I realize [name_f]Oona[/name_f] is popular in other parts of the world but I am in the southern United States. Here popular names are like [name_f]Ava[/name_f] [name_f]Grace[/name_f] or [name_f]Savannah[/name_f]. I have been having a hard time trying to name my 7th baby (2nd girl). [name_f]My[/name_f] kids names are [name_f]Felicity[/name_f], [name_m]Desmond[/name_m], [name_m]Roscoe[/name_m], [name_m]Leif[/name_m], [name_m]Enoch[/name_m], and [name_m]Hugo[/name_m]. Where I live all of the names are very unusual. [name_m]Desmond[/name_m] and [name_m]Enoch[/name_m] are the only ones I had heard on someone before. (Though I was told [name_m]Roscoe[/name_m] is a common dog name )
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I have posted a few times about various names but havenât been in love with any. I thought I had a revelation the other day when I woke up with the name [name_f]Una[/name_f] / [name_f]Oona[/name_f] on my mind. I have no idea where I had heard it. I wasnât sure if it was odd and clunky or I liked it. When I looked up the origin and meaning and saw in Norse it means âto enjoy, happyâ which ties to [name_f]Felicity[/name_f], I liked it more. And decided I loved it when I saw [name_f]Lady[/name_f] [name_f]Una[/name_f] was the man character in âThe Faery Queenâ which I had read to my daughter, and didnât realize the [name_m]Christian[/name_m] symbolism. Which probably explains why the name [name_f]Una[/name_f] was used for the character symbolizing the [name_m]Church[/name_m] as it means lamb in [name_f]Irish[/name_f].
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[name_m]The[/name_m] problem is everyone in my circle seems to get the ick from the name. Iâve heard âit doesnât go with Felicityâ, âItâs not my favoriteâ, âyouâve thought of betterâ, âwhat about ___â all said with an initial cringe face. [name_f]So[/name_f] now I donât know if I would be making a mistake to plow ahead with a name that most people dislike. To be fair all my kids like it, my husband is hesitant, and my closest sister was nice enough to say âshe can see why I like itâ.
I think [name_f]Oona[/name_f] is a little icky but I think [name_f]Una[/name_f] is very pretty, im not sure why the spelling difference makes the two variations so different in my mind, but id definitely go with [name_f]Una[/name_f]! it has a very classy yet fun and joyous European feel to it. im imagining it in my head with my [name_f]English[/name_f] accent but I realise it would sound quite different when said by someone with a strong southern American accent and from that perspective I can see why some people may be put off but I donât think its that big of an issue. I think itâs one of those names that will definitely grow on people, but also one of the names you have to wait to meet your daughter to see if it fits her. the meaning is really pretty and I love the link to the meaning behind felicity. as for flowing with felicity, its not perfectly on vibe, but it doesnât have to be! I think [name_f]Una[/name_f] goes very well with your boysâ names especially [name_m]Hugo[/name_m] and [name_m]Enoch[/name_m]! if you wanted to use a name that matches felicity a little more I think you could get away with [name_f]Tallulah[/name_f] nn [name_f]Una[/name_f]? maybe unity, [name_f]Lunetta[/name_f], Junia/Juna/June. I think [name_f]Una[/name_f] is fine by itself though. overall, if you love it, go for it! its not a wild name that will have a bad effect on your baby so all that matters is that you and your family love it, im sure shell grow into the name beautifully and then everyone will see your vision!
I mean, perhaps biased as a [name_m]Brit[/name_m] but I think Oona/Una or even [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] is just lovely[name_f][/name_f]. I donât know what is so offputting about it? I love the lilting sound, the [name_f]Faerie[/name_f] [name_f]Queene[/name_f][name_f][/name_f] association, and the meaning in [name_f]Irish[/name_f] âlambâ is very sweet. It also just means âoneâ in Latin of course. [name_m]The[/name_m] Old Norse meaning[name_f][/name_f] is âto be satisfied/happyâ.
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I like it with your kids names, yes itâs perhaps unexpected with [name_f]Felicity[/name_f] but the similar meanings bring them together. If your other names are also unusual for the area and people have got used to them, they can mind their own business and get used to [name_f]Una[/name_f] too!!
I love [name_f]Oona[/name_f]! [name_f]Una[/name_f] is the first version of the name I ever encountered and itâs also lovely (U initial names are so rare thereâs automatically a little sparkle when I see one) but the [name_f]Oona[/name_f] spelling is so punchy and cool. Itâs literary, creative, bold, and makes me think of [name_f]Irish[/name_f] literature and green fields.
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I do see how people think itâs a departure from [name_f]Felicity[/name_f], which is a bit more extravagant, but itâs not that different and [name_f]Oona[/name_f] fits in very well with [name_m]Roscoe[/name_m], [name_m]Hugo[/name_m], and [name_m]Leif[/name_m] (amazing choices, by the way).
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I think an issue might also be your environment. Iâm a theatre buff who has spent years researching my [name_f]Irish[/name_f] family history and I live in the UK, so [name_f]Oona[/name_f] is a completely normal name to me. For people who donât have any of that, [name_f]Oona[/name_f] might just be too odd. However, it seems a lot of your names stand out. Itâs really up to you how important these opinions are for you and your little one. Iâm rooting for [name_f]Oona[/name_f], but I would understand if you went with something less controversial.
I like [name_f]Una[/name_f] more than [name_f]Oona[/name_f] but itâs a pretty name!
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I think it goes well with your other children. I donât think it has to go with just [name_f]Felicity[/name_f]. [name_f]Una[/name_f] and [name_m]Hugo[/name_m] are like a perfect pairing imo!! It fits really well stylistically with your other children.
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Also, if you named your baby [name_f]Una[/name_f], people would then associate it with this cute little baby and I think their perspective would change! I think this is why people suggest not sharing names until the baby is born, people can be mean. [name_m]You[/name_m] can name your baby whatever you want and [name_f]Una[/name_f] / [name_f]Oona[/name_f] is a completely normal and beautiful name!
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From their reaction, Iâd have expected something awful tbh
Also in the southern USâ [name_f][/name_f]I love [name_f]Oona[/name_f]! [name_m]Not[/name_m] icky at all. However, I do think spelling it [name_f]Una[/name_f] would go over better here/sound more familiar, and I would expect less raised eyebrows at [name_f]Una[/name_f] than [name_f]Oona[/name_f]. But at the end of the day, itâs your baby, so you should choose the name you love. Best of luck in your naming journey!
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Also, I love your kidsâ names! Theyâre so vintage & lovely.
I love [name_f]Oona[/name_f], and am not sure why it would be considered icky (and I live in the US). I prefer the [name_f]Oona[/name_f] spelling, and really enjoy [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f], too. [name_f]Una[/name_f] has never been my preferred spelling, it feels a bit lest distinct than [name_f]Oona[/name_f], I feel!
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Funnily enough, I can totally see [name_f]Oona[/name_f] with [name_f]Felicity[/name_f]. [name_m]Leif[/name_m], [name_m]Hugo[/name_m], [name_m]Enoch[/name_m], and [name_m]Roscoe[/name_m] as well. [name_m]Desmond[/name_m] would be the only one that doesât feel intuitive for me, but as a whole, I think the set works well. With the note that your husband is hesitant on her, though, maybe itâs not the one for you! I hope you find something that works and/or that your loved ones come around to sweet [name_f]Oona[/name_f]!
Oona/Una is an it girl name, sheâs gorgeous! Your sibset shows you donât want your kids to have common trendy popular names that follow[name_f][/name_f] what everyone else likes. [name_m]You[/name_m] chose names for free-thinkers! [name_f]Unique[/name_f], trend setters![name_f][/name_f] Itâll take one amazing una/oona in the area for people to fall for the name head over heels, trust me.
i love oona soo much and never did i think it was icky! if you love the name, go for it, ignore what your friends say because itâs truly a stunning name. in your scenario i would do una, just because it feels more familiar and your sibset feels more familiar.
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for you (or how it seems) you have a great connection to the name, it connects to your daughterâs name, connects to a book, has a great meaning, it all seems perfect! and plus lamb is such a cute meaning!
Maybe their cringing is coming more from a place of being unfamiliar with the name. I know for sure that not everyone I know has heard the name Oona/Una.
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I for one think itâs absolutely beautiful, light, airy, simple, straight to the point. I love [name_f]Oona[/name_f] in particular but both spellings are great.
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Youâll just have to decide how much these opinions matter to you. If youâre worried she wonât like her name when sheâs older, donât be. I see little to no teasing potential for [name_f]Oona[/name_f], and it doesnât have a harsh, clunky or dated sound. If itâs your favorite and husband gets on board, Iâd use it!
I guess itâs just because of cultural difference and unfamiliarity? Coming from an [name_f]Irish[/name_f] background myself, [name_f]Una[/name_f] / [name_f]Oona[/name_f] is a pretty standard name in [name_f]Ireland[/name_f] and among the [name_f]Irish[/name_f] diaspora e.g. the singer [name_f]Una[/name_f] [name_f]Healy[/name_f]. I think itâs a lovely name and people will get used to it.
Honestly, I think youâve mastered the fact none of your kids names âgo togetherâ. They distinctively each have their own vibe and none of them [name_f][/name_f]- at least in my opinion [name_f][/name_f]- go together. I think [name_f]Oona[/name_f] is gorgeous, but Iâm [name_f]Irish[/name_f] so Iâm biased. I think that if you like the meaning then who cares what anyone else thinks?
I love [name_f]Oona[/name_f] (and Una)! Itâs got a sweet and sparky sound, a hint of magic and mystique, a little off-beat and quirky, familiar enough (thanks to [name_f]Luna[/name_f], [name_f]Lula[/name_f], June) but somehow distinctive and intriguing, and itâs got multiple meanings/origins!
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I guess itâs the oooo sound people might find a bit of an ick? too much like eww or poo or prunes etc?
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I donât know â maybe itâs just unfamiliar to those around you and they need to get used to it?
I would never have guessed that would be the reaction! maybe because the name is so unfamiliar in the US? I agree with others that I find Oona/Una to be sweet and distinct, and I love the meaning it has in your family
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my preferred spelling has always been Oonaâsomething about it just feels more dreamy and mystical! however, I read [name_m]The[/name_m] Everlasting[name_f][/name_f] by [name_f]Alix[/name_f] E Harrow last year, in which the main character is named [name_f]Una[/name_f], and that book really made me appreciate the [name_f]Una[/name_f] spelling more. plus, she was an awesome character!
I absolutely adore[name_f][/name_f] [name_f]Oona[/name_f], there is nothing icky about her to me at all! [name_f][/name_f] [name_f]Una[/name_f] feels like the Spanish word for 1, but I love the meaning of âlambâ, especially for the [name_m]Christian[/name_m] symbolism, I love the two oâs together (it feels so bubbly and fun!)! [name_f][/name_f] I think firstly of [name_f]Oona[/name_f] [name_m]Chaplin[/name_m], but thereâs so much to love about [name_f]Oona[/name_f], and I think she is delightful[name_f][/name_f] with [name_f]Felicity[/name_f] and your sons! [name_f][/name_f] And even more, you sound more excited about her than you did [name_f]Mary[/name_f] and Elizaâsheâs such a special name, and I would say ignore the naysayers and embrace her wholeheartedly! [name_f][/name_f] All the best!
I am also in the [name_m]South[/name_m] and love Oona/Una! Iâve known one [name_f]Una[/name_f] here and never saw any comments. I think people always appreciate a name more once itâs on an actual person! [name_f]Oona[/name_f] is my preferred spelling, but I could see [name_f]Una[/name_f] being more convenient here. Either way itâs a lovely name!
I second what everyone else is saying, but i just had to pop in and say that [name_f]Oona[/name_f] is an absolutely beautiful name, an I donât see why anyone would have that reaction to itâŚShe is both bouncy and whimsical and I just adore the look and sound. [name_f]She[/name_f] fits perfectly with your set, too!
Iâm an [name_f]English[/name_f] berry with [name_f]Irish[/name_f] dad so of course I adore Una/Oona/Oonagh! I think sheâs beautiful, strong, elegant, enchanting and is just stunning. I love the [name_f]Faerie[/name_f] [name_f]Queene[/name_f] association, the [name_f]Irish[/name_f] meaning lamb and Latin meaning âoneâ along with the Old Norse meaning âto be satisfied/happyâ so many fabulous associations. [name_f]My[/name_f] favourite spelling is [name_f]Oona[/name_f] I love the double âoâ beginning such a clunky cool choice.
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To be honest your sibling set is eclectic and fun I think they work wonderfully together.
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