Ronan on a girl?

[emekct]

I've recently fallen in love with the name Ronan but I don't care for the nickname Ron or Ronnie. I was thinking of the name Ronan Julia for a girl with the nickname Annie? Julia is a family name and I love the Irish connection and meaning of the name Ronan. Thoughts?

[east93]

I guess it can work, I think it's taking the whole "boys names on girls" thing way too far. I'd roll my eyes if I met a female Ronan.

There's Veronica, Rowan, etc.

[jesba]

Ronan sounds pretty masculine to me because it rhymes with Conan. Rowan feels more uni, and you don't get Ron or Ronnie. But neither is all that well established for boys, so it's reasonable to consider.

Ronan nn Annie works well enough, but if you want Annie it seems like there are other ways to get there. I would nickname Ronan or Rowan Ro and use an An- name for a future daughter.

Ronan Julia is a nice combo.

Anona nn Annie is similar in feel to me, and I prefer it, although it's not Irish.

[augusta_lee]

I'm of the general Nameberry opinion that boys' names on girls are trendy, tacky, and awful (not to mention, in my radical-feminist opinion, sexist). Rowan, on the other hand, is a truly unisex nature name with strong connections to the Emerald Isle AND offering the nickname Annie. Madigan and Shannon fit too, and Darcy and Flannery are fabulous unfrilly Irish names.

As for masculine nicknames for Ronan, what about Ro? Honestly, I don't think a two-syllable name needs a nn, and I doubt it will be shortened.

[stripedsocks]

Ronan to Annie seems really strained. By that point I would rather use another Irish name, like Aine or Aoife, or a name closer to Annie, like Annabel. Or, you know, Anne.

Maybe it's just my experience but all the Irish-from-Ireland people I've known get touchy about Americans using Gaelic boy's names for girls. Rory, Rowan, etc. "why do Americans DO that? Don't they know they're boys' names?!"

[ellenelle]

I don't mind some boys' names on girls; I can see the appeal and I like the sound sometimes. But Ronan is completely boy to me, as boy as Edmund or Marshall or Brody. Ronan Julia sounds confused/confusing to me; the Julia doesn't really "feminize" Ronan for me the way that a girlier middle usually feminizes Avery, Hayden, Monroe, Marlowe, Tierney, etc.

I think Rowan Julia works much better. If you were to name a son Ronan, I really don't think anyone would call him Ron since the vowel sounds are different and Ronan isn't long enough to need a nickname.

[aimzright4]

Sorry, I'm another anti-male name on girl person. Rowan I could see, Ronan not so much. As a PP stated Ronan to Annie is a pretty big stretch. If you're looking for other options let us know. I know a lot of the ladies here will be able to help out.

Also Ronan means "Little Seal" do you like the nature part of it? The connection to the water? Just to get an idea of what you like about it.

[emekct]

I like the Irish and the connection to the sea. Rowan is pretty but it means "red hair" what if the baby isn't a red head? Strange in my opinion. I disagree that just because a name is two syllables it won't be shortened. I grew up with the name Erin frequently shortened to Er. By family and even those who had never heard someone shorten it before. I don't see how a "boys name" on a girls is sexist, isn't it the exact opposite? That any girl is as worthy of the name as the boy? That being said, thanks for all the input, lots to consider.

[roseythelimited]

I think Ronan is nice for a girl. It's not a name you hear a lot. If I heard of a little Ronan, I honestly wouldn't know if it was a boy or girl. As for nns, I'm an Amy and I've been called everything from Amos to Aims to Ameryllis. With Ronan, you could do Rory or Nan, too.

[east93]

I like the Irish and the connection to the sea. Rowan is pretty but it means "red hair" what if the baby isn't a red head? Strange in my opinion. I disagree that just because a name is two syllables it won't be shortened. I grew up with the name Erin frequently shortened to Er. By family and even those who had never heard someone shorten it before. I don't see how a "boys name" on a girls is sexist, isn't it the exact opposite? That any girl is as worthy of the name as the boy? That being said, thanks for all the input, lots to consider.

It's viewed as sexist by some because it sends out the image that a girls name is less desirable than a boys, which sends out the message that femininity is less desirable than being masculine.
People tend to give boys names to girls but never the other way around, which is often viewed as a sexist double standard.