Aneirin- can we? Welsh opinions particularly needed

[Smizzlediz]

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!

And Euryn is a perfectly acceptable boy's name in Welsh. It is pronounced similar to Aneurin but without the An.

Op I wouldn’t greatly worry, people pick up the pronunciation pretty quickly, the name shouldn’t be totally alien to most either thanks to Nye Bevan. Dd is named Niamh, it has surprised us how many people can’t pronounce or spell it. But most only need telling once 😊 as long as you’re happy to tell them once you should be ok. Personally I would go with the more conventional spelling

We have picked Aneurin as our boys name, and intend to use Nye day today, if you know what I mean. We have no Welsh links, but simply adore the name. It was pretty much our first boys name suggestion and nothing comes close. Hubby dearest is also a lefty so he loves the Nye Bevan link. I dont mind the link, i just yhink the bame is gorgeous

@Smizzlediz heyyyy realise it's been YEARS but just in case you're still using your MN account - I'm curious to know if you went with it?? im currently pregnant with a baby boy and having the exact same combo as you were... English not Welsh (though did live there for a few years), prefer Aneirin as the spelling and would shorten the name to Nye. Whilst lots of ppl in my circle have heard of Nye Bevan,osr ppl won't know aneurin and I don't want to subject him to a life of mispronunciation (my name's Toril - it's Norwegian and my parents named me after a Norwegian writer that no one's heard of, I always swore I'd give my kid an easier name than that 😂). Thanks so much xxxx

Hey,

I just hosted my sons 4th birthday party today - and his name is Nye!

we went for Aneurin as a spelling as that’s how Nye Bevan spelt it. Though I know someone else with an Aneirin and they abbreviate to Nye.

There is a lot of checking how to say/spell it etc but Nye is such a short name that once people hve heard it once they’ve got it!

overall I still love it as a name!

I'm Welsh and you are pronouncing it correctly.
And both spellings are acceptable.

It's a lovely name and Nye is sometimes used as a shortened version.

Hello!

What a blast from the past! I do still absolutely love the name but in the end we went with Alex(ander), and he will be 4 next month!

Ultimately we did decide we just wanted something that would be simple to spell wherever he went, I was also influenced by having a name that needs spelling and being too shy to correct people as a kid/teen. Aneirin will always be the name that got away though!

Best of luck with your little one 🥰

@Smizzlediz @PMAmostofthetime @hoping2018 aww thanks all so much for your replies!! 4 years later lol...

My partner is really keen on Aneirin/Nye, I'm wobbling slightly having had to correct/explain/spell my name sooo much as a kid..our other current fav is Franklin which I think is basically the opposite end of the scale haha 😂 But Nye is just such a lovely name with such a great story/ethos behind it

@hoping2018 happy birthday to your little Nye 🥳

Ahh Franklin is lovely too, I don’t think you can go wrong with either!

One thing about spelling is that if he’s usually known as Nye it’s at least quick and simple to spell out 😊

@Smizzlediz ahh thanks, it's a great problem to have eh!! A little Nye or a little Franklin. Or, since we've still got 3 months to go, something else we haven't thought of yet?! Ive also been pushing emmett or emmerson but DH less keen... I'll update this thread when we've chosen, all the Nye mothers can unite! 🧡😂

Whatever you decide that’ll just be “him” and it’ll suit!

Ha, we are also in a similar boat! We both love Nye, but partner is dead set on Aneirin over Aneurin. I would go for just Nye if it were just up to me tbh). What did you go for in the end?

@Jaygull ah this is such a fun throwback q!! We went for Franklin. I think having such an unusual name myself I liked that it was more easily recognisable. No regrets he very much is a Franklin, but that will be true whatever you choose of course!! Now trying for our second so maybe Nye will back a come back to the list...

Every so often something just hits my funny bone full on. This was one of them.😂

We have a Nye, just Nye.
Love the longer form but being just Nye has been so much simpler for him all round.

Yes, I have a friend who is just Nye. It'd a great name!

If you check out Behindthename.com Aneirin is apparently the original spelling of the name. I like Aneirin and don’t see a problem with those born outside of Wales using it.