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Baby names

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

Original poster

Aoife? When not in the slightest Irish?

39 replies

Kazriina · 23/06/2012 12:26

Aoife is starting to really grow on me.
Up until now were sticking to the whole ' we will decide when she makes an appearance' line, mainly because DP doesn't like my name list! So go on, what do the important people think? :o

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CharlotteLucas · 25/06/2012 21:56

I'm all for non-Irish people using Irish names as long as they pronounce and spell them properly. I'm Irish and living in north London, and I agree that Aoife is now pretty mainstream here. I met an English mother with no Irish connection the other day who not only knew how to spell and pronounce it, but also joked about the way it had tended to be mispronounced in the past (Ay-O-Wife).

MamaGeekChic · 24/06/2012 08:26

We are in Scotland and not Irish, I'd consider Aoife (or indeed Eithne as has been suggested) if we ever had a DD2. Our DD1 is Orla. We do have an irish surname though- i think it would sound strange with an 'exotic' surname but fine with something quite ordinary IYKWIM.

AThingInYourLife · 24/06/2012 08:24

Go for it.

Aoife is easy to pronounce in English.

People will get used to the spelling (if they aren't familiar with it already).

Guava · 24/06/2012 08:20

It's a lovely name and there's no reason why you can't use it. However you (and your DD) would have to get used to people asking "So where's the Irish connection then...?"

Lolalollipop · 23/06/2012 22:38

Why would u want Eva when it's not pronounced eefa? Plus spellings make a difference to the feel of a name I think. I love Niamh and would never spell it neve or neeve, Irish or not! Go for it. It's a lovely name x

KenDoddsDadsDog · 23/06/2012 21:33

I know a few Aoifes too, Irish and English. It's quite mainstream now in that the majority know how to pronounce it.

HolyCameraConfusionBatman · 23/06/2012 21:18

I'm in London and I know a few of Aoife's (3/4 in the DC's school). I've always assumed that their parents/grandparents are Irish, but the kids have all been born/brought up here and have London accents etc so tbh there's no way of knowing really. If you like it, use it.

amck5700 · 23/06/2012 21:13

what about Eithne for a change?

Original poster
Kazriina · 23/06/2012 12:54

I'm not a fan of Eva but love the spelling Aoife, just worried it would get lost in translation and people would call her Eva of Evie ( which we already have in our family)
My grandad still can't spell my name and it is literally spell as you say!

OP posts:
Caerlaverock · 23/06/2012 12:41

Why not? it is a lovely name

GnocchiNineDoors · 23/06/2012 12:40

I know non Irish Aoifes but one is pronounces ee-fee which I know isnt the way it is supposed to be pronounced.

I would consider it if I had another but dh would need serious persuasion as he cant spell.

MrsHuxtable · 23/06/2012 12:36

I also think Eva unless you're Irish.

Maryz · 23/06/2012 12:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

duchesse · 23/06/2012 12:31

Why not simply Eva, out of interest? The problem I can foresee is the Shevaun effect- that people outside Ireland will simply not know how to spell or pronounce it.

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