Which combination for twins?

[carseatgreet]

We know they're identical so will either be bb or gg but don't know which.
We already have two boys called Rowan and Alistair
We've narrowed it down to a shortlist but can't pick which combination we want.

Euan
Calum
Joseph
Ruaridh

Louise
Niamh
Mhari
Mara

Just wanted to say love name Alistair

I think any boys combination, excluding Calum, is nice. But I'd probably go for Joseph and Ruaridh.

With girls, I'm not sure how Niamh and Mhari are pronounced but I like Mara.

Calum and Ruaridh

Mhairi and Louise?? (? Because not massively keen on any of the rest but Louise definitely my fave - obv can't have Mhairi and Mara anyway and I really dislike Niamh

With girls, I'm not sure how Niamh and Mhari are pronounced but I like Mara.

Mhari - Mah-ri

Niamh - Neeve

Thank you @PlantPotting

What @happycamper11 said re pronunciation

Obviously not going to use Mhari and Mara together but I can't pick between them and I like them both for sentimental reasons.
Would probably use Maisy as a nickname if we use Mhari.

Mara and Niamh
Calum and Joseph
(I like Euan too but think it's too similar to Rowan)

Oh I love Maisy as well so definitely Mhari

Calum and Joseph

Niamh and Mara

B - Euan and Joseph
G - Louise and Niamh
However, I would spell Niamh Neve because went to school with a Niamh who had an awful time trying to proucounce and spell her name as it doesn't sound how it looks!
I've never heard of Ruaridh or Mhari before and have no idea how you would pronounce them!
Congrats on your twins!

Calum and Joseph

Niamh and Mhari

I think those combinations sound best together and with your other DC names.

I’m Scottish and where I’m from, Mhari is always pronounced Vari. Is that the pronunciation you were going for OP?

It’s the same “mh” sound from the end of Niamh which also makes a “v” sound.

Are you Scottish? they are a bit of a mish mash, I prefer using names that are relevant if traditional, Niamh is Irish.

Mhairi is the correct spelling, pronounced Vaa-ray

Not Ruaridh, lovely as it is as it's too similar to Rowan. Ditto Euan, actually. So that narrows it down to Joseph and Calum (though I prefer Callum).

Not Mara, it's an odd looking South American rodent. Don't do that to the child.

I thought in Scots Gaelic Mhari was pronounced something like Varry, not MAH-ri, but I'm prepared to be told I'm wrong (I'm more familiar with Irish).

So Louise and Niamh (which I'd pronounce NEE-uv, with almost two syllables, not Neeve)

Any combination of the others are fine.

Are you scottish? Is Niamh also used in Scotland? (spell it the right way if you are going to use it please)

I like

Calum and Ruaridh

also Mhari and ... sorry don't much like any of the others except maybe Niamh. How about Ishbel (I LOVE that name and wish I was scottish so I could use it)

Oh, just cross posted with a couple of people. I see I'm right about the pronunciation of Mhari. I was wondering about the spelling too.

Are you in Scotland?

Euan and Ruaridh (these were the two names on my shortlist had dd been a boy) . Also love Alistair!

Your girl's names don't seem to be as 'Scottish' as the boy's ones. Can I throw Morven and Iona into the mix? . I like Louise, but it has a different vibe to your other names?

Morven and Mara
Morven and Mhari
Mhari & Iona
Mara and Iona (too matchy?)
Niamh and Iona

PS - thought Mhari was pron. Vari? Nice either way!

@DramaAlpaca - Mara is Gaelic for sea so is completely in line with the other names (and is a gorgeous name - I know one who is the offspring of marine biologists...)

You’re maybe thinking of Mairi (as in the song Mairi’s wedding) for the “maah-ree” pronunciation you’re after rather than Mhari with the mh = v so “vah-ree” as others have mentioned.

The only combinations I would avoid are Louise and Niamh, and Euan and Callum, as they sound a bit too similar to me.

Personal favourites would be Euan and Joseph, and Louise and Mhairi/Mara.

Niamh and Mara.

Joseph is great, but Ruaridh is too close to Rowan and I don't like Euan or Calum much. How about Torin and Joseph? Or Conrad?

LostInTheColonies I'm aware of what Mara means in Gaelic, it's similar in Irish. That meaning is nice. However, as I said, it's also the name of a South American rodent and to me because of that it isn't a gorgeous name at all.

Ruairdh and Euan; Niamh, Mara.

Euan and Calum are my brothers names! Perfect for twins imo!!