What Do You Think of This Name?

[bmcneal]

DF and I have been trying to find Gaelic/Irish names for this LO. I have one that I really like, but that is fairly unusual. DF likes it decently, and if it is a boy, and we both agree that *this* is the right name for him, then we will use it, but I would like input from other people about what they think of it.  The name is Cuchulainn. The pronunciation is ku-cool-in.

[philomom]

Nope. Loading a kid up with a name no one can say or spell is a bad idea. Trust me. My name is one letter off from something normal and I hated my parents for it by the age of eight. I had to spell it out for all my teachers and people mispronounced it all the time. Do your kid a favor and give him this name as cool middle name and give him a more normal name as first name.

[Bokonon]

Originally Posted by philomom 

Nope. Loading a kid up with a name no one can say or spell is a bad idea. Trust me. My name is one letter off from something normal and I hated my parents for it by the age of eight. I had to spell it out for all my teachers and people mispronounced it all the time. Do your kid a favor and give him this name as cool middle name and give him a more normal name as first name.

I completely agree.  Having a name that no one ever gets "right" causes anxiety in even the most confident of kids.  I know this from experience, and my name is pretty normal.

[MeepyCat]

The guaranteed misspelling and mispronunciation wouldn't necessarily stop me, but it's a seriously non-euphonious name. 

I'd also be reluctant to saddle a kid with that particular legend.

[CoBabyMaker]

I agree with philomom.  I wouldn't.  Perhaps for a middle name.

[JudiAU]

My kids have old, old names and I love them. The more estoteric is shortened to a great nickname. We paired them with something pretty plain and then an old family name with the idea that if they were boring adults they would have a fall back.

But I think this one is tougher because it is long, hard to spell, hard to pronounce, and has a pretty rough legend attached to it. I wouldn't choose it unless you were going to shorten it to a nickname, with an easy spelling for easy daily use. Or i would choose it for a middle name. Or choose it for a first name and use the middle name. 

[rnra]

Originally Posted by JudiAU 

It is long, hard to spell, hard to pronounce, and has a pretty rough legend attached to it. 

[devilish]

I think it's fantastic, however, he will probably either spend his time spelling it or teaching others to pronounce it. Do you have a nickname in mind?

[Emerson Kelly]

I agree with Philomom.......names should be simple, easy to tell and pronounce otherwise it will be difficult to tell the name to others......every time he/she should spell and pronounce it!! So please try to change the name!! 

[ChristaM]

I really like Gaelic names, in fact, my daughter's name is Saoirse. It fits her and I'm glad we chose the right name, but spelling it is a pain in the rear. Even I have to say the letters out loud. I can guarantee that the weird spelling, weird pronunciation, and the sordid history of name will get some eye-rolls and weird comments from well-meaning people. Be forewarned! You'll need a tough skin and eventually he'll start fielding those comments too.

[spughy]

I wouldn't.  I rather like Gaelic names and the pronunciation isn't really a problem, but I'm pretty sure Cuchulain's main claim to fame was killing lots and lots and lots of people, somewhat indiscriminately and mostly over disagreements of the ownership of cows, so that's not really a background I'd want my kid to have.  

[firespiritmelody]

Originally Posted by JudiAU 
it is long, hard to spell, hard to pronounce, and has a pretty rough legend attached to it.

Yep, that's my opinion too. Plus, I can see him getting called "Coo-coo" (coo-coo for cocoa pops!) on top of it all. If you really love the name, give it to him as a middle name and if he loves it, he can go by it when he's ready.

[Peony]

Nope. Not unless there was a nickname that was always going to be in use. That's a lot to saddle a kid to with everything it has going on. 

[kimble]

Another vote for no here.

Even if you're planning to use a nickname, every time he meets a new group (first day of school each year, getting a job, going to college, etc) people will likely be given his legal name on the list of people. Please keep in mind that this will add up to ~20 years of needing to struggle with the pronunciation and clarify that he goes by another name on an annual basis.

I've been there with a nickname I strongly prefer to my given name, and a hard to spell/pronounce last name, and it was not something I would want my children to repeat.

[Adaline'sMama]

I vote no as well. Sorry.

[tinuviel_k]

Ditto on the "no."
99% of people will pronounce his name incorrectly if reading it, and it wil probably get old really fast having to explain to people that his name is not "Cooch-you-lane."

And the whole "coo-coo" nickname is just way too obivious.

[34me]

All of my kids have Irish/Gaelic first and middle names. We got more bold with our third and gave him the name of a little boy I knew in HS but is actually a common last name. We were that family in school and waiting rooms. If the person reading the name stops and looks around - it's us. And I think his is much easier than what you propose. Just some more food for thought

[spruce]

Originally Posted by philomom 

Nope. Loading a kid up with a name no one can say or spell is a bad idea. Trust me. My name is one letter off from something normal and I hated my parents for it by the age of eight. I had to spell it out for all my teachers and people mispronounced it all the time. Do your kid a favor and give him this name as cool middle name and give him a more normal name as first name.

I absolutely disagree with this.

I have a 17yo daughter named Ariadne, and yes, she has spent time teaching people to spell and say her name properly...but she loves her name and the story behind it.

Go with what is right for your baby, Mama. As a Penelope born when NOBODY had names like that, I can vouch for historical names having a lot of fun attached to them. I still enjoy explaining my name to people, although its a little sad that more people don't know their Homer these days.

Love, penelope

[MrsGregory]

To be fair, aren't most Irish heroes famous for killing lots and lots people? 

I'll throw my hat in the "No." ring.  But, if that's his name, then that's his name!  Both I and my husband have unusual names... his far more so than mine.  We saddled Little Miss with a simple but very unique moniker.  She'll have to spell it, pronounce it, explain it...  just like we did.  My last name was as big a pain as my first name.  I can remember every time, having to spell it, having to explain it... but you know, when I married, I was sad to see it go.  We like our odd names.

[LottieLee]

Although I love Irish names and think the spellings are beautiful- I have to vote for No for this name (assuming you don't  live in Ireland). Spellings that aren't immediately recognizable I can only imagine will cause frustration throughout the child's life- with other people mispronouncing and misspelling it all the time. 

Good Luck to you!