Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Sorley

61 replies

Pinkitydrinkity · 23/07/2023 22:48

Just to caveat - I am not pregnant or even in a relationship!

But I saw the name Sorley today and I really love it! It’s a derivative of Somhairle which is male Scottish/Irish Gaelic name.

I think I’m going to add it to my imaginary baby name list 🤣 and interested to hear what others think of it as it’s not very common even in Scotland, although I do know someone with the surname McSorley.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Sudename · 24/09/2023 13:04

Sorely you can't be serious
Sorry 😃

continentallentil · 24/09/2023 12:55

It sounds like a toddler describing a sorely knee. Like poorly.

Doormatnomore · 24/09/2023 00:53

My little brother was almost Sorley but I kept overheard my parents trying it out and kept saying Swirly (which sorta rhymes in my accent if you’re 3) and instantly put them both off. But it’s a great name and I amnt put off by never having my name read off a list properly the first time. Makes me more confident to ask someone else how to say theirs if presented with many vowels for example (cause Gaelic names are all consonants).

Daisybuttercup12345 · 24/09/2023 00:39

Awful lol. Like being sorely missed.

Jongleterre · 25/07/2023 09:45
%3D%3D
LizzieAnt · 25/07/2023 09:45

Not sure why it's getting a negative response, as compared to other Gaelic names with odd spellings/ pronounciations, it's pretty straightforward!

It's an anglicised spelling, that's why it's easier to decode if you speak English. In theory anyway...

The Gaelic/Irish spelling is Somhairle.

Where I am in Ireland that's pronounced Sore-leh, so not exactly the same as Sorley (where the first syllable is more like that in sorry than sore - I think? Accents are tricky. )
I'm not certain how the Gaelic form of the name is pronounced in Scotland.

SirChenjins · 25/07/2023 09:43

I agree @BewareTheBeardedDragon !

BewareTheBeardedDragon · 25/07/2023 09:38

@SirChenjins for sure. I never fail to be amazed on threads like these that someone will say a word rhymes with 'xxx' and someone else will confidently state that it doesn't and no allowance is made for regional accents 😂

ATeamsvan · 25/07/2023 09:35

continentallentil · 25/07/2023 00:59

It sounds like a toddler trying to they they have a sore (sorely) knee or something

How about Sorrel ?

Sorrel is a girl's name?

Purplecatshopaholic · 25/07/2023 09:31

I love it. Have a friend with a son called Sorley.

SirChenjins · 25/07/2023 09:27

BewareTheBeardedDragon · 25/07/2023 09:20

Yes - there is no one homogenous English accent or Scottish accent, but there are broad differences that mean that people from the United Kingdom will be able to pick out if any given accent comes from England or from Scotland.

OP - I'm trying to say it with a soft short r and it's much nicer than my fairly flat drawn out estuary version 😂
Thanks for introducing me to a new name and I'll know better how to say it if I meet one some day!

Show quote history

Of course - but a Kent accent will pronounce Sorley differently to someone in Cumbria, or inner city Glasgow will sound very different to a NE Scotland accent, which might explain why poorly and Sorley will sound the same in some ( limited) accents but not others - and why it will be pronounced differently across the wider UK.

Either way, there are nicer names out there imo.

Uremindmeofthebabe · 25/07/2023 09:24

Just no.

SoSoSoSo · 25/07/2023 09:23

. I think there’s a bit of a divide on here between Scots, too whom it’s a normal if uncommon name, and non-Scots who seem mystified by it!

I'm Scottish and I still think it's awful. It has a very unattractive sound imo.

BewareTheBeardedDragon · 25/07/2023 09:20

SirChenjins · 25/07/2023 08:08

There’s no such thing as an English/Scottish accent - all the regions/strength of accents therein of both countries will pronounce that differently.

Yes - there is no one homogenous English accent or Scottish accent, but there are broad differences that mean that people from the United Kingdom will be able to pick out if any given accent comes from England or from Scotland.

OP - I'm trying to say it with a soft short r and it's much nicer than my fairly flat drawn out estuary version 😂
Thanks for introducing me to a new name and I'll know better how to say it if I meet one some day!

celestebellman · 25/07/2023 09:11

I am Scottish and I think it's a great name, and does not sound like Sorely at all. Not very common even in Scotland, not sure why, I've only known one poet with it (Sorley McLean) and one spaniel! Makes me think of someone rugged and romantic (probably the poet connotation, not the dog).
Not sure why it's getting a negative response, as compared to other Gaelic names with odd spellings/ pronounciations, it's pretty straightforward!

SunnyFog · 25/07/2023 08:15

I'm mystified by the pronunciation.
Sorely would rhyme with Crawley in SE England.
Is it like surely, purely, worry.

SirChenjins · 25/07/2023 08:08

There’s no such thing as an English/Scottish accent - all the regions/strength of accents therein of both countries will pronounce that differently.

Original poster
Pinkitydrinkity · 25/07/2023 07:19

fridaynight1 · 25/07/2023 01:10

Sorley poorly or poorly Sorley
Not good OP. Think again.

Sorley and poorly sound absolutely nothing alike!?

Must be the English/Scottish accents?

OP posts:
fridaynight1 · 25/07/2023 01:10

Sorley poorly or poorly Sorley
Not good OP. Think again.

continentallentil · 25/07/2023 00:59

It sounds like a toddler trying to they they have a sore (sorely) knee or something

How about Sorrel ?

Orders76 · 24/07/2023 23:50

Sorley seems to be the hardest word.

I'll get my coat.

Original poster
Pinkitydrinkity · 24/07/2023 22:06

It must be to do with the accent? I don’t know how to explain it but I’d say it’s like the R is shorter and softer.

I’m Highlands so quite sing-songy anyway!

OP posts:
AdalineStephen · 24/07/2023 21:20

Makes me think of Gallowglass

SkaterBrained · 24/07/2023 21:19

It works beautifully in a Scottish accent but does sound like Sorely in a SE English accent, so it depends where you are.

I know a wee one, nothing but compliments about it, even behind the parents backs!

SirChenjins · 24/07/2023 21:12

Sorley is awful - there are far better Scottish names out there.

Swipe left for the next trending thread