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Original poster

Scottish Islands- ok names?

106 replies

CalaLilly · 11/03/2009 17:25

As Scots living on "the other side of the border" we want to promote our Scottish heritage by giving our kids Celtic names. We have a Mc surname so also feel that celtic names match well.

I've just realised that we've got a lot of island names on our short list and wondered what you guys though?

Girls:
Iona
Ailsa
Ailia
Skye
Cara
Shona (their is an island called Shuna)

Boys:
Harris
Lewis
Arran

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MmeLindt · 12/03/2009 13:39

Wrongside
Oh, yes. Iain and Shona are definitely ready for a revival. They will be the new Cameron and Caitlin.

My DC have Scottish names and DD has always said that she loves her name, especially as we live abroad so it unusual here.

BlueChampagne · 12/03/2009 13:50

I gather Scillonians, and those with Scilly connections, are keen on using island names for their children. So you get Mary, Helen, Martin, Samson and Agnes, and, more unusually, Tean, Bryher, Annet etc. A friend of mine joked about calling his son Great Crebawethen but luckily perhaps has had 3 girls ...

Twistle · 12/03/2009 14:05

What about Rona/Rhona? Ron is Gaelic for seal and there are several islands called Rona.
Taran - short for Taransay (island off Harris)
Bernie - for Bernera (ho ho)

And a friend had a Kerrera (the island opposite Oban).

My problem with Ruairi/Ruairidh are that people pronounce as Ruary, which is not the Gaelic pronunciation. I think going with Rory is a better move too.

I've got 3 Scottish girls names.
M a r s a i l i (pronunciation rhymes with partially)
E l s p e t h (always gets nice comments)
F l o r a (nice comments too)

That outs me!

Twistle · 12/03/2009 14:08

oh yes, love Murray, Ailsa and Eilidh from those above.
And Effie (from Euphemia) - not really Scottish, but used in Scotland a lot in the past.

Weegiemum · 12/03/2009 14:09

There is also a small Island (off the Isle of Lewis) called Rona, I have met several girls with that spelling as well as the more common Rhona (sounds the same).

I like it but dh didn't and in the end we went for a family name for dd2.

Iain is lovely (my brother and I know several little boys with it too). My dd2 is now 5 and has 2 SHonas in her friend list, but she is at the Gaelic school in Glasgow so suppose we get more of those sort of names. Her teacher went on Mat leave and has called her little boy Tormond (gaelic for Norman)!

skramble · 12/03/2009 14:15

What about

Flugga,
Eigg,
Rumm,
Bass rock
Mainland,
Bigga
Calve
Fuday,
Horse,
Hunda

Sorry

choccyp1g · 12/03/2009 14:17

Struan is the name of the island where Katy Morag lives.

choccyp1g · 12/03/2009 14:18

Or is that Struay?

GetOrfMoiLand · 12/03/2009 14:21

Taransay is lovely - that was the island where all those people lived for a year on that BBC programme (can't remember what its called - Ben Fogle was on it).

A couple conceieved whilst on the island and I thought it would have been lovely for them to call teh baby Taransay. Think it would work for both boys and girls.

I know a scottich girl called Senga - Agnes backwards. Quite common in scotland according to her.

vesela · 12/03/2009 15:05

What about Tanera (one of the Summer Isles)? She could have a dolly called Tanera Beag.

expatinscotland · 12/03/2009 18:32

My BIL is a Moray.

expatinscotland · 12/03/2009 18:36

Elspeth is short for Elizabeth, though, isn't it? MIL is an Elspeth, always has been, but her name on her birth certificate is Elizabeth.

PinkFairySparkles · 12/03/2009 20:21

Islay
(St) Kilda
Gigha
Staffa
Rona

Muck [Grin]

LynetteScavo · 12/03/2009 20:22

expat - is his sur name Firth?

Twistle · 13/03/2009 00:12

expat - Elspeth is the Scottish form of Elizabeth, not a short form.

GetOrfMoi - Castaway 2000. 2 couples conceived, one lot, the Stephensons, called their son James Taran (my dad's from a nearby village, hence my following it so closely!). And yes, Senga is commonish in Glasgow, but as a synonym for chav (Ned is the male equivalent).

GetOrfMoiLand · 13/03/2009 09:06

Lol at Senga meaning chav. Can't wait to tell my (glaswegian) friend that one.

Lawks · 13/03/2009 09:11

My oldest friend is called Ailsa. I never knew it was an island !

I also know an Iona.

I think they're all lovely names.

robino · 13/03/2009 09:13

Myself and DD1 are both on your girls list! I really like Isla for DD2 but it didn't happen as the three of us were going to be a complete mouthful. I really liked Harris for a boy but OH was NOT keen! Go for it - we usually get complimented on the unusual names.

BlueChampagne · 13/03/2009 12:34

Ben(becula) anyone?

galwaygirl · 13/03/2009 14:25

No-one has suggested the one I would definitely use if I were Scottish:

Vaila

It's an island in Shetland. Went to uni with a girl with this name who was really nice.

brummychris · 20/07/2014 13:14

so glad galwaygirl added Vaila I think I know her to were you at Falkirk

I think it is the most bueatiful nane i'v ever heard

florascotia · 20/07/2014 15:02

As well as being the name of an island, Vaila means 'valley'. Say 'Vale-ah'.

There is an amusing article about it - and other names often said wrong - here: news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4187896.stm

Superrhan · 20/07/2014 16:32

How about Blair? Not an island, but I'm sure there is a Scottish Castle, and it's a lovely girl or boy name.

florascotia · 20/07/2014 16:44

There is indeed Blair castle at Blair Atholl; Blair comes from a Gaelic word that means 'flat field' or 'plain'. Usually a boy's name.

janie2 · 21/07/2014 15:56

Glad Vaila has been mentioned!

Afton after the river?

Love your islands theme some great names! In scotland though iona is pretty popular now and for a reason imo, its lovely!