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

Eriska???

29 replies

Barnaclesbrother · 14/07/2018 17:20

37 weeks with a DD. Searching for name inspiration I came across the thread about Scottish island names, many of which I like but find too popular( Isla, Iona, Skye etc) . A quick google finds Eriska, which both DH and I really like. I think it’s pretty, a bit scandi, unusual but still sounds like a girls name. What does Mumsnet think? Any bad associations/ options for taking the piss I haven’t considered? Thanks

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Shellbi · 22/07/2022 18:51

Hello, I’m curious-did you name your daughter Eriska? I’m only asking as that is my 14 year old daughters name and haven’t heard of anybody else with the same name. I loved reading through the comments!

ZebraKid71 · 17/07/2018 14:46

I've never heard it before but I quite like it. I have a neice named Elske (pronounced Elska) and it has a similar sound,

MikeUniformMike · 16/07/2018 17:16

How about Benbecula?

RavenWings · 15/07/2018 11:00

It's lovely. I also like Eliska.

RedDwarves · 15/07/2018 10:55

Not a fan at all.

Ailsa is a great name though.

Susannach · 15/07/2018 10:07

Beautiful! Also love Alisa, Kerrera and Vaila.

SumAndSubstance · 15/07/2018 08:57

I think it sounds quite nice, but if you had to do a Google search to find out it existed, then it’s a bit weird to name your daughter after so specific a place.

IVflytrap · 14/07/2018 22:11

I think it's absolutely lovely Smile

Original poster
Barnaclesbrother · 14/07/2018 19:19

Thanks for the feedback. If Erica gone wrong is the worst criticism I can live with that!

OP posts:
Awwlookatmybabyspider · 14/07/2018 19:12

It's like Erica gone wrong, sorry

ErrantBakedBean · 14/07/2018 19:10

Pretty but I think it's worth thinking about possible nicknames - 'Risky'? Her friends would surely come up with that one even if you avoided it.

florascotia2 · 14/07/2018 18:55

Some local experts say Eriska means 'gravelly island' ardchattan.wikidot.com/gaelic-place-names
but the more usual meaning (for Eriska and Eriskay) is 'Erik's Island'. Both are Norse/Viking.

The word Eriska does not mean 'water sprite'. The water-sprite reference comes from the Gaelic name for the island (Uruisg), which is a totally different word: www.britishbabynames.com/blog/2015/05/off-the-grid-scottish-place-names.html

Eriska island today is a posh hotel resort not far from Oban run by a company based in Hong Kong.

daisypond · 14/07/2018 18:53

I think it's fine, I rather like it.

BoyInTheOven · 14/07/2018 18:45

I quite like it, I think it sounds more Eastern European than scandi though. It's so hard to find a name that both you and OH love so I'd say go for it!

HoratioNightboy · 14/07/2018 18:21

Are you in Scotland, OP? If so, you'll probably find people are more familiar with it than elsewhere. Both Eriska and Eriskay have been used several times as names, but I think Eriska has a prettier meaning - water sprite, whereas Eriskay means Erik's island. I'd say go for it!

FlyingDandelionSeed · 14/07/2018 18:01

I agree it has potential for people to mishear/misread as Erika. Other than that I have no negative connotations, it's nice.

TheVanguardSix · 14/07/2018 18:00

Yes to Mariska. Not Eriska. It's a name you never here and probably for a good reason.
Mariska is a Hungarian diminutive for Mary.

CoolCarrie · 14/07/2018 17:51

How about Mariska?

MariaMadita · 14/07/2018 17:50

I prefer Eriskay (or Erika).

Iona is lovely and I also like Danna. (And maybe Kilda? Idk.)

CoolCarrie · 14/07/2018 17:49

I know a little girl named Lundy, after the island, which I thought was cute.

redmini4 · 14/07/2018 17:45

There are Eriska and Eriskay islands. I like either.

Frogscotch7 · 14/07/2018 17:44

Eliska is a great name ( pronounced Elishka). Eriska sounds made up

Readyfortheschoolhols · 14/07/2018 17:41

Anything but Ulva!!

LucyFox · 14/07/2018 17:38

I think it looks like a misspelling of Erica/Erika & she’s spend her whole like correcting the spelling...

Have you considered any of the following?
Ailsa- this is unusual but not unknown
Kilda
Danna
Eday
Jura

SuburbanRhonda · 14/07/2018 17:24

How about Alderney?

I knew one at uni, but have never met another one.