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Baby names

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

Original poster

Eilidh (pron. A-lee) or Anna

30 replies

happyeverafterhome · 30/01/2011 22:06

Hi
Currently torn between Eilidh Katharine, or Anna May.
Anna is easy to say, nice, if a little run of the mill and girlie.

Eilidh (prounounced A-lee) is fairly common up here in Scotland, so people should know how to spell and pronounce it, but posts from fellow Eilidhs around the world say that although they love their name, most people get it wrong. Does this matter?

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AllieW · 30/01/2011 22:16

Eilidh is lovely. I know one (in England). Once you're told, you remember. I think it's very pretty and prefer it to Anna which is everywhere!

scottishmummy · 30/01/2011 22:17

eildh is a v beautiful name.prefer it to anna

AllieW · 30/01/2011 22:17

PS: I was told "think Celidh without the C", which was a really easy way of remembering.

KangarooCaught · 30/01/2011 22:20

Anna - beautiful

Eilidh is nice but sounds imo like a few other names it could get confused with, plus there is the pn/spelling issue beyond the confines where it's popular.

onimolap · 30/01/2011 22:24

Anna is lovely.

I think you would get tired if explaining the pronunciation of Eilidh, as it goes against the norm of the better known Eileen/Aileen pronunciations.

scottishmummy · 30/01/2011 22:28

dont discount a name on basis of some cant pronounce- thats their difficulty.not yourd

PlanetLizard · 30/01/2011 22:35

Both lovely names :)

BilboBloggins · 30/01/2011 22:45

I have an Eilidh Catherine. I love her name but she hates it at the minute, but only cos she can't get personalised tat in the shops!

celticlassie · 30/01/2011 22:47

Eilidh's a lovely name. Becoming more common slowly ...

Chocolocolate · 31/01/2011 08:56

I much prefer Eilidh Katharine - it's lovely.

Anna is good but please don't have Anna May - it sounds like animé

ValiumSandwichTime · 31/01/2011 09:03

I prefer Anna, especially now somebody has said like Ceilidh without the C. I don't dislike Eilidh though. Just like the simplicity of Anna. I also like Ellen, which has a bit of both about it.

Hatterbox · 31/01/2011 09:43

Eilidh for me, it's beautiful, I much prefer it to Anna.

eviscerateyourmemory · 31/01/2011 09:45

If you are in Scotland then I would expect most people to cope with Eilidh.

Both names are nice, but I prefer Eilidh.

booandbump · 31/01/2011 09:45

I love Eilidh, it's gorgeous.

MmeLindt · 31/01/2011 09:56

Eilidh Katherine is lovely.

Since you live in Scotland, and it is becoming more popular, then spelling/pronunciation should be ok.

Littlefish · 31/01/2011 09:57

Eilidh is gorgeous.

OldishMotherHubbard · 31/01/2011 22:32

Anna for me - classic, beautiful, easy to say and easy to spell!

Not many baby Annas around here at all!

Eilidh nice but personally I would go for Anna.

Congratulations and good luck! x

Janni · 31/01/2011 22:38

Why not Anna Katharine?

DandyDan · 01/02/2011 09:16

Eilidh - if you're having to explain in your thread title how to pronounce it, there's an issue that's not going to go away.

Anna - not many of them around, classic and easy to say and spell. Also Anna Katherine goes well.

evamummy · 01/02/2011 09:58

I have an Anna so love it. But I love diversity in names and as you're Scottish Eilidh is a lovely choice. Eilidh Katenerine is gorgeous Smile.

fifi25 · 01/02/2011 12:39

My daughters Niamh and she hates it as she gets called Ni-am, Neeamh. I like it but i dont have to live with it. I would go with Anna.

LaTristesse · 01/02/2011 14:56

Anna for me.

I'm in England and, heathen that I am, assumed Eilidh was pronounced 'eye-lid' for years... Blush

freshmint · 01/02/2011 14:57

Anna is lovely, works in any country in the world and is classless. Great name.

Hulababy · 01/02/2011 14:59

Anna

mascarpone · 01/02/2011 15:01

Anna for me...but then dd2 is Anna so I am biased! In my whole life I have only come across three other people called Anna so it's not that common