Iona

[Rowler22]

DP and I are due a baby girl in a few months and both love the name Iona. My only concern is our surname is a noun so I worry about the “I own a..” sound. It’s not an obvious one like Carr or Boot, more of a geographical term. So my question is, do you think Iona is ok with a surname like Heath/Green/Moore?

I think it'd be fine. If kids/people want to be mean they'll find something to nit pick about, whether it's a name or otherwise.

If you like Iona and are worried though, have you considered Ione/Ionie (Eye-ow-nee) ?

Um. Not really tbh. My first thought on seeing the thread title was that it’s a beautiful name so long as the surname isn’t a noun....

I crossed Iona off my list as I felt is sounded like 'I own a Green'. Shame as I really love Iona.

Iona Hill?

I own a moor

A well known person has a DD with this name and the surname is another word for a hanky

Mmm, I probably wouldn’t tbh.

What about Lorna or Leona/ Leonie? They have a similar sound/feel to me

Sorry, if that wasn't clear, the famous person is Iona Hanky-synonym not Moore

I wouldn't worry at all. Iona is so beautiful and underused

Lovely traditional Scottish name that has stood the test of time.

If my ds has been a girl we were going to use Iona or Isla such lovely names

Haha this is brilliant. I have a surname which is a noun and like this name. I just said it out loud in my head and it sounds like 'I own a x'

Sorry OP should have been clearer but its a no from me. I am forever finding hilarious names like this.

My favourite one is Henrietta "Henry eat a x'

What about Leona, Fiona or Catriona?

It was one of our favourites until we realised it could sound like “I own a”. It sadly doesn’t go with our surname.

I think since it’s not as obvious then it might work. People talk about owning a car but not a Heath

I don't think this is an issue in scotland, but might be elsewhere

I wouldn’t put the name Iona with a noun surname. Lovely name though. Can’t you change your surname?

Haha! My DP did suggest that but I don’t think he was serious. Thanks all, we’ve got some time to think about it so will see how we feel nearer the time. I love the name Lorna too so that’s an excellent alternative.

I wouldn’t, much as I like it.

Leonora, Oona, Isola, Ismene, Ishbel

Lorna is gorgeous - so romantic and poetic sounding imo. I'm not especially keen on Iona myself (too similar to trendy Isla for me), but I would say it's a no go anyway if your surname sounds like a noun.

I also prefer the Scottish Island name Vaila over Iona, if that might be your cup of tea?

Iona is such a lovely name that packs a real punch in only 4 letters! I would be tempted to use it with a nature word name, as it's not bad to say you own a heath etc.

Lorna is lovely! Iona is nice, but I prefer Lorna. Iona is a bit whinier maybe?

Iona is lovely but i wouldn't use it with a noun surname.
Lorna is a good alternative and very underused these days.
Ailsa?

I think it's fine if it's not something people usually own. So I think it's fine with Green or Lane or Hill but not with Carr or Couch or Plate...

Isla ?