Help! Name choice confusion.

[ruthkinlan]

Hi ladies, so I have loved the name Muireann for a little girl for as long as I can remember. However when we named our DS Séamus we got a few looks due to its old fashioned nature. These looks don't bother me on the whole but they have made me think about the reactions we would constantly receive for an unusual name like Muireann. As I am currently expecting again I'm worried that if we have a girl and go with Muireann we and she will spend her life repeating the name and spelling it for people who can't get it right. Although I still love the name I'm not sure it's worth that heartache. Do you guys think it's too unusual? My back up name is Gráinne. Would love you ladies opinions on this 😀

How are both your girls names pronounced? I'm not familar with either name, sorry.

However I would say that more unusual names and names from other cultures are easily accepted these days in most areas of the country

It's essentially Maureen, isn't it? Not keen but if you like it, go for it.

"Gronya" just sounds like groin, I'm afraid. Really not a nice name to these English ears.

I had a work call from an Irish named woman the other day, she did sound a little weary of explaining the spelling v pronunciation of both bits of her name. So if your surname a bit of a mouthful it might be worth thinking of an easier first name. Then again, Irish name spellings are far more common than they used to be, so maybe her peers will be less ignorant than me.

Muireann can be pronounced More-in or Mwir-in. Gráinne is pronounced Grah-nya. I'm very keen on keeping Irish traditional names going, but afraid my child won't thank me for it!

I think both of these names are beautiful!

Ah there are loads that sound lovely over here though. But Muireann will get anglicised to Maureen, I fear.

I grew up with a Roisin and a Sinead, and envied them their names immensely.

And Seamus is great.

Muireann is a lovely choice and would go well with Seamus.

❤️ Grainne

I've never heard of those names before! I love d lot of Irish girls names, especially Saoirse, Ciara and Aine.

If it's a name you log erhen go for it. Oeilem around your daughter (like school friends) will soon enough get sued to it. :)

Used^

Are you in Ireland and are you Irish?
Grainne is a bit of a middle aged woman's name.

Muireann is gorgeous, go for it! I'd pronounce it Mwir-in. I've met a few and always thought it was a beautiful name.

I'm not so keen on Gráinne, I find it quite harsh.

I love Séamus too, it's unusual to come across a young Séamus.

Are you in Ireland? If so I'd say go with what you like. If you aren't and you genuinely want to avoid her having to spell her name/pronouncing it correctly then I wouldn't pick either - sorry

We are in Britain and my DD has an Irish name with Irish spelling and loves it. People often remark on it and it gives the class a good laugh when they have a supply teacher!

I personally think Gráinne is much prettier by sound and to look at. Plus it's shorter so it'll take less time to spell, which she would be doing often no doubt!

I prefer Gráinne of the two, but my favourite is Méabh.

Gráinne
I feel like she might have to deal with several particularly unfortunate pronunciation attempts... (granny, groin, groany etc)

Séamus is a great name :)

Muireann (like more-in /mwir-in) is really pretty imo. And the pronunciation seems quite intuitive to me personally :)

The previously mentioned Saoirse is really nice as well.

Thanks guys I do love the name Séamus obviously

We are Irish living in Ireland but that doesn't necessarily mean everyone here knows or pronounced these names correctly unfortunately. I really do love both. Maybe I should just stick with my heart or regret it later!

I love Seamus. If we were having a boy I would have fought for Seamus.

Have you seen Catastrophe? There's a whole bit of season 2 I think where they call their daughter Muireann and her American husband can't pronounce it, and neither can anyone else in London except her Irish family. Its a running joke though - I don't actually think it would be harder internationally than a lot of 'standard' Irish names. I know quite a few Grainnes including some v young ones, I don't think its middle aged. I like Muirreann though.

For the previous poster talking about groins - firstly, that's not something that works in our accents at least - its a Graw sound, not a Groy like Groin. Secondly - there are lots of International names everywhere now. If she's in Ireland, she'll be grand with either name. if she's in London, New York, other side of the world - people will just have to figure out how to pronounce it and assuming they'll find some words easier than other isn't always the case. I don't think I've ever worked in a workplace where I haven't had to ask a colleague how to pronounce a name I've never heard of before: I've always got it correctly, the only ones I've genuinely struggled with are things like remembering which pronunciation Naoimi uses. So - go for it.

Have you watched Catastrophe? I think that's what they called their daughter and the American granny kept calling her moron. I think it would be a difficult one to get the hang of for a lot of people.

You're in Ireland, so most people won't have any difficulty with Muireann.

There might be regional differences in pronunciation of course, but once you've told someone how to say it they'll say it right & won't mangle it.

Go with your heart, I say.

I think you are right reddressblueshoes Ireland like everywhere else is so multicultural these days that we are used to hearing all sorts of names. People are getting more used to strange spellings and pronunciations.
Haven't seen Catastrophe. Must look it up

I would go with the name you love then. I like Seamus and Maureen is fine, Muireann is great if you are Irish. It would be a PITA for the girl if you were in the UK or elsewhere with no Irish connections though.

Muireann is gorgeous - go for it!
You should have no problems in Ireland... Seamus was on my list too - I think it's going to make a come back ;)