I'm having a bit of a name dilemma & am wondering if you and/or your readers might be able to help. I found a name that I really like, but I'm wondering if giving a baby a rare name is almost worse than a popular name in a way? I like the name Junuh really well for a boy (pronounced exactly like Judah, but with an "n"), but the only place I've ever heard the name was in a movie that I saw again recently. It is actually the character's last name, but that's what he goes by in the movie & the more everyone says it throughout the movie the more I like the name. Fortunately (for me), the movie wasn't all that popular (or that good for that matter), so I don't think people would automatically make the leap. I know we're all in the search of the happy balance between 'uncommon' but still 'familiar'. Is this name too far out of bounds? I feel like it sounds a bit familiar, because it is close to both Jonah & Judah, but I like it better than both of those. These are my biggest concerns:
1. Does it sound like something I just made up? (for the record my husband hates what he calls 'makey-up' names & for the most part I actually agree with him)
2. Does it sound like a girls name? because I really don't like boy names that could possibly be mistaken for girls, which is really difficult since all boy names seem to go to the dark side these days, leaving us with VERY few original options. (since people aren't familiar with it, will he go through his whole life with people thinking he's a girl on paper?)
3. Will he always get, "you mean Jonah?" ... "No, Junuh". .... "Oh, like the month, but with an 'a' on the end?"
Anyways, sorry for the saga, but I would appreciate it you have a chance to give me some feedback. I love your website & am absolutely addicted to finding the perfect baby name, & find it a huge relief that I'm not the only one. For the record, my husband & I are starting to try for babies, so if you have more pressing naming issues, I completely understand! Thanks Swistle!
To me, it sounds like a girl name and/or a made-up name. Not only is the "-a" ending typically feminine, but June is an established girl name and Juno is a major goddess. The movie Juno only reinforced the feminine connection. Another problem is that Junuh looks like it could be pronounced Junnuh.
The only boyish connection I can think of is to "Junior." I think I would either use Judah or think of another name.
