Ivalo

[Ty89]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering what your opinion is on the Greenlandic girl name "Ivalo", given to a non-Greenlandic baby girl. Possibly nicknamed "Iva" or "Lola". And which sibling names would hypothetically go well with it.

Thanks! 😄

[isthewashingdryyet]

I’ve a low insert word of choice here

not sure it works in English

[WoolyMammoth55]

Hi OP, when I clicked your thread I thought 'lovely unusual boys name'.

I just assume that a name ending '-o' is a masculine name, so that's the main thing you'll struggle with I think... It sounds like a variation of Ivan. People will expect a boy.

It's nice and unusual but I wouldn't use it for that reason.

[kindlyensure]

Isn't Ivalo an airport in Finland?

(However, Ivo is sweet for a boy and Iva is nice for a girl)

[HeatAndEat]

It's a place in Finish Lapland.

[Comedycook]

Like the pp, I also thought when I saw the thread title, that it was a boy's name.

[MerryChristmasTree]

I thought it was a boys name when I read it.

[Enko]

I really like it. It's the middle name of one of the Danish princesses.

I dont think it is likely to cause issues and yes you could ,hose nicknames but Ivalo is so pretty in its own right.

[winonarose]

It's an ok name but a bit try-hard IMO. I also personally dislike names with the sound of "low" in them. But the choice is yours, of course :)

[Kanaloa]

It’s ok. I would think it’s a bit daft to choose a specific name from your culture then try to tell people her name is Lola.

[Saucery]

I like it but prefer Iva.

[MeanderingGently]

Beautiful name, but I know it as a Finnish name, it's a place in Finland high above the Arctic circle. It has wonderful associations for me of the most extraordinary winter I spent in the country some years ago, like living in another world....

[timoteigirl]

Ivalo is a location in Lapland, not used as a person's name. However, Inari - also a location in Finish Lapland - is used as a boy's name. Other Lapland locations used as names are Saana and Malla for girls.

[Enko]

@timoteigirl

Ivalo is a location in Lapland, not used as a person's name. However, Inari - also a location in Finish Lapland - is used as a boy's name. Other Lapland locations used as names are Saana and Malla for girls.

Ivalu is a Greenlandic Inuit feminine given name meaning "tendon, thread, sinew." It was among the 10 most popular names given to girls born in Greenland during the past decade. Ivalo is a Danish variant.


Like I said above it is the name of one of the Danish Princesses Princess Josephine of Denmark, Countess of Monpezat[1] (Josephine Sophia Ivalo Mathilda; born 8 January 2011)

[whatausername]

Why go to the effort of finding an extremely unusual name (for those outside of Greenland) only to contrive and use a different name. Make up your mind.

[whatausername]

What's the correct pronunciation?

[TangledWebofMincemeatDeception]

I like it. But I'm Danish.

It's likely that many people will assume it's a masculine name.

[Pawtucketbrew]

I think it means needle or sewing doesn't it? I know a Greenlandic Inuit lady called this. Note that often Inuit are named after ancestors and a lot of thought goes in to choosing a name that fits. I'm not sure it would be offensive to an Inuit that you used that name but I would probably research the language and meaning of the name a bit more first. Personally I find it an odd choice for someone with no connection to the culture or people.

[pairofrollerskates]

I'd assume it was a boy name

[timoteigirl]

You asked for our opinions on the name so many of us knew it is a location in Lapland. Sorry not aware it is a Danish princess's middle name. Other sibling suggestions here worthstart.com/inuit-names/

[ammyy]

@timoteigirl

Ivalo is a location in Lapland, not used as a person's name. However, Inari - also a location in Finish Lapland - is used as a boy's name. Other Lapland locations used as names are Saana and Malla for girls.

Inari is a female name. Not used on boys.

[ammyy]

If you have no connection to Greenland and/or Inuit culture I would not use it. It is a difficult name for english speakers and a strange choice for someone who has no connections to the land/people. There are beautiful unusual names that are more easier to pronounce and work better.

[Adultchildofelderlyparents]

I love it. I would have no problems recognising or pronouncing it and I also know it as a Danish girls name like someone above. Yes it is also a place name in Finland. I don't see any issue using it. It's no different to someone using Paris with no French connection or Siena with no Italian connection.

[Luredbyapomegranate]

Too much like the boys’ names Ivo and Ivor

Ida or Adela maybe?

[inquisitorgeneral]

I think in the UK it would be mispronounced constantly or mistaken for a boy's name. Unless you have a compelling reason to choose it, I wouldn't recommend it.

[Topseyt123]

Ivalo is a place in Finnish Lapland, with apparently the most northerly airport in the European Union.

We flew there when taking the kids to see Father Christmas.