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Baby names

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

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39 replies

nocluenoidea · 29/03/2019 21:46

Baby is due in a few weeks time and we're still not 100% on a name!

Currently in love with the name Eilidh but husband has concerns over the spelling. We don't live in Scotland but have Scottish heritage and a Scottish sounding surname.

Do you think we can get away with Eilidh? Have considered alternative spellings but it seems a little tacky to change the spelling?

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SalmonFishing · 30/03/2019 16:27

I know a Scottish woman called Ailie.

SoupDragon · 30/03/2019 16:25

how do you get vileda? where is the 'v' in eilidh?

I assume she mean vileda without the v. So, 'eyeleeda' or something. Which kind of makes sense from an English phonics point of view.

WanderingAimlessly · 30/03/2019 16:21

I’ve never seen it before and didn’t know how it would be said. I thought it would be like Elodie (like Melodie without the M.). Now I know how it’s said I really like it.
I’m in the south of England (but am Welsh)

DarlingLittleBabyName · 30/03/2019 15:39

I wouldn't know how to spell that at all! But you if you like the name and spelling and you introduce your daughter as if it is meant to be, people will get the hang of it and it will come naturally!

Lilsquish · 30/03/2019 14:45

@redwood how do you get vileda? where is the 'v' in eilidh?

Keep the spelling OP, gorgeous name x

seeingdots · 30/03/2019 14:33

I'd find it weird spelled any way but Eilidh or Ailidh (it'd become a totally different name to me for some reason), but then I'm Scottish. It's a lovely name, stick with the proper spelling I say!

Wolfiefan · 30/03/2019 14:32

Yet another vote for keep the spelling!

Constantsarechanging · 30/03/2019 14:30

Another vote for keeping the spelling.

Topofthehills · 30/03/2019 14:26

Keep the spelling.

I know how to pronounce it because of the runner, I'm sure many others do too.

Bookworm4 · 30/03/2019 14:19

Please do not use an alternative spelling, it's awful, I cringe when I hear them.

Bookworm4 · 30/03/2019 14:18

I have an Eilidh, this is the correct spelling; Gaelic for Helen.
Pronounced aa-lay
We do have a Scottish surname, so goes very well.

WanderingAimlessly · 30/03/2019 14:09

I’ve never seen it before and didn’t know how it would be said. I thought it would be like Elodie (like Melodie without the M.). Now I know how it’s said I really like it.
I’m in the south of England (but am Welsh)

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 30/03/2019 14:06

Eilidh is a beautiful name, there was an Eilidh in my P7 class when I went to school in Scotland (back when dinosaurs roamed the earth). I've always loved it and would have used it if I'd had a daughter... People cope with (for example) Siobhan and Niamh, why should Eilidh be any different?

HarrietM87 · 30/03/2019 14:05

Much better to spell it the right way. Even if you tried to simplify it she could still be Aylie, Ayley, Aillie, Eily, Eilie etc so she’d still have to spell it out. I’m Irish so know how to pronounce it correctly anyway, but think it’s becoming more popular (like Niamh, Aoife) so should be less and less of a problem.

Cookit · 30/03/2019 14:00

I LOVE that name. I’ve always known how to pronounce as I knew an Eilidh growing up .. don’t know if it’s obvious otherwise but I imagine once people get told they won’t forget.

BlueMerchant · 30/03/2019 13:51

I like it. Keep the spelling how it's meant-Eilidh

GaraMedouar · 30/03/2019 13:46

I thought it was pronounced Ellie, but then I'm not Scottish.

redwoodmazza · 30/03/2019 13:41

I haven't heard of it before and was pronouncing it like Vileda - as in the cleaning products!

MikeUniformMike · 30/03/2019 13:31

Spell it Eilidh.

daisypond · 30/03/2019 08:43

I would have thought it was a pretty well known name. I’m in London and a Scottish name like that seems a normal type of name to me. I’d know how to pronounce it.

Divgirl2 · 30/03/2019 08:21

I have family in London and their kids seem to go to school with loads of boys and girls with very very Irish names (I'm Scottish, I know Eilidh is Scottish). So I don't think spelling will be an issue.

It's not an uncommon name particularly is it? I'd have put it on the same level as Niamh and I doubt anyone looks at that and reads out "Nim" on the morning register.

2rachtint · 30/03/2019 08:18

I'm in the south of England and know a lovely girl with the name spelt this way, I didn't know how to pronounce it until they told me but it's not hard to remember- I'd go with the original spelling!

Clownfish123 · 30/03/2019 08:01

Probably wouldn't use it not she it.

Clownfish123 · 30/03/2019 08:00

I wouldn't change the spelling but I probably wouldnt she it if I wasn't in Scotland. It's just added grief for a child to constantly have people unable to pronounce their name, especially if they are remotely shy and don't like attention being drawn to them. It is a beautiful name though.

TrendyNorthLondonTeen · 30/03/2019 03:41

If you want to call her Eilidh then call her Eilidh. Don't butcher it by trying to come up with some phonetic spelling!

(And is it really THAT uncommon a name that the pronunciation would often be an issue...?)

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