Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

unusual pretty irish girl names

92 replies

mum4five · 15/05/2015 19:50

hi im 38weeks pregnant an looking some unusual girls names

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
MitzyLeFrouf · 15/05/2015 23:16

Síle is pronounced as Sheila.

YDdraigGoch · 15/05/2015 23:15

Second one should be Briege.

YDdraigGoch · 15/05/2015 23:15

I had an Irish friend who spelled it either Breige or Bridge. Can't remember, but live the name.

AliceAnneB · 15/05/2015 23:14

Sile (cee-lay). Lovely name with a lovely meaning of "pure and musical".

MitzyLeFrouf · 15/05/2015 23:14

I personally wouldn't give a child a name with a spelling that would flummox 99% of people they'd meet but I don't think there's anything wrong with people choosing names with traditional spellings. I understand why it's important to them.

EauPea · 15/05/2015 23:10

I am Irish but Dd born in England, she's now at school and the teachers manage fine although we now live surrounded by Kaolin pits, so maybe that helps?

emmelinelucas · 15/05/2015 22:57

Oh, it is a nice name Smile
but how many people out of Ireland would know how to spell or pronounce it - they would have to ask.
It would get on my nerves

EauPea · 15/05/2015 22:33

But definitely not cauliflower ?looking at you Dd2's nursery key worker?

EauPea · 15/05/2015 22:31

Pronounced Keelin or Kaylin

squoosh · 15/05/2015 22:18

Keelan.

emmelinelucas · 15/05/2015 22:17

Caoilfhionn may very well be pretty, but how is it pronounced ?

oneowlgirl · 15/05/2015 21:58

Haha, that's funny Squoosh Grin. I did miss the part of the title asking for unusual names though - I just saw pretty & always wanted a little girl to call her Nuala!!

EauPea · 15/05/2015 21:58

I second Caoilfhionn.

squoosh · 15/05/2015 21:55

My mistake oneowlgirl! Grin

I remember a Nuala thread a while ago where all the Irish posters were horrified at the suggestion of Nuala. I think for a lot of Irish people Nuala reminds them of some grumpy bat who'd tell your mother that she saw Paul O'Connor slipping his hand up your jumper at the bus stop. And then she'd kindly offer to say a decade of the rosary for you and your besmirched breasts.

sweetpeame · 15/05/2015 21:55

I'd like to point out that the following names are Irish but certainly NOT unusual in Ireland at least (although I assume the OP is in the UK). Haven't been able to use fadas:
Aine
Sinead
Siobhan
Emer
Maeve/Maebh
Una
Ciara
Cliodhna
Clodagh
Aoife
Orla/Orlaith
Grainne
Aisling
Mairead
Saoirse
Roisin

Some of the other names suggested may be more unusual but the ones I've listed out are ten a penny in Ireland. They're all fine names but it's like saying Lily or Olivia are unusual names so you might have search a little further if you genuinely want something Irish and unusual.

SunsetsAndStarlings · 15/05/2015 21:51

Cadhla, pronounced Kyla. It means a beauty that can only be described through poetry.

FlaviaAlbia · 15/05/2015 21:51

I know of people under 30 with both spellings of Oona looki Confused

dingalong · 15/05/2015 21:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

oneowlgirl · 15/05/2015 21:47

I'm Irish Squoosh - why do you say that? I've loved that name since I was little & always swore if I had a girl, that would be her name (but only managed to produce boys Grin)

looki · 15/05/2015 21:47

Siobhan, Nuala, Oona (Una) - I haven't heard of babies being called these names for over three decades. I don't think its necessary to ask why.

306235388 · 15/05/2015 21:46

Ailish and Mairead were my top two names with dc2

squoosh · 15/05/2015 21:45

My favourite Irish girl's name is Breige (or is it Briege??)

I think you mean Bríd which is pronounce breej.

squoosh · 15/05/2015 21:44

I bet none of the people suggesting Nuala are Irish.

oneowlgirl · 15/05/2015 21:39

Aoife, Nuala & Ciara are my favourites.

JoanHickson · 15/05/2015 21:39

I like, Aruna,Aoife, Roisin and Clodagh.