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 😍

She's lovely actually ;-)
But the name... no comment! (not my cup of tea, can't just a person by a name) - which gives me an idea for a thread topic...

The Irish posters who're saying it's old-fashioned, I wonder are they from the south? Maybe it's seen as old-fashioned there but I'm in the North and I don't think that at all! I think it's lovely, not at all a "granny" name. Maybe because one of the coolest people I know is called it You know these threads - whatever the name someone will come along to pee on your parade, so just go with what you like.

Maybe her parents preferred the (mis)spelling.
You probably shouldn't judge someone by a name but people will.

Well she was registered yesterday! So too late to change!! We love it, and the Belfast family have not said anything negative (to our faces) perhaps it is more tolerable in the north. This thread has been interesting.
I’m surprised it’s attracred so much attention, and has definitely divided opinions!

Oh, that's made me smile - (and I really rarely smile).
That's such a nice bit of news about something from someone I have no connection with at all!

I think it's lovely. Best wishes to you and baby Nuala.

Congratulations! So pleased for you. Enjoy your lovely baby Nuala.

I came across this thread many years later and had to laugh at people saying it’s the Irish equivalent of Barbara 🤣🤣 we actually called our daughter Nuala last year and although it gets pronounced wrong a lot, people always comment what a lovely name it is and I have Irish friends who say it’s made a comeback. I absolutely love it

As a mum of a 10yo Nuala, Fionnuala full name, I love it! We regularly visit Ireland and it has always been openly loved, yes in England we get a few mispronunciations but it’s fine once corrected. It’s also not unheard of, a friend had an Aunty Nuala ( no Irish connection at all), plus coming from a big Irish family it’s not unheard of.

All my Irish family love the name, trust me, they would say if they didn’t.

I grew up with a very uncommon Irish name in England the only thing I hated was not being to buy anything with my name on it. As an adult I don’t care about that now. I loved no one else having my name. My dd is the same, she loves her name and that she’s the only one at school with her name, unlike the dozens of Emily’s, Lily’s, Sophia’s… The only Nuala she’s met was an Irish girl about her age when we were holidaying in Galway.

I knew a Nuala at uni. She was a mature student so probably about 47 now. So I guess yep middle aged.
We all thought it was a lovely name ( non Irish students who had never heard the name before and all had dull names like Emma, Sarah Katie etc)
I always liked it. Are you in Ireland? if in England it will not be seen as an old lady name .

It’s a beautiful pretty name, go for it.

I'm Irish and yes it's very old fashioned, and not in a good way, what about Neala (Neil-a) or Neasa (Na-sa) both seem to be up and coming here

Oops just seen how old this thread is!

In a sea of Irish names I love it

I’m from Belfast and Nuala really isn’t dated IME. It would be refreshing for a baby, but not a granny name (that I’ve come across). It’s more people in their 20s-40s that I know. I think you should go for it. Most Nualas I know one with the nickname ‘Noodles.’ Maeve/Meabh and other spellings are VERY popular atm.