Do you associate this name with anything?

[codenameduchess]

I'm assuming MN represents a decent cross section and me and DH have different views on a name, he thinks too many people will associate it but I think the reference is old and niche enough now that it isn't a problem for most people.

It's for DC2, sec unknown, if it's a girl I've suggested (and love) Inara

Thoughts?

I would associate with Inara George the singer

Firefly. And she was a badass, not just a companion

Inara was my favourite character. She was a total badass, and if I'd had a girl (2DS's and I'm certainly done!) Inara would have been very high on our list. She was entirely in control of herself. And in no way a 'space prostitute'.

Never heard of it.

Hail the browncoats. Inara was gorram shiny.

Means nothing to me and I like it a lot. Off to Google it now though!

I like it, never heard of it or firefly tho.

I've never heard of it either.

Never heard of it

Geordies say knaa for know so my first thought is it would sound like “I knaa her” in a Geordie accent.

I really do love it! She's an awesome character, and it's such a pretty name.

DHs circle of friends are more likely to get the reference to firefly, whereas my friends are more of a mixed bag and I can only think of 2 or 3 who might know it. I've also suggested Moya and Hera but they were a hard no.

Firefly.

I have never heard the name before, think it's lovely!

Never heard of it but your names are pretty awful. As pp, I can imagine a car being an Inara or Morena.

Reminds me of inari pockets.
Those soya pockets filled with rice.

The prostitute, sorry, 'companion' from Firefly.

No associations, don't think I've ever heard it. Never heard of Firefly either. But it's a name that manages to be unusual without being outlandish and wikipedia reveals that she was indeed a goddess, though rather wonderfully obscure.

I'm a fan and think you should go for it!

It sounds like a Brazilian name to me.

I think it's a gorgeous name... I also immediately thought of Firefly though. If that bothers you, how about going for something with a similar sound, maybe something like Amara or Elena?

(I can't suggest that you don't use it though because I have River on my girls' list purely because of River Tam )

I hadn't heard it before but I think it sounds lovely. This came up on Google
Inara, in Hittite–Hurrian mythology, was the goddess of the wild animals of the steppe and daughter of the Storm-god Teshub/Tarhunt. She corresponds to the "potnia theron" of Greek mythology, better known as Artemis

no, never heard of it, but don't like it, nor your other suggestions. and I certainly wouldn't name a child after any kind of courtesan, = whore.
what names does your husband like?

Firefly.

@EileenAlanna I've not looked it up, but I love that and Artemis was another name I'd liked so the connection is fab!
I need to keep working on DH!

Firefly.

And if your husband has watched Firefly and describes Inara as a "space prostitute" then he really isn't a very astute viewer.