Dh and I can’t agree - Ruaridh or Hamish

[Middledistancerunner]

We live in England so that has a bearing on it.

Dh thinks Ruaridh will be called Rory.
I think Hamish will be shortened to Ham.

Which is the less worst option?

(We have been debating baby names for months now, baby is now 12 days old, so we’re not looking to try out different names, it has to be one of these two).

His twin is called Ishbel.

I prefer Hamish & never known one to a Ham. Ruaridh rhymes too easily as well as a lifetime of just spell that for me again. I say that as someone with a common surname but slightly different spelling.

Yes I do think there is a risk of Hamish and Ishbel getting blended into Hamishbel.

You’re all absolutely right - Hamish wouldn’t get shortened to ham, it would more likely be Hay.
If shortened at all. I am just trying to think ahead and make sure I don’t inadvertently give the poor child a silly name.

As other I would pronounce Ruaridh Rhury (rhymes with Jury). I don’t particularly like Rory.
You’re all absolutely correct too, I am a little wary of landing him with a name others can’t spell or pronounce.

(This is probably very outing) but we already have a Mhairi who very rarely gets called Mhairi. I don’t mind, I like the variation and people try, but I do feel she might get bored of explaining that she’s actually called Varry.

My youngest has a Scottish name, spelled the old Gaelic way (lots of i’s, h’s and d’s), we often have to correct spelling and pronunciation but realised this when we chose it and so are happy to do so.

Personally I think that ruaridh goes much better with Ishbel. Hamish and Ishbel is way too matchy and cutesy for me.

Are you Scottish?

I love both names, I'm English but live in Scotland. In your shoes I'd go for Hamish.

Hamish is a better name.

Those are both names of Labradors in my wider family...

Ruaridh and Ishbel is lovely!

We ruled it out for DS on the basis that English people will pronounce it Rory, so I suppose it depends on your patience for correcting people!

I don't think Hamish would get shortened to Ham.

Just my opinion mind but Mhari and Rhuaridh sound too matching and maybe a scottish Topsy and Tim

I’d honestly not avoid a Scottish name spelt traditionally based on English people not understanding how to say it properly. If you are picking traditional Scottish names, you’re doing so to stay close to your heritage, don’t make compromises on that.

In Ireland you see Ruarí without the DH from time to time. Is that an option?

Often people just lop off those silent bits in traditional names cos they always lead to mistakes from half the people you meet.

I would use Rory. You will be spelling your son’s name all the time.

...if you use Ruaridh

Please don't saddle your child with a name he has to spell for the rest of his life. Hamish is a fab name.

Hamish!

Speaking as someone whose DS has a similar name to Ruaridh, I’d caution against it. The minute the ‘congratulations on your new baby’ cards came in, I thought, oh no, I’ve set him up for a lifetime of mispronunciations and mis-spellings here. And so it has proved!

I have a Ruairí. I am Irish but live in England. Prononciation is something you have to put up with. His name doesn't really get shortened. Go for an unusual spelling. Much nicer than Rory

Ruairidh (thus spelling) was on my list (we’re Scottish, in Scotland) but we chose mother name because people would always spell or pronounce it wrong. I have a Scottish name and Scottish people get it wrong most of the time let alone anyone else and it does get annoying! I do love the name though

I’m Scottish, LOVE both names, but honestly, if you live in England, in order to save yourselves years of low level irritation, I’d just go for Hamish. For what it’s worth, have known many, many men/boys called Hamish and not one of them is routinely shortened.

I knew a Hamish who was called Hammy at school. I still like it better than Ruairi.

I think Angus goes great with Ishbel though...

Love them both!

I have a Hamish - he got called Hay -me in primary school and Seamus at college , but mostly just Hamish!

Hamish, definitely.

Hamish

The other one is nice but I'm not even going to attempt to spell it and I'm Scottish!!

Don't make life awkward for the wee lad, every card, birthday and Christmas, every party invite and personal records as he grows up will all be easily misspelled.

Ishbel & Hamish

Congrats

I love Ruaridh.

I don't know anyone called Hamish that gets "Ham" though.