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Baby names

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Original poster

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! Smile), 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!

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Twirlyhot · 28/07/2013 18:45

The most fun with Irish name threads is when you get different Irish posters arguing about the name is pronounced Grin.

Openyourheart · 28/07/2013 18:36

Siobhan is either Shiv von or Shu vawn depending upon your accent. Irish mostly say Shiv von, English say Shu vawn.

I love the name Roisin - Row sheen.

SupermansBigRedPants · 28/07/2013 16:18

Neeve? Oh god Blush I'm going into hiding Blush I think I'm lucky that my last few friends to have dc chose Caleb, Olivia, Katie and Willow Grin

AnnabelleLee · 28/07/2013 16:13

Its niamh, and you say "neeve"

Siobhan is Shuh-vawn.

SupermansBigRedPants · 28/07/2013 16:12

Thanks twirly Smile daftest thing is I have irish heritage on both sides of my family, dd1's name is celtic so I'm told, but it's spelling is french and is annoyingly mispronounced constantly ConfusedGrin my own damned fault!

Twirlyhot · 28/07/2013 16:09

Shiv-awn

Bloody autocorrect

Twirlyhot · 28/07/2013 16:08

Shiv-wan

SupermansBigRedPants · 28/07/2013 15:59

Hpw is naimh pronounced then? I've been saying 'name' in my head and thinking how bloody weird people are to call their kid 'name' or sometimes name - ihih to get the h on the end in.

I refused to accept siobhan as shevonne for years though. Sigh - oh - ba - han . .

SupermansBigRedPants · 28/07/2013 15:55

I've been pronouncing it 'oy-fay' because that's how it reads to me Blush thank god I don't know any irl!

If it's pronounced eefa watch at school for kids into football calling her fifa Grin It's pretty though.

oohdaddypig · 28/07/2013 15:22

Ha ha at dowsabel. I rather like it!

I don't disagree with that in theory but there is always a gradual shift before a name becomes commonplace. The likes of aoife and Niamh are very Irish to me and always will be because initially you have to explain their pronounciation.

Whereas with many other "imported" names you can pretty much work it out.

I don't understand the attraction in that unless you are carrying on a family heritage.

MildDrPepperAddiction · 28/07/2013 15:16

No one bats an eyelid at using names from other countries/cultures. Natasha, Nicholas, sophie, Chloe etc all come from other cultures outside uk and Ireland. If you like the name, use it.

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.

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!

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! Smile

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

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.

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.

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!

ZolaBuddleia · 22/07/2013 20:45

Really? People can't say ee-fa?

Floggingmolly · 22/07/2013 20:37

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

dementedma · 22/07/2013 20:34

spelling and pronunciation could be a nuisance

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 :)

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 Smile .

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!

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?