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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Aulay?

35 replies

scotte · 28/12/2023 11:42

We're in central Scotland, thinking of baby name for DS2 and came across Aulay (aw-lee, as in MacAulay).

It is a Scottish name meaning "ancestors descendant", which I quite like, but is very uncommon - I've only ever known 1 in person.

I think it's cute for a little boy... not sure if it sounds masculine enough for adulthood? Would appreciate mumsnetters opinions!

DS1 has a well known Scottish name beginning L.

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kitsuneghost · 28/12/2023 15:34

Sconehenge · 28/12/2023 15:27

People getting the name slightly wrong if they have to guess isn’t a reason to not choose a name you love. You’d presumably just tell them how it’s pronounced? Rather than change the name you love to Ollie because some people will accidentally pronounce Auley as “Ollie” 🤣🤣🤣

She wouldn't be changing the name though. Just the spelling.

TwirlBar · 28/12/2023 16:14

I don't think it means ancestor's descendent?

At least some Macauleys are from Mac Amhlaoibh (Irish spelling) with Amhlaoibh being the Irish form of the Norse name Olaf and Mac meaning son, so Amhlaoibh's son.

Delassalle · 28/12/2023 16:29

I know an Auri.

It's an awkward name.

Wakemeup17 · 28/12/2023 16:51

English is not my first language and when I saw it written down the first connotation was "Ulay" (Martin's Abramovic ex-partner). Not many people will have the same train 9f thought though. I like the name :)

ElFupacabra · 28/12/2023 16:53

Olè 💃🏻

NotFastButFurious · 28/12/2023 18:58

I think it’s awful and sounds incomplete and more like a nn that teenagers would use based on McAualay being their surname (and I say that as someone who lives in central Scotland). I wouldn’t have thought of it sounding like Ollie as to me it’s more like Orley but in certain accents it will.

scoutingfor · 28/12/2023 19:08

I can't get the 'Lee' sound from that at all. I'm Scottish but Macauley and Auley would sound 'aww-lay' to me

HuggyWuggy · 29/12/2023 07:18

HappyBusman · 28/12/2023 13:29

I’m not convinced that even fellow Scots would make the pronunciation leap from MacAulay to Aulay, and pronounce it accordingly.

It’s an Irish name originally, from MacAmhalghaidh, and some of DH’s family are Macaulays (spelled like that), so I’m very familiar with the surname, but if I came across a child called Aulay, I wouldn’t make the connection, and would probably vaguely assume it was pronounced as in Oil of Olay/ café au lait until told otherwise.

I think you’re slightly misunderstanding the etymology of the surname — it means ‘son of Amhalghaidh’. ‘Aulay’ is just the anglicised form of Amhalghaidh.

Agree, about some not making the connection between Aulay and Macaulay that is why IMHO it 'makes more sense' to just use the name Macaulay. That was also the point I was trying to make as well 😂

GrumpyOldCrone · 29/12/2023 07:52

Some names work well without the Mac (Donald, Innes, Gregor) because they’re still used as first names. However, I think Auley is in the same category as Leod, Duff and Pherson.

Mintygoodness · 29/12/2023 07:53

Oil of.....?

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