Name Koa for a boy?

[Soph903]

Hi, we are due our baby boy soon and love the names Koa, Oakley or Arlo but so far Koa seems to be the favourite. We like more of the unusual/less common names what does anyone else think? Any name suggestions? Thankyou.

In order of preference ..
Oaken - another less familiar, but old, name
Oakley - a recognised name and quite popular
Koa - fine if you love it
Arlo - too popular

Terrible. If you want a really unique name go for Brian, Martin, Kevin or Peter. I guarantee there won't be another one of those in nursery...!

Oakley is better.

I also have worked with school kids for 20 years and no one has ever done that here. The only kids I’ve known teased were called Nicholas (knicker less) and Sarah because Sarah was another kid’s grandmothers name and this kid decided to pick on kid Sarah by calling her a nana. 🤷🏼‍♀️

@louderthan , I wouldn't count on it.
@TheOriginalEmu , you are contradicting yourself.
@user1492757084 , oaken makes me think of lumpen.

I love Koa, go for it.

None of the above. My name is very French and unusual in my age group. I’ve never known another my age.

also cai isn’t pronounce ‘kigh’ it’s an ‘Ah’ U.K. the first part of the diphthong. Kai is a ‘regular name’ too.

In what way? I’m saying no one has been teased for having what people here consider a unique name, the only times I’ve heard it even mildly was for really classic names Nicholas and Sarah.

the mumsnet trope of ‘everyone will tease kids with a name I consider ‘yoonique’ and ‘having a name that’s not your heritage is wrong’ is not the case in the real world for most people.

Certainly not my cup of tea. Awful.

@TheOriginalEmu , also cai isn’t pronounce ‘kigh’ it’s an ‘Ah’ U.K. the first part of the diphthong.
That makes no sense at all.
Cai rhymes with high and sigh.

Kai is a ‘regular name’ too.
I didn't say it wasn't. I said it was a bit 'rooney'.

Love Koa
I follow a family on TikTok and their baby is Koa
Go for it! I really don’t get Koala from it either

Also not my cup of tea. When we named our children we tried to give them names that would take them anywhere in life that they wanted to go. Koa may be better in that respect than Oakley but only just.

Don't like Koa, sorry.

You aren't just naming a baby...you're naming someone who will grow up. Fair enough if you were Hawaiian but you aren't. Can you imagine a 90 year old Koa one day in a care home, "right Koa, we'll just get you on the hoist and into the bed. Your grandchildren will be coming to see you later, Koa, that will be nice won't it?"

There's a lot of current names that aren't going to age well at the moment ("Bear", "River", "Winter" etc). If you do insist on using it, make sure he's got a decent middle name that he can at least use on his CV/Job Applications and be taken seriously one day.

Not in Welsh. the vowel is is ah+ee not uh+ee.

If m&d like it and it isn't cruel, go for it. You'll never find a name that everyone likes and everyone will have an opinion regardless.
It's too new, too old, old fashioned, quirky, out there, there'll be 6 of them in their class, rate, common, chavvy, posh - you name it, someone will think it so if you guys love Koa, go with Koa.

Phonetically, in IPA, the correct pronunciation of high and sigh is haɪ and saɪ
(a-ee)

not ʌɪ (uh-ee)

So...I'm confused.

Kai is pronounced like Kite. That's how @FayCarew is suggesting Cai is also pronounced.

What is an equivalent English word that you would say Cai rhymes with?

I'm linguistics geek trying to wrap my head round this!

I have worked in schools for 20 years and never hear any children tease anyone for their name. I have also known a koa and a khoa

@TheOriginalEmu , @SoOutingWhoCares , Cai pronunciation. Drama on 4 - Land of My Father - BBC Sounds (First mentioned 4:45 mins in. Also mentioned at 43:20-ish in the credits)
The actor, Mali Harries, is from South Wales and is a Welsh speaker.

There's a character called Cai in Pobol y Cwm, based in the Welsh Valleys, and in Rownd a Rownd (based in North West Wales). In both TV programmes the character's name is pronounced Kigh, like Kite without the t.

Thanks for sharing. To be clear @FayCarew - I was agreeing with you… I’ve never heard Cai/Kai pronounced any other way than this.

Kian Egan from Westlife has a son called Koa. He is an excellent surfer. It is very odd that I know this but i think i must have read it in a magazine at some stage and it stuck in my mind because I thought it was a fitting name for a surfer - it makes me think of both Hawaii and Australia (the Koala link) which are both obviously heavily associated with surfing.

Koa-la. Not good. Oakley is also more of a dog name to me.

@FayCarew i tagged you too so you can see my reply I hope that’s ok.

I think this may be an accent difference. I’m Welsh speaking from South Wales (very similar accent wise to Cai from Pobl y Cwm) and my sons middle name is Cai.
In our accent there is a distinction between the diphthong in Cai and the dipthong in eye or high. I think it’s a Welsh language thing. I’m a SLT and also a linguistics nerd, so I can see why it’s confusing, but it’s not the same.

Congratulations on the upcoming arrival of your baby boy! Koa is a beautiful and unique choice, exuding strength and nature vibes. It's wonderful that you're drawn to less common names. Oakley and Arlo are also charming options. Ultimately, the perfect name is the one that resonates with you and holds special meaning. Trust your instincts, and enjoy this precious time in choosing a name that feels just right for your growing family. Wishing you joy and happiness on your parenting journey!

Nope. Not for me.

Koa to me sounds like Noah gone wrong or worse still, Boa- as in a Boa Constrictor snake .

This is such a weird viewpoint! Names don't have to "age well"; surely you just treat the person with respect regardless of their name?

Also, more and more companies recruit 'blind' these days - precisely because judgemental people like you can't overcome their outdated biases about names (or places of study, in some cases). I do a lot of recruitment and the last time I saw a candidate's name left on an application form must be at least 15 years ago.