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Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Baby names

Aoife?

36 replies

lolitabelle · 22/07/2013 16:21

My gf and I have been talking about names recently as we start IVF (fingers and toes crossed please! ), and stumbled across this name. I'm absolutely in love with it (we had been talking about Evelyn/Evie before, but I'm not so keen on its popularity at the moment, and this sounds similar), and she seems happy to go with whatever to keep me smiling throughout all the stress!

In terms of middle names, we were thinking Aoife Elizabeth as it is a family name from my gf's side, or Aoife Rose (personally not so keen on that one).

Any opinions? My main concern (even above the spelling!) is that neither of us have Irish roots - is it too poncy to do it without the ancestry?

Thanks!

OP posts:

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valiumredhead · 22/07/2013 16:26

It's lovely

sydenhamhiller · 22/07/2013 16:27

Love it!

ZolaBuddleia · 22/07/2013 16:29

I think it's poncetastic without Irish ancestry, sorry.

It's like calling your child Blodwen if you're not Welsh.

Then again, in an increasingly multicultural UK (depending on where you live) nobody might even notice that the name is Irish, as there will be such a mix.

Mummynotmum · 22/07/2013 16:30

Beautiful. DD's best friend is Aoife May.

lolitabelle · 22/07/2013 16:32

ZolaBuddleia: That's what I worried about. Although, I can't imagine every Siobhan has Irish roots, nor all the Niamhs that are cropping up. I'm hoping the same can be said about Aoife in the future :)

Thanks all for the replies!

OP posts:

Turniptwirl · 22/07/2013 17:59

Aoife is common enough that you won't get funny looks for not being Irish. One family I know has a Sian and siobhan inspire of being neither Irish or welsh!

Astralabe · 22/07/2013 20:10

There are a few at the school I teach in (south west secondary) for it not to be poncey, but one or two teachers do struggle with pronounciation - she will be always correcting people going 'its ee-fa not 'ooeeifa' but not necc a reason not to if you love name!
Good luck also - all digits crossed x

FetaCheeny · 22/07/2013 20:13

I think it needs Irish roots personally. She'll always get asked if she's Irish, could get pretty annoying. Lovely name though.

FetaCheeny · 22/07/2013 20:14

Oh and good luck!

Openyourheart · 22/07/2013 20:15

Lovely name. If you like it,go for it.

Babycino81 · 22/07/2013 20:17

I have a 4 week old cousin called Aoife. Beautiful name an a fab baby, definitely use it!

joanofarchitrave · 22/07/2013 20:19

Wonderful name, though I personally think Aoife Elizabeth comes out a bit bumpy because of the two 'eh' sounds in the middle?

ThreeDaughtersLoveSandwiches · 22/07/2013 20:32

DD3 is Niamh and we aren't Irish, my Nanna's family were from Ireland but that was something like 3 generations ok so don't think that counts!

wigglesrock · 22/07/2013 20:34

It's a lovely name, it wouldn't even occur to me that you shouldn't use it because the child doesn't have Irish ancestry. I have a Sofia and we're as Irish as Aoife .

JellyWellyWoo · 22/07/2013 20:34

It's a very nice and unusual name and I don't think you need Irish roots to use it. It's not a name to be considered poncy, well I don't think so anyway. If you love it go for it, in the end who cares what others may think. Your baby -your name choice. It's Lovely :)

dementedma · 22/07/2013 20:34

spelling and pronunciation could be a nuisance

Floggingmolly · 22/07/2013 20:37

Yes it will, dementedma. I've had a lifetime of it!

ZolaBuddleia · 22/07/2013 20:45

Really? People can't say ee-fa?

janesaysl · 22/07/2013 20:46

Lovely name, I'd probably assume an Irish connection, but wouldn't think it odd that you just liked the name, nothing wrong with that!

NowPlayingZone · 23/07/2013 12:58

Irish names have increasing popularity in the uk as a whole, so can't see it being a massive problem.

miffybun73 · 23/07/2013 13:06

Love it.

Niamh is very very popular with people with non Irish ancestry.

I don't see why Aoife shouldn't be the same.

JanieLovesLuckySocks · 27/07/2013 17:49

i love the name and definitely don't think you have to be irish to use it. think of all the people named sean, erin, seamus, niamh, etc. i bet they aren't all of irish descent. i love juliette for a girl and i'm not french! if you love it, use it

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apprenticemamma · 28/07/2013 15:06

love love love it! This is our girls name if little bean is a girl. Live in UK and our baby will only be genetically quarter Irish but I don't think it matters if not. Good luck!

oohdaddypig · 28/07/2013 15:12

It's a lovely name but I personally find Irish/welsh names pretentious if there aren't Irish/welsh roots.

Seems like I'm in the minority though. I think I'd get fed up saying "no, no Irish roots, we just liked the name"

All the very best on your TX!

AnnabelleLee · 28/07/2013 15:16

If you're only going to use names that are 100% your own heritage, and you're english, you better call all your girls Boudicca or Hawise or Dowsabel.
Aoife is a great name.

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