Shoney does not look at all like an authentic Irish first name. If anything, it looks like a pet form of the Scottish female name
Shona or an Anglicised version of the Welsh male name Sioni (see
Sion). It was also apparently the name of a sea goddess in Scottish mythology. A Google search for Shoney brings up lots and lots of reference to places named "Shoney's" in the US, but none to women/girls in
Ireland.
The only place I can find the name recognised as a first name is on notoriously inaccurate "baby name" websites, where it is listed as a unisex "Celtic/Gaelic" (not Irish) name.
If you want an Irish feminine name for your story I suggest you visit the home page of this site, where you will find a link to numerous authentic Irish names. I'm afraid Shoney is not one however, so I can't help you with a correct pronunciation or alternative spellings.
♦ Chrisell ♦
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. - J.R.R. Tolkien.
This message was edited 5/24/2006, 7:36 PM