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What would Eirianwen be shortened to?

51 replies

Needawelshbabyname · 02/08/2018 17:11

I realise it's a bit of a mouthful so wondering what it would be shortened to. I thought "Anwen", but then wouldn't that be for Arianwen?

OP posts:
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LaContessaDiPlump · 02/08/2018 17:12

Arry or Wen, imo.

BounceAndJump · 02/08/2018 17:13

How is the full name pronounced?

MikeUniformMike · 02/08/2018 17:21

Are you welsh? I suspect not. -wen names are very dated, they're names that were popular about 80 years ago.
Eirianwen is awful. Eirian is pretty but dated - I would imagine an Eirian to be about 50 yrs old. The 'eir' combination is not easy is you don't speak welsh.
Arianwen wouldn't naturally shorten to Anwen - more likely to be Ianwen.
Why would you give a girl a flowery long name and then shorten it?

Anwen is a name in itself and is popular with non-welsh parents. A welsh Anwen would probably be about 70.

MikeUniformMike · 02/08/2018 17:21

if not is

Needawelshbabyname · 02/08/2018 17:28

I am indeed Welsh, but thanks for the assumption Mike.

I think it's a beautiful name and personally, wouldn't want to shorten it myself. But I realise as she goes through school etc others might, so wondering what it may be shortened to, as that will effect my decision on using the name.

OP posts:
firsttimebabybirther · 02/08/2018 17:30

How is it pronounced?

MikeUniformMike · 02/08/2018 17:34

The Eirians I know didn't and don't have their names shortened. A friend's mum was a called Anwen and was sometimes called Ann.
If you like those you might like Rhianwen and Mairwen.

bridgetreilly · 02/08/2018 18:13

I know young Anwens, usually shortened to Annie. I don't know any Eirianwens though. Sounds like she could choose her own shortened version if she wanted!

mostdays · 02/08/2018 18:16

I'm in my 30s and know three Welsh Anwens, they're all well under 70!

calmandbright · 02/08/2018 18:17

I have an Aneurin, don’t shorten it at all, although I though I would. Eirianwen trips off the tongue quite well, so an option to just say her whole name, and maybe let a shortening develop naturally if it does?

wornoutboots · 02/08/2018 18:19

My daughter has a -wen name and is just 3.

They aren't just old people names!

To answer the actual question, I'd probably shorten Eirianwen down to "Eiri" I'd I felt the need,but I like the name in full.

Elliebobbins · 02/08/2018 18:20

I know an Eirianwen in her 20s. She goes by Eiri.

TatianaLarina · 02/08/2018 18:20

Eirwig?

kenandbarbie · 02/08/2018 18:25

I'm not welsh and I've never heard the name.....but it's got rian in the middle of it? Could you use that?

Mammmoo · 02/08/2018 18:28

I know an arianwen that's 2 & considered it for my dd. I also know several anwens under 30, 2 under 10. I live in wales. Presumably a different part to the pp who thinks it's only for the elderly!

PippilottaLongstocking · 02/08/2018 18:30

I used to know a (toddler) Anwen who was shortened to Winnie

GorgonLondon · 02/08/2018 18:32

Are you welsh? I suspect not. -wen names are very dated, they're names that were popular about 80 years ago.

I have Welsh friends with daughters called Arianwen, Bronwen, and Blodwen (all different families- all under 18)

Rude and wrong!

MikeUniformMike · 02/08/2018 18:35

Bronwen is nice. Blodwen is dreadful.
Arianwen is ok.

Guardsman18 · 02/08/2018 18:37

I think it's a beautiful name and to answer your question, I think it would be shortened to Eiri - unless you 'insisted' on another shorter version. What I mean is, what do you like?

If she was at the Eisteddfod for example, and they were announcing her name - Eirianwen Needawelsh, now that has a good ring to it!

Saisong · 02/08/2018 18:39

Annie would work as a short form

GorgonLondon · 02/08/2018 18:40

No one asked your opinion on any of those names Mike.

We were calling you out for your rude, arrogant and wrong insistence that op isn't Welsh because 'no one Welsh uses those names any more'.

Yes they do

That was the point.

Whether or not you like them is beyond irrelevant.

delphguelph · 02/08/2018 18:41

Yes but how do you pronounce it.

You know they all just call him Arry anyway.

Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 02/08/2018 18:41

Wendy? Erin? Rian?

piefacedClique · 02/08/2018 18:44

I used to work with a Wena.... no idea if it was short for anything but I always thought it was a lovely name x

Laska5772 · 02/08/2018 18:46

I went to school with one (in the South East) her parents were welsh . We all called her Ronnie! (and she absolutely hated her name)