Is it unfair to call my baby Saoirse?

[Myname15]

Hi everyone
I'm 21 weeks pregnant with my first child. Recently found out that we're having a girl. My favourite girls name is Saoirse (pronounced sir-sha). I love the meaning (liberty) and have loved the name since i was a kid. The name's Gaelic, dp is Irish as is half my family, but I am really struggling with whether or not it's unfair to land my daughter to be with that spelling :s.
What does everyone think?

[villainousbroodmare]

I think I'd go for it. It's a gorgeous name and the actress Saoirse Ronan is becoming more and more well-known.

[Iggi999]

You live..?

[Luckystar1]

Personally I would avoid as it's quite a republican name and can been seen as a bit of a statement (not in a good way). Also, English people won't have a clue how to spell or pronounce it.

[MrsRonBurgundy]

I went to a UK school with a girl of same name - it's beautiful and it really isn't hard to spell or pronounce once you've been told once. I love it

[ASAS]

I like the name, but I agree with lucky. I actually thought it meant freedom and I'd call it Irish as opposed to Gaelic. It implies a certain leaning which you might not have intended. But obv choose the name you wish as we're all randoms off the internet.

And congratulations!

[Cornberry]

I don't think it's cruel at all. It's a beautiful name :)

[Myname15]

Hi. Sorry had Internet probs then. I think it's really strong and beautiful, but yeah think lots of people would have no idea how to pronounce it, and we are living in England. Wasn't aware it came across as that sectarian, but spose its in a lot of Republican literature (a plus for dp). Like I said, love love the name but a lifetime explaining your name may be the end result

[SoupDragon]

Also, English people won't have a clue how to spell or pronounce it.

Really? All English people? How about the Welsh?

[villainousbroodmare]

I'm Irish and I know a few Saoirses. I doubt there were too many of 'em marching yesterday iykwim, but it's certainly not Republican.

[BitOfFun]

If half the country can learn how to spell Daenarys Targaryen, they can get their bonces round Saoirse, I'm sure. It's a beautiful name, go for it.

[Myname15]

Thanks everyone. I've never met a Saoirse but I knew an Aoife years ago and no one seemed to struggle with it. And bitoffun, good point well made

[Luckystar1]

Whoops, some English people may struggle to pronounce it, as may some of other nationalities. As the OP is in England it was prudent to just relate to England directly. It is of course a little relevant that both Wales and Scotland have native languages and names descendant from Gaelic and thus pronouncation is less problematic than it can be for some English people.

Anyway OP, name your baby whatever you wish, I can only tell you of my thoughts, which are as detailed above.

[Myname15]

OK, sorry first time on here and can't see how to specify England. And thanks for your thoughts. Not sure friends and family tell me the truth on this one

[Myname15]

Oops. See what you mean now luckystar

[Greythorne]

I wouldn't because I think whilst friends and teachers will rapidly get used to it once they have heard it a few times, there are lots of times in life when you meet someone just once and having a name that is pronounced very differently from the way it appears on the page is just a pain. I speak as a friend of a Siobhan which is much more common yet still causes problems.

[Pedestriana]

I can pronounce it and I'm in England. I've also managed to pronounce Aoife, Siobhan, Niamh and Aisling.

I think you should use whatever name you like. :)

[sanfairyanne]

we are in england and its not a totally unknown name here altho the pronunciation is more like 'sorsha'. i really like it as a name.

[Myname15]

Yeah the pronunciation differs widely, 'sair-sha' in Munster, 'seer-sha' in Ulster etc.just to add to any already existant confusion

[villainousbroodmare]

It's definitely SEER-sha. "aoi" is an ee sound.
(Seoirse is SHORE-sha which is George. Sorcha is Surr-kha which is Sarah).

[Mummybear8]

It's a beautiful name and I have loved it for a long time. (And Saoirse Ronan is much admired by me since I first discovered her in "The Lovely Bones")
I feel that having no Irish connection has stopped me from using it but seeing as you obviously have, i would go for it.
Never mind the problematic pronunciation for some, how often do you have to write down your name and show it to somebody as opposed to just telling them your name when introducing yourself?
If you like it, do it!

[temporarilyjerry]

I taught a girl with this name a couple of years ago. I live in England I don't think people would struggle with it. Most people only need to be told once. If you love it, use it.

[TheDuchessofBoxford]

I first heard this when I watched Saoirse Ronan in a film. I think it's a great name and would use it in England. But then I have a Tadhg in England so I would say that

[NaughtToThreeSadOnions]

I was about to mention that British people are going to learn to pronounce it because Of Saoirse Ronan. And as you have irish connections i really don't see the problem my mothers family are irish and my brother has an irish name, it was always just my family are Irish this is how you pronounce it. In fact he was at very proud of having an Irish name at school.

[TwinTum]

I think it is recognisable as an irish name so people will know that it is not pronounced how it would be if it was an English name (i.e. I don't people will try to pronounce it Sa-oh-rise or Say-orse or similar). They wont automatically know how to pronounce it on seeing it written (particularly as even in Ireland it is pronounced differently by different people - I had thought it was Seer-shuh) , but I am sure will remember when they are told.
It is also one of the easier Irish names to remember in spelling terms.

[DoesItReallyMatter]

Perfectly ok if you are Irish or have Irish connections. I think it's a lovely looking name but I think I have been pronouncing it incorrectly.
It is hard to spell and pronounce though. I have a hard to spell and pronounce name - I love it but I use my simple middle name for certain things.

I think S.Ronan see, I can't spell the name is a brilliant actress, I thought she was fab in the lovely bones.