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which spelling......

45 replies

CakeandFineWine · 12/08/2010 11:18

OK go name sorted me and DH can't decide on spelling so thought I'd hand it over to MN'ers to vote......

Orla Molly
Orla Mollie
Orlaith Molly
Orlaith Mollie

Cast your votes.............NOW Grin Thanks

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2plus2more · 12/08/2010 11:27

Definitely Orlaith - I hate made up spellings - if you're going to use a name then spell it correctly.

As for Molly/Mollie I don't really mind, but probably prefer Mollie.

2plus2more · 12/08/2010 11:29

actually - now I've looked at it again, I'd ddefinitely say Mollie - much nicer!

littledawley · 12/08/2010 11:32

I would normally agree with 2plus but I think that Orla has become an accepted spelling. (I fully expect to be corrected!!) - where do you live? If it is not in Ireland then you have to prepare yourself for people spelling it Orla and pronouncing it Or-layth.

BuntyPenfold · 12/08/2010 11:33

Orla Molly
I would have thought it was Or-layth tbh

polkadottytotty · 12/08/2010 11:34

I would go with Orla Mollie - lovely name btw.

Flisspaps · 12/08/2010 11:35

Orla Molly, simply because it's easy to spell and clear how to say it, saves having years of having to say 'Not Or-Lathe, Orla'

5DollarShake · 12/08/2010 11:35

I also agree that Orla has become an accepted spelling. The Irish actor Orla Brady spells it that way, as one example.

Prefer Molly spelt with a Y.

CakeandFineWine · 12/08/2010 11:36

DH is Irish (As is our surname!) but we live in the Midlands now and I prefer Orlaith but think people will pronounce it Or-layth......

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2plus2more · 12/08/2010 13:21

I guess where you live probably does come into it, in the sense that some areas are full of more unusual names and so people are used to it. We live in Aberdeenshire where there are a massive number of ex-pats from all around the world. Their children often have names which are deemed unusual and which you might have to check the pronounciation of, but it's no big deal. You hear it correctly once and you remember. I also know of a number of children with Irish names and I've never heard them being pronounced incorrectly. I am from NI myself so know the correct pronounciation, but most people seem to just know. I know a number of Niamhs, a few Aislings, a Caoimhe and an Aine and it's never been a problem. I would have thought that Orlaith is well wnough known now to not be an issue. Maybe not? (I should also point out that I have a Bengali surname which people are forever pronouncing/spelling incorrectly and it genuinely doesn't bother me - it's just one of those things)

BuzzingNoise · 12/08/2010 13:23

Orla Molly.

Secondtimelucky · 12/08/2010 13:29

Orla Molly.

People will pronounce it Or-layth in England. They just will. All. the. time. It will get even worse if your DD ever marries and chooses to take a non-Irish surname.

FWIW, the spelling Orla is far more common even in Ireland than Orlaith (I looked it up once). Orla Brady, Orla Guerin and Orla Keily (or is it Keirly. the handbag woman) all spell it Orla.

weepootle · 12/08/2010 13:30

Orla Molly.

I love the name Orla.

JaynieB · 12/08/2010 13:32

Prefer Orla Molly myself.
Orla is a lovely name.

weepootle · 12/08/2010 13:34

I think in England people would pronounce it Or-lay-th but I think Orla just looks much prettier anyway. I'm also a big fan of Orla Kiely.

Another spelling is Orlagh (I know one), you wouldn't have the pronunciation problem with this one but again it just doesn't look as pretty.

BuntyPenfold · 12/08/2010 13:49

We English can't all help it - I for one look at Orlaith and think it must rhyme with Faith.

CakeandFineWine · 12/08/2010 14:54

Ooooh thanks for the advice
Looking like Orla Molly so far.....

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ProfessorLaytonIsMyLoveSlave · 12/08/2010 15:03

Orla Molly.

I think that Orlaith will get mangled, and Orla is a perfectly valid spelling in its own right now (like Aidan instead of Aodhán or Maeve instead of Medb).

(We've considered Orlaith/Orla in the past and had exactly the same discussion -- wound up just going for another name, though, which doesn't help you much)

kitsmummy · 12/08/2010 15:16

Orla Mollie. We have an Orla, DH wanted Orlaith, but I won!

MollysChambers · 12/08/2010 15:24

I'm quite precious about spelling of names usually - DD has a gaelic name (Scottish) and I loathe and despise the anglicised versions I have seen. But I do tend to see Or-lay-th when I see Orlaith. To me Orla would be a perfectly correct spelling but then I'm not Irish... If it's good enough for Orla Brady though (tangent - she is sooo beautiful!).

So Orla Molly for me.

Lovely name by the way. Smile

CakeandFineWine · 12/08/2010 20:17

thank you, thank you all Grin

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lucertola28 · 12/08/2010 20:23

Orla Molly definitely, really pretty name.

Unless you live in Ireland most people would pronounce Orlaith wrong. Plus Orla easiet to spell.

I am Irish and a lot of Orla's are spelt Orla.

Molly very cute, I am biased as my very cute and funny niece is called Molly

ValiumSingleton · 12/08/2010 20:32

Orla Molly

Orla is what's used in Ireland anyway. It's not some crazy made up spelling. Molly because that looks less cute.

ValiumSingleton · 12/08/2010 20:34

Ps, just read that your sur name is Bengali!

Has to be Orla. Give her one name people can spell.

CakeandFineWine · 12/08/2010 20:38

no my surname is Irish, someone else is Bengali, not that cruel

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ValiumSingleton · 12/08/2010 20:42

ah right!