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Baby names

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

Original poster

Should I call my daughter Aoibhín in England?

392 replies

lovebeingmuma · 05/08/2025 19:23

Will my daughter hate me for calling her a name no one can pronounce?

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Iocainepowder · 05/08/2025 19:49

The problem is a practical one though. Your daughter will be spending her years ‘educating’ people on her name.

FlipFlopShopInHawaii · 05/08/2025 19:49

It's my favourite name 😍 and absolutely would have used it, but only had boys.
I don't get this whole bullshit about only picking names people can pronounce automatically... it's how we end up with endless Lily/Evie etc.
Once people are told how to pronounce it they'll know.

MsNevermore · 05/08/2025 19:49

It’s a difficult one.
If you’re Irish, I think it’s lovely to give her a name that reflects her heritage….but at the same time I think she will spend a lot of time telling people how her name is pronounced, and have to spell it a lot.
I have Scottish & Irish heritage via my paternal grandmother, and my DS has a name that’s been popular in Ireland and Scotland for hundreds of years, and I considered using the traditional Scottish spelling, but ended up using the Anglicised spelling just to save him having to spell it out and tell people how it’s pronounced all the time.

prelovedusername · 05/08/2025 19:48

If you love the name you should definitely use it. Don't pander to the ignorant, see it as an opportunity to educate them on the loveliness of Irish names!

OnePerkyReader · 05/08/2025 19:47

I say go for it OP. People are suggesting that you dilute your heritage but I don’t agree. People pronounce my name wrong (not Irish) but fuck me, I’m proud of it. Call her what you want to. And raise her to be confident enough to politely correct anyone who mispronounces it. That’s just my thought’s though..

Arsed · 05/08/2025 19:47

OchonAgusOchonOh · 05/08/2025 19:46

It is spelt phonetically. You presumably just don't speak the language in which it is spelt phonetically.

Show quote history

They live in London - it isn’t spelled phonetically here.

Ddakji · 05/08/2025 19:47

I think it’s fine. I was at school with a Siobhan and people know names like Naimh and Caoimhe more and more these days.

AnnaMagnani · 05/08/2025 19:47

On the basis that those familiar with Irish names think you are pronouncing it wrong, I'd say steer clear.

I have a name that isn't spelled as pronounced (although a lot easier than Aoibhin) and after 50 years it does get tedious.

Clearinguptheclutter · 05/08/2025 19:46

As a person who has a slightly awkwardly spelt name (Welsh but living in England) I’d say no.

Unicorn34 · 05/08/2025 19:46

I like it, but I love Irish names especially Orla

OchonAgusOchonOh · 05/08/2025 19:46

Arsed · 05/08/2025 19:44

As you’re Irish then go for it, it’s a beautiful name.

But… please don’t get snooty when no-one knows how to say or spell it. It’s really hard to learn spellings for words that are in no way phonetic so I’d expect for it to be spelled incorrectly most of the time.

It is spelt phonetically. You presumably just don't speak the language in which it is spelt phonetically.

3KidsPlusDdog · 05/08/2025 19:45

OP, I really wouldn’t. I’m not even sure that you’re pronouncing it correctly yourself

Aoi definitely makes an E sound, not A.

Arsed · 05/08/2025 19:44

As you’re Irish then go for it, it’s a beautiful name.

But… please don’t get snooty when no-one knows how to say or spell it. It’s really hard to learn spellings for words that are in no way phonetic so I’d expect for it to be spelled incorrectly most of the time.

intrepidpanda · 05/08/2025 19:44

Not even sure how to pronounce Aivenn. Is it A-veen (as in ABC) or aye-veen (as in Scottish aye]. I have heard Aileen pronounced both ways.

2024BabyNameIndecision · 05/08/2025 19:40

There are so many Irish names in London, i really wouldn't worry about it. My worry would actually be that it's too similar to Aoife in its initial sound. But don't avoid it due to spelling.

ThatElatedTealMember · 05/08/2025 19:40

Be proud of your heritage.

Don't give her some random name just to fit in.

OchonAgusOchonOh · 05/08/2025 19:40

lovebeingmuma · 05/08/2025 19:25

It’s pronounced Aiveen. We absolutely love it but scared she’ll struggle if she grows up in London.

I'd pronounce it ee-veen, but not a terribly long ee, if you know what I mean. It just sounds like the letter e

Aoi is pronounced the same in Aoife and aoibhín where I come from. I've never heard it pronounced Aiveen.

I'd say go for it. It's a beautiful name. Very common in Ireland now.

Iocainepowder · 05/08/2025 19:39

Sorry I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t even know how to start with that name. There are plenty of Irish names that people know and can pronounce.

Maybe use it as a middle name?

crumblingschools · 05/08/2025 19:39

I still don’t know how to pronounce it even after you explained! I’m sure I could learn if I was close to you, but I would hate to be her having to spell it and explain it to everyone she meets. Do you have similar names?

Original poster
lovebeingmuma · 05/08/2025 19:38

Thanks all. I did think if she had a English middle name she could use it also spell it ‘Aiveen’ for school etc if she wanted an easier life?

OP posts:
YourSnifferDogsAreShite · 05/08/2025 19:38

Aoi makes an ee sound though. Aoibh is pronounced Eve. Aoibhín would be pronounced “eve-een”.

I can’t remember exactly how to spell it, but if you want the name pronounced Ay-veen, it starts with something like Eabh. Eabhaoinn? Something like that.

Notmyreality · 05/08/2025 19:37

I really wouldn’t.

3KidsPlusDdog · 05/08/2025 19:36

Isn’t it pronounced “Eee - veen” ?
Not “A - veen”?

Like your other dd, Aoife, is pronounced E-fa, and not A-fa.

cheezncrackers · 05/08/2025 19:35

I really wouldn't. She'll get called Oibin. No one here will have a clue how to pronounce it and she'll be forever having to tell people and having her name spelt wrong. I would honestly pick something else.

MC846 · 05/08/2025 19:35

I bet it's a lovely name but I have no idea how to say it as would most people and it's a bit mean to saddle your daughter with that hassle hon 💐

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