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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

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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.