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Baby names

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

Original poster

Scottish Gaelic Girls Names

32 replies

HaggisnNeeps · 18/05/2016 12:45

Hi All,
I know that this has probably been done to death, but I am looking for inspiration for girls names. I love Scottish and Scots Gaelic names but am hitting a brick wall for a girls name. I have some boys names but need girls names; ideally a wee bit different from the norm. A few more common Scottish names have already been ruled out due to having already been used in the family! I am not averse to Irish names either (love Saoirse, Roisin and Aisling), but would prefer Scottish.
Thanks :)

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OrlandaFuriosa · 19/05/2016 23:26

If you are a precise sort of person, do check that what you think is a name isn't just the genitive of the name. Often you can tell because they are softened by having an h in them ( think there was a long discussion of this back in 2013 or so).

OneMagnumisneverenough · 19/05/2016 23:20

Lilias
Ailish
Greer
Malvina
Ainslie
Annis

ALso found this site that may be useful?

www.amethyst-night.com/names/scotfem.html

foolssilver · 19/05/2016 23:20

I love Ruadh, such a pretty name. Would like this if have another dd.

OneMagnumisneverenough · 19/05/2016 23:09

Eithne?

fuckweasel · 19/05/2016 22:16

Vaila is lovely. I know two.

SabineUndine · 19/05/2016 21:30

a bit different, but on the same theme : Iona

Stardust160 · 19/05/2016 13:35

Derfogail. I had a friend with the name never heard it before I met her.

Original poster
HaggisnNeeps · 19/05/2016 13:33

I knew a Lorna who wasn't the nicest of people, so I would probably rule that out :)
MrsPickwick, we went back and forward with Saoirse out for DD1 but settled on her name. I do love it, and I know that even in Ireland its pronounced different (Munster differs from other areas). I think I just wanted to keep to a Scottish name, but maybe I just need to expand my horizons? I have Scottish boys names picked, but although I don't know for certain, I am convinced its a girl Hmm
ThirstyNell, I like the sound of that, very unusual!

OP posts:
OneMagnumisneverenough · 19/05/2016 13:06

You could also go for place names which sometimes work better for boys. I do know a Nairne though which is pretty.

Other suggestions:
Tierney
Fallon

and my current favourite girls name:

Lorna. It just reminds me of hills and glens and ruddy cheeks and wild hair and wellies.

ThirstyNell · 19/05/2016 12:40

What about Siocha, pronounced She-Ocha. It's from the Irish Gaelic word for peace, siochán.

MrsPickwick · 19/05/2016 12:33

I'm expecting a boy, but if he'd been a girl the names on the top of my list were:

Eubha (pronounced Ava)
Aifric (Aff-rick - this is technically Irish, but there is a Glen Aifric in Scotland!)
Maili (pronounced, I believe, like the country Mali, but I never got round to checking this with my Gaelic teacher)

There's Ailsa too, which I think is pretty. And this probably isn't what your going for, but Shetland and Orkney have some great Norse names - like Astrid.

Saoirse is lovely but we passed because the pronunciation is very different in Scots Gaelic than in Irish, and not quite as nice. Not a problem unless you live in a Gaelic-speaking part of Scotland, though Smile

Original poster
HaggisnNeeps · 19/05/2016 09:17

I quite like Vaila and I do like Maraili, but I don't think it will go with my surname. I really like Breagha, Iona and Skye, but not to sure if Skye and Iona are overly popular and Breagha is a bit too out there? I like Muirne too, but get an image in my head of a wee sad girl when I say the name!

OP posts:
OneMagnumisneverenough · 18/05/2016 22:05

Vaila
Èibhlin
Ceitidh
Una

deste · 18/05/2016 21:34

Kirsty, Iona, Mhorag, Isla, Lindsey.

Sgoinneal · 18/05/2016 19:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
HaggisnNeeps · 18/05/2016 18:43

Can you tell me if the correct pronouncation of Marsaili is Mar-sel-ay? Also, what do people think about Breagha?

OP posts:
squoosh · 18/05/2016 15:28

The only person called Bridie I know is about 1000 years old and the farthest thing from sweet you could imagine Flap! Grin

Sgoinneal · 18/05/2016 15:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FlaptheWings · 18/05/2016 14:01

I know squoosh, I'm a Fifer so not too far from bridie country! It's still quite a sweet name though.Smile

Original poster
HaggisnNeeps · 18/05/2016 13:50

Thanks everyone, this is a great help!
I am not 100% sure how Ealasaid is pronounced, I have seen different options?
poster Sgoinneal, we lived in Ireland for a while, and I fell in love with lots of Irish names, particularly Saoirse :)
I quite like Marsaili, but it wouldn't sound good with our surname and Islay is also not an option (lovely as the name is!).

OP posts:
Haudyerwheesht · 18/05/2016 13:34

Ailish
Mairead

We almost called Dd Ealasaid but dh thought it was a bit too unusual. I still love it then.

CaptainWarbeck · 18/05/2016 13:33

Islay
Iona
Seona
Ciorstaidh
Heather

BikeRunSki · 18/05/2016 13:32

Ailsa

Arborea · 18/05/2016 13:32

Iona?

Eigg · 18/05/2016 13:24

Elspeth (or Elspet)
Ishbel
Fiona
Flora
Ailis
Alisha
Rhona
Sheena
Shuna

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