I always find myself coming back here for reassurance, and here I am again…
We have a 4 year old named [name_f]Maeve[/name_f] [name_f]Josephine[/name_f] and a 2 year old named [name_f]Roisin[/name_f] (pn [name_f]RO[/name_f]-sheen) [name_f]Virginia[/name_f]. So we have committed to the Irish names and are ready to continue!
We are actually Team [name_u]Green[/name_u] but we are pretty set on [name_m]Crosby[/name_m] Welles for a boy name. Picking a girl name has been a major challenge! My favorite from the start has been [name_f]Fionnuala[/name_f], ([name_u]Finn[/name_u]-OO-la) but I’ve been wrestling with whether it is just TOO challenging to say and spell. Her nn would be [name_u]Finn[/name_u]. My husband is on board as well, but we can’t decide on a spelling. I’m not one to simplify spelling usually, but maybe it would help with the nn to spell Finnuala? And we also need to hear whether the world can handle this name! Please HELP-- we are due in 5 days!!
I love your daughters’ names! [name_f]Fionnuala[/name_f] is gorgeous and fits perfectly with the other too. It is is a bit challenging but probably no more so than [name_f]Roisin[/name_f]. [name_m]How[/name_m] has it been with [name_f]Roisin[/name_f]? Finnuala could help! [name_f]Do[/name_f] you like [name_f]Finola[/name_f]? I dunno though, I do like the long traditional spelling.
Thanks ladies! [name_f]Roisin[/name_f] hasn’t been too terribly hard- I just correct people and then suggest to call her “[name_f]Ro[/name_f]” which is what we mainly call her anyways. [name_f]Fionnuala[/name_f] just seems so much more to handle! But yes, would definitely just tell people to call her [name_u]Finn[/name_u]!
I wonder if [name_f]Fiona[/name_f] would be a better fit for you if you are concerned about Finnuala being a bit much. [name_f]Fiona[/name_f] is definitely more familiar but it’s very similar to Finnuala but would solve any pronunciation issues. AND you can still use [name_u]Finn[/name_u] as a nickname, which is adorable btw
Also I must add that I [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] [name_f]Roisin[/name_f]. I once met a little girl named [name_f]Roisin[/name_f] and I was giddy with excitement until I heard her mom pronounce it as [name_u]Roy[/name_u]-sin. Ugh. I was so sad. And a bit mad they butchered such a lovely name.
We always liked [name_f]Fiona[/name_f] but it’s too popular now for me (living in the NE). And I have a goddaughter named [name_f]Fiona[/name_f] so it’s a no-go. But thanks for the suggestion!
My best friend and her husband have also been using Irish names for their kids (though they had 2 boys first). They just named their baby girl, [name_f]Ailish[/name_f]! We love it and it’s another option if you decide to change names
I really think it’s fine. It’s such a lovely name, and I don’t think that it makes sense to alter the spelling of such a classic Irish name.
Obviously, not everybody is going to get it right first time, but I think that that is less of a concern than you think it will be, particularly if you have a nickname in mind already. Change the spelling if you want to, but don’t feel like you have to.
[name_f]Ailish[/name_f] is so pretty! My husband likes it but I just caught on [name_f]Fionnuala[/name_f].
Another contender has been [name_f]SAOIRSE[/name_f] which is obviously a nightmare to say/spell, but we both have always loved it. I kept thinking the “[name_u]Brooklyn[/name_u]” actress would help us mainstream it a tiny bit, but people are like WHAT IS THAT?? Haha. But my hippie heart loves it, as it means “freedom”
First of all, congratulations! I absolutely love your daughters’ names! I think [name_f]Fionnuala[/name_f] is a beautiful name! I am a little biased towards Irish names though since my siblings and I all have Irish names ([name_f]Aoife[/name_f], [name_f]Saoirse[/name_f], [name_f]Siobhan[/name_f] and [name_m]Conor[/name_m])
So if we plunge ahead with [name_f]Fionnuala[/name_f]-- spell the traditional way? or change to Finnuala for ease of nn?
I think the “o” looks way prettier but I’m willing to be a tiny bit practical with this!
I like the original spelling of [name_f]Fionnuala[/name_f], it’s a beautiful name and the nickname [name_u]Finn[/name_u] will make it easier to manage.
Keep the original spelling. It’s gorgeous. I think people might have trouble pronouncing/spelling it at first, as I’m sure you’re aware, but they would have trouble either way, so I’d spell it the traditional way.
Your kids names are lovely. Alternative spelling, [name_f]Finola[/name_f], Finnula, [name_f]Finula[/name_f] or Fionne? [name_m]Even[/name_m] [name_u]Finlay[/name_u]/[name_u]Finley[/name_u].
I think we are going to stick with the original spelling- thanks so much for the opinions!! We finally decided on the name yesterday after FaceTiming my husband’s grandmother and hearing her say it with her Irish brogue. It was just perfect
I’m due on [name_f]Sunday[/name_f]-- can’t wait to find out the sex!
[name_f]Saoirse[/name_f] would be perfect! Although it’s not phonetic or even slightly, [name_f]Saoirse[/name_f] [name_m]Ronan[/name_m] would help with that.
