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Baby names

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Original poster

I didn't think this name would be so unpopular

716 replies

spookybitches · 21/04/2020 19:06

So all throughout my pregnancy, my husband and I kept our baby name choices to ourselves. My baby is now 2 months old, and nearly everyone we have met or spoken to, have mispronounced it. Granted, we haven't seen many people over the last few weeks, so now I'm starting to wonder if it's just my family or if it's really so unheard of?
My baby boy is called Cillian (DH Irish). My whole family pronounce it silly-an even when I've corrected them numerous times.
Can I ask if you would know how to pronounce Cillian? I'm worried I've set him up for a lifetime correcting people.

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pallisers · 21/04/2020 22:45

Pronounced Kill EE an

Huh? never heard that pronounciation in Ireland.

abiirthdaycake · 21/04/2020 22:45

@eggandonion Hang on, do you mean Sadhbh's DD is named Sophie? Or that they mispronounced Sadhbh as Sophie?

@Vgtasd what's wrong with @Pangur2's comment ? Caoilfhionn is the Irish version of Kealan :S

Annamaria14 · 21/04/2020 22:44

@Vgtasd I have seen that attitude in Ireland and I hate it.

"You are not really Irish unless your parents, grandparents and great grandparents are Irish"

It is a bit nasty I think. The superiority over the degree of Irishness

Pangur2 · 21/04/2020 22:44

@Vgtasd it's a name that got anglicised into something like Keelan or Keeley isn't it? Hence me saying its an old version. No need to be rude.

I haven't a notion how to pronounce the original tbh. Kaol-in? The other name I have no idea how to pronounce is Conchubhair. (I know it eventually turned into Connor, but I presume that version isn't pronounced Connor!)

I'm from Ballymun btw.

Jarline · 21/04/2020 22:43

Its been said a million times now - its a reasonably common name where I am (in NI). I know 2 baby Cillians and 1 baby Killian.

It's one of my favourite names. It's so rude of your family to continue to mispronounce and they are only trying to make a point - ignore them. When your little one is old enough he will correct them himself!

I may be projecting but my MIL has pronounced my name wrong for almost fifteen years now. I've lost count of the times she has been corrected, she just wont be told. Drives me insane.

Annamaria14 · 21/04/2020 22:42

@vgtasd why would anyone be "wannabe Irish" ?

eggandonion · 21/04/2020 22:40

My friend's dd is called Sadhbh. Her dd is called Sophie.
Being clever and Irish, people here can pronounce both names properly.

Fantasiaa · 21/04/2020 22:38

Silly an ?

Dora26 · 21/04/2020 22:36

One correction should suffice. Now try Sadhbh for pronunciation!!!

MsJuniper · 21/04/2020 22:36

Cillian - I have Irish relative but I think I'd have known from Cillian Murphy.

Stick with it, it's a lovely name. They sound like they're doing it on purpose but they'll get used to it.

Vgtasd · 21/04/2020 22:35

@pangur are you really Irish? Or just one of those wannabes? Pronouncing it keelan - wise up

nocoolnamesleft · 21/04/2020 22:35

First guess Sillyann (rhyming with Gillian, starting like cilia, cinema, cinnamon etc). If told "No, it's Irish" I would then dither between Killyan and Chillyann. But family ought to be able to bloody learn it.

tara66 · 21/04/2020 22:35

It is none of my business but why would you do that? The child will be called ''silly'' at school ( unless it will live in Ireland I suppose).

Jossina · 21/04/2020 22:34

I thought it was Kil-ian. That's how the two I've known pronounced it. Then again I have a name that can be pronounced two ways. I've just gotten used to correcting people or not bothering.

Vgtasd · 21/04/2020 22:34

@neednewwellies I'm not surprised I worked with a Sinéad and you should have heard the way people pronounced it 🙄

Pangur2 · 21/04/2020 22:33

@Fifilafrog

"Am I the only one that read it as being pronounced Keelan?"

Haha, you'll love this. The original version of Keelan is spelt Caolfhionn. I'm Irish and I even had to look it up the first time I saw it!

Daisiest · 21/04/2020 22:33

Your family are the silly 'uns.

And all those who haven't heard of Killian Murphy, haven't you seen Peaky blinders? Oh my you are in for such a treat.

Best show ever.

Glowcat · 21/04/2020 22:32

There are a whole lot of people who seem to dismiss Irish names in a way that they would never do with Indian names because, when it comes to the latter, they recognise that it would be racist. They also don’t seem to have any problem suggesting anglicised spellings for Irish names to make them ‘easier’ to pronounce.

Vgtasd · 21/04/2020 22:31

It's only stupid English that won't know 😆

goingtotown · 21/04/2020 22:30

Silly an

Neednewwellies · 21/04/2020 22:30

@lowlandLucky, why would this happen for the rest of his life? His parents haven’t made up the name. It’s unusual but not that unusual that nobody has heard of it. I’m English and have heard it. I’m guessing most Scots and Irish would have heard it lots so the OP is hardly burdening her son with a bizarre made up name. Hmm

BrooHaHa · 21/04/2020 22:30

Cross post @Neednewwellies

Still made me Grin though.

Vgtasd · 21/04/2020 22:30

Pronounced Kill EE an

Vgtasd · 21/04/2020 22:30

It's a beautiful name

practicallyperfectwithprosecco · 21/04/2020 22:30

Killian to rhyme with Gillian - wouldn't have thought twice about it but I do have an Irish parent

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