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Original poster

Aneirin- can we? Welsh opinions particularly needed

67 replies

Smizzlediz · 23/12/2018 09:08

Finally found a name that DH and I both love but there are several things about it that make me think it could be a bad idea:

Pronunciation: we’re English, we want it to be A-nye-rin but is it really? Or are we butchering a lovely Welsh name? I’ve read mixed things about whether it’s more a-neigh-rin in a Welsh accent.

Spelling: I know the far more common spelling is Aneurin, but again I’ve seen it suggested that Aneirin is acceptable, if a very old version. Welsh mumsnetters what do you think? I prefer this spelling as I think it’s more phonetically plausible in English, and could help avoid ‘it’s like aneurism’ comments/pronunciation from reading.

Cultural appropriation: we’re not Welsh and the baby will spend at least his early years in England. Are we trying to twist a Welsh name to fit into the way we speak/read? Are our Welsh relatives and everyone we meet when we visit them going to think we’re idiots at best? (Don’t want to ask the relatives yet btw as would rather not discuss in real life if poss)

What do you think? Opinions welcome from all but I’m particularly interested in what you think if you’re Welsh!

OP posts:
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PearlandRubies194 · 23/12/2018 09:17

@smizzlediz

I’m Welsh and I have a friend who has a daughter called Aneurin. I’ve also a friend whose husband is called Aneurin. I love the Welsh pronounciation, however if I met you and you told me your daughter’s name was ‘Anyerin’ I wouldn’t automatically think it was a Welsh name, but I do think it is lovely. If you want to stick to the Welsh theme, how about a middle name that’s Welsh and easy to pronounce? Wyn (white; pure), Hedd (peaceful)

Go with what you both love

IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere · 23/12/2018 09:34

I think it is a lovely name. As a welsh person I wouldn't think it odd if someone with no Welsh connections used it.

I prefer the traditional spelling with the U but that's just my taste.

hoping2018 · 23/12/2018 09:38

Also think it's a lovely name. Confused by the poster who implies it's a girls name?

As per the above poster I prefer the traditional spelling of eu. I'd be worried if you do the aneirin spelling you're resigning then to spelling the name out to English AND Welsh.

I'd also hope English people know who aneurin bevan is so should know the name (or be shamed that they don't!)

There was a thread last week about aneurin vs Huw - have a read of this for general opinions.

Maybe a name growing in popularity?!

hoping2018 · 23/12/2018 09:40

Oh and the most famous aneurin was a-Nye-rin so I wouldn't worry about pronounciation with the welsh x

ChesterGreySideboard · 23/12/2018 09:42

Puts me in mind of Nye Bevan, which is a very good thing!
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aneurin_Bevan

PinkOboe · 23/12/2018 09:44

It may be an old spelling but it looks as though a mistake had been. I think most people would assume you didn’t know how to spell it and got it wrong

TheGirlWhoLived · 23/12/2018 09:44

I am English but born/grew up on the border (Hereford to be precise) anyway, that’s by the by... i know of two aneurin and both go by the nickname of ‘Nye’ so it’s fully acceptable in an english city!

pennycarbonara · 23/12/2018 09:45

Think Aneirin spelling is advisable if not in Wales, as it's easy to imagine what teasing kids in the playground might do with the "eurin" part of the name with the other spelling.

PearlandRubies194 · 23/12/2018 09:45

@hoping2018

It was an example. Sorry OP; I wasn’t implying about it being a girl’s name. Hence my example of a friend’s husband with this name.

Redskyandrainbows67 · 23/12/2018 09:46

It sounds like a brand of medicine

DragonMamma · 23/12/2018 09:48

I think it’s a great name but being Welsh, I would think you’d spelt it incorrectly.

I do know an Englishman who’s Aneurin nn Nye and I don’t believe it’s caused him any problems.

masterstef · 23/12/2018 09:51

My friend has a baby Aneirin nn Nye. I much prefer this spelling just because Aneurin makes me think of aneurysms!

glitterbiscuits · 23/12/2018 10:35

Boys name spelled traditionally - Anuerin. Please use this spelling.
Anything else isn't acceptable.

EloisaJane · 23/12/2018 10:38

As a non Welsh person who has never heard of the name I much prefer the spelling Aneirin.
Aneurin looks like it should be pronounced An-urine which isn't as nice.

UnderMajorDomoMinor · 23/12/2018 10:48

Yeah you need to spell it right - Aneurin. Plenty of ppl know nye Bevan so you’ll get as many Hmm looks in England is you make the spelling ‘unique’.

Nye Bevan (most famous one surely?) pronounced a-nye-rin. So you’re ok on that front.

Wouldn’t worry about appropriation. Ppl might ask if you have welsh link and it sounds like you do.

Nye is a lovely nn.

MikeUniformMike · 23/12/2018 12:30

Aneurin. It depends on where in Wales you are - An-neigh-rin is South. How it is pronounced in N. Wales does not have an English equivalent.
It is definitely a boy's name.
The nn Nye would be fine. I think people would assume you voted Labour.

ChristmassyContessaConSparkles · 23/12/2018 12:33

I was once waiting at the doctor's (in England) and the nurse came into the waiting room and announced "Miss ANNE URINE. Is there a Miss ANNE URINE here?" A red-faced young women walked up to her with speed and said "It's Aneurin, actually" with some dignity before being whisked off.

For that reason I wouldn't. Sorry OP!

CloserIAm2Fine · 23/12/2018 12:33

I’m English but have lived in Wales all my adult life

If you’re going to use a Welsh name then please spell it correctly!

DontBuyANewMumCashmere · 23/12/2018 12:38

I love the name but you're going to set your baby up for a lifetime of having to spell their name everytime they meet someone, use their name on the phone etc... (Unless they actually live in Wales!)
So I wouldn't.

BikeRunSki · 23/12/2018 12:41

Niamh and Siobhan have become pretty well established in England.

I think we’ll be able to handle Aneurin nn Nye, particularly since there is famous one we should all know!

Stick to the proper Welsh spelling though. Just explain the pronounciation to anyone who has trouble.

Original poster
Smizzlediz · 23/12/2018 12:49

Hmm I think you’ve confirmed at least one of the issues-

Aneurin isn’t well known enough to English people to make it unlikely to be pronounced an-ure-in if reading it... I don’t think I can do that to him. I agree that people should know it, because of Nye Bevan, but I’m not sure many will, I’m including my DH in this, as he knew Nye but didn’t know it was short for Aneurin.

BUT it looks like the way round that, to spell it Aneirin, isn’t commonly recognised as an accepted spelling in Wales. I don’t want to look like we’ve made it up or are trying to be ‘unique’.

So the dilemma continues! Glad to hear it’s an acceptable name for an English boy/man though, that’s one worry off the list at least!

OP posts:
masterstef · 23/12/2018 13:31

@glitterbiscuits

Are you maintaining that the correct traditional spelling is anuerin? I've not seen that before.
See en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aneurin_Bevan - he presumably had the unacceptable spelling?

OP, Aneirin is perfectly fine. As you can see even traditionalists can't agree on the 'proper' spelling!

masterstef · 23/12/2018 13:32

Oh and my friend with the ds Aneirin is Welsh.

Phillipa12 · 23/12/2018 13:35

My mum called her welsh terrier Nye, everybody who met him asked if it was short for Aneurin Bevan. I love the name whether it be for a dog or child!

glitterbiscuits · 23/12/2018 14:00

It's Aneurin.
Apologies for the earlier spelling error. I was typing in anger on a tiny phone.
One of my pet hates is people who take an ordinary name and try to give it a twist.
I know a Phebe ( no O); Eveie ( extra e), Kristopher. And a Dillon.

Aneurin is a lovely name if spelled properly.