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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Irish granny chic names

80 replies

Fallingovercliffs · 19/12/2014 11:29

Just wondering if any Irish posters reckon we will follow English example and start to revive the names our granny's generation had?
I just cannot imagine playgrounds being filled with little Nualas, Kathleens, Doloreses and Eithnes.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

beadybaby · 21/12/2014 00:21

How about Rosarii pronounced Rose-Aar-ee- and the lady I know called this while in her sixties is definitely not a nun.

Flowersinvase · 21/12/2014 00:06

I feel too young to have a granny name....but I have one of the names the OP posted! But I reserve my pity for the Gobnaits of the world.

AnythingNotEverything · 20/12/2014 23:51

You've mentioned DD's name here. I won't say which as it would out me entirely, but I definitely feel like I've arrived now. We get nothing but positive comments about it.

Thanks so much

delaselva · 20/12/2014 23:40

Eileen and Kathleen are definitely BACK already.

Valsoldknickers · 20/12/2014 23:29

How about Consumpta? Thinking nuns' names. Faustina keeps making me think of wine

Queenofknickers · 20/12/2014 23:23

I have two of the names on the list myself (not old but of Irish ancestry) and I love that link to my family's past. Plus it allows me to force food on people.....

Beangarda · 20/12/2014 23:06

I'm in my early 40s, and I had classmates called Concepta (Connie) and Eucharia (always known as Judy).

Faustina. Now there's a name I haven't come across in decades! It was always a nun's name, though, in my experience. I don't think I've ever met a lay Faustina.

Mrsgrumble · 20/12/2014 22:59

I know a baby Kathleen

I did consider eithne for a girl. I think it's chic

I would hate a revival of Pauline, Eileen, Theresa

NeedaDiscoNap · 20/12/2014 22:58

I know a few Nualas (Glasgow) - seems to be making a bit of a comeback. Beautiful name.

watchamc six of the names on your list belong to work colleagues of mine - all in their 50s or older. Wonder when they'll start making a comeback?!

PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom · 20/12/2014 22:56

I think it's thought to be general morphing.

Margaret to Meg/Meggie to Peggy.

In a weird way, Daisy makes more sense!

Helgathehairy · 20/12/2014 22:50

Does anyone know how/why Peggy is a nickname for Margaret?

watchamc · 20/12/2014 19:56

I love Nuala. Its such a pretty name.

Old irish lady names to me would be

Mary
Margaret
Kathleen
Eileen
Bridie
Bridget
Peggy
Francis
Ann (e)
Rosaleen
Rosemary
Attracta
Assumpta
Faustina
May
Philomena
Noreen
Helena
Doreen
Rita
Marie

Think I've listed every female relative of mine aged over 55

BrennieGirl · 20/12/2014 19:36

My 7 year old is Eileen. I love it.

Love Mary too.

ThreeAndDone · 20/12/2014 19:30

Alis Deirdre is pronounced Dear-dra where I'm from

WhyYouGottaBeSoRude · 20/12/2014 19:24

If i have a girl she'll be getting both my irish grannies' names. poor kid

Alisvolatpropiis · 20/12/2014 19:21

Can I ask a question - how do Irish people pronounce Deidre?

Alisvolatpropiis · 20/12/2014 19:19

Philomena?

Not sure if it actually Irish or just happens to be the name my Irish great aunt has. Though she goes by Phyllis...apparently it's a nicer name

babyblabber · 19/12/2014 17:29

DD who is arriving in 5 weeks will have Eileen as a middle name actually. Be cool for her if it became fashionable again. Not a fan of it but it's my mum's name and I want middle names to mean something.

scarletforya · 19/12/2014 15:21

Don't forget Fidelma!

Mammysin · 19/12/2014 14:15

I like Mona, Delia and Honor. I heard yesterday of a Lurleen (yes as in Lurleen Lumpkin of Simpsons fame)

TheEagle · 19/12/2014 14:07

There are some really beautiful traditional Irish names, with fabulous history and meaning.

But I do find that some are harsh - sounding, particularly for babies.

Original poster

Fallingovercliffs · 19/12/2014 14:06

Gobnait O'Lunacy

Sheila and Eileen must be due a revival as well.

OP posts:

LowLieTheFields · 19/12/2014 13:44

I love all the old fashioned Irish names. I was meant to be a nuala myself but think my non Irish dad put a stop to it.

I particularly love Mary. I tried desperately to name both my girls Mary but English dh not having it. Had to go for a middle name instead.

Mine have irish names that no one can pronounce though so I bet he's wishing he agreed to Mary now

TheEagle · 19/12/2014 13:41

Frank Kelly's 12 Days of Christmas is brill

babyblabber · 19/12/2014 13:38

My first teacher was Nuala. I thought her name was Noodles!

I'd say they will come back in but more our kids will name their kids names like that and we'll be disgusted but have to bite out tongues!

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