WDYT of Seamus?

Under.the.Rose

DH and I are thinking of using the name Seamus (either Seamus Daniel or Seamus Michael) with the nickname "Shay". Thoughts? 

Also, would it be blasphemy to spell the name phonetically -- Shamus/Shaymus?

 DH suggested this, but I don't feel comfortable with it. I figure that it's one of those names that you either know how to spell or you don't... and that people are going to be more confused with an alternate spelling.

[poll]

sunnyday016

Yes, I think it's blasphemous to spell it phonetically. But, it's going to get mispronounced anyway.

cookieinva

like it as long as you don't butcher the spelling (also, I'm Irish so possibly biased in favor of this name)

Mama_SAS

Shamus is an accepted variation, Shaymus is made up. This is according to most baby name books. Shamus is the Anglicized spelling.

DS's middle name is Shamus & we chose that spelling because of who he is named after.  But I do love the Seamus spelling too.

 

ETA: If you are not naming him after someone, or spelling it phonetically for a specific reason then I would definitely go with the Seamus spelling.

caeliesmom

I like Seamus. Shaymus is awful.

VTGal

I feel like seamus looks like a term I'd find in a medical dictionary for something gross.

lovelyRAIN

It reminds me of semen.

 

 

 

Eta: spelling

NewMama2010

I love the name but can't get past the spelling. It also reminds me of semen. Obviously, as an adult, I wouldn't make fun of this but I can see it being a problem in middle school and high school. I am also not a fan of changing the spelling of a name, especially if it's a traditional Irish name like that. In college I had a class with a Shamus and the professor would always say "Sham-moose" when he called attendance. So as much as I love the name, I couldn't use it (either spelling) for these reasons.

*littlered*

I can't get past the terrible teasing potential over semen.  Sorry.

And Ketch

I like it a lot.  We considered it, since it is a version of James, but we're going with regular James   I think you should spell it the traditional way - people know how to spell Sean correctly, so they'll figure it out.

Maddie*13

Being ignorant of Irish names as I am, and with babies on the brain, I looked at that name and instantly thought semen.

Sorry. 

New_MrsP

Both my father and my brother are named Shamus, so that spelling has been around since at least 1949.

LaBellaBarv66

One of my friends is Sheamus, i think the added 'h' helps the name

PerfectTogether1731

Seamus for spelling, definately! My DH and I are big fans of Irish/Gaelic names, and I briefly considered Seamus... but I can't get over the fact that when I was about 10 I mispronounced it, and my Dad thought I said "Sea-moose". I think that with picking it, though, you do have to be prepared to correct the pronounciation.

MrsEricH

I like it- my husband's family is super Irish and it was on our list for awhile.  There's also a student in my class named Seamus and he's a really sweet kid so I have a good association with the name.

missesru

lovelyRAIN:

It reminds me of semen.

 

 

 

Eta: spelling

hehe, me too

magsugar13

I like it with the original spelling only.

cera.rn

I really like it!  spell it Seamus, and Shay as a nn is really cute!

Under.the.Rose

Thanks for the input ladies! I totally get the "semen" association when you see the name written out. This is a tough one for sure. More thinking required... hmm...

lalalalindsy

Love the name, love the nickname, but I wouldn't spell it Shamus (and I'd use Sea or Shea for a nickname over Shay because the vowel sounds will match when LO is learning how to spell his name).  If you're really torn about an easier name to pronounce based on spelling, I would add an H and that's it--Sheamus.  However, I do think it's better to stick with the original spelling.  

mr&mrswelch

If you use it, I don't think you should spell it phonetically.

wildfloweragain

Seamus - love it.  Shaymus no.  I've never known someone who cannot pronounce it.  Thank you to a pp who phonetically spelled saiorse.  I always wondered!  It is in some of DD's books.

squeakerabudhbabi

LOVE it!

tessab2515

VTGal:

I feel like seamus looks like a term I'd find in a medical dictionary for something gross.

this.