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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Is Irene truly dreadful?

115 replies

spearmintbubble · 27/11/2022 14:46

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!

OP posts:
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userxx · 27/11/2022 14:47

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

SummaLuvin · 27/11/2022 14:50

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.

heldinadream · 27/11/2022 14:50

Perfectly lovely name OP.

HowzAboutIt · 27/11/2022 14:52

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

DeeCeeCherry · 27/11/2022 14:52

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.

DillDanding · 27/11/2022 14:53

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

romdowa · 27/11/2022 14:54

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.

KittensNotMittens · 27/11/2022 14:55

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!

Danni675 · 27/11/2022 14:57

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).

RaraRachael · 27/11/2022 15:01

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.

IsadoraQuagmire · 27/11/2022 15:02

RaraRachael · 27/11/2022 15:01

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

Tartifletti · 27/11/2022 15:04

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.

KnickerlessParsons · 27/11/2022 15:06

I love Irene pronounced Eye-reen.

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

toastofthetown · 27/11/2022 15:09

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.

ApolloandDaphne · 27/11/2022 15:09

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.

RaraRachael · 27/11/2022 15:10

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!

Danni675 · 27/11/2022 15:10

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.

fancyfrogs · 27/11/2022 15:12

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

Mydogatemypurse · 27/11/2022 15:13

Home and away 'eye reeeeen'

Discoh · 27/11/2022 15:13

Who pronounces it with 3 syllables 🤣

DorritLittle · 27/11/2022 15:14

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

DorritLittle · 27/11/2022 15:14

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

LadyMarmaladeAtkins · 27/11/2022 15:17

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).

LadyMarmaladeAtkins · 27/11/2022 15:18

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!

ReginaPerrin · 27/11/2022 15:19

Discoh · 27/11/2022 15:13

Who pronounces it with 3 syllables 🤣

Irene Handle did! Showing my age there…