May McManus

[Evmamai]

Hi all, I posted before but looking to know thoughts on this.

We have a toddler named Eve and are expecting baby girl 2. We love the name May it’s our favourite name but our surname is McManus and we are worried it doesn’t flow.

Thoughts on May McManus?

They’re fine together.

What’s ridiculous about it? It’s a perfectly normal surname.

I think it's cute.
Anyway how often do you say your full name out loud?
You could give her a middle name too like
May Elizabeth McManus

We are actually deciding between Elizabeth and Victoria as middle names. Our toddler is Eve Alexandra.

As I said, wasn’t asking for anyone else’s view, thanks all the same, just how OP says it. I hear all three variants regularly in Scotland, where I am from.

Does it? What’s the difference?

Well, it obviously depends where you are from in Scotland as there is no one single accent, but the Glaswegian or central belt “a” vowel in “say, stay, play” etc is quite distinct, it’s one of the vowels that my English husband and son enjoy imitating when they take the piss out of my accent. In fact, the word “eh” (meaning, isn’t it?) said in the same way is a very distinct feature of some Scottish dialects. I’ll see if I can find an example on YouTube.

I think it sounds great land it’s good that you spelled it May.

We are just north of Glasgow in Stirlingshire but I think how we are saying May is the same as you.

Yes ! I immediately thought that too.

Ridiculous? It’s a classic Scottish/Irish surname!

I love alliteration so love this! And it can’t be shortened - brilliant

Maybelle/Mabel

I’m from the Central belt. I’m intrigued to know how English people pronounce it now.

I think it's lovely. Also Scottish and absolutely don't think your surname is ridiculous! What a weird thing to say.

I think it’s too hard to say. You might hear your full name quite a lot or need to use it a lot depending on job. It looks brill written but just think it’s a mouthful Unfortunately.

Maddy/Madeleine
Margo
magda
Leila has the ay sound

Highly likely cause I’m from Stirling! 😀

In this video Nicola Sturgeon says “May” at about 2 mins 48 and Jon Snow probably says it the English way at some point for comparison.

Just Google any news report about Theresa May!

I'm Scottish, and I think it sounds lovely.

Well if all the Scots here seem to think it’s okay then I’ll take that as a win!

No offence to the English of course!

I genuinely cannot hear any real difference.

How about Kay as an alternative ?

Sounds like something you’d get teased about

I think I might sound like the pickiest person on earth right now, but my name starts with the Kay sound and it feels too similar, I think I also like softness of May that Kay doesn’t really have. Also Vernon Kay and Kay Burley come to mind … I’m realising every time I hear a name I picture a very specific person and that really influences how much I like the name 🤣.

Love it

If I could upload a voice note I’d record me and my English husband saying

“Play away and stay for a day”

Very different vowels.