See the results of this poll: Sunna or Sóley?
Respondents: 40 (This poll is closed)
- Sunna : 18 (45%)
- Sóley: 22 (55%)
[name_m]How[/name_m] are they pronounced? I love [name_f]Su[/name_f]-na or is it [name_f]Sun[/name_f]-a as in sun! Is [name_f]Soley[/name_f], solely like the word or sol-lay?
Can I add a third option? My favorite female Nordic “sun” name is [name_f]Solveig[/name_f], pronounced “SOOL-vie” or “SOOL-vay” and meaning “sun strength” or “daughter of the sun,” though it’s also sometimes used as a variant of Sylvi. The diacritical mark in Sóley would probably give her trouble outside of Iceland, so you might consider the Scandinavian version, [name_f]Soley[/name_f].
Also, for a boy, I love the Norwegian name Solan!
Thank you! I forgot to add that info (edited original post above.)
Sunna is pronounced SOON-nah or [name_f]Su[/name_f]-na, although in Iceland they might say it a bit differently, maybe close son [name_m]SON[/name_m]-nah. I would pronounce it SOON-nah/[name_f]Su[/name_f]-na.
Sóley is pronounced SOUL-ay.
I love Sunna pronounced Soon-nah! That is my favorite of the two. I have a good friend [name_f]Solveig[/name_f] and [name_u]Love[/name_u] that suggestion as well. She pronounces her name more like [name_m]Saul[/name_m]-vay.
[name_f]Solveig[/name_f] I like too, although I grew up around a few of them so it’s not as exciting to me anymore, I guess.
I also like [name_f]Soleil[/name_f], pronounced similarly to Sóley, but emphasis on the second syllable.
I also like [name_f]Solene[/name_f] and [name_m]Sol[/name_m]ène, … The whole [name_m]Sol[/name_m]-range!
Our son’s middle name begins with [name_m]Sol[/name_m] as well. Close to Solan but not quite 
Oh and I’ve thought about the accent and decided that the name [name_f]Soley[/name_f] without accent works just as well. I would use the accent in the paperwork, but if it gets left out here and there it won’t bother me, I think.
I love [name_f]Soleil[/name_f], so [name_f]Soley[/name_f] gets my vote.
I think that while both are pretty, they’d both come with pretty significant pronunciation issues
I don’t mind explaining how the names are pronounced and for me, both fall into the category of “explain once, be done.” So I don’t find the pronounciation issues significant. But I’m open to hearing what you think.
I think Sunna sounds better if you speak English - more like a cultural name. [name_m]Sol[/name_m]éy sounds more like a cheesy play on a [name_m]French[/name_m] word. [name_m]Just[/name_m] my opinion though!
I strongly prefer Sunna and think the pronunciation is much easier to explain and remember. [name_f]Soley[/name_f] would get pronounced as SOUL-ee, rhymes with holy, which isn’t as pretty. It sounds like a nickname. But the true pronunciation is similar enough that a lot of people will have trouble hearing the distinction, let alone remembering it. I completely understand why the meaning is attractive, but most people aren’t going to know about it unless you tell them.
I would be careful in giving a “paperwork name” that cant easily be used for everyday! It has given some of my friends trouble filling out official documents and not having their name match on all their things before.
Out of the options I think Sunna is adorable and the most wearable!
I like Sunna. There used to be a berry called [name_f]Sunniva[/name_f]… Might have actually been her daughter.
Hmm NB has it with the emphasis on the first syllable, I always said it in my head with the emphasis on the second syllable. Pretty tho.
Good point! Thank you!
I had a whole thread on [name_f]Sunniva[/name_f] a while ago.i thought it might be the perfect name, and I could use Sunna as a nickname.
What killed it for me was when the comments started to gravitate towards “sounds like ‘son-of-a-…!’” I wouldn’t want my kid to hear that kind of comment about her name.
^^very true. Hadn’t thought of that.