Una or Oonagh

[Jizzyjeff]

If you like this name, which spelling do you prefer?

We both love the sound of the name but disagree on the spelling. Happily dh is okay for me to ultimately get the spelling I want as he says I've done all the hard work... but I'm interested in opinion.

Baby will have part Irish heritage and the surname is double barrelled English name-Irish name, if that makes a difference.

@RuthW

Una has two ways of saying it. Do you mind that?

It really doesn't.

I like Una better but both are good.

Jasmine or Scarlett are nice but I definitely prefer Oonagh. Although I'll admit to being biased because I know a lovely Oonagh. She shortens it to Oona on unofficial documents.

I would pronounce Una as Yoona because of Una Stubbs - I am old enough to remember her!

On balance, I think I'd rather have to spell Oonagh for people than have to correct them for mispronouncing Una.

Being old I also instantly think of Una Stubbs pronounced Yoona

Una must be one of the most common names in Ireland for women in the 35-55 age bracket. There are a lot of them. Oonagh is all kinds of wrong.

But you are forgetting the fada - It is not Una it is Úna. That small accent means the name is pronounced the same as Oonagh. Úna is the traditional Irish spelling, Oonagh is an anglicisation I suppose to show phonetically how the fada is pronounced, a simplification. So if you want the real Irish name Úna it is.

Definitely Oonagh :)

Do the Oonagh fans think it looks more authentic, is that why they favour it?

I am Oonagh often misspelt as Donagh would not want to be Una

@trappistkepler

But you are forgetting the fada - It is not Una it is Úna. That small accent means the name is pronounced the same as Oonagh. Úna is the traditional Irish spelling, Oonagh is an anglicisation I suppose to show phonetically how the fada is pronounced, a simplification. So if you want the real Irish name Úna it is.

Thank you for explaining this.

I have a completely different view of the name now than when I started this thread.

I always liked the spelling Oonagh, mainly because I used to know one and I wrongly thought it was the proper Irish spelling.

Upon reading all the replies I think Ùna would be the way I'd like to go, (if we don't name her Jasmine or Scarlett!) as it's the authentic Irish way, stops the mispronunciation, and she wouldn't have to explain the spelling all her life.

I like it spelt as Oona

Jasmine or Scarlett would be much nicer, my sister had a friend called Una, pronounced Yoona.

Una
Not crazy about this name. There are so many nicer names

@user1493494961

Jasmine or Scarlett would be much nicer, my sister had a friend called Una, pronounced Yoona.

Whaaat!

Eunice is pronouncec yoonis but never heard una or oonagh with a y before them

I'm Irish and all the Unas I've come across spell it like Una, I've never really seen the Oonagh spelling before. I've never heard of people pronouncing it like Yoona either though! I think Oonagh looks like a made up spelling and definitely not Oona, definitely Una for me.

Upon reading all the replies I think Ùna would be the way I'd like to go

The fada is in the other direction in the Irish spelling OP, so Úna.
I know it's probably a typo but just in case...

Úna for me!

Úna! Yes it was a mistake...I was typing in the sun so couldn't see properly

I'm just thinking the whole name is too much hassle now 😂

Oona?

I am a Fionagh. Yes, I have to spell it out but I don't mind that, people often guess that it's the Irish spelling. I have a cousin called Oonagh. It's part of your daughter's heritage. I'd go with that spelling.

@Fifilafrog

I am a Fionagh. Yes, I have to spell it out but I don't mind that, people often guess that it's the Irish spelling. I have a cousin called Oonagh. It's part of your daughter's heritage. I'd go with that spelling.

It seems people think because Oonagh is a more convoluted spelling it must be more authentic. But it's not. Plain old Úna is.

Una.

I would assume both to be pronounced Oo-na, I've never come across a Yoo-na

I prefer the Una spelling personally but nothing wrong with the alternative

@trappistkepler

But you are forgetting the fada - It is not Una it is Úna. That small accent means the name is pronounced the same as Oonagh. Úna is the traditional Irish spelling, Oonagh is an anglicisation I suppose to show phonetically how the fada is pronounced, a simplification. So if you want the real Irish name Úna it is.

Yes, this.

I find Úna very dated, so many middle aged ones in Ireland. It's a nice enough name but I don't know any under 50. I hate the Yoona pronunciation that will be inevitable in England, and I'm not fond of the Oonagh spelling.

I do love Jasmine, such a pretty, happy sounding name. I much prefer it to Scarlett.

I never met my lovely Aunt Una; she was my mother's youngest sister and was killed in a motorcycle accident aged just 20 a few years before I was born.

Her name was always pronounced yoona.