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Baby names

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Original poster

Irish names - Second girls name!

31 replies

Natasha162017 · 28/11/2020 13:39

So my first wee one is called Róise and I like the name Naoise but think it looks very similar even if it doesn’t sound similar. Any thought or other options please x

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Brokenfurnitureandroses · 01/12/2020 22:48

Máire, Clodagh, Bláthnaid, Áine, Saoirse, Aoife, Croía, Doireann, Aoibheann, Dearbhla, Sadhbh, Niamh, Erin, Fidelma, Eithne, Gráinne, Laoise, Muireann, Orlaith, Ríona, Padraigín, Realtín, Eimear, Elinóir, Maedhbh, Sinead, Siobhán, Liadh, Cara, Liadhán, Tara.

LizzieAnt · 01/12/2020 22:32

Thanks mathanxiety.

mathanxiety · 01/12/2020 21:40

That's right, LizzieAnt - geal, eala, both have the short A sound.

Niall is pronounced just as it looks in Irish. The IA combo is always sounded, and pronounced ee-ah.

ShanCa · 01/12/2020 18:44

Actually "eala" meaning swan or beauty doesn't have a long e. But someone has put it into a popular names site so no doubt there are dozens of girls named Éala out there anyway.

ShanCa · 01/12/2020 17:53

If you have Róise go for an Irish spelling. I'd suggest Néala "nayla" which I totally made up but means "the swan". Or Néille "nellya", which I made up but is a reasonable feminine form of Niall.

LizzieAnt · 01/12/2020 14:31

@mathanxiety

Neala is pronounced Nyalla, not Neela.

Nialla would be far closer to the Neela pronunciation you want to end up with.

I didn't know Neala was pronounced like that. That's interesting. I've never come across it, and thought it could an anglicised spelling of Niall (which is pronounced Neal in Irish), with an 'a' added for girls. The OP gives the meaning as champion, which is often given as the meaning behind the name Niall too. You're pronouncing it as an Irish word though, with the first syllable rhyming with the Irish words geal and ceal...is that right? Does it have a different etymology so, do you know?
N0tfinished · 01/12/2020 07:15

I have a niece called Fiadh who is a fab feisty gorgeous little girl.

aleC4 · 01/12/2020 07:05

What about saoirse?

ILoveStickers · 01/12/2020 07:01

Aifric is another more unusual one you might like.

ILoveStickers · 01/12/2020 07:00

Róise is lovely.

My favourites are Niamh, Aisling, Ailis, Emer and Sadhbh.

mathanxiety · 01/12/2020 06:54

Would you consider Nora, Onora, or Honora?

mathanxiety · 01/12/2020 06:46

Neala is pronounced Nyalla, not Neela.

Nialla would be far closer to the Neela pronunciation you want to end up with.

Original poster
Natasha162017 · 30/11/2020 22:07

Thanks I love Róise’s name, we pronounce it Row sha. Neala would be pronounced Nee la it means champion. Also found Nialla which I find quite interesting.

OP posts:
LizzieAnt · 30/11/2020 14:57

Naoise is a male name for me too. I've never come across Neala, I'm guessing it's a feminine anglicised version of Niall?
I love Róisín, but that obviously won't work!
I like Neasa (pronounced like NASA) too. Also Aibhilín (Av-eh-leen, from the French Aveline), though it's not widely used and the spelling/pronunciation would cause problems even in Ireland. I'm not sure where you are OP. And I like Niamh (but only when pronounced NEE-uv, not Neev). I'm not fussy or anything Grin

myneighboursarerude · 30/11/2020 09:02

Maeve?
Niamh?
Saorsie?
Cara?
Orla?

ShanCa · 30/11/2020 08:59

Neala goes beautifully with Róise.
How are you saying those names?

mathanxiety · 30/11/2020 07:05

Agree wrt Naoise. Also the slender S sounds are too matchy.

How about
Liadan
Fionnuala
Fia
Beibhinn

(Sorry, no fadas possible on my phone)

elgreco · 29/11/2020 23:01

Don't use Naoise for a girl. It's a male name; (one of the Red Branch warriors). It would be like calling her Fionn.

GoogleWhacked · 29/11/2020 09:51

Clíona, Aisling, Éabha, Cara, Aoibhín, Siobhán, Áine

Marlena1 · 29/11/2020 09:44

Craoia is also lovely (not 100%) sure oh spelling but as in heart.

DramaAlpaca · 29/11/2020 01:00

I love Róise, beautiful name.

I like Saorlaith, that goes nicely. I think the ending of Naoise is too similar, unfortunately.

I haven't come across Neala, I quite like that.

I know they are popular these days in Ireland, but Fiadh or Sadhbh would go well too. I also really love Etain.

TrailingLobelias · 28/11/2020 23:42

Áine, Aoibheann... I like Dara for girls and Tara as well.

Original poster
Natasha162017 · 28/11/2020 22:05

Thanks for ideas. I’m not sure at all. I have my boys name but it’s defo a girl so need to get thinking. I do think it’s quite similar and love Róise’s name, so pretty & what something equally as nice for the next. I do like Sarolaith and Neala as well.

OP posts:
IamnotwhouthinkIam · 28/11/2020 18:39

Not keen on Naoise, sorry. My favourite Irish name for girls is Maeve, followed by Niamh.

Pudding01 · 28/11/2020 18:35

I don't know many, but Aisling, Aiofe and Orla are my favourite!