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Baby names

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

Original poster

How do you feel about traditional Irish names?

117 replies

Jackie1985 · 28/06/2017 19:33

Given my Irish heritage, I'd like give my soon to arrive child a suitable name - such as Aoife. My husband thinks they could cause some later school bullying (think London secondary). Thoughts?

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squoosh · 28/06/2017 21:06

London is so multicultural that I can't see an Irish name raising too many eyebrows. And even if it did, who cares! But tbh I wouldn't go for something like Conchobhar or Caoilfhionn or anything that would cause daily 'oh wow how do you pronounce that?' type conversations. But that's just me.

stumblymonkeyagain · 28/06/2017 20:57

There are a lot of Irish people in London so Irish names aren't that unusual. I've met some Aiofe's, Eibhinn's and lots of Siobhan's.

London is so multi-cultural I wouldn't have thought it would be considered unusual at all.

MrsMoastyToasty · 28/06/2017 20:52

I am English with a Scottish OH. DS hastarted Scottish names although we are in England. In fact all 3 of his Christian names are also clan or surnames.

Original poster
Jackie1985 · 28/06/2017 20:47

That's reassuring - I was getting some rolled eyes in class.
Any bad experiences at all?

OP posts:
SparkyBlue · 28/06/2017 20:45

I'm Irish (living in Ireland) and I am not a big fan but that's just a personal thing

Thatextrainch · 28/06/2017 20:32

Aoife would be fine. Gobnait will probably result in bullying

grasspigeons · 28/06/2017 19:40

I really can't imagine it causing bulling. I think generally names are a lot more varied than when I was growing up anyway and there are a lot of nationalities in many schools

Tinkhasflown · 28/06/2017 19:39

I love Irish names but then I'm Irish living in Ireland! My sil lives in London and gave her ds an Irish name but spelt it phonetically which just wouldn't be for me. I think living somewhere like London or any big city you will have a big diversity in cultures and hence names so I see no reason not to give your child the Irish name you want.

I have a Sadhbh so even in Ireland she will have to pronounce it and spell it out all her days, but I love it as does she Smile

Pollydonia · 28/06/2017 19:38

My daughter has an Irish name, I'm half Irish as is dh. DD is 18 now, no problems at all. Aoife is a beautiful name Smile

redexpat · 28/06/2017 19:38

I've heard some teachers say that no one gets bullied for having a "strange" name these days because there are so many. Surely it wont be an issue in London?

villainousbroodmare · 28/06/2017 19:38

I'm Irish, living in South Africa, and gave DS an Irish name. I would do the same with any future kids. Polish kids often get Polish names, Somali kids Somali names... the world is a multicultural place and nowhere more so than London. Comhgháirdeas ar do leanbh agus bíodh an t-ádh leat!

Lottapianos · 28/06/2017 19:38

Not necessarily bullying but it is a right royal pain having to spell your name for people all the time and getting a 'what?!!' face when you tell people your name.

mintich · 28/06/2017 19:37

Love them! I wouldn't think bullying would be a problem. At my school, the girls with unusual names tended to be the popular ones!

MikeUniformMike · 28/06/2017 19:37

London is multicultural enough for it not to be a problem. Generally I would say avoid Irish names if you are not Irish, but this does not apply to you.

WizardOfToss · 28/06/2017 19:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

roseandviolets · 28/06/2017 19:36

It's a pretty name but I probably wouldn't, although in London it may not cause any problems due to such a mix of heritages.

thisismadness77 · 28/06/2017 19:35

It's lovely and certainly not too unusual, it was a favourite of mine and I have no Irish connection. We have a Neve (though different spelling) and I love Orla too. Also love Alba (Scottish).