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Baby names

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

Original poster

Fiadh or Elva?

34 replies

CarlyAM · 22/03/2021 12:00

We’re having a gender scan next week at 18 weeks, and I’ve been playing around with girl names. I’m set on Irish names as I feel it gives my kids a part of my heritage in their name, but torn between Fiadh and Elva. Both go with middle names I like too, Belle and Rose. Would be good to hear thoughts on what combo other like! We already have a son called Ciarán Shea.

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SmeleanorSmellstrop · 24/03/2021 04:50

They're both sweet (but I asked about Elva once on Mumsnet and everyone said it reminds them on vulva). I don't think either go with Rose and Belle as MN, Belle makes them too twee and Rose makes them a bit dull. I think they need longer, strong middle names.

Firebird83 · 23/03/2021 23:08

A friend of mine in SW England has a Fiadh. People seem to be ok with the pronunciation.

Fiadh Rose is lovely.

jellybellybanana · 23/03/2021 11:56

They are phonetic...in their own language.

loveisanopensore · 23/03/2021 11:55

@Mischance

Heaven help her when she gets to phonics!

They both sound like sweet names.

English isn't a very phonetic language. Just look at how many tricky words children have to memorise.

I'd go with Fiadh, beautiful name.

Balonder · 22/03/2021 22:02

Ailbhe is the correct spelling and there is no fada on the e. It would be pronounced Alvay if there was. Both are lovely names (Ailbhe rather than Elva though)

DramaAlpaca · 22/03/2021 21:57

Love Fiadh.

Elva just makes me think of eels

PattyPan · 22/03/2021 20:28

Oh and I think Rose is a nicer middle name either way - Belle is too twee and definitely doesn't go with Elva!

PattyPan · 22/03/2021 20:27

I don't like the sound of Fiadh and I don't think people in England will know how to spell/pronounce it.
I think there is a better shot at Eilbhe/Ailbhe which I think is a nicer name anyway.

Amdone123 · 22/03/2021 15:02

Love both. Pp beat me to it, Fiadh Catherine is lovely.

ILoveStickers · 22/03/2021 14:45

If you're in the SW, you avoid the confusion with Thea/"sounds like fear" problem anyway!

Like a PP, I would pick a family name for the middle name. (Your name? Your mum's name?)

Or otherwise, I'd go either very classic or nature-y.

Fiadh Catherine
Fiadh Charlotte
Fiadh Bryony
Fiadh Hazel
Fiadh Rowan

KirstenBlest · 22/03/2021 14:19

Fiadh is also a bit like Fiaz, a boy's name

Eilbhe is nicer IMO

KirstenBlest · 22/03/2021 14:07

Fiadh will sound like Fear and Thea.

Elva sounder like Elver, a baby eel.

Mugcake · 22/03/2021 13:54

I LOVE fiadh! :) it's such a lovely name I also think fiadh rose is really pretty!

Original poster
CarlyAM · 22/03/2021 13:47

Thanks everyone, we live in the SW of England so shouldn’t be too difficult for people to work out. Although saying that, some are still getting their heads arpund the fact that Ciarán doesn’t start with a ‘K’ lol! Loving Fiadh more and more, just need a nice middle name now. But definitely helps having your opinions Smile

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TatianaBis · 22/03/2021 13:45

Fiadh

Iwillgotothegym · 22/03/2021 13:23

If your DD is likely to grow up in a place where Irish spelling isn’t well known - I’m English- Fiadh should be easy to pronounce once learnt.

I just just tried to look up pronunciation of Eilbhe and still not sure but I prefer the meaning.

Noodlesnoodlesnoodles · 22/03/2021 13:09

Both nice - I'd probably go for Elva Rose.

tinselandlights · 22/03/2021 12:58

I like Elva, I suggested it to my DH but he said it made him think of baby eels like a PP said! That wouldn't have put me off though.

The actors Jamie Dornan and Amelia Warner have a DD called Elva so it will probably become less unusual over the next few years.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 22/03/2021 12:54

I'll go again the grain and say I prefer Elva (or Alva). Fiadh sounds too close to fear for my preference.

Straussful · 22/03/2021 12:33

Oh, maybe it was Elga....never mind, Fiadh is much nicer. But was on Twitter recently that it is in the top ten of popular Irish girl baby names (though most comments were that they didn't know any Fiadh's).

Straussful · 22/03/2021 12:30

The nasty Elva was in rural Ireland in the late 80's so either the parents had fancy notions or it passes as Irish Grin

Mischance · 22/03/2021 12:30

Heaven help her when she gets to phonics!

They both sound like sweet names.

Straussful · 22/03/2021 12:29

Fiadh is lovely.

I knew a nasty Elva once, probably now late 40's/50 but I cannot forgive the name Blush.

Original poster
CarlyAM · 22/03/2021 12:27

@Tibtab Fiadh is pronounced Fee-a, basically like Fia but just dh added in Irish spelling

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yikesanotherbooboo · 22/03/2021 12:27

I like them both but they don't 'go' with your middle names at all. Choose middle names with some family or personal meaning.

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