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Baby names

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

Original poster

Iarlaight/ Iarla????

39 replies

BarbieLovesKen · 10/12/2010 20:09

Very, very stuck for a boy's name. Loved Jack but am really get put off by popularity (that I hadnt previously realised). Pondering over a few boy's names but finding it very difficult (girls names no problem - too many really!)

BIL suggested this today.

What do you think of Iarla for a boy? (we are Irish and living in Ireland btw) and already have an Oisín.

Its prounouced Ear-la.

Means Prince.

Which spelling is nicer? Iarlaith or Iarla, I think I prefer the look of Iarla and am conscious that people outside of Ireland wont recognise the laith sound and he'll spend forever spelling out/ pronouncing his name.

Thanks a million

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spidookly · 10/12/2010 20:57

Conan (two fadas)?

Finn?

Fiach?

I love Naoise, and it isn't girly, but English dh disagrees.

spidookly · 10/12/2010 20:53

Iarfhlaith is the spelling I'm familiar with, but Iarla is much nicer.

Oisin and Iarla - lovely

what about Cormac?

Uisneagh?

Cillian a massive climber in the charts at the mo I reckon, but very nice.

stickylittlefingers · 10/12/2010 20:52

it seems a shame that names like Dualta, Enda etc might die a death just because non-Irish people think that an "a" ending means female. I see your reasoning for not making your son fight the "-a" rebellion all on his own though!

Original poster
BarbieLovesKen · 10/12/2010 20:45

Ken, Im literally banging my head against a wall with boy's names. Theres none I really love (again, I just dont think I can use Jack now).

We've considered Elijah, which is obviously very different and I have never, ever heard of one around here in all my life but the reaction from people in RL has been really, really awful and Im not sure if I even love it at all.

So basically, Elijah and Jack have been half considered and Iarla has been suggested today, when I said it to DH, for the first time ever he said "yeah, I like that" so I jumped and posted on here!! (cannot agree at all) apparantly there is some Irish hurler called Iarla (so Im told) so it got his approval. Grin

OP posts:
KenDoddsDadsDogEatsTinsel · 10/12/2010 20:42

Oh and Cillian. Apologies have no idea how to do fada on iPhone!

Original poster
BarbieLovesKen · 10/12/2010 20:41

No, thanks a million for your honesty, suwoo - thats what Im looking for!! Smile He is going to travel the world Wink so I do appreciate another perspective!!.

OP posts:
KenDoddsDadsDogEatsTinsel · 10/12/2010 20:41

What other names have you got? Oisin was absolutely 'the one' for me too. We did have Padraic, Dara ,Niall on the list to begin with.

suwoo · 10/12/2010 20:39

Sorry but have never heard of it. I appreciate and commend your traditionalism as I hate 'made up' names but to an english ear/eye it looks/sounds like a girls name. That is probably irrelevant given that you live in Ireland though.

If you love it, go for it Grin

Original poster
BarbieLovesKen · 10/12/2010 20:29

Thats true mathanxiety and to be honest is sort of putting me off as I really, really dont like the name Jarlath - it doesnt matter though, does it?

Ok, think you are all definately right about the laith. Thank you so much.

KenDodds, my little cousin is an Orla too - for the same reason (as opposed to Orlaith). Am so pleased your choice was Oisín too - it really is the best boy's name ever Wink. Actually, I really do believe that, its my favourite boy's name ever and I feel that, if this ones a boy, he will just get a "second best" name as I cant find one I love as much as this Sad. Silly I know.

readywithwellies was wondering was it a little feminine too? didnt really think so but you could be right. I loved Naoise (Nee-sha) but have gone off it as everyone has pointed out its way to girly for a boy (and I now agree, sheep that I am Grin).

Hmm...

Does everyone like the name regardless of spelling though? (please be as blunt as you can! Im not desperately in love with it so dont mind )

OP posts:
KenDoddsDadsDogEatsTinsel · 10/12/2010 20:22

Iarla is a great name. My choice for a boy was Oisin but I had an Orla. Agree about the -aith part, I tested it on a couple of people and they couldn't manage it so went for a different spelling.

mathanxiety · 10/12/2010 20:21

There's the anglicisation 'Jarlath' too.

mathanxiety · 10/12/2010 20:21

I'd choose Iarla for the sake of pronunciation, and because it's more modern Irish than Iarlaith would be (I feel the same about Orla/Orlaith).

Lovely name.

readywithwellies · 10/12/2010 20:20

Not Irish, no experience. Tbh? Sounds like a girls name to me.

ShoppingDays · 10/12/2010 20:18

I prefer Iarla. Agree that "laith" will often be mispronounced by people outside Ireland.