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Baby names

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

Original poster

Sinead

62 replies

ParentsTrapped · 20/06/2024 12:19

What do people think?

Im Irish, DH is English and we live in London.

I feel like most English people will recognise/be able to pronounce this name thanks to Sinead O’Connor (RIP!), but it’s quite unusual these days.

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Original poster
ParentsTrapped · 20/06/2024 13:38

@CelesteCunningham probably wouldn’t use the fada for ease of English life

@loropianalover it’s very common in Ireland and especially in my generation (I’m 37) but I’d say would be almost unheard of for a baby born in England these days. The common Irish names of the moment over here are Niamh, Aoife, Orla and Maeve.

Im looking for an Irish name that won’t cause too many issues and also isn’t one of the ones I’ve just mentioned!

OP posts:
Justme2023123 · 20/06/2024 13:19

There's a little Sinead in my kids class, so aged 7/8. It's a nice, recognisable name

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 20/06/2024 13:19

I think it is one of those names that can be a bit meh unless you know and love someone with the name. I think there are prettier Irish names which work well in the UK eg:

Ashling [I wouldn't go with Aisling as a spelling here]
Aileen [never hear this now but v popular when I was growing up]
Aoife [tricker this one - some are v familiar others not a clue]

CyanideShake · 20/06/2024 13:18

I think it's fine but boring.

Never been my favourite Irish name.

loropianalover · 20/06/2024 13:15

Is it unusual? Everyone knows a Sinead.

SparkyBlue · 20/06/2024 13:11

I'm Irish and for me it has real 70s early 80s vibes. Everyone had a Sinead in the family. I know several of them but actually I really like it.

Firsttimebabymummy · 20/06/2024 12:58

I really like it but I do like claire/ sarah/ Jennifer as mentioned above.

Never met someone with that name either

PlantDoctor · 20/06/2024 12:41

I think people will recognise it. On paper I always think it looks like "sin-head", which I don't love. It sounds lovely when spoken though.

CelesteCunningham · 20/06/2024 12:39

I don't love it, it's old fashioned to me. But I'm Irish, you probably need responses from those in London where it may be different.

Would you use the fada?

protectoroftherealm · 20/06/2024 12:26

I actually don't find it old-fashioned at all! When I imagine a Sinead I think of someone cool and eclectic.

Original poster
ParentsTrapped · 20/06/2024 12:23

Yes @Pipecleanerrevival it’s a name of my own generation I think (born late 80s), so similar to Jennifer/Catherine/Sarah/Claire maybe, but that’s part of the charm for me.

OP posts:
Pipecleanerrevival · 20/06/2024 12:20

I find it a bit old fashioned. Everyone will know it though.