Is Irene truly dreadful?

[spearmintbubble]

I love the name Irene Elizabeth and I was wanting to use it. Majority of people I’ve asked like it, however there is a high percentage who don’t. Is it one of those names that you either love or hate? All opinions welcome!

Who gives a shit what others think, I personally like it, as it's my mums name.

I find it completely unappealing. It genuinely confuses me when I see comments saying how beautiful it is. But that's why names are so interesting, they can spark such different reactions in people. I'm sure you might think some of my top names are horrid, wouldn't stop me using them.

Perfectly lovely name OP.

Yes, it is dreadful. Unless you are giving birth to a 75 year old with a light perm

Dreadful for what?

You are by far too caught up with what "people" think and what "people" say.

Just choose preferred names and have done with it.

I think it's awful. A really ugly name like Maureen or Doris.

I loved the name ursula. So many people hated it but if I'd have had a dd then I'd have used it. If you love it, then use it. Who gives a shit what other people think.

I know a couple of lovely Irene’s (and not little old ladies). It’s like Eleanor - I know lovely Eleanor’s too.

if you like it, use it!

It’s a beautiful name pronounced with three syllables. I think the people comparing it to Maureen etc are probably pronouncing it with two syllables (as lots of people do).

How can it have 3 syllables? Eye-reen (never heard it pronounced otherwise)

If you like it, choose it and don't bother about what others think.

It's often pronounced Eye-Ree-Nee

Irena is slightly better if you like the general sound. But with a universe of prettier names out there it seems like an odd one.

I love Irene pronounced Eye-reen.

Some people say Eye-ree-nee, which I don't like.

I think it's truly dreadful. I can't find much appealing at all for it. But as @SummaLuvin says, names are subjective. No name is universally popular, and when naming a baby all you can do is pick a name which you like and hope that your child will agree with your choice when they're old enough to have an opinion. Irene is dated (and not in a cute vintage way), and doesn't fit into the flowy, vowel heavy names which are common to most of the popular names for girls now, which is probably why many people don't like it.

She sounds like someone me or my mum might have as a friend but I am 60 and she is 82. I think it is dreadfully dreary and old fashioned.

It used to be quite popular in Scotland but haven't heard of any recently.
I worked for a dreadful woman called Irene so that might put me off it!

Eye-ree-nee. The name is originally Greek and was traditionally pronounced in the Greek way (3 syllables). (Compare other Greek names where you pronounce the final e, like Phoebe and Zoe.)

The 2 syllable version became popular in the mid 20th C but the 3 syllable version is coming back now. It’s much nicer IMO.

It just makes me think of old people. I've also never heard of it pronounced any other way than 2 syllables, eye-reen

Home and away 'eye reeeeen'

Who pronounces it with 3 syllables 🤣

I think it's nice. Granny chic. Reminds me of the scatterbrain in Malory Towers.

I think it's nice. Granny chic. Reminds me of the scatterbrain in Malory Towers.

You also need to decide which emphasis to give it. I've known (older generation) EYE-reen and eye-REEN.

REE-nee was a popular nickname, even if the name itself was pronounced EYE-reen.

I'm not mad keen on any of the above variations but you should use the names you like. It goes well with Elizabeth, make sure it sounds good with your surname with and without the middle name.

Irene Cara has just died, it didn't do her any harm as a name, and would be a fitting tribute to her to use it (although that may well not be why you are choosing it).

Who pronounces it with 3 syllables.

It's a name in various languages, with that or other spellings. So, lots of people, I'd say!

Irene Handle did! Showing my age there…