Rate my girl names

[Goleor]

We had settled on a lovely name but sadly several people have chosen it so we've had to go back to the drawing board again. We've picked a few but we can't choose a favourite. So I need some opinions
Shona
Naoise (nee-sha)
Keziah
Farrah
Ursula

Thanks everyone ☺ great to see the different opinions! We had originally picked fiadh but we live in Ireland and it seems everyone also loves it 🤣🤣 to the poster who asked if naoise is a boys name (sorry I can't quote you for some reason) it was originally but I think it has become more unisex now.

I’m not so keen on Farrah or Ursula but I like the other three! Shona, in particular, I think is surprisingly underused.

I like Naoise, but I think that - in Ireland at least - lots of people still consider it a boys name. For me, because of the legend, it would be like calling a girl Romeo or Tristan. But, you're right, it has become more unisex - given to approximately equal numbers of boys and girls in Ireland last year.

Of your other names, Fiadh is actually my favourite, but it's really very popular now as you say. I'd prefer Siún to Shona personally; I also like Aoife, which reminds me a little of Fiadh.

Shona - ok
Naoise (nee-sha) - she'll be spelling her name and correcting people
Keziah - Kez-eye-ah but some will say Kez-ya
Farrah - ok
Ursula - I like it but think maybe as a middle name

Love Naoise.

Farrah is grim.

fiadh Is lovely too.

~Isn't the spelling Siúin

I've only seen it written Siún, ILoveShula, as in the link below. Broad and slender n's are pronounced differently in Irish, so it would make a difference. It's a rare enough name so I haven't come across it that often though.

forvo.com/word/si%C3%BAn/

@LizzieAnt

They might be two different names. Shoon and Shooun? I'm not Irish

I love Farah if it is pronounced the Arabic way (like far), butnot if it is pronounced like Farrah Fawcett.

I personally wouldn't go with Naoise as she will spend her life telling people how it's pronounced/spelled.

Farrah is lovely xx

Siún is a variant of Siobhán @ILoveShula. I'd never heard of Siúin so I just looked up the Irish records - there were 44, 38 and 37 baby girls named Siún over the last three years (2020, 2019, 2018), but they have no records for Siúin. If it's a name it must be very rare. It seems like you've come across it though?

I've heard Siobhan said as Shooan, and Siuin said the same. I think they are variants of the same (Joan in English). I'm not Irish and not clued up on Irish names. I'm Welsh and the welsh version is Siwan. Siwan has 2 pronunciations, one is SHOO-ann.

I'd not seen Siun before. Is it said as Shoon?

Apologies for lack of fadas.
The other pronunciation of Siwan is SEWE-ann (SEWE to rhyme with Mew or Pew)

More apologies - most of the Siobhans i know say it as Shivaun

Shona is ok - but the rest is nah

Farrah-lovely

Naoise makes me think Tuna Nicoise

I really love Keziah but I prefer it pronounced KEZZ - ee - uh rather than Kez - EYE - uh. The pronunciation issues might put me off.

@ILoveShula
Yes, most Siobháns I know say it like that too, but the pronunciation does vary with dialect. I didn't know Siwan was the Welsh equivalent, that's interesting, thanks. In Irish the letter s next to an i or e will always make an sh type sound - that's why the name Seán is pronounced as it is too. If you check my post from yesterday upthread you'll find a link to the pronunciation of Siún.

OP, if you like Naoise then maybe Laoise is another one to consider? (Although someone on these threads once said it reminded them of a drunk person trying to say Lisa, and I can't quite get that out of my head now!)

@LizzieAnt, I don't understand how Siún is 2 syllables. Siwan sounds similar but the last bit rhymes with can, tan and pan,.

Si is often sh in Welsh. The usual pronunciation of Siwan in N. Wales is the one starting with S.

The S. Wales pron. does have a tiny ee sound after the Sh, but it is barely perceptible.

Siôn is the obvious welsh equivalent of Seán, but they don't sound the same.

Lots of other names have quite obvious equivalents.

I've often wondered about gaeilge pronunciation.

Love Ursula

I like Ursula. It’s a strong name and I like the meaning. However, I like all the names except Farrah - which seems a bit dated to me.

Love Farrah