Scottish boys names which English family don't find weird/can pronounce!

[twiglet]

Myself and DH are English but lived in Scotland over 10 years. We want a Scottish/celtic name but that English families can spell and nothing too used so Alexander is out, James is also out and DH doesn't want any royal ref names!
We can't agree on what our favourite is!
And due in 8 weeks....

So far we have:
Tristan (my fav using the Scottish Saint ref)
Finlay (DH fav)
Logan
Arran (DH not so sure)
Cameron (my worry is family will think Tory ref....)

Not Scottish but on the maybe pile is Rueben.

Any suggestions/help

Gordon
Douglas
Kirk
Ross
Argyle
Malcolm
Clyde
Harris
Andrew
Cairn
Nevis
Fraser
Nairn
Stuart
Kelvin
Calvin
Mungo
Magnus
Munro
Irvine
Mackenzie
Bruce
Duncan
Alistair
Struan
Ferguson
Wallace
Xander

It was names written down then pronounced differently so celtic/Scottish names (we also both have a Welsh connection.)
Lachlan they pronounce Lakelan
Ruairidh they can't say at all when we explained it was you mean Rory which it's not
Ossian was another they couldn't say (which is welsh Scottish and Irish just with different spellings)

I never realised choosing a name was so hard!

Friend's son is called Murdo ... good strong name! Euan/Ewan is also a good scottish name. Agree with Alistair too, not many of those around these days!

Ewan. It's a wonderful name-I'm biased though as ds2 is called it ❤️😂

But surely, twiglet, once you tell them how Lachlan or Ruairidh is pronounced, they just say ‘Oh, ok!’ and it’s no longer a problem?

I think the problem is your family don’t like your potential name list so are (not so) subtly discouraging you with this performance around can’t pronounce that one, and this one is like soup.

Pick a name you both like. Grandparents who can’t say or spell it are obviously experiencing early senior moments and probably shouldn’t hold the baby in case they drop him. I’d be amazed if they get it wrong three times.

Agreed, Gemme.

@GemmeFatale I think you might be right don't know why I hadn't twigged on to that!

We did stop discussing it as they kept pulling faces (both sides not just my DPs) on Skype.

They are by no means geriatrics all under 65 i have a feeling they thought moving from SE England to Scotland was a phase and the not being near GC.
We could not face ever moving back (no offence to anyone in England we just love the space, outdoor life, quietness etc).... Families so complicated!

Welsh here and really understand the difficulty of choosing a name which the wider family won’t mangle. We went for ease of pronunciation in the end and we still hear some howlers. If I did it again, I’d just go for what we loved regardless.

Some gorgeous names listed. I love Innes and Cameron. Have an Osian in the family and never knew about its alternative versions.

I'm annoyed that Donald should be on this list but can't be for the time being.

English people dont struggle with Ruairidh although some have a go at saying Rory instead.

They cant always make the ch sound in Lachlan just like I can't make some sounds in Xhosa.
Some sounds you just need exposure to as a baby.

Is this your first baby? I only ask because we made the mistake with our first of telling some friends and family our name ideas and they all went down like a lead balloon, and put me off the names. We quickly realised our error and didn't tell a soul what we ended up naming DS until he was born.

This time round not discussing names with anyone.

People are much more likely to plaster on a smile when you declare your child's name after its born!

Geordie

Stuart

Yeah I agree, just stop discussing names with anyone other than your partner ! Someone will always find a reason to dislike a name. Best just going with what you love !

I have a Phoebe, which I didn't think was very common before we had her (and neither did the midwifes etc when I mentioned it!). my partner mentioned it in front of the in laws before we even knew the sex and they all absolutely hated it. I bit my lip and had a cry later as I already had my heart set on it before we were ttc. We still went with it and just didn't discuss potential names in front of anyone ! Even after she was born I asked if they'd come round and they were still like 'err.....' .

Fuck people lol they'll always have an opinion !

I liked Fergus, Angus, Innes and Blair but went with Lachlan. Which the man himself say Lacklan, hard ck soft lan. Drives me potty. He’s never heard anyone say it that way but that’s how he introduces himself. Now his friends call him Lack.
What I’m saying is chose a name you like because you have no idea what’s going to happen to it anyway.

Thanks all yes first baby and yes definitely made the mistake of discussing names!

Duncan
Angus
Donald
Iain
Andrew
Mungo
Kyle
Craig

Gordon
Douglas

Struan
Cameron
Calum
Kyle
Fraser
Logan
Torin

Carrick
Glen
Also like Murdoch

Really don't discuss it with them.

I have family who failed to learn how to spell my name after 20 years. Seriously, after that long, it's just rudeness.

Whenever we have new staff at work with 'foreign' names Nigerian, South Asian there will be someone saying they are soooo hard to pronounce and what are they known for short. Really? They are our new colleagues, just practice!!!

If your family love you and love their grandchild they can learn to say Lachlan or Ruairidh.

Finn.

Hector.

James
Andrew
Struan
Murdo
Malcolm
Frazer
Iain