Sine?

[toucanem]

Husband is half Scottish/ half Irish so we're looking for a traditional Gaelic name. Thoughts on Sine? How would you pronounce it?

We have a 4 syllable surname so want a one-two syllable first name.

Middle name will be a traditional Welsh name (my side), we're thinking Ffion, Alys or Elin.

No sorry don’t like it. I’d pronounce sign as well.

It’s sin with an e on the end. No.

For heaven's sake.
Scottish Gaelic and the Irish language -whatever you want to call it - officially, its 'Gaelige' (which is the SAME WORD ) - are very, very, very similar.

They are both classified as members of the Goidelic branch of 'Celtic ' languages, along with the language spoken on the Isle of Man.

Welsh, Cornish and Breton are also related, less closely.

Isn't it softer than Sheena, more of a soft 'uh' sound at the end. I like it but I think people could struggle to say it correctly.

@florascotia2 that’s absolutely correct.

It’s Sheena, I went to school with one. I really like it.

Of course people will learn to pronounce it but non-Gaelic speakers will never get it right first time, particularly without the fada. I would have opted for Sine as in maths or see-nay as in Latin 'without' (sine qua non).

Thanks, Reggie. Much appreciated.
I sometimes feel as if I'm fighting a losing battle - though against what, I'm not quite sure.

Midsomer that's perfectly true, but really it's not that difficult. Just needs a bit of linguisitic empathy. Surely a good thing!

In English, for example, Tina has a similar 'i+n' sound. Admittedly, people have to learn that 'Si' at the beginning can sometimes be 'Sh'. But that's it, really. Then just a little schwa - 'uh' sound - at the end.

Aine? Pronounced onya, with a fodda on the e

Presuming the baby has his surname, I'd go Welsh for the first name - not least because they are much nicer than Sine.

*fada.. Oops

Ah, I never knew that schwa means an 'uh' sound.

Midsommer - it's interesting, isn't it? And quite widespread. We have a friend from northern Europe who spells her name Anne. Yet she pronounces it Ahnn-uh - the same schwa sound at the end.

I 'm sure that there are mumsnetters who know a lot more about linguistics than I do. Perhaps they can elaborate.

Orlaith is my friends name though no one can pronounce it correctly from the spelling.

I would have no idea 🤷‍♀️

Ffion is lovely though - why don’t you switch and call her Ffion Sine

Or find something easier. It’ll be a massive pain her whole life.

Where do you live, @toucanem? Do you speak Welsh?

If you don't, I'd pick a name you like as a first name, not necessarily gaelic or gaelige, a welsh middle name, and surname.

The three names you suggested as middle names are more first names than middle names but are easy to spell and say. Ffion will be mixed up with Fionn, Alys with Alice, and Elin with Ellen.
I don't like Seren, seems too modern.

As for a name that has a sort of scottish feel, how about Flora? I think it is lovely.

I like Sine but if the replies on here are anything to go by it will be troublesome. There are nice scottish names you coukd choose instead, should you wish to.

Scottish Gaelic and the Irish language -whatever you want to call it - officially, its 'Gaelige' (which is the SAME WORD ) - are very, very, very similar

Lots of things are similar, but they aren't the same. The Irish language is called Irish (if you are speaking English), it really is that simple. IT is NOT called Gaelic. If you're speaking Irish, its still not called Gaelic.

Don't for heavens sake me. If you get the name of someone elses language wrong, and they tell you, you don't tell them to shut up because its close enough. It's incredibly rude.

There's a lot of ignorance about Irish, Gaelic and Welsh, and on here threads tend to get heated.

Posts usually include misspelt names, the wrong meanings, strange name suggestions and rude comments like 'Spell it properly'.

And there is a strange compulsion to give a DC a name that reflects his or her heritage.

Someone will say 'It's unpronounceable' or whatever, and there will be another poster will say that you can teach anyone how to say the name.

I'll admit to not knowing any Gaelic or Gaelige.

I have a Welsh name that isn't overly popular, I know a few with the name but I was usually the only one in any group. Outside a Welsh-speaking environment it is a pain in the arse.

As much as i like my name, I don't like the having it mispronounced or insulted.

I'm Scottish, I would pronounce it Sheena.
If you like the sound, how about Shuna (like the island), less chance it will be mispronounced.

For heaven's sake.Scottish Gaelic and the Irish language -whatever you want to call it - officially, its 'Gaelige' (which is the SAME WORD ) - are very, very, very similar.

Oof. Perhaps don't get all high and mighty about how Gaeilge and Gaelic are the same word if you can't even spell Gaeilge.

Possibly an indication that you don't know as much as you think you do?

I’ve not come across Sine as a name so I had no idea which country I might be from. I’d have said it as per a road sign .

Flora is always very abrasive on these name threads, just take it with a pinch of salt!

I'd pronounce Síne as Shee-neh. I know one, but she uses the Sheena spelling.
Without the fada it's pronounced Shin-eh in Irish and means nipple or teat, I believe.

Hello! Greetings. A bonafide Sine here. Most usually pronounced Sheena but a Gaelic speaker makes it much more beautiful - more like Shee-nuh.Technically I'm a Sine- Mairi but explaining and spelling both names is not a battle I have ever desired. Only native Scottish Gaelic speakers will pronounce it properly. Only Scottish Gaelic speakers will even have a chance of recognising it. I can confirm I have spent the last 36 years being called:
Sign
Signpost
Sheen
Sheenie
Shona
Sean
Sin
Sinnie
Signy
Shiny
Shin-ay

I've probably forgotten a few. I've been called these names more often than I've ever been called my own name. I was born and raised in the Highlands, but also lived all over the world and it doesn't matter, people get it wrong no matter where you are. Highlanders call me Sign as much as Texans called me Sign. People question if I know my correct name, and if I'm spelling it right. That moment at an appointment or interview where they call out someone's name? You just get an awkward pause - it's ok, you learn to answer to Awkward Pause. Personally I love my name but if you name your baby this realise they'll spend their whole life correcting people or perhaps even just letting strangers call them whatever because life is easier that way, and also more amusing. If they aren't blessed with my easy-going temperament (🤣🤣), they might resent you forever. Luckily for my parents I let it slide. Also there's a high chance someone will recognise me from this post because there are never any other Sines, so hi everyone. Congratulations on your baby! It's a beautiful name, choose it if you love it 😁❤️

Footnote: High School maths will be torture for a while.

I would say sign or cine (film).
I think id choose something else or spell it differently