See the results of this poll: Iona or Saskia?
Respondents: 71 (This poll is closed)
- Iona : 44 (62%)
- Saskia: 27 (38%)
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I voted for [name_f]Iona[/name_f] as I love the name in general with it’s vintage and sweet sound. But I think [name_f]Saskia[/name_f] is really great too, spunky and cute!
It’s difficult but from what you’ve said I feel like you prefer the name [name_f]Saskia[/name_f]? Maybe it feels more right as an all rounder and that’s probably the right choice if [name_f]Iona[/name_f] doesn’t quite sit right as a final choice. Also I genuinely think [name_f]Saskia[/name_f] [name_f]Iona[/name_f] works just as well as [name_f]Iona[/name_f] [name_f]Saskia[/name_f]. My only other suggestion would be to use a slight variation of [name_f]Iona[/name_f] if you don’t like the repeating ‘a’ sound at the end of the two names together. [name_m]How[/name_m] about [name_f]Saskia[/name_f] [name_f]Ione[/name_f] (Eye-own-ee/ Ee-own-ee)?
Other names that could honour [name_f]Iona[/name_f]: [name_f]Isla[/name_f], [name_f]Io[/name_f], [name_f]Ionie[/name_f], [name_f]Ionia[/name_f], [name_f]Viola[/name_f], [name_f]Leona[/name_f], Ionela, [name_f]Ianthe[/name_f], [name_f]Shona[/name_f], Seona
As for possible nicknames, I see [name_f]Ona[/name_f] as an intuitive possibility.
Less intuitive, but otherwise totally possible:
Yoni
Iyo (ee-o)
Oni
Kells, [name_u]Kelsey[/name_u], [name_u]Kelley[/name_u] (via Book of Kells)
[name_m]Ion[/name_m] / [name_m]Eon[/name_m]
I voted for [name_f]Saskia[/name_f], pretty much for the same reasons you listed, but [name_f]Iona[/name_f] would also be a lovely choice. Maybe wait to meet your baby and then decide which name fits best? [name_f]Saskia[/name_f] [name_f]Iona[/name_f] isn’t as smooth as [name_f]Iona[/name_f] [name_f]Saskia[/name_f], but it still works fine. I like the suggestions of [name_f]Iona[/name_f] nn [name_f]Ona[/name_f] or Oni (although I think Oni is Japanese for “demon,” or something similar.)
I voted for [name_f]Iona[/name_f]. I think it’s gorgeous. Not sure why you need more than one nickname. I have a nicknameless name and family and friends come up with plenty of stuff to call me.
[name_f]Iona[/name_f] is beautiful. I just don’t like [name_f]Saskia[/name_f]. I guess I just don’t get it. It feels very awkward in my mouth. [name_m]Don[/name_m]'t worry about nicknames. You don’t need one. You will naturally come up with your own pet name for her. If you use a beautiful name like [name_f]Iona[/name_f], it would be a shame to shorten it. [name_f]Ona[/name_f] (own a) would be my natural choice.
I think it is very important to go with your heart, the name that really speaks to you and you keep going back to it. You can picture a child with this name and would be disappointed if you didn’t get to use it. I just knew when we chose the right name. It is hard to put into words. It just feels right.
I saw from another post that you have an [name_m]Otis[/name_m]. I think [name_m]Otis[/name_m] and [name_f]Iona[/name_f] are darling together. [name_m]Otis[/name_m] and [name_f]Saskia[/name_f] also work well, but I prefer [name_f]Iona[/name_f] knowing there’s an [name_m]Otis[/name_m] in the mix.
I think you love [name_f]Saskia[/name_f] so you should go with it. Or, would giving her two middle names be an option for you? [name_f]Saskia[/name_f] [name_f]Iona[/name_f] doesn’t have the best flow but after the birth announcement, we seldom say our middle name, only our first and last, so I think it is fine to use.
I voted for [name_f]Saskia[/name_f], but now I’m on the [name_f]Iona[/name_f] train. [name_f]Ona[/name_f] or Oni would be a good nickname. I actually know someone with the nickname Oni, and it sounds really modern and fresh on her.
Thank you so much everyone for your replies, this has really helped me weigh things up! So tricky, but I guess it’s a good dilemma to have where you love two names. I think I’m back with [name_f]Iona[/name_f] as the leader -. I like [name_f]Iona[/name_f] and [name_m]Otis[/name_m] (my son) as a sibset too, more than [name_f]Saskia[/name_f] and [name_m]Otis[/name_m]. I guess if it’s born and it really doesn’t suit one versus the other then that will also help make the decision.
Four weeks to go… let’s see if it’s a girl now.
I voted for heart. [name_f]Iona[/name_f] is pretty and unique. Some nicknames come from places other than the first name. If you choose [name_f]Iona[/name_f] [name_f]Saskia[/name_f] you could still call her sassy. Or she may have big blue eyes and you’ll end up calling her [name_f]Iona[/name_f] [name_u]Blue[/name_u] or just [name_u]Blue[/name_u]. You get the idea. I love the idea of using a name that means a lot to you. Good luck!
You’re right, I don’t know why I’m overthinking the nickname thing so much, almost all of my son’s nicknames have very little to do with his actual name! Thank you 
I think [name_f]Saskia[/name_f] is brilliant and dashing, but follow your heart! [name_f]Iona[/name_f] feels more modest but also more mystical. The history is wonderful: “In Celtic lore, tiny [name_f]Iona[/name_f] is one of [name_f]Earth[/name_f]'s ‘thin places’ where the veil with heaven is worn thin. A deeply spiritual spot, inhabited since prehistoric times & always deemed sacred, long before the coming of Christianity. A testimony to this is the island’s name itself: Celtic *yewo- ‘yew’.” Besides “[name_f]Io[/name_f],” you could call her [name_f]Nonie[/name_f], [name_f]Non[/name_f] or [name_f]Nona[/name_f].
Both good names. My favourite is the dashing [name_f]Saskia[/name_f], but agree with what [name_f]Tanaquil[/name_f] said above about the mystical [name_f]Iona[/name_f]. I like Noni or [name_f]Nona[/name_f] for a nn.
[name_f]Iona[/name_f]! I would love to use that name ([name_f]Saskia[/name_f] is pretty too). I think [name_f]Io[/name_f] is a fantastic nickname, but as others have mentioned, there are [name_f]Ona[/name_f] (a popular name where I live in Europe), Oni and for a baby, even Nonny could work. Good luck!