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Baby names

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

Original poster

Scottish names.

55 replies

seawiych · 28/09/2025 18:27

Hi all. I’m English and my husband is Scottish. We tend to travel a lot between the two countries.
Ever since I was a child I had a best friend named Eilidh. Pronounced Ay-Lee. It’s Gaelic for sun ray/sun light. It’s a Scottish name and I adore it.
We are due to have a baby girl soon and I’d love to use the name. I know it’s not easy phonetically in English bit most people get it straight away once told and I don’t see it as an issue.
My husband is worried that it might be hard when we are in England.
May I have your thoughts please?

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RosesAndHellebores · 28/09/2025 18:49

@seawiych I can't remember her mum's name but many years ago MNet had a very special EilIdh. There were candles lit across the country for her. MNetters reported candles in neighbours' windows.

In MNetworld, the name Eilidh would be an absolute honour.

Eilidh was a very special little girl and and has a place in the heart of every MNetter who were here when it was all fields.

Algebraicyourleg · 28/09/2025 18:41

I love this name and really wanted it for one of mine but then realised that living in Lancashire it would be very much similar Hayley pronunciation due to us not always pronouncing our H’s. DH thought it would cause a lot of confusion so vetoed it, I was gutted as I love it as well as Eilish but then that got ruined by a particular singer, for me!

TheNightingalesStarling · 28/09/2025 18:37

My DD has a Scottish name, living in England.
At school, teachers get it quickly.
Most people mis spell it.
Passport control look at it in confusion and ask her her name. (Except at Edinburgh Airport).
The biggest trouble is things like certificate presentations where they haven't come across it before.

Its only a five letter word very similar to an English name.

She likes ger name now. Didn't like it at 4/5 trying to learn phonics as it made absolutely no sense.

urbanbuddha · 28/09/2025 18:33

I know an adult Eilidh from Scotland who lives in London. The name’s not an issue. She just tells people how to pronounce it and they do.

Moreteaandchocolate · 28/09/2025 18:32

I love it! Lots of names have unusual spellings these days, so I think it’s fine to use in England. I have a very commonly used name from my generation and I often still have to spell it over the phone!

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