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Baby names

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

Original poster

Using a Welsh name when we aren't Welsh

43 replies

stegasaurus · 13/04/2011 18:42

The name is Eirlys (pronounced Air-liss). We aren't Welsh and we don't live in Wales. No one would know how to spell or pronounce it if we use it, so would it be cruel?

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oohlaalaa · 14/04/2011 09:31

I think if it is an easy to pronounce welsh name, it is fine, but for the more unusual welsh names, you need to be welsh or live in Wales. I think the following names, are okay for an english baby:

Gwen
Megan
Bethan
Carys
Nia

Owen
Gareth
Ellis
Glyn
Evan

Blackcoffeeandcigarettes · 14/04/2011 08:19

Hahah! Yea olwen. My welsh spelling is dire!

cowboylover · 14/04/2011 01:11

Constance; I'm south so would say the same as your DH!

I am aware of the name but know most of my English relative would end so up saying Elise from hearing it and that would bug me!

ConstanceFelicity · 13/04/2011 22:03

Do you mean Olwen, blackcoffee? Olwyn is Welsh for wheel! :o

CheerfulYank · 13/04/2011 22:03

Go for it! Rhys is on our shortlist for our yet-to-be-conceived-DC2, and we're not Welsh. (Well, apparently I am way back)

Of course I'm American and we'll name our kids any old thing. :o

Blackcoffeeandcigarettes · 13/04/2011 21:59

I love olwyn. Thats easier with the pronunciation to.

Hatterbox · 13/04/2011 21:45

Go for it. There is no rule you can't use a name if you're not from that culture/nationality!

maxmissie · 13/04/2011 21:16

Oh go for Bethan, it's my dd's name! it's a lovely name, easy to spell and pronounce and not very common. I'm not Welsh although my dh is half Welsh and we live in England. You should go for whatever you like though!

ConstanceFelicity · 13/04/2011 21:12

Pronounced differently in different parts of Wales. DH (south) would say ire-liss, but I (north) would say eyr-liss (more of an e sound than an i).

I must say I do think it's a bit odd to give your child a name that is very very specific to another culture, but on the other hand it's a beautiful name and she would be a lucky girl.

freesias · 13/04/2011 21:07

Really love the name eirlys especially it's meaning seriously considered it for dd4 who was born during last years snow . dh is welsh but we live in scotland . decided against it simply because we thought it would never be pronounced properly and would cause endless confusion and a life time of spelling and pronouncing her name correctly .

Original poster
stegasaurus · 13/04/2011 21:06

Blackcoffeeandcigarettes Ire-liss looks more like I wanted it to. I wasn't sure how to write the pronounciation.
Olwen is also on my shortlist, as is Bethan. These are also lovely Welsh names that are easier for other people to spell and pronouce.

OP posts:
Blackcoffeeandcigarettes · 13/04/2011 21:04

Byrw eira (sp?) is welsh for snow. Eira is aiyra with yhe emphasis on the I (bit like myra). So yea wireless would be more like it than air-liss

SolarPanel · 13/04/2011 20:53

A bit like wireless? (yes I am old)

Blackcoffeeandcigarettes · 13/04/2011 19:21

It's welsh fro snowdrop. It's pronounced ire-liss. I'm welsh, and I think it will be pronounced incorrectly. But if that doesn't bother you then it's lovely. But it's ire-liss x

SolarPanel · 13/04/2011 19:18

People might mis-hear the name as Ellis.

Bunbaker · 13/04/2011 19:13

I wouldn't worry too much as it is a name that sounds like it is spelt. However, be prepared for the teasing as it sounds a bit like hairless (where I live it does because the locals drop the H)

ValiumBandwitch · 13/04/2011 19:10

I really like Olwen. I wouldn't have let not being Welsh put me off.

happywheezer · 13/04/2011 18:47

Other people use Dylan and Rhys. You could always move to Wales!
People have probs with Welsh but you say it how you see it, so no I don't think there is a problem.
I'm Welsh, living in England but not planning to give my son a Welsh name that's because I don't like any but girls names are much prettier.