Comments on: Name of the Day: Donncha http://appellationmountain.net/2009/08/04/name-of-the-day-donncha/ Where Every Name Has a Story Sat, 11 Feb 2012 23:49:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: appellationmountain http://appellationmountain.net/2009/08/04/name-of-the-day-donncha/#comment-7764 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:31:44 +0000 http://appellationmountain.net/?p=2942#comment-7764 That’s interesting – it’s not a reference I’ve come across elsewhere, but even common names have inaccurate histories attached. I appreciate the insight.

As for the pronunciation? You’re right about the o/u confusion, but I still think that you’d be challenged to find an American English speaker who would correctly pronounce Donagh without some coaching. Living with someone who grew up bilingual, I’m often forced to admit that I just can’t make certain vowel sounds perfectly – nor can I hear the distinction. I’m sure it is incredibly frustrating.

]]> By: Patrick http://appellationmountain.net/2009/08/04/name-of-the-day-donncha/#comment-7758 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:19:53 +0000 http://appellationmountain.net/?p=2942#comment-7758 My son (and brother) are both named Donagh. I think what some of you might be missing is that is the Irish ‘o’ is pronounced as a ‘u’ in English. Therefore Donagh phonetically would be ‘Dun-a’. Also the introduction to this piece is inaccurate. Rather than the name coming from the Irish for ‘brown’ or ‘warrior’ it is probably more likely derived from the Irish word for Sunday (Domhnach). In Ireland it is said that St Patrick always turned the first sod and consecrated his churches on a Sunday and hence you will find that many places containing one of his churches now contain the name ‘Donagh’. We had always thought to name my son after his uncle but when he was born on the feast of St Donagh it just seemed perfect.

http://thesixbells.blogspot.com/2008/10/22-october-st-donagh-of-fiesole.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donatus_of_Fiesole

]]> By: photoquilty http://appellationmountain.net/2009/08/04/name-of-the-day-donncha/#comment-6391 Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:50:36 +0000 http://appellationmountain.net/?p=2942#comment-6391 What? Who wasn’t alarmed? I was alarmed!

]]> By: Allison http://appellationmountain.net/2009/08/04/name-of-the-day-donncha/#comment-6390 Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:42:04 +0000 http://appellationmountain.net/?p=2942#comment-6390 Sorry, Donncha, we Americans are a proud,ignorant people. Also wooden-headed and myopic, but mostly proud. If only we were just bad at names! We’re not even alarmed when our president takes us into war without explicit declarations from the legislature. You can imagine the ensuing hilarity!

But I digress. You have a respectable Gaelic name, and I apologize on behalf of us all that you’re doomed to be “Donna” in this country.

]]> By: Donncha http://appellationmountain.net/2009/08/04/name-of-the-day-donncha/#comment-6387 Thu, 06 Aug 2009 09:01:02 +0000 http://appellationmountain.net/?p=2942#comment-6387 Haha, oh dear. Americans and most non Irish speaking people do seem to have a problem pronouncing my name. I’ve heard and read every sort of misspelling of it.

It’s amazing when someone will reply to a comment on my post or reply to an email addressing it to “Donna”.

On a more positive note, I emailed a New Zealand radio station after the recent earthquake there. The DJ read out my email, even pronouncing my name perfectly. Well impressed!

Oh yes, Google for “donncha”, plenty to see there!

]]> By: Sebastiane http://appellationmountain.net/2009/08/04/name-of-the-day-donncha/#comment-6376 Wed, 05 Aug 2009 19:18:50 +0000 http://appellationmountain.net/?p=2942#comment-6376 Ah, ok, now I get :)

]]> By: photoquilty http://appellationmountain.net/2009/08/04/name-of-the-day-donncha/#comment-6375 Wed, 05 Aug 2009 19:11:35 +0000 http://appellationmountain.net/?p=2942#comment-6375 It’s because Sarah Palin has a rep for saying “Don’tcha know?”

]]> By: Sebastiane http://appellationmountain.net/2009/08/04/name-of-the-day-donncha/#comment-6374 Wed, 05 Aug 2009 19:08:19 +0000 http://appellationmountain.net/?p=2942#comment-6374 Sarah Palin? That’s an interesting association, though I really don’t get it.

]]> By: Mookie http://appellationmountain.net/2009/08/04/name-of-the-day-donncha/#comment-6372 Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:38:45 +0000 http://appellationmountain.net/?p=2942#comment-6372 I have to hate this name. It reminds me too much of Sarah Palin.

]]> By: Charlotte Vera http://appellationmountain.net/2009/08/04/name-of-the-day-donncha/#comment-6369 Wed, 05 Aug 2009 17:36:27 +0000 http://appellationmountain.net/?p=2942#comment-6369 “Don’tcha” was honestly the first thing I thought when I read this name. I’m reasonably fond of Duncan, but don’t think this name could ever really grow on me.

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