Naming my mixed race child and Irish name?

[ihateyousarahm]

I'm pregnant with a child who will be mixed race. My family are Irish but we've lived in England for a couple of generations.

We want to respect the heritage and name our child a traditional Irish name. Some people have said it will be hard to pronoumce as it's an Irish name and we don't usually see the name and others have said it's a mixed race baby so don't. However when I said what name we should use, they don't know.

A girls name like Charlotte etc is English and although we have both lived in England for a couple of generations I'm torn.

Ideas please?

Just use the name you love, never mind other people. They'll learn it if they want to, and if they don't it doesn't really matter!

I knew a black girl at school in the 80's called Siobhan. Suited her.
I love Irish names! I have a difficult spelling name and I actually love it. I love it when people can pronounce my name and tell me with pride! It's a conversation starter...
Saoirse is lovely.. and Aofie... which name is it?

Could the middle name be from the other culture? Or ask chatgpt if one name has roots in both cultures. Might surprise you

Don't people from other parts of the world and other cultures also have this issue in the uk? Is it really such a bad thing?

Go for the Irish name - the mixed race bit doesn't come into this decision these days.

There’s no “correct” answer. Do what feels right to you and your partner.

We also have mixed race children (different heritage to yours) and chose to give them traditional English names. Their middle names and surnames very clearly point to the other half of their DNA 😁

Siobhan and Niamh undoubtedly caused confusion too before they were more widely used.

Ive never heard anyone telling eg an Arab person they should use an easy name.

Just choose a name you like.
My child has an English name and it’s constantly misheard as another name.

Congratulations on your pregnancy. Irish names are beautiful and, as baby has Irish heritage on your side, it sounds like a lovely way of celebrating that duel heritage.

Now is the time to tell those who have been complaining about what you can and can’t do with a ‘mixed’ baby to pipe down because you don’t want DC growing up having to internalise that racist nonsense. Best of luck.

Use names from both side of heritage? Most important thing is to use names that you like!

I used to work with an Irish lady called Orfhlaith, pronounced Orla. I've also met an Irish woman called Orla. I've also known a Niamh (pronounced Neev, Irish) and Neve (still Neev, not Irish in the slightest)

So, do what you want. If it's hard to spell, that's everyone else's problem, not yours or hers!

Name your child whatever you want. Gaelic names are amazing and have wonderful meanings.
I am sick and tired of those who are concerned about how it would be difficult for some to pronounce. Who gives a feck about that? That kind of rhetoric is borne out of ignorance and is mostly directed towards Gaelic names. Other cultures and languages don't seem to evoke the same responses.
Please if you do use an Irish name use the correct spelling and if it has a fada, use it. There is a huge difference in meaning between cáca and caca 😉

I would say they are British of Chinese origin.

Says who?

Just pick an Irish name that is easy to spell and pronounce. There are hundreds of names! Cara, Dara, Tara, Orla, Nora, Erin, Una etc etc

That’s quite a prickly response to someone having a conversation and offering a different viewpoint…but anyway, I’m not saying anyone can’t keep their ethnic or cultural background or do whatever they want, just that you seem to be very attached to your Irish heritage, despite no one in your family having lived there for generations and I was wondering whether your partner felt the same about theirs.

Gosh that’s a lovely name!

Can you explain why ‘Chinese looking’ is offensive?

It’s a race of people with distinct characteristics - surely that means someone can look Chinese? Same as how someone might say I look English, or my husband looks Scandinavian, etc?

But you are English with Irish roots? Wouldn’t they be English with Chinese roots for consistency?

Name your baby whatever you want, it's your baby. I think it's nice to choose something from your heritage, and there are so many lovely Irish names

The only thing I would care about is names that would lead to a life time of bullying. My friend has Indian heritage and an Indian name but her parents shied away from a traditional spelling as it starts with “shit” which my friend was thankful for!

Another friend gave her daughter a Greek name, which works well in Greece but in the UK is a name you probably associate more with a stripper!

It was in the context of OP's post. Of course someone with Chinese heritage might look Chinese, but western people may also say 'Chinese looking' to refer to someone of a different asian background. It's just the way I read it. It seemed like a microaggression.

My American friend gave her adopted South Korean daughter a western name (Grace) but they also kept the foster mother’s name she was given which was Korean).

It's an opinion, based on personal knowledge and experience.

You’d think wouldn’t you? It’s my son’s name and he’s constantly called Lachlan or Logan so go figure.

@ihateyousarahm also Irish and no issue with you choosing an Irish name, we have lots of beautiful names. But I think it’s more respectful for use a traditional spelling rather than an anglicised- eg Niamh rather than Neve. For years our language was attacked , diminished and suppressed so I find it quite galling personally when people change it cause it’s easier. I think if you are honouring heritage you should respect it not change it.

I have name changed for this. I am Irish and live in London, my children are mixed / have multiple ethnicities. We chose Irish first names and their surname connects them to another major part of their heritage. There are lots of Irish names that are easy to pronounce for people from many counties. The spelling might trip people up but the pronunciation doesn’t need to be a challenge. I would recommend not seeking too many opinions on what you name your child and also would prepare yourself for supporting your child with accessing and understanding their place in the world as they grow up. Sadly there are many people in Ireland who may deny that you and your child are Irish. It is for you to do your own thinking on that and confidently claim your place in the world and your heritage, starting with choosing your child’s name with your partner and not taking on board too many opinions about it.