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Original poster

Ailish or Eilish

21 replies

Pinktractors24 · 24/08/2024 08:08

We are team green and have decided our girl name is pronounced "Ay-lish" but unsure on which spelling to go for. I think I prefer the look of Eilish but worry she'll constantly be correcting the pronunciation because of Billie Eilish - my husband doesn't think this will be an issue. We live in England so it's not a common name here. Any thoughts?

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CliffsofPaddington · 03/09/2024 22:48

I have an Ailish, named her when we lived in the UK but now we are home I do wish we went with Éilís. Ailish was definitely easier in the UK and despite being an Irish speaker she isn't bothered by the anglicised spelling.

user1492757084 · 25/08/2024 09:25

Ailish or Aelish I would choose, though people will only need to be corrected once.
I prefer Aelish.

CurlewKate · 25/08/2024 07:00

But people will definitely think you are Billy fans. Sorry.

How about Aislinn?

Original poster
Pinktractors24 · 25/08/2024 05:57

Peachtastic · 24/08/2024 22:53

Isn't Eilish McColgan pronounced Aylish?

Eilidh is a great name, you would only need to tell people how to pronounce it once I'd think. I know a good few but I'm in Scotland! 😂

Yes she is, my husband suggested the name initially - he's a keen runner and that's where he first heard the name.

OP posts:
Moreteaandchocolate · 24/08/2024 22:55

DustyLee123 · 24/08/2024 08:10

I’d pronounce Eilish eye-lish, so I’d go for Ailish.

Yes, same here.

Peachtastic · 24/08/2024 22:53

Isn't Eilish McColgan pronounced Aylish?

Eilidh is a great name, you would only need to tell people how to pronounce it once I'd think. I know a good few but I'm in Scotland! 😂

chocolatenutcase · 24/08/2024 19:14

The Manx (isle of man) spellings are Aalish and Ealish if you want the same pronunciation but a different spelling.
It's a beautiful name. One of my DDs has this name but won't out her with letting on the spelling we chose.

Original poster
Pinktractors24 · 24/08/2024 18:52

partiallydeflatedbutoptimistic · 24/08/2024 18:49

I love the name but wondering would other kids call her 'eyelash'. Just a thought

Yeah...maybe also more avoidable if we went with the Ailish spelling?

OP posts:
Woodpeckersinthegarden · 24/08/2024 18:49

Pinktractors24 · 24/08/2024 18:45

I do really like this but again worry about always having to explain the pronunciation. Not sure if I'm just overthinking and actually it wouldn't be a big deal.

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You may be correct. All the Eilidhs I know pronounce it A-Lay not A-Lee.

partiallydeflatedbutoptimistic · 24/08/2024 18:49

I love the name but wondering would other kids call her 'eyelash'. Just a thought

Original poster
Pinktractors24 · 24/08/2024 18:45

Pipecleanerrevival · 24/08/2024 08:15

There is the Scottish name Eilidh that you might like. It’s pronounced A-lee

I do really like this but again worry about always having to explain the pronunciation. Not sure if I'm just overthinking and actually it wouldn't be a big deal.

OP posts:
Firsttimebabymummy · 24/08/2024 12:04

DustyLee123 · 24/08/2024 08:10

I’d pronounce Eilish eye-lish, so I’d go for Ailish.

Agree

theduchessofspork · 24/08/2024 10:19

Pipecleanerrevival · 24/08/2024 08:15

There is the Scottish name Eilidh that you might like. It’s pronounced A-lee

But I would actually go for this - it’s nicer

theduchessofspork · 24/08/2024 10:18

Pipecleanerrevival · 24/08/2024 08:13

Eilish/ Eilis is pronounced eye-lish

You want Ailish.

This

Flourpowwer · 24/08/2024 10:16

To me these are two different names
Ailish - Ay lish ( at rhymes with hay)

Eilish - Eye lish

I’m in Ireland, I’ve heard of both.

deliwoman1 · 24/08/2024 10:08

Ailish, due to the Billie Eilish thing.

But I do know what you mean about the E spelling, OP. I prefer it too.

SatinHeart · 24/08/2024 08:55

The only Eilish I know pronounces it Eye-lish, so in your shoes OP I'd go with Ailish.

Baconking · 24/08/2024 08:17

The Billie Eilish thing will definitely have people saying it wrong.
I have a cousin Eilish, born and raised in England, she pronounces it Ee-lish, southern Ireland family, Aylish, Scottish & NI family Ill-lish.

Over the last few years any new English people who have seen it written down before speaking have called her Eye-lish

Pipecleanerrevival · 24/08/2024 08:15

There is the Scottish name Eilidh that you might like. It’s pronounced A-lee

Pipecleanerrevival · 24/08/2024 08:13

Eilish/ Eilis is pronounced eye-lish

You want Ailish.

DustyLee123 · 24/08/2024 08:10

I’d pronounce Eilish eye-lish, so I’d go for Ailish.