Is it cruel to name a boy in the South (U.S.) [name_m]Seamus[/name_m]? [name_m]Will[/name_m] people know how to pronounce it? Is it too unusual? I love it, but I’m a little afraid of how people will react. Thoughts?
Thanks!!
I’m from the south and I love it! I do think that most people would have trouble pronouncing it, but it would definitely be unique (at least where I’m from.)
Same here (from the south, love it). I’m also of Irish descent though, so I’ve always liked names of Celtic origin. Depending upon where in the South you are from, you might find more or less difficulty with pronunciation.
The only caveat with the name is that sometimes it can come out as “Shame-us” with a thick drawl. I don’t really see it as a problem though.
I think this would be an issue all someones life…people not pronouncing his name right.
If we can grasp [name_m]Sean[/name_m], I’m pretty sure we can grasp [name_m]Seamus[/name_m]. 
For what it’s worth, I know a little guy named [name_m]Seamus[/name_m] and he does just fine with his name.
I love seamus and I think its very handsome and could be very wearable even in the southern US. I have a bit of my southern draw still and it comes out [name_u]Shay[/name_u] mus with an emphasis on the AY.
I live in the south and think older generations may struggle with the pronounciation, but most young people will be familiar with it because of [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m].
I don’t live in the US, but I do think that many people will have heard of it because of the character in [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m]. I think it’s a great name BTW!
I am from Australia and [name_m]Seamus[/name_m] is a popular though not common name. No one I know would have any trouble pronouncing it. Agree with the cmnt re ‘[name_m]Sean[/name_m]’.
I think people will get it…anyone who has read [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m] is familiar with the name, at least. 
Thanks, everyone!
I’m sure it will be fine. I agree with the comment re [name_m]Sean[/name_m].
[name_f]Susan[/name_f]
I’m too chicken to use it because of the “shame us” thing and I’ve seen someone comment in a forum before that they think “semen”. But I do love that red-haired hottie “pro” wrestler whose stage name is Sheamus, especially for being a proud pale Irishman.
I echo what many above have said. I’m from the South and I would love to meet a little [name_m]Seamus[/name_m]! You might have to explain it to a lot of people but people are used to hearing/seeing [name_m]Sean[/name_m] and lots of people have heard of [name_m]Seamus[/name_m] b/c of [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m]. It’s a great name. Go for it!
That’s what I was thinking! There’s also Seoras which is Gaelic for [name_m]George[/name_m]. Pronounced Shor-is.
I don’t think pronunciation would be much of a problem. It is a great Irish name.
I am from the south and I think it would be problematic. I automatically see “semen” when I see this name. And, yes, I know it is shay mus. I actually like it, but think there would be prn issues.
I am from the South and I love [name_m]Seamus[/name_m]. [name_f]Do[/name_f] I think people will pronounce it correctly? No. Not the first time. So, you tell them how to pronounce it and the next time they will get it right. Before you know it, they will think [name_m]Seamus[/name_m] is just an ordinary name. It just becomes your child’s name. For most people anything other than [name_m]Ben[/name_m] or [name_m]Michael[/name_m] is met with a , “what was that again?” I’d take [name_m]Seamus[/name_m] any day!