Scottish boys name but live in England

[Monkeyandthebear]

We have found out we are expecting a boy. We already have a girl (Sophie) and we love the name Ruaridh for a boy. It would have been Sophie’s name if she was a boy.

My question is can we get away with it even though we live in England or will we end up explaining how to spell and say it for forever? We may not be here forever but definitely for a long time yet. He will have Charles as a middle name so could use Charlie in the future but I do love the name
Ruaridh.

@PearlyBird how? As stated grew up in Wales, live in South England and have never across the name? How is it possibly my fault that I simply haven't come across a name? I've even worked for a Scottish organisation remotely and not come across it, how can it be my fault that I've not seen and thus don't know how to pronounce a name, that isn't ignorance, it's how you react to a name that could make you ignorant but asking for clarification on how to say something isn't ignorance.

It's not ignorant not to speak a different language. The English language doesn't have those letter combination/pronunciations. I KNOW how Niamh is pronounced but the spelling in no way reflects how I say it.

People can’t even agree on how to pronounce it on this thread?!

I’d have thought ‘Rory’, but that’s clearly not quite right. And I’ve have no hope of spelling it correctly, no hope.

To give another perspective, i have a Welsh name (not a particularly difficult one i don't t think) and very few people pronounce it properly. If they see it written down they say it wrong, and if they hear it they can't spell it. For almost 50 years, I've had to correct people and i can tell you while i love the name I'm pretty fed up of correcting people all the time.

And the insular comments make me laugh because can you imagine what would be said if an English person got pissed off their English name couldn't be pronounced in France, France is only the next country over they should know how to pronounce all our English words surely....they'd be very ignorant or insular otherwise

@namechange7865

And honestly think it's far more "insular" to assume a name common in a very limited area in very limited language is "well known" beyond that area.

Very true, actually.

I’ve never understood this misconception that English people aren’t capable of learning how to say names that aren’t Jane or John! Have you seen how multicultural England is?? Since forever!

Call your children all the beautiful names from all the wonderful languages and cultures. Honour your heritage. And if anyone says they can’t pronounce it after hearing it said they’re a liar. And that’s a problem with them, not your child’s name. And they clearly need more exposure to names they aren’t used to- so you’re doing them a favour.

I am Scottish and I would pronounce it Roo-ray.

I’d pronounce it rooo ree with that spelling soft o rather than Rory it’s a lovely name op
People will soon learn to say/spell it. I have a ciaran and he gets see arin fgs some people just can’t be bothered.

It goes lovely with Sophie too,

If you're Scottish living in England then I'd say go for it.

I knew a Ruaridh at uni in the South of England. He had to correct teaching staff and some students the first time he met them but then no problems. It's really not a very difficult name, and I feel like it's not difficult to hazard a guess even if your only experience with Gaelic language is from other popular Gaelic names.

And I should add, the Ruaridh that I knew was English with a Scottish father!

The only way people learn how to say these names is by people using them.

I'm English and I know how to pronounce it (from MN!). It's not that hard once you've been told.

As others have said, the English can manage Sian, Niamh, Siobhan and names from even further from "home".

Yes, I suspect there will be lots of explanations of how to say/spell it at first plus lots of Rory but that's true of many names.

I know two new baby 'Rus' so I suspect like Finn, it's going to become more mainstream and the familiarity will increase. So go for it.

It's a lovely name and I know how to pronounce it despite never having met one.

Just prepare yourself to have to explain the pronunciation and spelling.

I have a Welsh name in England, some of the misspellings are spectacular but the majority of people manage to spell it right.

A lot of people pronounce it wrong though - dentist and GP receptionists are one thing but colleagues and teachers are another. With some people it doesn't seem to matter how often I correct them, they still get it wrong. So bear that in mind. My Mam thought my Welsh name was English proof and it very much wasn't. Doesn't bother me but it bothers her so worth thinking about whether you'll find it intolerable or not.

Also, expect some rudeness. I've had people insist they will call me a random unconnected name instead 'oh I'll never manage that' or 'well, this is England and your parents should have called you something English, so I'll call you Sarah instead'. I do not tolerate this.

I don't think I was being a dick. My point was that even if people don't know the name, most of them would get it after the first time you tell them. So it's not like you'd be constantly explaining it, unless you meet loads of new people every day.

There will be people who refuse to learn, they are idiots, in the minority, and not worth worrying about.

We're English, not stupid. We don't live in wood huts banging things with sticks, we're one of the most multicultural countries in the world and can pronounce unique and non-anglican names just fine.

I wouldn't know anyone who would be unable to pronounce it on the first try or get it after being told once. He will however spend his life explaining how to spell it.

I went to high school with an Eilidh and she was nicknamed Eyelid the whole time. Whilst you think it's embracing your scottish roots, I'd say it would be more common for you to give him a generic spelling of it.

My Nana was Scottish and her Mum did the same and gave her the traditional spelling. She hated it in the 1940's, let alone the 2000's!

That aside it's a beautiful name! Our child has a celtic name and we've always had them in our shortlist.

It's a perfectly acceptable name. Not unusual and most people would know how to say it. I live down south.

I'm scottish and pronounce it RooARay. I always have to think about how to spell it but it is a nice name. Go for it op.

Up here (central belt) there are at least one Ruaridh per class! However, we didn’t pick it specifically because we knew English relatives would struggle and he’d have a lifetime of spelling his name!

Robbie or Rory as alternatives?

I have a Ruairidh and live in England, it gets a really positive reaction. Some people still pronounce it Rory but most people are just fine once they hear how to say it. If you love it go for it!

This is a very normal name. I disagree that everybody will ask ''how do you pronounce it?''. Most people will KNOW.

They really won't.

Ah pressed post too soon.

But yeah I think on first read most brits won't know how to pronounce it. But a normal person wouldn't have trouble once they've been told.

Maybe have some issues spelling it. But that's understandable.

It's a lovely name. Use it if you like it. Same type of situation as many Irish names. X

Go for it!

Nowadays google can help people pronounce most foreign words. If it’s not already on there I’m sure someone will put something up telling people how to say Gaelic words! Thankfully, as it’s bloody hard! I’ve only got the very basics but it’s difficult.

He may have to sound it out or spell it for people for a while but they’ll get it, just the way you do with a Russian name or German or African or whatever that you are unfamiliar with as it’s rare here.