Oonagh?

[readingreverie]

As it seems it happened again like it always does, I’ve fallen in love with another [name_u]Irish[/name_u] name that I didn’t like at first. Following the pattern of [name_f]Saoirse[/name_f], [name_f]Nuala[/name_f], and [name_f]Maeve[/name_f], I’ve not been able to get [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] out of my head the last few weeks. I do have some reservations and questions about her.

First - What spelling is best? Obviously this is a question of preference, but I’d love to hear opinions! [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] and [name_f]Oona[/name_f] are definitely the two I prefer, but [name_f]Una[/name_f] is also a spelling to consider! I feel somewhat of a pull towards [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f], though I do prefer the way [name_f]Oona[/name_f] looks…

Second - [name_f]Do[/name_f] you think [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] is a usable name in the US? [name_u]Will[/name_u] pronunciation issues occur extremely often? It’s okay if the name is mispronounced a few times, or is mispronounced and easily correctable, but I’m wondering if even after explained it would be hard for people to catch onto.

Three - What middle name for [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f]? The combination that made me fall in love with [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] is [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Paige[/name_f] (Amber Heard’s daughter), and for that association I can’t use it, but I also just don’t love [name_f]Paige[/name_f]. With this in mind, what are some cute one syllable names for the middle spot that share the same bright and bouncy sound with [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Paige[/name_f]? Perhaps even a double barreled name that feels similar would work! What other middles would you suggest based on my current top ten, [name_f]Alice[/name_f], [name_f]Agnes[/name_f], [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f], [name_f]Clara[/name_f], [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f], [name_f]Heidi[/name_f], [name_f]Matilda[/name_f], [name_f]Tabitha[/name_f], [name_f]Violet[/name_f], and [name_f]Winifred[/name_f]?

Bonus questions - What do you think of the sibset [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] and [name_u]Wren[/name_u] (b)? How mismatched do you think it is? What names would you add to the sibset to make the gap between the two styles less noticeable?

Thank you all in advance! I cannot wait to hear what you guys say about the lovely [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f]!

[rubylark]

I love [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] in all its forms! [name_f]My[/name_f] favorite spelling is definitely [name_f]Una[/name_f], it’s the spelling I first encountered and I love how sweet and simple it looks. Unfortunately I do think [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] would be very difficult in the US. It’s pretty easily correctable, but I’d imagine you’d hear it incorrectly more often than correctly (at least on first meeting/from strangers).

Some middle ideas:
[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] Maud(e)
[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]May[/name_f]
[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Joy[/name_f]
[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_u]Blythe[/name_u]
[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] Clare/Claire
[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_u]Fern[/name_u]
[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_u]Hazel[/name_u]
[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Elspeth[/name_f]
[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Jane[/name_f]
[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_u]Lark[/name_u]
[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Harriet[/name_f]

[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] and [name_u]Wren[/name_u] are pretty stylistically mismatched, but I actually really like them together! The sounds work really well-- maybe spelling it as [name_f]Oona[/name_f] or [name_f]Una[/name_f] might help?

[coolauntieviolet]

I used to like [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f], but I found out it’s the name of [name_f]Amber[/name_f] Heard’s daughter and now I hate it

[phoebian]

I totally understand where you’re coming from, I’ve been on the same kick myself with [name_u]Irish[/name_u] names

I also find myself more drawn to [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] over [name_f]Oona[/name_f] or [name_f]Una[/name_f]. I think it just looks a bit more “mature” and complete if that makes sense. [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] in my opinion is also probably one of the more wearable [name_u]Irish[/name_u] names in the US as the pronunciation is much more intuitive.

Lately I’ve been liking [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_u]Blythe[/name_u] or [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Maeve[/name_f], from your top ten I think [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] would be lovely🌷

[EloiseT]

I think it depends to some extent on heritage too. Though some of this is washy and overlapping, Oonagh to emphasise the Irishness (and if you are drawn to the lamb meaning - the name seems to come from the Greek, Agnes) or Oona which is the Scottish/Gaelic version of Una - the Latin name/ meaning of “one”.

I swing on this one - I like the straightforward but also quirky vibe of Oona; Una has more of a hippy vibe (like Uma, Zen etc); and Oonagh is more clearly Celtic/Catholic and I agree, looks more sophisticated.

Some middles:

Oonagh Marie
Oonagh Claire
Oonagh Fleur
Oonagh Rosamund
Oonagh Harriet
Oonagh Constance
Oonagh Chloe/Zoe
Oonagh Cecily
Oonagh Charlotte
Oonagh Delphine
And I also like Oonagh Beatrice

If I were using Wren, I would use Oona or Una to go for the more outdoorsy and cute vibe and to make them more cohesive. I don’t think I’d pair them myself - but I’m ambivalent about Wren - better for a boy though imo.

Oona, Wren & Jude
Oona, Wren & Pearl
Oona, Wren & Isla
Oona, Wren & Kit
Oona, Wren & Iris
Oona, Wren & Noelle
Oona, Wren & Atlas
Oona, Wren & Summer
Oona, Wren & Finlo
Oona, Wren & Nellie

[readingreverie]

@rubylark [name_u]Loving[/name_u] [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Maude[/name_f], [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]May[/name_f], [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Joy[/name_f], [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_u]Blythe[/name_u], and [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_u]Fern[/name_u]! Really the whole list you made is great. [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] and [name_u]Wren[/name_u] are definitely mismatched, but I was thinking of them in the context of being the two names I’m loving lately that don’t match my usual style, and I actually thought they made for a fun pair! I agree that the [name_f]Oona[/name_f] or [name_f]Una[/name_f] spelling works a little better as a sister for [name_u]Wren[/name_u].

@coolauntieviolet It does kinda suck, but I can’t get over the name haha!

@phoebian Yes! I feel the same way about the [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] spelling. It also feels more distinctly [name_u]Irish[/name_u], which is a quality I enjoy in terms of the name. [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_u]Blythe[/name_u] and [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Maeve[/name_f] are beautiful! [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] is very sweet too.

@EloiseT I love the very [name_u]Irish[/name_u] feeling of the [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] spelling, which I think is great as I am part [name_u]Irish[/name_u]! The quirky vibe of [name_f]Oona[/name_f] is so fun, it reminds me a bit of the feeling I get from [name_f]Phoebe[/name_f] (which is definitely caused by the lovely [name_f]Phoebe[/name_f] Buffay!) [name_f]Una[/name_f] and [name_u]Zen[/name_u] are so cool together! [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Fleur[/name_f], [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Claire[/name_f], [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Cecily[/name_f], [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f], and [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Beatrice[/name_f] are all great! I’m loving the set of [name_f]Oona[/name_f], [name_u]Wren[/name_u], and [name_u]Jude[/name_u], as well as [name_f]Oona[/name_f], [name_u]Wren[/name_u], and [name_u]Atlas[/name_u]!

[EloiseT]

[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_u]Florence[/name_u] is also a very pretty name!

[EloiseT]

[name_f]Oona[/name_f] & [name_f]Phoebe[/name_f] would such a cool set of sissies!

[Chococat]

[name_f]My[/name_f] preference for spelling is [name_f]Oona[/name_f], which simplifies things but keeps the neat double letter beginning.

I think it’s a very sweet name - probably thanks to watching Puffin [name_m]Rock[/name_m] with my kids (Oona is the main character).

I actually really like [name_f]Oona[/name_f] and [name_u]Wren[/name_u] together.

[marysia]

1. Spelling: I think [name_f]Oona[/name_f] and [name_f]Una[/name_f] are the most intuitive spelling. I don’t think most people would get [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] at first try.

2. Usability: I do think [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] would be a difficult name to have in the US. Most people would probably misspell it at first (and probably second) try.

3. Middle names:

[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Bernadette[/name_f]
[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Caroline[/name_f]
[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Eloise[/name_f]
[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Frances[/name_f]
[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Harriet[/name_f]
[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Imogen[/name_f]
[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Muriel[/name_f]
[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Sylvie[/name_f]
[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Valerie[/name_f]

[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] and [name_u]Wren[/name_u] do seem mismatched. [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f], [name_u]Hayes[/name_u], [name_f]Niamh[/name_f], and [name_u]Wren[/name_u]?

[Greyblue]

1. [name_f]Una[/name_f] is my favourite spelling - possibly for the more international vibe, the sleek, snappy look, and the mystical yet refined feel it gives me.
   However, [name_f]Oona[/name_f] is intriguing, distinctive and slightly magical and I adore the rugged, fable-like quality of [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] - there is something just very appealing.

Ultimately, [name_f]Una[/name_f] is my favourite, for the simplicity, but I like [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] too.

2. I think it is one that might give people pause. Oon-nag? Oon-nach? Oo-?? I also think it said aloud, it might be assumed [name_f]Una[/name_f] (or maybe Oona). But, if someone was told, it is easy to remember imo?

3. Some middle ideas:
   [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Felicity[/name_f]
   [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Mabel[/name_f]
   [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_u]Louise[/name_u]
   [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Eloise[/name_f]
   [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Penelope[/name_f]
   [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Faith[/name_f]
   [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_u]Lark[/name_u]
   [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Pearl[/name_f]
   [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Cecily[/name_f]

[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] [name_f]Faye[/name_f]
[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Elise[/name_f] [name_f]Margot[/name_f]
[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Adeline[/name_f] [name_f]Daisy[/name_f]
[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_u]Florence[/name_u] [name_f]Nancy[/name_f]
[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Mavis[/name_f] [name_f]Clara[/name_f]
[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Beatrix[/name_f] [name_u]Fable[/name_u]
[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Lenore[/name_f] [name_u]Rose[/name_u]

Bonus: [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] and [name_u]Wren[/name_u] work for me - unexpected, but they vibe. To draw them together, I’d choose another eclectic name because that works in my head

[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f], [name_u]Wren[/name_u] and…

[name_f]Mabli[/name_f]
[name_m]Barnaby[/name_m]
[name_f]Tansy[/name_f]
[name_m]Cormac[/name_m]
[name_f]Saskia[/name_f]
[name_u]Taran[/name_u]
[name_u]Liberty[/name_u] / [name_f]Libby[/name_f]
[name_m]Caspian[/name_m]
[name_f]Thisbe[/name_f]
[name_m]Linus[/name_m]
[name_u]Garnet[/name_u]
[name_u]Fifer[/name_u]
[name_u]Jory[/name_u]
[name_u]Marlo[/name_u]
[name_f]Nixie[/name_f]
[name_m]Aksel[/name_m]
[name_u]Pepper[/name_u]

[hellobanjo]

I would be worried about [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] being read as “oo-nag” which sounds awful. Forget about people being able to spell it. However its super easy to pronounce so I think [name_f]Oona[/name_f] or [name_f]Una[/name_f] is the way to go in the US. I personally prefer [name_f]Oona[/name_f] since [name_f]Una[/name_f] just looks like the Spanish article to me.

[namer_gamer]

I do not think that [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] is usable in the US. [name_f]Oona[/name_f] is. [name_f]Una[/name_f] is. But not [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f], due to spelling/pronunciation issues.

[sammaegre]

I love [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f]! I go between the [name_f]Oona[/name_f] and [name_f]Una[/name_f] spellings being my favorite.

[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] would be difficult in the US because of the silent letters but I don’t think either of the alternate spellings would have as many issues. [name_f]Una[/name_f] would be totally fine and [name_f]Oona[/name_f] might need a clarification about what the starting vowel sound is sometimes but wouldn’t be too confusing.

[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Faye[/name_f]
[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_u]Blair[/name_u]
[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Mavis[/name_f]
[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_u]Piper[/name_u]
[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Tess[/name_f]
[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Jane[/name_f]
[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Kate[/name_f]
[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Sadie[/name_f]
[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Fleur[/name_f]
[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_u]Louise[/name_u]

I think [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] and [name_u]Wren[/name_u] work well together. I slightly prefer the look of [name_f]Oona[/name_f] and [name_u]Wren[/name_u] because of the matching lengths.

[BabyNameOpinions]

[name_f]Una[/name_f] would be the most common spelling here in [name_u]Ireland[/name_u]. To me, spelling it [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] just seems clunky. Almost like the additional letters are unnecessary.

It’s a lovely name, very classic and simple. The [name_f]Amber[/name_f] Heard association does put a damper on it, but that poor innocent child is going to suffer enough with Heard as her mother, she doesn’t need to have her name dragged through the mud.

[name_f]Edit[/name_f] to add: the “agh” sound is almost immediately pronounced as “ahh” in [name_u]Ireland[/name_u] - but that’s in [name_u]Ireland[/name_u], and we’re all used to our letters joining to make different sounds. It’s how the [name_u]Irish[/name_u] language/alphabet works.

Ch is often a hard K sound (ka or kuh instead of cha or chuh) and mh is a v sound. I don’t imagine it would be as easily read in [name_u]America[/name_u]

[Lula-Rose]

Used to prefer [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f], now prefer [name_f]Oona[/name_f] or, slightly less, [name_f]Una[/name_f].

[name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] is unnecessarily complex for someone not directly [name_u]Irish[/name_u], I feel. [name_f]Oona[/name_f] is a good middle ground. [name_f]Una[/name_f] has a different feel entirely which I also like.

[readingreverie]

@EloiseT Thank you! I think they’re so mismatched in several ways, but their vibe is similar so it doesn’t even matter!

@Chococat I do really like the double O beginning. Thanks so much!

@Nameberry1038 That’s great to hear about [name_f]Oona[/name_f] from [name_f]Matilda[/name_f]! [name_f]Oona[/name_f] [name_f]Pearl[/name_f], [name_f]Oona[/name_f] [name_f]Heidi[/name_f], and [name_f]Oona[/name_f] [name_f]Bee[/name_f] are beautiful! Thanks so much!

@marysia [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Eloise[/name_f], [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Frances[/name_f], [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Harriet[/name_f], [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Imogen[/name_f], and [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] Sylbie are all gorgeous. Thank you so much!

@Greyblue I also get a magical rugged vibe from [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f]! I do think it’d probably get spelt wrong first try, but I too think it would be easy to remember the pronunciation, which is good! [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_u]Louise[/name_u], [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Eloise[/name_f], and [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_u]Lark[/name_u] are stunning! [name_f]Every[/name_f] one of those double middle combos is inspired! I love these suggestions. [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f], [name_u]Wren[/name_u], and [name_f]Saskia[/name_f] are a great set! Thank you!!

@hellobanjo I do kinda get that Spanish thing!

@namer_gamer Thanks!

@sammaegre [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Faye[/name_f], [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Kate[/name_f], [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_f]Fleur[/name_f], and [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] [name_u]Louise[/name_u] are all beautiful! I do think [name_f]Oona[/name_f] and [name_u]Wren[/name_u] match a little better. Thanks so much!

@BabyNameOpinions As someone who doesn’t live in [name_u]Ireland[/name_u], I would’ve thought [name_f]Oona[/name_f] or [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] would’ve been more popular! That’s interesting to know. It does sound quite simple, but I do like that in this case! Thanks for the response!

@Lula-Rose I’m mostly [name_u]Irish[/name_u], though I don’t have a huge connection to that as I’m from the states. I think my preference for spelling is [name_f]Oonagh[/name_f] - [name_f]Oona[/name_f] - [name_f]Una[/name_f]! Thanks for the insight!