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Baby names

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

Original poster

If you're not Scottish, what do you think of...

87 replies

soundsystem · 21/10/2014 10:30

Eilidh?

We're in London and trying to gauge how easy (or not!) this will be for people to pronounce/spell.

Double-barrelled surname which needs spelling out so torn between choosing a really easy first name, or thinking actually if she already has to spell out two names spelling out another name isn't that big a deal!

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florascotia · 29/10/2014 20:51

I am Scottish, so am not really answering your question (sorry) except to say that 210 babies were named Eildih in Scotland last year (2013). So it's fairly popular here, if that matters: www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/files2/stats/popular-forenames/2013/babiesnames-2013-t4.pdf

In my part of Scotland, we say Ayyhh-leeegh.

babyblabber · 28/10/2014 09:35

i'm irish and Eilidh here would be eye-lee, or certainly I've never heard it pronounced other than that.

not the same as ceilidh (or ceili) which would be kay-lee.

lovely name

GiniCooper · 28/10/2014 00:01

I'm Irish,
It's a beautiful name.

Pooka · 27/10/2014 23:52

I'd know how to pronounce it. Did live in Scotland for 5 years while at university though.

Aimey · 27/10/2014 23:50

I would have never connected Eilidh with Hayley! How funny. But it sounds like Helen to me as that's how I know it to translate.

Ludways · 27/10/2014 23:50

My father is Scottish but I'd never heard it until someone married into the family. We were told once and now we all know, simple.

I'd use it if you love it.

Aimey · 27/10/2014 23:45

Lol! Will do soundsystem.

espa · 27/10/2014 18:08

Aimey has good taste!

Original poster
soundsystem · 27/10/2014 18:00

Thanks, Aimey. Aine is on our list as well! Yes, please, pm me your daughters name as well be good to know what people can cope with! :)

OP posts:
brokenhearted55a · 27/10/2014 08:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

wanttobeamummyin2015 · 25/10/2014 22:46

Not scottish - ee-lie?

espa · 23/10/2014 19:33

Can you message me Aimey to see if it's one I've considered for my bump? Smile

Aimey · 23/10/2014 14:33

My daughter has a more unusual Gaelic name than that, but similar level of difficulty to pronounce, and we live in England. Generally, it's better if people hear her name first (but you'll get Ellie from that), but if they see it they mispronounce, or don't even try. It's been fine. I think you'll be all right with it. They cope with Aine round here too. I'll pm you my daughter's if you want.

MsBug · 22/10/2014 22:43

I'm English and would pronounce it Ay-Lee. It's lovely, much nicer than Hayley imo

VintageCherry26 · 22/10/2014 22:25

I had an english friend with that name as a child. No problem pronouncing it whatsoever :) it's a lovely name!

espa · 22/10/2014 22:17

The thing about the spelling or pronunciation is, you just learn it once you've seen/heard it for the first time. It's no different to having a colleague/friend/relative who had a French, German, Italian, Polish, Nigerian name.

QuicheConverter · 22/10/2014 20:21

I love it, and love Ailish/Eilish too.

I love Morven currently

Spindelina · 22/10/2014 20:13

I'm English, living in England and know one (with Scottish parents). Had never heard the name before. The birth was announced with a pronunciation guide, and that's been that - unless I'm saying it wrong, I don't think it's hard to SAY for the monoglot English.

I do have to think about the spelling when I write it down, and I'm sure there are others who don't bother to think and just spell it wrong. But that would happen with a common name with more than one spelling.

I get the impression that it is becoming a more popular name in England, so I think more people will be familiar with it in the next few decades, as all the little Eilidhs go about their lives educating us all about their name.

MrSheen · 22/10/2014 19:15

I'm of Scottish extraction, so I know how to spell and pronounce it but in England it just sounds like Hayley with a dropped H especially in London

MajesticWhine · 22/10/2014 19:11

It's a pretty name. I wouldn't have a clue how to pronounce it (if I hadn't read the thread)

giraffescantboogie · 22/10/2014 19:04

HAHA

Groovee · 22/10/2014 13:20

And who ever names their daughter Eilidh... DO NOT give the poor child Ann/Anne as a middle name! If you want to call her Alien then spell it Alien instead of Eilidh Ann Wink

Groovee · 22/10/2014 13:18

Espa, I know that, my daughter is Eilidh, but other parents have spelled it differently and it's confused the hell out of me.

My mum spelled it Ailie and my brother thought we'd called her Ally, and his thicko of a wife who has known her for over 11 years still calls her Ellie.

giraffescantboogie · 22/10/2014 06:00

Eilidh is 100% pronounced like hayley without the H or alien without the N! It is a great name Wink 30 years ago in Scotland it wasn't that common, now it is more popular then most people know how to say it.

It is pronounced differently in an english accent though, I would put a shorter ih sound on the end where as in an English accent it is more like Ay-leeee. Hard to type - in my head I can hear it.

Right here I have recorded myself saying it, which was a good plan until I went to speak and remembered I am losing my voice so can't speak loudly and sound croaky. -

MexicanSpringtime · 22/10/2014 03:47

The mispronunciation of one's name has its advantages. You can always tell when it is a cold caller.

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