Is this a logical reason to change a baby’s name?

[MongerNoLonger]

My DH is from Spain, so we decided to give our child a name that is common in Spain. The problem is that I’ve noticed that people intentionally try to avoid saying her name. I believe it is because they’re worried that they’re going to mispronounce it or feeling self-conscious that they’re going to sound strange whilst saying it (because it doesn’t sound as natural when said with an English accent). Even friends and family will call her the baby or little one instead of saying her actual name (whereas my nephews have always been referred to as their actual names).

She’s a few months old, and I think that it would be wise to change it now (before she becomes aware of her name). I really don’t want my child to endure a lifetime of people going to great lengths to avoid saying her name. Our first names are such a core part of our identity. What are your thoughts?

Some Gaelic* names are unpronounceable to non-Gaelic speakers. But that's no reason not to give your child a name that reflects her heritage.

*Roison
Eimear
Grainne
Aine

My grandchildren have Spanish names. They haven't had any problems at school. People usually comment on how lovely they are. If they can't pronounce them they ask.. it isn't impossible for people to learn how to pronounce a name. Or at least an anglicised version of a name

There is such a wide variety of names now don't change her name just because some people don't want to try and say it. People will get used to her name. Just make a point of saying it and letting them know how to pronounce it.

Not seen *Roison before but the others are fine. They're Gaeilge not Gaelic surely.

Ha, yes I recognize this. DH has a normal English first name (actually an Anglisation of his actual first name) then a very challenging surname - I'm English by birth, so when using his surname (which I don't for e.g. at work both because it's so difficult and also obviously from a very different culture to mine so feels odd using it, in his birth country women don't take the mens surname so he's cool about it) I'm quite used to my name now being Max awkward pause strange gutteral noise frantic glace around - I'll usually put them out of their misery at this point 😂

How do you let someone know when they can't make the sounds? (e.g. Jimena)

There is always an anglicised version.
My DD and Son in law chose names that are unusual for English speakers but certainly not impossible to pronounce even if some people pronounce them slightly differently from their Spanish family it is still recognisable as their name.

There are names with no anglicised version.

If you love the name, which I presume you do, can you give her an easier nickname people could use?

Not an anglised version of the name an anglised way of pronouncing it .
It isn't impossible for an English person to say Jimana . For an English speaking person the J can be pronounced like an H i so like .Hee-MEH-nah.
As i said the Spanish relatives will pronounce it slightly differently but they will still recognise it

My mistake - should be Rosin - apologies😳

"They're Gaeilge not Gaelic surely." I don't know what that means I'm afraid !

I struggle with loads of Irish names that sound nothing like their spellings but it doesn’t stop a lot of people using them due to their heritage. I would just suck it up and accept life is going to have ignorant people if if you like the name…if you don’t like the name so much that is the only reason to change it

Not Róisín? Gaeilge is 'Irish Gaelic', Gaelic is 'Scottish Gaelic'.

Yes, you are correct. I'm still spelling it incorrectly.

Roisin - I don't have the accents on my keyboard.

I suspect it'll actually be easier once she's older as she'll be the one saying it/introducing herself, right now she's at an age where lots of people are reading it too (doctors, midwives, birth announcement messages etc). If it's one she can shorten, she might end up going by that if it's easier to pronounce/more obvious. My dd has a long name (not hard to pronounce but annoying to spell and has a couple of pronunciations in other countries), she's completely adopted the 3 letter long version, even on the school register it says that now, I think possibly the doctor has her full name but that's it, my grandmother disliked her hard to pronounce first name and went exclusively by her middle name her whole life, as did my uncle. So if it's a name that gives options, I wouldn't worry, as she can choose the short version or another part.
I'm also imagining she might have dual nationality, is there a chance you'd ever live in Spain, if so, you wouldn't want to swap it for anything that can't be pronounced there.
Changing a name feels like a big deal to my mind and i can't imagine doing it, but I do also think there are so many kids out there where you do think "you've not given them the easiest start there have you", so probably preferable to change it if there isn't an obvious way around it (like a short version, or a middle name).

It's 'Ro-sheen'.

Thank you.🙂

I would change it. Did you not consider there would be pronunciation difficulties ?

That doesn't really work for me. Hee-MEH-nah isn't ugly or anything but it's not Jimena.

You're welcome. They're quite normal names.
I'd say them as Rowsheen, EemeR, Graunia and Aunya

No Irish connection. I've been to Dublin on a day trip but worked with Irish people,

I'm not sure you're correct. In scotland I hear ro-sheen but where I'm from.in ireland it's roy-sheen

Siobhan, sorcha, caoimhe, daithi, fiadh, padhraig, padhraigin, cathal, cathair, there are plenty of wilder Gaelge names I can't think of off the top of my head but these are less well known ones that come to mind. I've heard some very Irish names out with Ireland, I agree with those saying keep the name, teacher he family.

Nonsense. I'm tellin' ya, I've been to Dublin. You're just from Ireland, what would you know?

I know someone with a daughter with a Spanish name. It appears very easy but actually I know I’ve avoided saying it as I don’t feel like I’m saying it correctly and I don’t want to offend.
It’s a beautiful name but I feel my accent doesn’t lend itself to it. You must like it to have chosen it, I’d just make more of a point of saying it in general conversation so it becomes more normalised.

I'd keep it and accept that people will anglicise the name if it has letters English people cannot pronounce. I had a friend called Geert. In Dutch it starts with a sound we're not used to making. Everyone called him Gert.

It's common to call a baby "the baby". They'll get used to it.

Shivaun, Sorraka, Keeva, Daw-hee, Fia, Pawrig, Porrig-in, Caw-hul and Caw-heer. Feel free to correct, I'm just guessing, but I doubt they're shabby attempts. Some will have regional versions and my accent isn't reflected here.
Saoirse is probably a better one. I'd say it SeeR-sha (2 syllables)

had a friend called Geert. In Dutch it starts with a sound we're not used to making. Everyone called him Gert.
But it doesn't sound like Gert. It's about the same as saying to Graham we'll call you Crum.