If I like Iona...

[BananaCustard85]

Hi there!

Currently pregnant with my first. We've agreed a name for a boy, but haven't agreed a girl's name yet.

I like Iona. It's strong-sounding. I can imagine it as an adult's name. It's not too cutesy or frilly. I like that Iona sounds relatively modern as well - l quite like Diana, but worry that it's old fashioned in a bad way! I am slightly put off by Iona sounding like 'I own a'.

'na' endings not obligatory!

Can anyone suggest similar, strong-sounding names? 🙂 Our surname begins with F and is 3 syllables.

Thank you for your help!

Miranda
Alexandra

Honor
Estella
Erica or Erika
Isla
Not sure if too many syllables but these immediately came to mind!

Names that don't end in a vowel may sound stronger
Megan
Arden
Juliet
Beth

But I also have a soft spot for Eliza

Ailsa

Miranda is nice 🙂

DP likes Eleanor, but I think it has something mournful about it! (Apologies to any Eleanors out there). It's one of those names that look nicer written down than they sound, if that makes sense?

Una
Orla

What names does your partner like?

Cara
Carmen
Gemma

Ooh Arden is interesting 🙂

I like Beth, but there are two in the family already.

I think shorter is better really with the surname.

Thanks everyone who has commented so far 🙂

Erin
Brooke
Freya
Paige
Isla

Must have cross posted, just saw he likes Eleanor.

Adeline
Isla
Josephine
Amelia

Ida

Robyn
Megan
Rachel
Esther

Melanie

Robin
Alba
Sula

Is it a Scottish name that you’re looking for?
Morag.
Murrin.
Eilidh.
Adair.
Aileen.
Cait.
Evanna.

I liked Iona but DH was put off by the ‘I own her’ connection. DD is Bryony - I preferred the Briony spelling but I’ve totally adjusted to it now!

Other names I liked:

Genevieve
Imogen
Juliet
Emmeline
Josephine
Serena
Madeline
Celeste
Marina

Catriona
Cassandra
Aurelia
Saskia
Hannah
Isadora/Isa
Zelda
Helena

Isolde
Tala
Noura/Nora
Cordelia
Sidonie
Samantha
Vivienne
Guinevere
Vanessa

Ilona is lovely too

@inthelibrary he likes also likes Anna/Hannah, Matilda, Lara/Zara

@FelicityPike we're not Scottish. Surname is Irish, but I'm from England and partner is from Channel Isles. I did wonder if Iona would be an odd choice given we don't have a Scottish background, but thought there must be lots of Islas who aren't Scottish? I did live in Scotland for 5 years so might have been influenced by this 🙂

Thank you everyone this is brilliant. Will show partner all the suggestions as well.

No it’s not odd, my DD has a Welsh name and we’re Scottish...I just wondered.

Leona?

Iona is also a Welsh name and is pronounced Yonna in Wales (like Donna but with a Y). So there's an alternative pronunciation.

Tess and Tessa are nice and have a similar feel to Beth for me. See also Emma, Kate, Erin, Megan, Ruth and Anna.

I love Morven, Ishbel and Eilidh.

If DH likes Zara and Lara what about Mara? Marisa?

How about Iris or Ida?

Anya
Marina
Alisa
Lara
Orla

Tiana.
Leona
Tiona
Alana
Elena
Sian/a
Cora
Cara
Zara