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Baby names

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

Original poster

I've changed my mind at 39 weeks!

43 replies

yougotafastcar · 07/03/2015 09:11

So the name we had chosen I no longer like. I'm quite interested in Irish girls names, some are beautiful & I have close links to Ireland but we are living in England, so I don't want to make it too difficult spelling wise!

We quite like Caitlin, Ciara and Teagan so far, but would you know how to pronounce these just by seeing them written down do you think? Any more suggestions? Thanks!

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mrstowers · 19/03/2015 10:39

Maeve

Falconwolf101 · 18/03/2015 09:31

My fave out of yours is Ciara btw XD.
Caitlin-Katelin
Teagen-Teagen ??
Ciara-Keeaara

CunningCat · 18/03/2015 05:39

Roisin. Siobhan

littlehouseinthebigwoods · 18/03/2015 05:26

I was going to say Saoirse, but Caitlin is lovely too!!
They are beautiful names. I worked in a Catholic school once and came across lots of Irish names I'd never seen before. You quickly learn how to pronounce them!!

heylilbunny · 18/03/2015 05:16

I have an Irish friend called Evanna from Cork.

thisismadness77 · 09/03/2015 22:29

We have a Neve. Love it. If I had another I'd want Orla or Aoife...no Irish connection at all. Just gorgeous names!

countessmarkyabitch · 09/03/2015 17:51

they are these days, but that the americanised pronounciation. Which is fine if thats what you like.

Shinade is never ever ok though

Meredithgraze · 09/03/2015 17:48

Also I have family and friends in dublin, and in that area all the Caitlin's are pronounced Kate lyn

Meredithgraze · 09/03/2015 17:46

On* also don't know where the I came from.

Meredithgraze · 09/03/2015 17:45

I love Caitlin, not hard to pronounce. I Caitlin would be in my list too.

ClementineAndCordelia · 09/03/2015 17:42

I have an Orla and no one has ever had any difficulty pronouncing it ( nor she spelling it !) if she wasn't Orla, our second choice was Neve - spelt that way . Have always liked Aoife too . From your list I think I like Teagan the best . I would pronounce Kiara/ Ciara 'Kee-ra' - there seem to be lots of variations of that name around . If you like Irish names don't be scared that you're not Irish enough, just go with them .

countessmarkyabitch · 09/03/2015 16:03

I've worked in schools for years and in that time have come across a Neeve, a Shinade and an Eefa.

Job done

cookielove · 09/03/2015 15:07

What was the name you have changed your mind on?

Twinklestein · 09/03/2015 15:03

Also like Caoimhe

LesleyKnopeFan · 09/03/2015 14:56

I know a Ciara and she is lovely. I also like Orlaith and Niamh. All Irish names are lovely but you may find people have difficulty spelling and pronouncing. I wouldn't worry about that, at least you are educating the populous when you correct them!

Twinklestein · 09/03/2015 14:52

I like Yseult, Niamh, Orlaith, Saoirse (pron Seer sha)

Foggymist · 09/03/2015 14:00

Professsornangnang there is an American singer called Ciara and it's pronounced See-ah-ra, so it seems to be a "thing", to me (Irish) Ciara is Keera though.

Caitlin is pronounced differently in different Irish language dialects, the anglicised version is Kate-lynn, Northern Ireland it's Cotch-leen, other areas Kathleen etc. It originally has a fada on the second i, Caitlín, making an ee sound.

Teagan I wouldn't consider an Irish name, I've never heard of anyone called it, sounds more like a name Americans think is Irish.

Niamh is pronounced Nee-uv, not Neeve.

I love Aoife, but PLEASE don't spell an Irish name phonetically, they look ridiculous, Eefa, Keeva, Shinade??

Eithne is pronounced Eth-na where I am.

professornangnang · 08/03/2015 18:01

Eh? Ciara is pronounced Keera -some weird and wonderful pronunciations being put forward here - no, the c does not have an s sound. Lol!

Original poster
yougotafastcar · 08/03/2015 16:41

Thanks everyone -still thinking, this is hard!

OP posts:
jennifer86 · 08/03/2015 16:20

I would also pronounce ciara the same as kiera, OP, I'm surprised so many people have suggested alternative pronunciations as I thought it was one of the better known Irish names. I love the name Niamh but can't quite bring myself to use it as I don't consider myself to be Irish enough! Orla, Aiofe, Aisling and Caitlin are also really nice (although I would pronounce it Kate-lin but think its supposed to be Kathleen).

D0nnaO · 07/03/2015 13:22

I*

D0nnaO · 07/03/2015 13:21

Niamh & Aoife are my favourites but they may be a problem with pronunciations (I didn't have a clue when u first saw them!) Grin

VixxFace · 07/03/2015 12:43

See air rah
tee gan

MishMooshAndMogwai · 07/03/2015 11:36

I have an Orla, thought the extra letters would be too much for ex dps family so I anglicised orlaith/orlagh.

I love Bronagh, Niamh and Aoife and they're on my list for dc2- I have 20 weeks to convince dp that people could handle Aoife as it's not all that uncommon now.

My friend suggest Eithne pronounced 'Enya' which I think is pretty too.

Original poster
yougotafastcar · 07/03/2015 11:21

Love Aisling but I fear stubborn family would keep saying Ashley! Cara is lovely, I like Fiona, but is it too dated?

I think Ciara is my favourite still but lots to think about! Thanks

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