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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Dearbhla?

140 replies

27Harper · 08/07/2017 16:51

Still shifting through baby names if it's a girl! My DH is Irish and he wants an Irish name if it's a girl, and I think Irish names are lovely anyways so that not a problem for me. How do you feel about this name? We are thinking Aisling and I live that name but just wanting to keep out options open. In case you're not certain in the pronunciation Its Dervla. Thank you! xx

OP posts:

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Rinceoir · 09/07/2017 07:36

I'm Irish, with one of the names often derided on here.

I work with people from all over the world. If I can't pronounce their name I ask, they tell me, and I may have a few goes with them until I get it right.

I have people who persistently try to pronounce my name how they think it should be pronounced (in case of Dearbhla- dear-b-laa for example). Even when it's been explained to them. That is rude.

GreenRut · 09/07/2017 07:25

I have two dcs with often discussed names on these threads. We live in London. We have no problems. You just have to accept though that no one will ever call your dc the right thing first time and it might take them time to get it completely right, unless they're Irish of course.

If that's the sort of thing you would take personally then don't do it.

As for Dearbhla, i've never seen that spelling and even as second generation Irish, with relatively decent knowledge of how to sound an Irish name, i would need to ask is it x? You would then correct me, and we'd be grand. It's not a big deal for me doing this but you will get it every single time.

MaudGonneMad · 09/07/2017 07:02

Nothing wrong with not having come across a name before and having a bash at pronouncing it; where it veers into xenophobia, cultural imperialism and ignorance is to announce that the name 'doesn't make sense' or 'looks like a cat ran across a keyboard', etc etc.

Ecclesiastes · 09/07/2017 06:13

Thank you. Will bear it in mind. Haven't come across one in my 52 years on earth, but would hate to be accused of racism if I do and grope for 'Um...Cy-an?'

Original poster

27Harper · 09/07/2017 05:58

Key-un x

OP posts:

Ecclesiastes · 09/07/2017 05:58

So how do you pronounce 'Cian'?

ChardonnaysPrettySister · 09/07/2017 05:56

Or writing it down.

ChardonnaysPrettySister · 09/07/2017 05:56

I knew how to pronounce it but would have a hard time spelling it.

Original poster

27Harper · 09/07/2017 05:06

Why would I use Aislinn it's Ash LING

OP posts:

Pallisers · 09/07/2017 04:22

It isn't my favourite Irish name.

Please use the spelling Aislinn if you do use that name.

I think you should call her Liadan.

Glastokitty · 09/07/2017 04:15

Squoosh I think you must know my husband's Aunty Nuala. She teaches Irish and is Micheal Flatley's neighbour.😂

Original poster

27Harper · 09/07/2017 03:59

@Out2pasture haha xx

OP posts:

Out2pasture · 09/07/2017 03:48

i'm sure it is pronounced beautifully but initially to my tired eyes it really reminded me of diarrhea

Original poster

27Harper · 09/07/2017 03:19

I understand that to some people it may be a bit tricky if their understanding of Irish spellings is limited, but I just didn't appreciate the 'cat sat on a keyboard' remarks xx

OP posts:

Pemba · 09/07/2017 02:53

Well, yeah, that's because Indian names are written in a way that looks phonetic, so it is easy to work out. That is when they're written in a Western script, no idea how they are written in the different Indian languages. But Irish, although it uses the same script as other European languages, seems to often have the letters making a completely different sound from what you'd expect if you have no knowledge of Irish . It has it's own phonetic rules which are completely logical, I've been told, but I just don't know them. Apart from 'bh' giving a 'v' sound.

I wouldn't be rude and say it looks like the cat hit the keyboard though! And I wouldn't think of disrespecting the Irish language, but it is difficult for outsiders. I still don't see why 'Orlaith' sounds out 'Orla' for example.

Maybe there is a website or link which could explain in simple terms?

Rainatnight · 08/07/2017 23:28

It really annoys me when English people throw their hands up in horror at the difficulty of Irish names. It just doesn't happen with names from, say, the Indian sub-continent, but Irish names are fair game.

I have to use a diminutive of my name for precisely this reason.

I like Dearbhla but don't think you could with it on a kid growing up in the UK.

Izzadoraduncancan · 08/07/2017 23:21

Why not go for Aoibhinn or Caoimhe for true Gaelic pronunciation challenges 😬

Palomb · 08/07/2017 23:00

A lovely name when said but it looks liken a hand of scrabble tiles when written down.

SuperBeagle · 08/07/2017 22:54

I don't like the sound of it.

Floggingmolly · 08/07/2017 22:53

squoosh.

squoosh · 08/07/2017 22:52

Nuala! 😅

Nuala and Dearbhla are staff room foes. Nuala teaches Home Ec and Dearbhla teaches maths and religion. They both have designs on Mr O'Shaughnessy (Eamon) and will go to any lengths to thwart each other in a bid to win Eamon's affections. Dearbhla started a rumour that Nuala was overly fond of the sherry and wasn't it such a shame, and Nuala put laxatives in Dearbhla's cup a soup.

lorelairoryemily · 08/07/2017 22:50

Beautiful name!

Stardustandicecream · 08/07/2017 22:46

I really don't like it - she'll get dur and durvie as a nn

There are much nicer Irish names -
Nuala
Darcie
Niamh

ny20005 · 08/07/2017 22:42

I really struggled with this too as wanted an Irish name but didn't want the poor child to spend their life pronouncing & spelling name

Settled on Oran as spelt phonetically

I worked with a donnacha in Australia & the poor man was demented as no one could even attempt it

HumpHumpWhale · 08/07/2017 22:30

Yeah, I really thought Cian was easy. But we get See-an, Cyan, Key-ANN - even Shaun once...

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