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Baby names

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

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:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
WolfInSlutsClothing · 03/09/2019 22:20

What about Bríd instead of Bridget?

Smurf123 · 03/09/2019 22:19

Aobh
Aoibhe
Ceilidh
Aine
Eadaoin
Meadh

JaneJeffer · 03/09/2019 22:17

Bronagh

Scarydinosaurs · 03/09/2019 22:15

Aine or Roisin

SgtFredColon · 03/09/2019 22:15

I asked for ones that are easy to spell and got Sadhbh 🤣

Also Lasairfhiona! Ailbhe is lovely. The only straightforward ones I can think of are Cara, Emer, Orla and you’ve ruled out the last two of them.

Drum2018 · 03/09/2019 22:11

Áine (Awe-nya)
Gráinne (Grawe-nya)
Saorise(seer-sha)
Muireann (mwir-an)
Cáitlín (Koch-leen)

SgtFredColon · 03/09/2019 22:10

I don’t think Cora is an Irish name Hepzibar

SgtFredColon · 03/09/2019 22:09

Laoise is an easier spelling of Labhaoise but my friend is called that in ireland and people have trouble with it!

Hepzibar · 03/09/2019 22:08

OP surprised no one has suggested Cora. It's beautiful, Irish and easy to spell. Perfect for you

Whoseagooddoggiethen · 03/09/2019 22:08

Cliona
Alma
Aine
Cait

Whoseagooddoggiethen · 03/09/2019 22:05

Cushla
Saorla
Sorcha

midsomermurderess · 03/09/2019 22:02

Oh, Labhaoise is rather lovely. I like Gráinne and Áine but they might cause pronunciation issues.

WolfInSlutsClothing · 03/09/2019 21:58

Lúan

Who's naming their daughters 'monday'?

PinkDandelions · 03/09/2019 21:57

I knew Irish siblings Caoimhe and Fianna which I thought were both pretty cool!

(Caoimhe admittedly is not ticking your ease boxes, but our English staff group picked it up pretty quickly to be honest)

Have to agree that Ciara is lovely though

Mummyshark2018 · 03/09/2019 21:53

Erin and Cara.

Badwifey · 03/09/2019 21:43

@AlwaysOnAbloodyDiet another reason not to pick it! Shit film!

BiMum5 · 03/09/2019 21:41

Étáin. ( Pronounced Ay-thawn)
Lúan
Éabha
Deirdre
Aisling

AlwaysOnAbloodyDiet · 03/09/2019 21:41

Bridget makes me think of Bridget Jones, and for that reason, I find it endearing Smile

Badwifey · 03/09/2019 21:39

Please don't go with Bridget. Far too outdated in my opinion.

Eabha is a beautiful name.

bluebellsandnettles · 03/09/2019 21:37

Another one to say Ciara... biased as I have one, and my goodness the trouble people have pronouncing it on England!

But I love her name. It means little dark haired one. And mine is is fair as the day is long. If I had the chance to name her again, then Roisin or Orla would have been on the agenda...

thebakerwithboobs · 03/09/2019 21:34

I adore the name Bridget!

Bobojangles · 03/09/2019 21:29

Oonagh

Eimear

banivani · 03/09/2019 20:47

My guess would be that there are very few Irish names really instantly recognisable in England. I’d make a list of
Sinéad (but I see that’s gone)
Roisín
Saoirse (maybe)
Fionnuala
Niamh
Orla

Not sure people would be able to pronounce them all, mind, but they’d recognise them. I genuinely don’t think there are many names people know. 🤔

As someone with an Irish name who has grown up in foreign lands I can tell you you just deal with it - but none of my children have Irish names. I couldn’t find one I wanted that was easy enough for foreigners. My eldest comes closest with an anglicised but Irish middle name.

I think it might be lovely to bring back Bridget, Eileen, Kathleen or Maureen! Go retro. Or Eilish - it’s lovely and how in the name of God could anyone mangle it.

Cathyheathcliff · 03/09/2019 20:46

Another vote for Norah or Maeve. Lovely names and very easy to pronounce.

AlwaysOnAbloodyDiet · 03/09/2019 20:43

Fionn is definitely male, Fiona female

Dara (IMO) is female. Daragh and Darragh are the male spelling.
It's a beautiful name

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