Nuala?

[Emilyjoy]

Is Nuala too old of an name? My husband is from Belfast and his family are all in Northern Ireland, so he’s keen for an Irish name. I love Nuala! Pronounced nula or new-la. But I’ve heard it’s like a middle aged woman’s name like a British Tracy or Sharron? What do people think? Would Nola maybe be better? I also love maeve 😍

I don’t understand the difference between the pronunciation new la and noo la I think it’s a lovely name but I’m not Irish so have never heard it before.

I love Maeve but it’s quite popular where I live at the mo. I know 4 baby Maeves.

I don’t understand the difference between the pronunciation new la and noo la.

Many people pronounce 'New' as 'nyoo'. It sounds like you say 'noo'.

Such a shame Nuala is not really liked in Ireland. If she didn’t have family over there and would never be visiting if use it. But don’t want to present her to her Irish side with a name the equivalent to Karen 😩 maybe Nola or Norah. Got to be registered soon and I really can’t decide!!

I think Nuala is lovely (I am Irish but don't live there). Be a trendsetter!

I think nuala is lovely too. I know of a mid 30 year old called this

I’m 50 Irish. I have a couple of pals Nuala. They’re not pearl wearers that I can see!!

I know 3 under 3 called Nuala too. Seems to be making a comeback

How about Nala like from the lion king?

Noooo. It really is the equivalent of Barbara.

I really like it. I know lots of older Nualas but I think it suits all ages. At least there won't be four other children with the same name in her class

The trouble with saying 'it's the equivalent of Barbara' is that that's true of lots of names at a point in time, then they come right back into vogue.

Grace was a very old fashioned name, it came back. Hermione was very rare, but thanks to Harry Potter it's more popular now.

I'd never heard of Nuala until our neighbour's girl so had no preconceptions about the name. I love Niamh to - perhaps more so for the visual spelling than the pronunciation (Neeve, for those that aren't aware). Quite like Siobhan too (but not the pronunciation, Shivaun).

There's a fair few Chardonnays floating around in the world now - not a name I like, but very much of a time. I think trends come and go, and old fashioned named come back. Barbara was probably very appealing once. Mavis too!

I thought it was Noo-ah-la, like the Princess Nuala from Hellboy 2

I'm not Irish so can't comment on the old fashioned aspect, but if the child is being raised in England then surely most people will be like me and see it as just a pretty Irish name? If you lived in Ireland I'd understand not wanting to lumber a child with a name everyone thinks is horrible, but in your situation is anyone really affected to the extent you should miss out on a name you adore?
On the occasions where DD is in Ireland she might meet someone who does a momentary 'ugh', but it's only a name and life goes on! It's a talking point! And could be back in style at any moment! For what it's worth I love Maeve as a back-up.

If you LOVE it (and DH is happy with it), have it! You're already honouring DHs family by choosing something Irish. I'm sure they'll appreciate that gesture and if they happen to love the name you pick that's a bonus. With their own kids, they'll have chosen what THEY wanted. It's now your baby, and your turn!

I know an Irish Nuala and Nola. Both late 30s. I think both names are lovely. I’m in London and you definitely don’t hear them a lot.

Really, it is an "Old Lady" name in Ireland, but without the hipster edge.

There's a 4 year old Nuala in my dd's class in Yorkshire. Never heard of it before! It's lovely.

Mary, Elizabeth, Grace, Emily etc were all old lady names not too long ago, and now they're not.

You can't be ruled by a something being 'old lady' in one part of the world. That perception changes and more and more people begin to realise a new found beauty in older names.

I only know nualas who are in the age range 36-45.

Does it have to be a secret or could you see what your husband's family thinks? I know a Nuala who lives in England and people do struggle with pronunciation.

What about caomie? Pronounced keeva. I think it's beautiful.

Freaking autocorrect. Caoimhe

I'm in Ireland & agree with others that Nuala is really frumpy. It's granny-not-at-all-chic. It's marginally better than Norah though.

Nola is pretty & sounds much younger & fresher.

I know a teenage Nuala pron Noo-Ah-la. Parents said it was Indian.

See I quite like Norah too! Norah and Ada were on my list 😂😂

I know a teenage Nuala pron Noo-Ah-la. Parents said it was Indian.
Can't find much support it as an Indian name - not that Google knows everthing! Everything points to it being more Irish than Guinness!

I love the name Nuala. Many of the Nualas I know are aged 50 or more. But I also know a couple of toddler Nualas, so maybe it is having a resurgence. Even if it isn’t, I think it’s beautiful. It’s on our shortlist for our baby, as is Nora! But I like Nuala way more.