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Baby names

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

Original poster

Name to go with Irish named DS

62 replies

youarethequarry · 09/02/2015 14:02

My DS has an Irish name with traditional Irish spelling (the same name as Una Foden from The Saturdays has just picked for her new baby).

Living in England (with Irish DH) the name has caused no issue when spoken aloud but people (understandably) ask how it is pronounced when they see it written down. It doesn't really bother us and we love the name.

We are now expecting DC2 and have no idea what name to pick. I am not against continuing the Irish theme but wanted some other options too. We love Orlaith for girl but that's the only name on the list. Nothing at all for a boy! We don't like royal names (and these really wouldn't fit at all with DS1) but don't mind some of the traditional ones. We rule out anything on the top 10 lists as find them a bit safe.

Any ideas of names that compliment DS1 whether Irish or not?

Thanks!

OP posts:
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rachyconks · 07/03/2015 10:13

Oh soarlaith was another one I came across which I liked. Pronounced (sear-laith)

rachyconks · 07/03/2015 10:12

I have a Méabh and a Rónán. Had these on my list: Orlaith, Saorise, Aoife, Sé (shay). We live in NI and some struggle with reading Méabh aloud.

Not bothered about pronouncation or difficulty growing up as I have a really boring name and was always jealous of those with unusual names growing up.

KenDoddsDadsDog · 07/03/2015 10:06

DH said where he's from it would be considered a very 'up the Ra' name . But that's in South Armagh and don't think it's that widely known . I'm going to live my love of Saoirse through you OP !

Original poster
youarethequarry · 07/03/2015 09:06

I think it was (is?) the name of a magazine associated with the IRA as it means freedom but I don't believe the name is overly connected to that alone and living in England most people would not make this association.

So 'sir-sha' is a completely acceptable pr?

Orlaith is still up there Ken if I lost my nerve with Saiorse!

OP posts:
Turquoiseblue · 07/03/2015 07:25

Oh no no no - do not call your child mochusala -
It is a term of endearment - yes a kindof diminutive term of endearment too, to an Irish speaker - sounds very wrong as a name!

KenDoddsDadsDog · 07/03/2015 07:13

I think Saoirse did have once upon a time , my DH put me off it , that's why we went with Orla. It's a beautiful name , good choice OP.

Mrsteddyruxpin · 06/03/2015 23:51

Mairead

Fionn

Mrsteddyruxpin · 06/03/2015 23:49

What about maebh, Eaodin ?

Is there a bit of political connotation with saoirse ?

Penguinotterfoxbadger · 06/03/2015 23:42

Ooh congratulations!

Original poster
youarethequarry · 06/03/2015 14:38

We now know we are having a girl and have decided on Saoirse! I always pronounced this in the way the actress Saoirse Ronan does: Sir-sha/Ser-sha (to rhyme with inertia as she puts it) but see some people say it should be Seer-sha. Is it just an accent/regional thing?

I am not keen on Sorcha as an alternative as I would pronounce this Sorka and I don't really like the hard 'K' sound.

OP posts:
KenDoddsDadsDog · 10/02/2015 20:36

I know, I spelt it Orlait above though.

mathanxiety · 10/02/2015 20:35

Can be spelled Orla too.

KenDoddsDadsDog · 10/02/2015 20:18

Sorry Orlaith - can't spell my own DD's name Shock

KenDoddsDadsDog · 10/02/2015 20:18

Orla/it his one of the top 10 highest climbers this year if that influences at all.

squoosh · 10/02/2015 10:43

Do not call your child Machushla!

mathanxiety · 10/02/2015 07:27

Suggestions:

Girls:
Beibhinn (pr Bevin)
Fionnuala /Finola/ Nola
Muireann
Doireann
Lasairfhiona
Roisin
Eithne
Neasa/ Nessa
Nora/ Honora
Muirne
Sadhbh

Boys:
Ailbe
Ruairi
Fergus
Seamus
Niall
Ferdia
Cormac
Declan
Lorcan
Lochlann
Brendan

mathanxiety · 10/02/2015 07:12

Macushla would be in some ways similar to Alannah, meaning '(dear) child' or less directly 'little one'.

It's an anglicisation of the phrase 'Mo chuisle', literally 'my pulse' and by implication 'my life'.

However, though Alannah has become acceptable as a name, Macushla is imo more in the category of 'Mother Macree' ('mo chroi') -- 'Mother, my heart' and with the same undertone of stage Oirish sentimentality.

I have heard Croi (pr. Cree) as a middle name, and maybe Cuisle or 'Cushla' could work in similar fashion, but to me the 'Mo' / 'Ma' part is too music hall.

mineallmine · 09/02/2015 22:24

To me, calling your child Macushla would be like calling your child Darling or Love etc. I've never heard it used as a name.

RabidFairy · 09/02/2015 21:40

We have a DD and DS both with Irish names, not intentially. We're now struggling to think of a name for DC3!
Anyway, DS is Cormac and it's a perfect name. He's a cheeky, naughty almost 3 year old and it suits him brilliantly,so I would definitely vote for that name!
DD is Bridget if you wanted another girls name!

florascotia · 09/02/2015 20:24

Irish Mumsnetters will correct me if I am wrong, but I think Macushla is a term of endearment, not a name. It means 'my heart's pulse'/'my dear one'.
The word was made famous by the song, composed 1910. McCormack was not singing to a named individual; he was singing to 'my darling'.

I think people have recently used Macushla as a name. Their babies, their choice, of course. It's not traditional, but it has a lovely meaning.

bluewisteria · 09/02/2015 19:25

Yes, Macushla, it is an Irish name!!

Also, a beautiful song sung by John McCormack

mineallmine · 09/02/2015 19:13

Macushla???

mineallmine · 09/02/2015 19:12

These are the girls in my class with Irish names (all girls school in Ireland...)
Saoirse x 2
Niamh
Aoife x 2
Caoimhe
Sorcha
Aoibh (pronounced Eve)
Aoileann (pronounced EE-lynn)

Boys in DS's class as follows
Dónal
Cormac
Odhran
Emmet (culturally Irish if not in language)
Fiachra
Séimí
Senan

bluewisteria · 09/02/2015 18:54

Macushla
Isolde

Cormac
Lowan

RabbitSaysWoof · 09/02/2015 18:40

Flynn
Brennan

Aine