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Baby names

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Original poster

Saoirse

157 replies

lalaland1985 · 22/09/2016 17:09

Will I regret this name choice? Would you know how to pronounce it? Seer-sha.

We are in Scotland which I think does make a difference. DH has irish roots.

I'm just worried my child would spend her life correcting the pronunciation of her name. (And surname)

What are your thoughts mumsnetters?

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DollyBarton · 23/09/2016 11:50

Well they called me 'Potato' in my English workplace sometimes.

It was actually quite funny but I'm not easily offended or put down. Totally racist the though!

NewPotatoes · 23/09/2016 11:49

Jesus, Saoirse is not ever pronounced 'Sorsha' - that is the entirely different, male name Seoirse, which is the Irish equivalent of 'George'! Or alternatively the female name Sorcha which is pronounced 'Surruka', roughly. The 'aoi' vowel cluster is always 'ee'. Can people not see the difference?

And I completely disagree about Irish names being a noose if you live abroad. We move around the world a lot and my son has both an unusual Irish name and two Irish surnames (he uses both of ours), and people manage. I also have an Irish name, and have never had issues with work abroad. People probably won't know how to pronounce it until you tell them, but then they do. (In fact, I visited a Caoilfhionn in Tokyo a while ago, and her workmates seemed to manage.) Unless you are the kind of person who is utterly crushed by a dental receptionist mispronouncing your name, I don't see the issue.

AdaLovelacesCat · 23/09/2016 11:43

Some English people are a pain with Irish names.
They either think they are hilarious or mispronounce them on purpose, or pretend they cannot understand what you are saying.
I had this experience with trying to explain that someone's name was 'Roisin'.....
FFS.

EzioAuditore · 23/09/2016 11:40

Also in Scotland. I know a couple of Saoirses and think most are familiar with it in my area, both for spelling and pronunciation. It's a beautiful name!

ayeokthen · 23/09/2016 11:39

OP, if you like the name then use it. I think it's beautiful.

Original poster
lalaland1985 · 23/09/2016 11:37

Rainbow - you are right. People who want to be idiotic will always find a reason to be so.

OP posts:
DollyBarton · 23/09/2016 11:37

I'm Irish so I know it well. I hated it when I was younger as it sounded so try-hard to be Irish. It's basically Sarah. I'd go with Sarah. As an adult now I think it sounds nice as a word but wouldn't want the hassle.

I've lived internationally and Irish names are a total noose around people's necks if you live and work abroad, even England they can never get them right. I lived in Japan with a Saoirse and an Aoife and I swore I wouldn't name my child either after that experience.

Original poster
lalaland1985 · 23/09/2016 11:36

I don't think I live in a particularly sectarian area of Glasgow. It's not near Ibrox or Parkhead! The local pub wouldn't be a Celtic or Rangers bar. I have never been asked if I'm catholic or Protestant. It's always been fairly obvious though I suppose. My maiden name was very Italian Catholic and my married name is irish Catholic. Religion is not really a concern of mine. I will raise my children very loosely Catholic however that's more to do with familial expectations than staunch faith.

OP posts:
AdaLovelacesCat · 23/09/2016 11:31

also, quite apart from the republican thing, it would be a real pain living in England with a name that people are determined not to pronounce properly.

ayeokthen · 23/09/2016 11:26

AdaLovelacesCat thanks for the link, it was an interesting read. I had no idea that Saoirse was anything other than a pretty name. I find it really sad that assumptions are made about names, but I suppose we could apply that to any number of names couldn't we?

WanderingTrolley1 · 23/09/2016 11:26

I wouldn't have a clue how to pronounce it.

FinallyARainbow · 23/09/2016 11:19

I'm Scottish and I know how to pronounce and spell it.

Honestly OP, I really wouldn't worry about the Republican thing, if someone wants to be a sectarian twat they'll find a way regardless!! In Glasgow the assumption for any Irish name is probably that you're Catholic (to be fair at DN school they'd be right but it really shouldn't matter anyway). Don't let idiots put you off a beautiful name.

AmberGreyson · 23/09/2016 11:18

Seer-sha. hmm sounds very interesting

eatsleephockeyrepeat · 23/09/2016 11:15

I only know this name from the character in the Val Kilmer classic, Willow. I think it was said "soarsha" in that.

But to be honest I had not the foggiest how to say it when I first saw it; not a clue, and I usually give these things a good go!

AdaLovelacesCat · 23/09/2016 11:11

republicansinnfein.org/events/saoirse/

ayeokthen · 23/09/2016 11:06

I honestly think it depends on the level of sectarianism in your area OP. Like I said we live in an area where it's sadly rife, but I've never heard of Saoirse meetings. Aargh I hate sectarian bullshit with a bloody passion!! DP and I disagreed about youngest DS name as I was worried about sectarianism, yet when I saw his wee face it just suited him. Thankfully there's only been that one comment, and he was a twat anyway!

Original poster
lalaland1985 · 23/09/2016 11:03

I also love the name Maria but I've met some crazy people with that name. Ruined it for me! Angry

OP posts:
Original poster
lalaland1985 · 23/09/2016 11:00

Odd indeed! I just like the name. I might bring it up the next time I'm at my in laws and see if anyone mentions republicans. If they make the connection others will too which may make me quite uncomfortable. I don't want to set my child up for some level of discrimination/prejudice because of her name.

OP posts:
squoosh · 23/09/2016 10:58

Yeah Maria Theresa sounds pretty Catholic doesn't it? Or maybe an old school Spanish name, so not necessarily that Catholic anymore.

AdaLovelacesCat · 23/09/2016 10:56

what about 'Maria Theresa' Squoosh?
I knew a girl called that, but it was May-tree for short. I thought that sounded cool.

ayeokthen · 23/09/2016 10:54

What an odd turn this thread has taken.

squoosh · 23/09/2016 10:54

Saoirse isn't even a 'Catholic' name as such. Whereas if someone called their daughter Assumpta or Concepta I'd think they were definitely making a statement about their faith.

AdaLovelacesCat · 23/09/2016 10:51

what a strange thing to say Kristina.

squoosh · 23/09/2016 10:49

You could probably make that assumption about any Irish name though.

Kr1stina · 23/09/2016 10:45

I would assume that anyone calling their child this is worried that their child might be mistaken for a Protestant .

Perhaps not in Surrey, but in Ireland or Scotland .

I realise that might be an incorrect assumption , but I suspect others might share it .

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