Djuna?

[theory]

I like the name Djuna (for a girl, after writer Djuna Barnes, sounds like 'joona'), but am wondering about using it because we have a difficult surname (no one knows how to pronounce, etc) Do you think people will guess how to say it, or have heard it before? It's not unheard of as a name in the US (Barnes was American), but I haven't heard it here before...

Um.. I don't think I would use it. There was a thread recently about Django I think which would have the same pronunciation issues.

i like it, and i think the pronunciation is fairly obvious. what does it mean?

dont you just love mumsnet.
two comments in...are your feelings any clearer???

LOl! To cap the true diversity of the 2 comments, my initial reading of the name was DeJoona too... Even though I know Django is Jango...

I think it's a lovely name but people probably wouldn't know how to pronounce it (and conversely wouldn't know how to spell it when they heard it).

How about spelling it Juna? Actually I know a boy called that, maybe that's the male version.

I was sort of hoping people would think of 'Django' and go from there...It's a real question for us because spelling out our surname all of the time can be a pain, and I'm just wondering if it's too much to have to do that for both

If you call her Jane people will still ask for her to spell it. jayne? jane? alison? alyson?
even the simplest names have to be spelled out for people when you meet them for the first time.
but djuna is memorable imo.

what is it's origin? what does it mean?

I like it and I am not usually one for weirdy names. I prefer Juna though, minus the D.

I like it and I am not usually one for weirdy names. I prefer Juna though, minus the D.

I think you would make her life easier by calling her June or Juno.

ah yes, chicken bjuna...hadn't thought of that
and themildmannerjanitor, good to you're remaining true to form
Djuna Barnes had eccentric parents (to say the least), and I rather suspect they invented it, but I'm not sure

It looks a far prettier name without the D.

are you speaking from personal experience TMMJ?

I knew a girl called Djuna at school. Her surname sounded a bit like 'Turbot'. I can therefore very much relate to the food item comment!

I actually think its obvious how its pronounced. Not sure how else it could be pronounced tbh, unless maybe Doona, but i wouldn't think that many would immediately think that.

Where it would be a problem is when people write the name having only heard the pronunciation. For that reason Juna would be better.

Not that keen on the name myself but thats rather irrelevant if you like it.

I like the name, and the writer that inspired it. You would have to spell it all the time and tell people how to pronounce it but growing up in the 70s you'd be amazed at the spellings I got for my, now, very common name. I don't think that's a reason not to go for it.

If you know how it's pronounced, then it's obvious. But I didn't know how to pronounce either Django or Djuna before reading this thread, because I have never heard those names spoken.

I hadn't ever heard it before either Belgo, but how else can it be said? Apart from maybe Doona? But i think Juna is more obvious than that.

How did you say it in your head?

d-juna

because of the way Dvořák is pronounced.

the Australian for duvet is doona
is your daughter ever has anything to do with Australians they will titter and take the piss
your choice