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Baby names

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

Original poster

Irish names for a girl

218 replies

HarrietM87 · 03/09/2019 13:58

I’m Irish, DH is English, baby will have DH’s English surname and live in London. Our DS has a standard (though uncommon) Irish boy’s name (similar to Sean - ie Irish spelling but generally recognised in England so not many issues with pronunciation or spelling so far).

I’m pregnant and if it’s a boy we’ll probably go for Patrick (just saw another thread on this - love the name!).

If it’s a girl we’d like to give her an Irish name but ideally nothing that will cause her too many problems, and also don’t want to use an anglicised spelling. Can’t use Aoife, Niamh, Meabh, Eimear, Orla or Derbhla due to close friends/family.

Any suggestions of names that fit these criteria (ie recognisably Irish but straightforward-ish spellings)? My absolute favourite is Ailbhe but I think that might be difficult for English speakers and if it’s spelled Alva it loses the Irish connection completely. Also love Nora but DH hates because of “bloody Nora”. Also considering names which aren’t Irish as such but commonly used in Ireland like Mary and Anne. All suggestions welcome!

OP posts:
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beanaseireann · 04/09/2019 19:32

Dareca

Whoseagooddoggiethen · 04/09/2019 19:31

I worked with a Nola. Thought it was made up till i checked just now. Possible female Noel!

beanaseireann · 04/09/2019 19:31

evilharpy
Yes you're correct- Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin called their daughter Ireland.

JoxerGoesToStuttgart · 04/09/2019 19:08

I know a couple of Noelles and a couple of Noeleens. Not sure if Noeleen is a variation of Noel? It looks like it but not sure.

Whoseagooddoggiethen · 04/09/2019 18:53

Sadie is not an irish name!
Nollaig i find quite twee but i only met one lady with the name and no Noels here under the age of 45!

mathanxiety · 04/09/2019 18:23

True dat about male Nollaigs (and also Noels in general, and throw in teeth that could do with an introduction to a toothbrush).

PresidentBeeblebrox · 04/09/2019 18:15

I have a few Irish family members called Sadie I think that's lovely

Allyo19 · 04/09/2019 13:16

Eavan

BrittleJoys · 04/09/2019 09:42

If you wouldn’t call your daughter Noelle, then don’t call her Nollaig. And male Nollaigs are always plaintive misfits in terrible jumpers, in m experience.

OkPedro · 04/09/2019 09:39

mathanxiety Grin Keeva has rared it’s ugly head too

BrittleJoys · 04/09/2019 09:28

Agreed, @JoxerGoesToStuttgart. There are people who appear to have done their research on Irish name on those US baby name websites which bear no resemblance to reality/the rules of Irish orthography.

I wouldn’t sweat the pronunciation. I have an unusual Irish name and surname and live in England, and gave English-born DS an Irish name that isn’t phonetic in English, plus my Irish surname and DH’s ditto. We’ve never had any difficulty.

No, people won’t know how to pronounce it the first time they see it written down, but the people who have got their heads around the fundamentally ridiculous Nevaeh will manage Ailbhe.

LauraPalmersBodybag · 04/09/2019 09:28

Mara?

evilharpy · 04/09/2019 09:17

Soubriquet there’s a celebrity who called their child Ireland. Might have been Kim Basinger.

OP, don’t do this!

SleepyFlump · 04/09/2019 09:15

Caitlin

JoxerGoesToStuttgart · 04/09/2019 08:49

I love the name Ordharna

Not an Irish name. Not sure it’s even a name tbh.

OP there’s a load of made up rubbish being posted here. Do your research on anything you’re considering.

Soubriquet · 04/09/2019 07:22

I remember hearing about someone who had a little girl called Ireland.

Something to consider Grin

evilharpy · 04/09/2019 06:00

I’ve never heard of Nollaig as a name. It’s kind of cute.

mathanxiety · 04/09/2019 04:13

Nollaig is a version of Noel/Noelle (ultimately meaning Christmas).

Love Philomena.

Harriedharriet · 04/09/2019 03:32

I know a Philomena, a Fraoch (Heather) and a Nollaig (Christmas apparently)....

wheretonow123 · 04/09/2019 03:26

What about Aoife?

Greyhound22 · 04/09/2019 03:20

Aisling and Roisin are lovely.

mathanxiety · 04/09/2019 03:15

Keavy is Caoimhe for the faint of heart.

Tmnmpa1 · 04/09/2019 03:07

Sorcha
Shona

Xxx

OkPedro · 04/09/2019 02:21

Are Molly and Farrell (Confused) Irish girls names?
I like
Aisling (although when I was in Manchester I was called Ass linn) Grin
Fiadh
Keavy (love this name but is it Irish?)
Eabha

I’m Irish and living in Ireland and my name is regularly misspelled and mispronounced.
Doesn’t bother me I just correct them 🤷‍♀️

Jesaminecollins · 04/09/2019 02:01

@mathaxiety

If only I had them lol

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