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Baby names

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

If you have an Irish name outside Ireland, do you like it?

27 replies

SundayMorningSun · 18/05/2019 08:14

So one of the names we're seriously considering is Aisling (Ash-ling). We love it, and it's not the most difficult of names to pronounce or spell, though it's not necessarily intuitive at first for people outside Ireland. We also think Ash is a cute nickname, which she could use more often if she really hated her name. (We hope she'd love it, but trying to plan ahead!)

My sisters-in-law both have Irish names that are relatively well-known outside Ireland. I asked them their opinion (not of the names we're considering specifically, but of Irish names in general). They both agreed that it can be a little irritating, but basically (a) it's a good ice-breaker with people, and (b) the rise of written communication like email and social media means that people generally get it right, because it's right there - lots less talking to people on the phone these days. And they both like their names a lot.

I have a 'classic' name with a lot of spelling variations - think Catherine - which I have to spell out every time. It's never particularly bothered me, although that might be partly because the pronunciation is clear. I also have a lot of friends who have given their children names they assumed were straightforward, but turned out to be pronounced or spelled wrong constantly (e.g. Hannah always spelled Hanna or mis-heard as Anna; Amelia spelled as Emilia or Amelie). So part of me thinks that at least we'd be prepared for some spelling, and it won't take us by surprise.

So - if you have an Irish name, particularly if you live/grew up outside Ireland, how do you feel about it? Do you love your name and its history? Or is it just not worth it?

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CupOhTea · 18/05/2019 09:02

DS not dad!

CupOhTea · 18/05/2019 09:01

I don't, but my dad does. We picked one which is easy to spell phonetically, for non Irish speakers.

I love Aisling and think people will get it. I live near London and there are quite a few little Aoifes knocking about. Also, one Blathnaid, which is frequently mispronounced.