Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Orla or Orlaith

31 replies

Tentativesteps133 · 24/11/2017 15:02

Hi all

Me and my partner both like the pronounciation of Orla/Orlaith but can’t agree on the spelling. I’m half Irish but we are both born and bred in England. Which do you prefer?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
labealtaine · 15/03/2019 18:11

I know this an old thread, but...

Orla in Irish means retching or vomiting, to make it a name you must have the fada on the O (Órla), which also changes how it's pronounced (the O is longer). So while it may be too late for the OP of this thread, if anyone is considering the name, go with Órlaith, or make sure you don't know any Irish speakers.

squoosh · 25/11/2017 14:03

If it makes any difference OP Orla is by far the more common spelling in Ireland. I know a bazillion Orlas but don't think I know any Orlaiths.

LaurieMarlow · 25/11/2017 13:57

Orla definitely. And that's a perfectly acceptable spelling in Ireland.

Erica891 · 25/11/2017 10:57

Orla. Keep it simple and you'll never go wrong. :)

pilates · 25/11/2017 10:45

Orla

mathanxiety · 25/11/2017 02:26

Orla is not an Anglicised spelling. It is perfectly acceptable as an Irish spelling in the spelling reform of 1948.

SuperBeagle · 24/11/2017 22:09

Orla.

Because I would assume Orlaith was pronounce or-layth.

Mince314 · 24/11/2017 21:56

Orla

Because even in Irish there seem to be different variations of the Irish spelling so if you go for Orlaith somebody somewhere will think it's Órfhlaith.

TheodoreTheChipmunk · 24/11/2017 21:52

Orla (not a fan of the name though)

pemberleypearl · 24/11/2017 20:27

Oh yeah I know spellings evolve over time and Orlaith probably is on the modern side! But for me, I would have been choosing Orla to make it easier for people unfamiliar with Irish names and I don't see a need to do that. I quite like learning how to pronounce names new to me anyway :)

SenoritaViva · 24/11/2017 19:37

I read Orlaith as Or-lath because I'm a dim witted English person. It is a prettier spelling though. I have a name that looks like a common name but an extra letter changes the pronounciation completely. Even good friends get the pronounciation off. That said, I don't mind correcting people and like my name. At least with Orlaith they'd pronounce it right once they'd heard it once.

Glumglowworm · 24/11/2017 19:29

If you're living in England I'd probably say Orla because of the inevitable mispronounciation and misspellings you'll have with orlaith.

If you absolutely loved orlaith and hated orla I'd say use the name you love. But if you're undecided I would always choose the option that will be easiest for the child to live with

Original poster
Tentativesteps133 · 24/11/2017 18:52

Looks like the popular vote is slightly in favour of Orla - which is my preference :) DH feels quite strongly about Orlaith though so no idea how we'll come to an agreement if we do have a girl. We don't know the sex so it's all hypothetical at this moment in time!

OP posts:
InappropriateUsername · 24/11/2017 18:30

I am having the same dilemma with Gaelic name but think I will go with Scottish spelling as where I live there are plenty of immigrants/descendants of immigrants so there are many non English names and I like learning new names/pronunciations - so Orlaigh vote here

squoosh · 24/11/2017 17:59

I've gone with Orlaith as I see no reason to use an anglicised spelling.

Orla isn't actually an anglicisation. As far as I'm aware it came about as part of the Irish language spelling reform. As the name was spelt Órflaith back in the mists of time you could argue that Orlaith is just another modern spelling too...

AnyaMoondial · 24/11/2017 17:54

I used to know an Irish orlaith living in England. She always used to spell it orla in emails because otherwise people struggled to pronounce it.

LivLemler · 24/11/2017 17:12

Orla - it's perfectly acceptable in Irish (unlike, say, Neev) but also phonetic in English which is handy.

I do love the name, so I hope you don't mind me saying this - a lot of English accents won't pronounce it Orla to an Irish ear - it'll be Awla or Orler. That would grate for me, but might be fine with you. Or not be an issue where you are. But just thought I'd mention.

Jenna43 · 24/11/2017 17:08

Orla

GreatStar · 24/11/2017 17:03

Just to confuse you further it can also be spelt Orlagh Smile

pinkhousesarebest · 24/11/2017 16:59

We live abroad and have an Orla. Everyone remarks on how pretty it is and so unusual.

NotAgainYoda · 24/11/2017 16:55

If you are going to live in England, I'd just make it easier for your DD by not making her have to spell or explain it a lot. I have a name I have to spell/explain a lot.

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 24/11/2017 16:52

Orla.

pemberleypearl · 24/11/2017 16:17

I've gone with Orlaith as I see no reason to use an anglicised spelling. My name is initially confusing to some but I've survived and I quite like it.

FourForYouGlenCoco · 24/11/2017 16:10

We also went with Orla. As per crayons, it does indeed autocorrect to 'Oral' for absolutely ages until your phone finally gets used to it, so double check your texts for a while! We're also in England but DH's family are all Irish. We figured the same re 'Or-layth', plus we wanted her (and others) to be able to spell it easily. Lovely to come across another, we hardly ever see/hear of any! Everyone always says what a beautiful name it is and she's very proud to be an Orla Smile

IVflytrap · 24/11/2017 16:07

I think Orlaith is a prettier spelling, but as you're in England, I would go with Orla, as a lot of English people won't realise how it should be pronounced.

Swipe left for the next trending thread