I’m strongly considering a name change since I’ve never really liked my birth name, and never has that been more apparent than in being a grown woman and having to see/hear it constantly.
So, in looking for a name that’s short, gender neutral, not too pretentious (hopefully), and just has the general “sound” I like, I’ve recently become very drawn to the name [name_m]Innes[/name_m].
Before I move forward with actually adopting this name, I thought I would get some thoughts on it and address some of my concerns: what impression does it actually leave for you? How would you see this name on a resume? [name_m]Will[/name_m] it work for any age? And (especially to those of you in the UK, where the name is more common than here in the US) am I opening myself up to a good roasting that I just don’t see yet?
I love [name_m]Innes[/name_m] and can see it on all ages! I’m in the US, but I would most likely spell it [name_f]Ines[/name_f] if someone told me [name_m]Innes[/name_m] was their name, so maybe keep that in mind? I feel like someone named [name_m]Innes[/name_m] could have pretty much any personality and I wouldn’t be surprised. Oh, and welcome to Nameberry!
Thanks, that’s a good point! And either inn-ez or inn-us seem to be pronunciations of the name as it’s listed online, so that’s what I would be aiming for
If you want the in-ez pronunciation, I would go with the [name_f]Ines[/name_f] spelling. I read [name_m]Innes[/name_m] as inn-ihs (like the end of Guinness)
I may be wrong but [name_m]Innes[/name_m] feels Scottish to me, if that’s the vibe you’re looking for, while [name_f]Ines[/name_f] feels more international
It’s a lovely name, although I would use Ines / Inez spelling (different name entirely I know, so maybe not what you want) if you plan on pronouncing it with the -nez ending. People would definitely be more familiar with Ines / Inez, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use Innes … Maybe just be prepared for a bit more confusion and correction with spelling and pronunciation.
I love [name_m]Innes[/name_m]. The impression I get is [name_f]Inez[/name_f] from Cyberchase on PBS, so good I guess? I would see it as a really smart hispanic person, maybe with glasses on a resume. It work probably work for any age. As I said it is a name on a PBS kids show but I’m U.S. so you may not even have that problem.
That actually sounds really cool too - I wouldn’t object to that as a pronunciation either.
And you’re right! I found it in the Scottish section of BehindtheName.com
Innes is a lovely name, just be prepared to be called Ness or [name_f]Nessie[/name_f]. Both of which I actually find to be darling names. I have [name_f]Inez[/name_f] on my list of names myself and would not hesitate to lovingly call a daughter Ness. Great choice! If you love it and you feel a strong connection to it, go for it.
I’m in the US - I just mentioned the UK since there may be an international move in my future and I don’t want to go through the pain and expense of a name change just to get roasted overseas
That is actually a really cool impression and I feel flattered, thank you so much! I’m neither Latina nor someone who’s watched Cyberchasers, but “smart” is a nice association to have
I’m in the US too, & in a very multicultural area of it. I’m looking at this & am confused on whether this is INZ or in-NISS.
I imagine this more on a boy than a girl.
If I saw this on a resume, I’d think, “Hmm, unique name”, but not much more. But that’s just more. From the average person, I think that they might think poorly of it, sadly. Name-based discrimination sucks!
Name-based discrimination sucks! 
