We are expecting a baby girl and can’t decide between [name_f]Runa[/name_f] and [name_f]Ramona[/name_f]. [name_m]Even[/name_m] though her due date is months away, the dilemma is keeping me up at night! Her middle name will be [name_u]Louise[/name_u], and our last name is similar to “Holland.”
[name_f]Runa[/name_f]:
[name_u]Love[/name_u] the meaning of Runa—“secret lore” and “moon”
Scandinavian heritage to match Soren/dad’s side of the family
Feels witchy, dark, magical, tied to nature—really love the vibes [name_f]Runa[/name_f] gives!
[name_f]Beautiful[/name_f] sound, favorite name to say
Simple and sleek, doesn’t need a nickname
Nickname options are sweet: “Rue, [name_u]Rooney[/name_u], Rue-lue”
We’ve loved this name for 4 years. Would have been Soren’s name had he been a girl.
However:
Less popular/well-liked than Soren’s name, possibly more polarizing
Sometimes associated with “rude” and “ruin”
Some say it sounds like a poor pronunciation of [name_f]Luna[/name_f]
A possible association with “rona/coronavirus”?
Linked Runescape/Skyrim video games, perhaps too fantasy-sounding to be taken seriously as an adult?
Is this a “doggy” name? Some comments from others: 1) “sounds like [name_m]Scooby[/name_m] Doo trying to say tuna," 2) tons of dogs named [name_f]Luna[/name_f], and a coworker with a dog named Ruca 3) possibly sounds like a dog howling: “roo roo roo”
[name_f]Ramona[/name_f]:
[name_u]Love[/name_u] the combined meaning with [name_u]Louise[/name_u] “Wise protector + renowned warrior”
Similar popularity as Soren—unexpected but familiar, likeable
Seems versatile/like it would age well
Nod to local treasures (Beverly [name_m]Cleary[/name_m], [name_f]Ramona[/name_f] Falls)
Honors a family name (grandmother who was named for great-grandfather Raymond)
[name_f]Lovely[/name_f] rhythm/flow with first, middle and last names
We love [name_f]Mona[/name_f] as a nickname
However:
Longer than the simple names we usually like, possibly too long next to [name_m]Soren[/name_m]?
“Moaner” always seems to come up
[name_f]Mona[/name_f] is monkey in Spanish (honestly not sure if this is a negative)
[name_f]Ramona[/name_f] strikes me as a bit more global and versatile. Familiar, but never popular. A good “sweet spot” name. It would get my vote. That said, I do prefer your [name_f]Runa[/name_f] nicknames to your [name_f]Ramona[/name_f] nickname. But you could get away with Roo for [name_f]Ramona[/name_f] [name_u]Louise[/name_u], too.
[name_f]My[/name_f] vote goes to [name_f]Runa[/name_f]! I wouldn’t worry about the cons you listed, I think it goes perfectly with [name_m]Soren[/name_m].
Personally, I prefer [name_f]Ramona[/name_f], but reading this post made me feel like your heart lies with [name_f]Runa[/name_f]! None of the cons on either of your lists seemed like reasons for wrote a name off completely, so I would go with whichever makes you smile more
I love both, but would agree that [name_f]Runa[/name_f] feels perfect for you. [name_f]Runa[/name_f] and [name_m]Soren[/name_m] are absolutely wonderful together!
my vote goes to runa! i love the nicknames and meaning. i think ramona is also lovely and both names work with soren. i think the cons you listed for runa aren’t too bad and ramona’s cons seem a little worse. overall, runa has a great vibe, can age well, and goes amazingly with your sons name imo!
[name_f]Runa[/name_f] and [name_m]Soren[/name_m] are honestly so perfect together! [name_f]Ramona[/name_f] is nice but I think if I was going to put my negative/‘mean kids in the playground’ goggles on for a sec, the ‘moan’ part of [name_f]Ramona[/name_f] is worse and more obvious than the ‘rude/ruin’ or ‘doggy’ aspects of [name_f]Runa[/name_f] (which wouldn’t have occurred to me if you didn’t point them out). I think [name_f]Runa[/name_f] has the most gorgeous storybook-but-still-totally-wearable feel. I’d have loved my name to mean secret lore/moon as a kid! What a special name
I personally prefer [name_f]Ramona[/name_f] but after reading your post I’m leaning a bit more towards [name_f]Runa[/name_f] for you. Its a bit stretchy but would [name_f]Runa[/name_f] maybe work as a nickname for [name_f]Ramona[/name_f]? That way you get both.
I really think [name_f]Runa[/name_f] is too perfect with [name_m]Soren[/name_m] to pass up. I do like [name_f]Ramona[/name_f], but [name_f]Runa[/name_f] is so magical!
[name_f]Runa[/name_f] works great but I agree with some of your cons. And [name_f]Mona[/name_f] totally gives me the same vibes as [name_f]Runa[/name_f] so I am loving [name_f]Ramona[/name_f] in this case. I like that [name_m]Soren[/name_m] and [name_f]Ramona[/name_f] feel cohesive but not too similar.
