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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!

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wtftodo · 03/09/2019 20:42

This is outing, but I’m same situation as you ie English DH, live in london (but no DS) and we went for Ailbhe. I felt the same about anglicising it.

I absolutely love it, everyone does, once it’s explained ie “it’s pronounced AlVa” there are no issues. Sometimes I use the opportunity to explain bh/mh...

On first sight we get some “albie” or “ailbie” attempts but in london loads of kids have names that aren’t instantly recognisable to all. Plus there’s a couple of journo / radio ailbhes now.

The only persistent issue we’ve had is the English grandparents deciding to call her Alba, but that’s another thread.

If you love it, go for it.

Ohmygod123 · 03/09/2019 20:36

I have a girl friend called Dara who is Irish but I have seen that Dara is usually a boys name in Ireland! Also Fionn?

Soubriquet · 03/09/2019 20:33

Yeah you’ve got some lovely ones to pick from

It’s not just easy spelling though. It’s pronunciation.

I am not a stupid person. But I have no experience with Irish names so a lot of these are impossible for me to know how to pronounce....

HarrietM87 · 03/09/2019 20:31

I asked for ones that are easy to spell and got Sadhbh 🤣! I actually love it but think Sive looks crap.

Aine is lovely though. And Bridget! Can’t decide whether that one is too old lady for me...I’m on the fence.

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Soubriquet · 03/09/2019 20:23

I've no idea if British people would struggle with those

I have no idea how to pronounce 99% of them Grin

I do like Aisling though. And Nuala though I have heard it’s an old ladies name

JoxerGoesToStuttgart · 03/09/2019 20:20

naureen- my daughter’s name... it’s a Irish spelling.

No it’s a Muslim girl’s name.

Noirín is the Irish name of the same sound.

Apparentlychilled · 03/09/2019 20:20

We're in the same boat and went for Cara.

SunnivaGunne · 03/09/2019 20:13

Fáinte (pronounced Fawn Cha)

Urskeks · 03/09/2019 20:09

Eira is Welsh for snow.

I knew an Eilish, I love the name.

Dunny72 · 03/09/2019 20:09

Tiarna (pronounced Tierna), alternative spelling Tiernagh

SunnivaGunne · 03/09/2019 20:08

Fia (or Fiadh)
Áine
Eabha (ava)
Cara
Dara
Gobnait (Grin)
Maeve
Noirín
Ríona

Mummy20192 · 03/09/2019 20:02

naureen- my daughter’s name... it’s a Irish spelling...

mathanxiety · 03/09/2019 19:59

Eithne
Liadan
Muireann
Dymphna
Fionnuala
Caoilfhionn
Lasairfhiona
Brigid/ Bridget

BackOnceAgainWithABurnerEmail · 03/09/2019 19:50

Aine?
Eileen

beanaseireann · 03/09/2019 19:42

Cara
Alana
Macushla ( my darling - Mo chuisle )
Darina

ThunderThorn · 03/09/2019 18:52

Fiadh, it means "wild" Smile

schnubbins · 03/09/2019 18:48

Cara or friend

JoxerGoesToStuttgart · 03/09/2019 18:48

Kila

That’s not Irish. Confused

Flywheel · 03/09/2019 18:47

Caitríona

candlefloozy · 03/09/2019 18:47

Ainé

Jingers5 · 03/09/2019 18:44

Tara
Eleanor
Cliona
Noreen
Cora
Emer
Enya

Ginger1982 · 03/09/2019 18:44

I like Nuala but I've been informed on here before that it's an old woman's name! 😆🤷🏼‍♀️

PreschoolPlease · 03/09/2019 18:43

Eira

Catladiesaremyheroes · 03/09/2019 18:41

Sadhbh (also can be spelt Sive)
Clodagh
Máire
Alannah
Fiona
Áine-Máire (Anne-Marie)

AlwaysOnAbloodyDiet · 03/09/2019 18:39

I like

Aoibhe
Éabha
Aoibh
Róisín
Cliodhna/Cliona
Fraoch
Niamh
Aoibhinn
Doireann
Saoirse
Orna
Ciara
Clodagh
Cáit
Róise
Éadaoin
Muireann
Caoimhe
Dara
Aoife
Neasa
Áine

I've no idea if British people would struggle with those Confused

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