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Baby names

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

Original poster

What do you think of Aila?

34 replies

HD98 · 18/07/2020 20:59

I'm Scottish and my sister is Eilidh - pronounced Ay-lee (Ay as in day).
I don't want the confusion of Eilidh for my own which happens outside of Scotland. But I met a little Aila which I hadn't heard before. I liked the name and that it's not very common, it's Scottish, and it reminded me of Eilidh but with less confusion.

I like names that are short, sweet and simple. I'm just worried that this might but seem like a made-up name?
There are two pronounciations - Ay-la and Eye-la. I like the first because otherwise it just seems like a knock off of the popular Isla.

Be kind! Thanks Smile

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HotDogHotDiggityDog · 29/07/2020 12:43

I have a little Aila and my sister is also called Eilidh :) Nothing but compliments about her name. I toyed with the Ayla spelling but as you say, I think a lot of people would pronounce it as Eye-lah. I also looked it up and found the Scottish Gaelic spelling and meaning of 'from a strong place' which I love!

bridgetreilly · 19/07/2020 14:21

If I were your sister, I would not feel that calling your child a name that is spelt and pronounced differently from mine was, in any way, honouring me. That's fine, of course. You can call your child anything you like. But don't pretend that it's honouring a person when you've given them a name that has nothing in common with theirs.

mrs87 · 19/07/2020 07:13

It's really pretty, has a lovely sound to it. I think I also prefer the spelling "Ayla" but either way it's a very nice name, go for it!

flooredbored · 19/07/2020 07:00

I know how to pronounce Eilidh, but wouldn't be sure about Aila.

Jolitofinjo · 19/07/2020 06:50

What about Ailish? Same initial sound, nice soft end sound. More Irish Gaelic than Scots though.

KEG05 · 19/07/2020 06:43

I love it. I’ve seen it spelt. Ayla and Aiyla. We considered it for our youngest DD but her big sister is Eilidh and we decided it was too similar for siblings. Definitely not for Auntie and Niece though xx

MikeUniformMike · 19/07/2020 06:36

Aila seems a bit too similar to Isla, Ava etc

happyrage20 · 18/07/2020 23:39

Lovely name. I know 2 but spelt Ayla

chipsandgin · 18/07/2020 23:36

There is another thread on here with Aila as a name suggestion today - I haven’t seen the spelling before then though. Ayla is a lovely name, but with the alternative spelling it just makes me think of ‘ailing’ or ‘ailment’ which aren’t very positive connotations?

threeduckslittle · 18/07/2020 23:31

Okay name but I would spell it Ayla. I've never heard of it spelt Aila and I think it just reminds me of an ailment spelt like that.

123Dancewithme · 18/07/2020 23:22

It makes me think of the word “ailing”

I prefer Vaila.

Original poster
HD98 · 18/07/2020 23:19

@florascotia2 You don't sound critical, I appreciate the information! I have also seen that it's Finnish but many sources saying it is both Finnish and Scottish Gaelic so that's good enough for me, I think.

I also like Vaila. I actually happen to be from the Shetland Islands which has Norse heratige and Vaila is one of the islands. So Vaila is great, other than I know a few!

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Thistlegirl4 · 18/07/2020 23:15

I really like Aila, it is a lovely name. I would pronounce it ail-a which does sound different at the end compared to Eilidh. Don't like Ailsa at all.

Enderline · 18/07/2020 22:56

I much prefer the spelling Ayla, but it is nice.

florascotia2 · 18/07/2020 22:30

There is also Vaila (Vay-la) which is Scottish/Norse and pretty and perhaps closer to the pronounciation you prefer.

www.britishbabynames.com/blog/2015/01/name-help-uncommon-scottish-girls-name.html

stormsurfer · 18/07/2020 21:47

I do think Eilidh (Aylie) and Aila are very similar. Have you thought of Ailsa? Still Scottish, but that extra "s" changes the sound so they are not so close.

florascotia2 · 18/07/2020 21:46

Don't wish to sound critical OP but I don't think Aila is Scottish Gaelic or has the meaning you suggest.

Most reputable sources say that it's Finnish, for example :
[www.behindthename.com/name/aila

Ailsa used sometimes to be pronounced 'Eye-la' and is Norse. Its the name of a strong place (ie Aisa Craig island).
Meaning of the name is discussed here:
www.britishbabynames.com/blog/2013/03/ailsa.html

IKEA888 · 18/07/2020 21:42

I'm not keen just because I read it as Isla.
I think the a in gaelic is pronounced I

Original poster
HD98 · 18/07/2020 21:41

@wheresmymojo Aw, yay! I only heard it a couple of years ago for the first time and it was on my list right away too.

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Original poster
HD98 · 18/07/2020 21:40

@PetraRabbit Thank you! I like that it's uncommon but doesn't stand out too much.

I do like Ailsa too. For some reason I didn't used to like it (maybe it was someone I knew...) It's definitely been a grower for me and growing on me still.

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wheresmymojo · 18/07/2020 21:40

I saw it on another thread on here today for the first time and added it to my shortlist!

It's lovely!

Original poster
HD98 · 18/07/2020 21:37

@MissyPG Oh well, if that's the worst they said then it's not too bad...
I think it's the perfect mix - uncommon but 'familiar'. I do think that often people won't be sure of a new name at first, but it will grow on them when they meet your little Aila.

Yes, I love the meaning too! Perfect.

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PetraRabbit · 18/07/2020 21:36

It's very similar to other popular names- Isla, Ellie, Lyla etc. Girls' names at the moment have a lot of A, E, L and M sounds. Added to the fact there are more international names about, means Aila would be fine!
An alternative might be Ailsa? I really like that and it's very Scottish.

MissyPG · 18/07/2020 21:31

Just people saying it’s very like other Scottish names or “it’s ok but they aren’t that keen”.

It’s so strange because I think there is almost a sheep mentality with names (at least where I live) and names become very popular and folk follow the grain with a rare few choosing less popular names. Whichever path you chose I find you get so many opinions and comments!

However nothing could put me off “aila” - the meaning is perfect for any baby born during the world right now... let’s face it they need to be “from a strong and resilient place”! And this one sure is 🤞🏼

Original poster
HD98 · 18/07/2020 21:29

Ay-luh is my preferred pronunciation!

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