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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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mathanxiety · 04/09/2019 01:52

Grin yes jesaminecollins, there is that too...

mathanxiety · 04/09/2019 01:52

Bridget is a truly international name but also very closely identified with Ireland.

I personally think it's very chic, and a strong name for a girl.

And everyone and their giddy aunt can pronounce it.

@Jesaminecollins, I know two little sisters named Bernadette and Dymphna. I realise granny chic isn't a thing in Ireland (yet) but I absolutely love the combination.

Jesaminecollins · 04/09/2019 01:51

@mathanxiety

Laoise is slang for big boobs - soz

heath48 · 04/09/2019 01:50

Aileen.
Sorcha.
Rosaleen.
Therese.

Have all those names in my family.

mathanxiety · 04/09/2019 01:48

Laoise is an easier spelling of Labhaoise

Laoise and Labhaoise are two completely separate names.

One is actually a male name (Laoise) based on the old kingdom of Laois.

Labhaoise is an Irish version of Louise.

Pronounced Leesha and Laweesha/Laveesha, respectively.

Jesaminecollins · 04/09/2019 01:47

I am half Irish and my second name is Bernadette which I hate. If I was choosing an Irish name for a baby girl it would be Dana because I used to like the Irish singer of the same name (when I was younger I did look a little like her).

WeihnachtsAngstAufDemParkplatz · 04/09/2019 01:41

I know someone in Ireland who has a DD Erin. She chose the name because she had loved it ever since being an avid fan of The Waltons as a kid. This should give some indication of how Irish 'Erin' is...

That being said, it is popular all the same. My mum waged a campaign to get me to call a DD Erin. Her taste and mine are quite different.

Frith2013 · 04/09/2019 00:12

Aine

Grainne

EileenAlanna · 03/09/2019 23:59

Bronagh

Whoseagooddoggiethen · 03/09/2019 23:57

Irish in Ireland and Erin is a very common name here especially in irish families.

WolfInSlutsClothing · 03/09/2019 23:47

toddlermom

I'm Irish, living in Ireland and I know loads of people called Erin.. none of them have foreign parents.

toddlermom · 03/09/2019 23:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JamMakingWannaBe · 03/09/2019 22:55

Kerry / Kerri
Una / Oona
Keavy
Orlaith
Maebh
Eileen / Isleen
Ina

Whoseagooddoggiethen · 03/09/2019 22:41

Tara?

Boots20 · 03/09/2019 22:40

In the film Marley & me they chose Patrick for their boys name and Coleen (Cailin irish spelling) I love it, I'm irish & my name is Erin :-) it's a very Irish name

BykerBykerOoh · 03/09/2019 22:37

What about Caireen? Easy to spell and really pretty.

Hushabyelullaby · 03/09/2019 22:37

Ciara
Aine
Cara
Bronagh
Aileen
Cailin
Aisling
Alannah
Iona

Mumoftwox · 03/09/2019 22:32

my son is Rowan but it's a unisex name!

redthefraggle · 03/09/2019 22:30

I love the name Ordharna but my severely, very dyslexic husband wasn't keen. Our daughter's a Niamh instead which is off your limits; I'd love to hear of other Odharna's.

PS, I think I Siobhan's boring but that's due to the name of one of my siblings.

Propertyofhood · 03/09/2019 22:28

My SIL is Irish and called her DS Caoimhe.

Her DS?!

I actually think Caoimhe is becoming really popular and will eventually become as well known as Niamh and more recently Saoirse in England.

missmouse101 · 03/09/2019 22:27

Aithne is lovely!

ElfCakes · 03/09/2019 22:26

My SIL is Irish and called her DS Caoimhe. They live in England. We just all learned to spell it because its her name! People spell simple names wrong all the time, or get the wrong versions, like Ann or Anne and Katie or Katy - people will either care enough to get it right or they won't. I reckon just pick the one you love most!

Propertyofhood · 03/09/2019 22:26

OP: I want Irish names that won't cause issues living in England.

Posters: how about Caoimhe, Sadhbh, Lasairfhiona or Caoilfhionn

😂

I like Mairead actually - it's really pretty, not totally ubiquitous like Niamh etc but fairly easy to deal with in England I think.

Crazycrazylady · 03/09/2019 22:25

Like Finnola from children of lit

lateSeptember1964 · 03/09/2019 22:23

Not sure if it’s been said but A name from Irish mythology
Étain

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