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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?

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Mrsknackered · 11/04/2017 02:53

Lily it is either pronounced Kee-vah or Kwee-vah (I believe!)

lilydaisyrose · 11/04/2017 00:54

How do you pronounce Caoimhe please?

DramaAlpaca · 10/04/2017 23:43

deluxe there was/is an actress called Una (pronounced Yoona) Stubbs. I'm probably your dad's age, so that's why I remember her and the pronunciation of her name!

Niamh is pronounced Neeve in some places, but more like NEE-uv in the part of Ireland where I live.

FreeNiki · 10/04/2017 23:41

Niamh pronounced Neeve

deluxetrolley · 10/04/2017 23:38

I had the Una v Yoona debate with my Dad last week funnily enough. Previously I wouldn't have thought it an issue either, but he seemed to think there was an actress pronounced Yoona?!

I love the name Maeve and Aoife (though think you mentioned you can't use the latter), and think both are popular enough now that you maybe wouldn't have a problem with pronunciation?

Sorry for my ignorance but wouldn't know where to start with pronouncing Niamh?

FreeNiki · 10/04/2017 23:24

Sadhbh

Runs away!

harderandharder2breathe · 10/04/2017 21:34

Mitzy sorry, I didn't realise that was the correct Irish pronunciation. The only Sorcha I know (with Irish parents) pronounces it Sor-sha

BoysaDearyMe · 10/04/2017 20:59

Etain
Cait

LoveAnIrishNams · 10/04/2017 20:52

I also absolutely love the Irish folk tale of Niamh and Oisin

LoveAnIrishNams · 10/04/2017 20:48

I'm in London and we've got DD1 called Niamh and DD2 is Cara. I've never really had any problems with the spelling and pronunciation of Niamh (she is 5). We did consider calling Cara, Aoibheann but decided we couldn't do it to her.

whosafraidofabigduckfart · 10/04/2017 20:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheLongRider · 10/04/2017 20:41

Mairead
Dara / Daire
Eileen / Eibhlín

MitzyLeFrouf · 10/04/2017 20:31

God, is Nuala making a comeback in Ireland? That's such a holy joe battle axe name. 😂

MitzyLeFrouf · 10/04/2017 20:26

'How does Sorcha become sur-a-ka?!'

Er, because it follows the phonetic rules for the Irish language.

Sophronia · 10/04/2017 20:15

I like Clodagh best.

Niamh / Neve
Ashling
Ciara / Keira / Kiera
Finola
Keavy
Keeva
Maeve
Maura
Oona
Briege

AgentCooper · 10/04/2017 19:44

They're all gorgeous names! I also love Aisling, that's such a beautiful name.

Our wee one (currently 12 weeks pg) will be Maeve if she's a girl.

Littleelffriend · 10/04/2017 19:41

We chose an Irish name with no Irish connection . We had a shortlist of 6 all Irish

DrinkMilkAndKickAss · 10/04/2017 19:35

I would choose a name you love regardless of spelling. Unless you live in a very monocultural area your daughter will be in a class with kids from all over and with names to match. IMO there's more of a default reaction now to ask about unusual/interesting names than 20 years ago when people would just butcher take a wild guess at names. I think the issue is greater with names that are hard to say rather than pronounce if you see what I mean? So Nuala is easy to say once you know how to pronounce it, Fia less so due to the issues you've raised. Fwiw I love Aoife and Fionnuala and don't foresee many issues using them in the UK.

junebirthdaygirl · 10/04/2017 19:34

Una is Irish for Agnes. Brid lrish for Bridget or
Doireann is lovely

harderandharder2breathe · 10/04/2017 19:28

How does Sorcha become sur-a-ka?!

Maeve
Niamh
Bridget
Nora
Aisling
Maura

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 10/04/2017 19:18

Mary, Bridget, Roisin, Clodagh, all beautiful.

Maudlinmaud · 10/04/2017 19:10

Love these threads, always see my own and childrens names. I like Aine, Fionnuala, Deirbhile and Blaithin.

lalaland1985 · 10/04/2017 19:03

I love the name Saoirse. It's top of my girl list.

Heratnumber7 · 10/04/2017 18:42

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

Imscarlet · 10/04/2017 18:14

I came across a baby Cora recently which I thought was lovely.

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