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Baby names

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

Original poster

Irish girls names

185 replies

JedBartlet · 10/04/2017 15:39

Orla
Tara
Clodagh
Alannah
Cara
Una

I want a nod to Irish heritage without having something difficult to spell or pronounce for people in the UK - voice of experience!

Thoughts on the above, or any other suggestions that fit the bill?

OP posts:
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makushla · 14/04/2017 18:24

Cara is friend in Irish Gaelic.

MikeUniformMike · 14/04/2017 18:17

I doubt that Cara is genuinely a welsh name as it would be pronounced Carra but I do know a few welsh Caras

Gwenhwyfar · 14/04/2017 18:17

The easiest ones for a non-Irish person imo are
Caitlin
Erin
Bridget.

eatingtomuch · 14/04/2017 18:15

I know an Emer in the UK. She is one I've the loveliest young ladies I know. As far as I'm aware no issues with spelling pronunciation

MrsDustyBusty · 14/04/2017 18:14

but maybe spelt Keevagh

Please will everybody promise faithfully to never, ever do this.

Gwenhwyfar · 14/04/2017 18:13

"Iseult is one I hadn't considered...I don't know how I feel about it!"

It's the same in English though so not a recognisably Irish name.

Gwenhwyfar · 14/04/2017 18:09

"Jed Cara is Welsh too. It means Darling, or beloved"

It does sound like the Welsh word cariad, but the associated name is usually Ceri. I'm nearly 40 and a Welsh speaker and Cara just doesn't sound like a Welsh name to me. I have never met a Welsh speaker with it or heard of one.

Behind the name says it's Italian
www.behindthename.com/name/cara

lizzieoak · 14/04/2017 18:08

Would people in Britain pronounce Oona as spelled? I prefer Oonagh, but I don't think people where I live would struggle w the spelling (wildly overestimating local intelligence).

Cleebope · 14/04/2017 18:01

Soifra /Sheefra, Anya /aine, Majella, Mashona, Ailish, Aileen , Daria, Noleen, Mona, all people I know!

MikeUniformMike · 14/04/2017 17:54

Your original list has good names but they are strong names.
Why don't you wait until the baby comes and choose the one that suits her.
Una is notusually pronounced oona in the UK. It is pronounced Ewe-na

Rockaby · 14/04/2017 14:29

I know an English born Blathnaid! She is about 18mo.

Imscarlet · 14/04/2017 12:15

Blathnaid, I prefer Blaithín

Cleebope · 14/04/2017 11:37

Blonaid is becoming more popular but not sure how to spell it. I like Bridgeen too and Cliona.

Cleebope · 14/04/2017 11:35

I knew a Macushla at school in the 80s, It is a rarely used name but how gorgeous is it?!

MollyCule · 14/04/2017 10:33

I had a very similar list for my daughter OP! My name and her name have been mentioned here. I really like Maeve, Roise and Iseult (although I think DH would never go for Iseult in particular). I like Tara, Cara and Dara too but personally would be put off by the English pronunciation, i.e. Taaaara instead of the short Ta-ra. I also know a female Dara. And btw, love the username, how about Ciara Juno (CJ) Wink

sycamore54321 · 14/04/2017 10:25

It used like darling but literally means 'my pulse' as in blood flow. It would strike me as highly unusual to use it as a real name, much more stage Oirish than an actual name in Ireland.

hollyisalovelyname · 14/04/2017 09:23

I didn't know people used Macushla.
Clint Eastwood film with Hilary Swank as a boxer in it used Macushla.
Love it.
Very different.
Is it my pet ?
My darling ?

Gooseygoosey12345 · 13/04/2017 20:31

What about Noirin? Or Noreen if you want it anglicised.

schnubbins · 13/04/2017 20:21

Ailbhe or Alva

whosafraidofabigduckfart · 13/04/2017 20:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Cleebope · 13/04/2017 20:08

Popular at the moment- aoibheann/Aveen, Laoise / leesha, Also Moya, Cora, Colleen, Correinne, Siorla/ Shorla, Rionna, Cushla, Movanna, Macushla, Caitlin/ Catchlinn, Caitriona, Naoise/ Neesha, Shona or Shauna, Shauneen, or go the whole hog and chose Padraigin!!

whosafraidofabigduckfart · 13/04/2017 19:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

hollyisalovelyname · 13/04/2017 19:57

Iseult
Pronounced
Eesult
Or
Issult

Original poster
JedBartlet · 13/04/2017 13:09

Brows Nora is cute, I like it, but it doesn't strike me as immediately Irish.

jamie hmm I'm not sure about Maire, I'm not sure people would know how to pronounce it.

Funkin that's interesting, I've never met a female Dara. Maybe it's on the up! I think I prefer Cara/Tara though.

OP posts:
jamie2 · 13/04/2017 12:10

What about Maire for a girl?

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