearly Welsh name. We aren't Welsh, don't live in Wales and have in fact never been to Wales. Is it too weird for us to use it? I'm not sure if most people hearing it would even know it was Welsh (we live in Scotland) but I don't want to seem like we're just appropriating names from someone else's culture.

[RedDwarves]

I think it's fine. I think using a country/city name (i.e. India, China, America... or names like Aspen, Alaska, Paris, London etc) when you name no connection with the place is weird, but not using a name with a particular heritage, unless it's a very distinct name which will leave the child having to explain it for the rest of their life.

One of the Australian Eurovision commentators is Myfanwy, and it was pointed out to her that it was Welsh at an event and she had to clarify she wasn't Welsh as far as she knew. So something that distinct might cause issues, but something more "international" (i.e. broadly used and recognised) like Hamish, Patrick, or even Siobhan or Niamh wouldn't be such a problem.

How Ianto fits into this, I'm not sure. I've never heard of it, but the pronunciation seems reasonably intuitive.

[MothershipG]

So how is it pronounced? I would guess Eye-an-toe?

I also love Welsh names but only having been born there and having about 2% Welsh blood I felt I couldn't get away with it. DD is very relieved not to be Myfanwy 😂😂

[FleeceDetective]

It's pronounced more of a 'yan-toe' but quite quick and sharp on the

[MyNameIsTotoro]

I'd be interested to know how an Australian Myfanwy wit no Welsh roots pronounced her name. It's pronounced differently in Welsh compared to how an English speaker with no understanding of Welsh would say it.

My-fan-wee??

Vs.

M-van-wee??

completely misses point of thread

Honestly OP just go for it. Like you say it's not something obviously Welsh like Daffydd, Blodwyn, Iestyn etc.

[Ca55andraMortmain]

Ooh lots of replies overnight, thanks everyone! I'm getting more and more tempted to use it as I think it's unusual enough that it doesn't scream 'wales' to most people (ie most people wouldn't have heard of it, especially in Scotland.)

[goose1964]

Just to correct a PP Dafydd is spelt like this. It DS2 name, and although he's Welsh we live in England and have done tor years. My grandson has a Scandinavian name and his parents have never been there. If you love the name go for it

[RedDwarves]

MyName Miff-ann-wee. Miff like Miffy, if that makes sense?

[SpectacularAardvark]

I agree with a pp, get yourself to Wales asap and have "life changing experience" of some vague kind then if anyone asks, you can say you spent your pregnancy in Wales and it was amazing and you fell in love with the name.

[SpectacularAardvark]

It's a great name btw.

[FartnissEverbeans]

I think it depends on the name really. For example, Yasmin was quite trendy in my city about fifteen years ago - we were in Scotland! But it's easy to pronounce and spell, and most people are familiar with it.

I quite like a few Arabic names if I have another child. We live in an Arab country now so the connection is there but I wouldn't choose any Arabic name - it would have to be one that doesn't sound too unfamiliar, because then I think it would come across as pretentious.

[dinosaurkisses]

I'm Irish and I do find it a bit when people with no connection use Irish names- Aoife, Niamh etc becoming much more popular in recent years for example, but that's mainly because I'd imagine it's a bollocks having to correct pronounciation etc outside Ireland.

It's one thing using a very international name like Luca or Sophia, but more unusual names will prompt a lot people to assume a relationship to that country- if that doesn't annoy you, I'd say go ahead- it's a great name!

[MikeUniformMike]

Daffyd is not a welsh name, Dafydd is. It is pronounced Dav-ith (ith as in with).
Ianto is pronounced YAN-to', the to bit sounds like the to in top not tow/toe.

[TatianaLarina]

No-one worries about Florence or Sienna do they?

Personally I prefer Ivo Ioan to Ianto. And everyone will pronounce it wrongly as Eye anto or Eee anto.

[FizzyGreenWater]

Ianto is nice!

Go for it OP.

I'm Welsh, though I don't live there. I'll give you the name.

Tell him you were asking people about baby names and a lovely Welsh person said that they dreamed you had a baby boy and called him Ianto... so you did.

:)

[PinkCalluna]

Naught I suppose it depends on the name.

For example Craig, Douglas or Malcolm are pretty well known names, no one would bat an eyelid.

But I think that if you had no connection to Scotland at all people would find it confusing that you called your child Darrach or Jock or Torquil, for example.

Perhaps you will be the leading edge of a new trend OP

[mistermagpie]

Hmm, my son is called Hamish. I'm not Scottish but he is, so is DH and we live in Scotland. If these things weren't the case I don't think I would have used such an overly Scottish name.

[NaughtToThreeSadOnions]

See i dont think it does at all pink

See i didn't even know Torquil was Scottish i thought it was just middle class/posh.
Yes Jock is, but i would presume maybe named after some one like Jock Stein. I know naming a child after a celebrity is sort of frowned on here, but honestly people do.

In fact my first thought here, with the name Ianto, was ah torchwood, after Ianto Jones a character in the show

[PinkCalluna]

But then it’s likely that you would only name your son after Jock Stein if you were a fan of Scottish football surely?

Nevertheless Ca55 can call her DS whatever she likes and Ianto is certainly a great name.

I was just giving my opinion as she requested.

[hausenberger]

I think it's fine to use, op.
I was considering Etienne for a boy but have no 'French connections' as it were! Didn't go for it though...

[BettyPitts]

Never heard it before but would have said LAN tow.

That would have been awkward so thanks for pointing out correct sound

[Cosmoa]

Oh just go for it! People over think these things... I have a French name with no links and nobody has ever batted an eyelid!

[TeaAddict235]

It's a lovely name, it shows inspiration and how cosmopolitan you are; you can appreciate all cultures from where you are.

My mum chose an African name for me, neither of my parents are from there nor had been there (my mum still hasn't ever visited any African country), and yet it's my name. Its not my heritage. But It's me and it's a reflection of their well read nature and cosmopolitan outlook on life. My name has been great at ice breakers and has always been well received with excitement at interviews etc. One lady from HR at GSK once said that she just had to meet me as my name is so beautiful and is from the country that her husband was from. Sometimes with stupid ignorant time wasters I get a dumb dazed look as to why I have an African name or when I say that I have never been to the part of Africa it is from, but they're not really my calibre of people anyway

In the USA black Americans love it and celebrate my name. I'm really proud of my parents being so forward thinking.

[WTFdidwedo]

I'm Welsh and wouldn't think it weird that you chose Ianto. It's not the most "Welsh" of names out there I don't think, and probably is more associated with Doctor Who than anything now.

[MaKoSi]

@TeaAddict235 ooh I am really curious now about your name!

I gave DS an African name. Never been to its country of origin but always loved it and it just seemed right when he was born, and he really suits it. I'm always saying to him we'll have to go to the country together one day to meet others with his name.

Ianto is a great name, OP, I really like it. Do you know what it means?

[thatmustbenigelwiththebrie]

I think it's fine. Who cares? Daniel is a Jewish name for example and in common use.

No one owns a name.

For what it's worth my kid has a french name because I am a massive Francophile, love France and have a french degree.