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Baby names

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

Original poster

Iona

66 replies

yourbowloficecreamislookingatme · 07/08/2023 14:48

We like Iona but neither of us are Scottish so we don't feel comfortable using it. Can you think of any similar names that might be more fitting for an English girl?

Others we like: Susannah, Helena, Diana, Lucy, Maria.

Any feedback on our list or suggestions welcome.

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ShanghaiDiva · 07/08/2023 14:50

Love Iona and I don’t think you need to be Scottish to use it.
my favourite from your alternatives is Helena.

Peony654 · 07/08/2023 14:51

I don’t think you need to Scottish but I’d assume you were a Christian family.what about Isla? Helena is lovely too.

shoopshoopdedoo · 07/08/2023 14:52

ShanghaiDiva · 07/08/2023 14:50

Love Iona and I don’t think you need to be Scottish to use it.
my favourite from your alternatives is Helena.

Agree with all of this!

Medlady · 07/08/2023 14:53

Ilona? On th eoff-chance you are Hungarian

cherryassam · 07/08/2023 15:00

I agree with pps and think it would be fine to use Iona even if not Scottish

Other suggestions:

Una / Oona
Orla
Esme
Hero
Leonie
Leona
Leonora
Ida
Olympia
Flora
Freya
Xanthe
Ianthe
Isolde
Tamsin
Honora
Aurelia
Antigone
Christabel
Jessamine

boldofyoutosway · 07/08/2023 15:02

Fiona might be more acceptable?
Helena and Iona and gorgeous.
There's a minor challenge when it comes to pronouncing Helena's name, but it's not a significant problem. We're generally familiar with each other's names based on how we hear them, rather than how they look in writing, unless it's with a substitute teacher or something.

Heywhatawobderfulkindofday · 07/08/2023 15:03

I love Iona

SneezyEvie · 07/08/2023 15:04

Beautiful name and no, you don’t have to be Scottish to use it.

Beenhereforever1978 · 07/08/2023 15:05

My best friend at primary school was called Iona, she was from Sri Lanka! I don't think you need to discount it on account of not being Scottish.

RaidFlySpray · 07/08/2023 15:05

I like Iona but there are regional variations in the pronounciation. It's also a Welsh name, though pronounced YONN-ah here.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 07/08/2023 15:06

One of my sons has a Scottish name, the other has a Welsh name. We are both English. It really doesn't matter and no one has ever suggested we shouldn't have used them. At least, not to our face 🤣

WhereisWallandurr · 07/08/2023 15:12

Many English people would find they are a bit Welsh, Irish and Scottish if they took a DNA test.

It might be unusual for an English person to use, maybe not "fitting", but you certainly couldn't call it offensive in the same way that calling a child Cohen would be. The Welsh lady above said they use it there and isn't there an English woman from TOWIE with two daughters with Irish names? Possibly, that's the direction society is heading towards. A pick n mix.

RitzyMcFitzy · 07/08/2023 15:14

I don't think there'd be anything strange about an English child being given a Scottish name. Chances are you have a Scottish ancestor somewhere in the mix

Womble75 · 07/08/2023 15:14

Depends on your last name. I went to school an Iona Ford.. lovely name but my did she get teased..

GeezerLickerLouisaKnicker · 07/08/2023 15:20

Most English people aren't 100% English. If your ancestors have been on the British Isles a few centuries chances are your a pinch of everything. Beautiful name. Iona and Helena my choices.

P.s Diana isn't exactly English either 😉

Pinkitydrinkity · 07/08/2023 15:23

Skye and Bonnie are in the same vein but not as obviously Scottish as Iona.

WhereisWallandurr · 07/08/2023 15:26

Skype and Bonnie seem a million miles away from Iona. I don't think OP is actively looking for Scottish names, quite the opposite it seems.

LilyLemonade · 07/08/2023 15:28

I definitely would not think you have to be Scottish to use Iona. It’s a lovely name.

I also like all your other options - Helena most of all.

What about
Io
Iseult
Miranda
Livia

RightOnTheEdge · 07/08/2023 15:29

but you certainly couldn't call it offensive in the same way that calling a child Cohen would be.
Sorry if its a stupid question, but why would Cohen be offensive?
I'm just curious because someone I know has a son called Cohen.

Mrstwiddle · 07/08/2023 15:31

I prefer Iola and it's less Scottish possibly?

boldofyoutosway · 07/08/2023 15:32

Names somewhat similar to Iona:
Anna
Fiona
Iyanna
Viola
Mona
Leona
Catrina

Haven't checked if they're English or not but I mean if you want a really English name you'll have to go for something like Agatha.

I went to college with a few Nigerian-Brits and a few of them has quite 1950s English names like Patricia and I thought it was endearing.

42coats · 07/08/2023 15:36

Has negative connotations for me. The Iona Institute is a right wing catholic organisation in Ireland, anti women, anti choice.

midsomermurderess · 07/08/2023 15:37

I agree that you so t have to be Scottish to use Iona. I think it’s lovely, as is the place, pretty and serene.

MissHavershamReturns · 07/08/2023 15:39

lovely name! Go for Iona!

GeezerLickerLouisaKnicker · 07/08/2023 15:40

RightOnTheEdge · 07/08/2023 15:29

but you certainly couldn't call it offensive in the same way that calling a child Cohen would be.
Sorry if its a stupid question, but why would Cohen be offensive?
I'm just curious because someone I know has a son called Cohen.

In Judaism, Cohen is more of a religious title than a name. It is passed down through the father's line and historically has been added onto a person's given name, rather than being used as a standalone surname... but in more recent times, Jews in certain countries were forced to adopt fixed surnames, and Cohen was sometimes used in this way. But traditionally, it has always been a title rather than a name.