Is Saoirse too unusual, and are we allowed to `adapt` the pronunciation??!!

[Bex22]

Expecting DD3 end of June. We all like Saoirse but have been saying it Ser-shuh rather than Seer-shuh which I understand is the more authentic Irish pronunciation. Firstly, is it going to present numerous spelling difficulties from all sides, and secondly, does it matter that we are saying it in our own way so to speak??? The trouble is that my 4 year old DS and 2 year old DD are now big fans of this name, as said the wrong way, and I do think it is really pretty and would go well with Elizabeth which I want to use as a middle name after a favourite aunt. We are no stranger to slightly unusual names as DS is Seth and DD is Elwyn, so what do you all think?? Too weird or what??!!

It's fair enough that that is your opinion, Valium, but I'm sure you'll agree that it's sad that your experiences have led you to that.
Siofra is gorgeous.

YSad. but not rare. People chose the name Saoirse because of its meaning at one point. .... and I've just read on another thread that bobbidazzler actually grew up in London, not Ireland! so I'm going to file this under no point discussing! Have a nice day.

it's very important that people understand any subtext of the names they choose. Particularly if they are choosing names from a culture not their own.

haven't read the whole thread, so apologies if someone's already said this. saoirse is pronounced "sor-shuh".

I'm Irish, and teach the Irish language too. Saoirse should be pronounced Seer-sha. I agree with other posters that when said in an English accent (different pronunciation of the letter r ) that it sounds funny. A friend of mine is English and when I hear her mention her dd's friend Síofra (Sheef-ra) it always sounds funny. (The name means little fairy, by the way, which I think is sweet)

Sorcha should always be pronounces with a hard "ch" sound and with a u sound (short vowel u sound) for the o. I've heard people here pronouncing it Sore-sha and I will admit that I feel very catsbumsmouth about it.

Saoirse is quite a common name here now, but remember an aquaintance of mine naming his first daughter Saoirse (pre-Good Friday Agreement) and I did think "hmm, who knew that's where his political leanings are". I don't think there's any political association with it at all now.

PS I had a child in my class called Saoirse last year - she's Muslim, her dad's from Pakistan, so the name is definitely crossing cultural barriers now!

1. Lydia
2. Robin though I would go for Robyn for a girl
3. Brooke - not so keen
4. Saiorse, looks pretty no idea how to pronounce
5. Alba ... sorry, but this is a make of DVD player in our house!

I think it is lovely and as a teacher have no problems spelling it or pronouncing it neither do her friends. I certainly don't think about political leanings when I hear it.

The Sorcha I knew was pronounced "Saw-sher" I nearly named DD after her.

I have a daughter called Saoirse, we picked her same because it reminds me of a girl I knew growing up who was always smiling, and I liked the english translation -freedom. It is not a political statement and I don 't think would be considered as such by the majority of people I know, I am very upset that anyone would suggest such a motive.

As you may be able to tell Saoirse is my name!

I haven't read this thread so don't know what's been said really but though I'd give my thoughts anyway.

I pronounce it sersha. My mum's Irish, from Carlow, and that's how she pronounces it. I think it's often to do with where you're from and your accent. There are lots of "normal" names that are pronounced differently just in england because of different accents. How is Saoirse different?

For my mum it kind of was a political statement but for different reasons. My middle name is Mandela so it's like Freedom Mandela. Hippy mum!

I have no issue with people spelling it wrong or telling people how to pronounce it. I was actually the first child of my age to learn how to spell my own name! I like that my name's different and I've still never met another Saoirse.

Outside of Ireland and people with Irish background, surely the majority of current Saoirses are likely to have been inspired by Saoirse Ronan. I'd bet most people hadn't encountered the name before this young actress came to fame, it is not an old-established name.

As a result I feel the name Saoirse will date very quickly. Everyone will be able to guess the age of a Saoirse! And sorry, it still makes me think 'sore arse'.

My niece is Saoirse ( Seer-sha)
I know a Sorcha ( Sur-i-ka) but I have heard it pronounced Sore-sha which doesn't seem right to me as I think ch in Irish is usually pronounced like a soft "k" but each to their own.

When I told my bosses who are from Northern Ireland what my new niece was called, they immediately assumed my dsis was "a bit of a Republican" when in fact, like Saoirse86s's Mum she was just a bit of a hippy! "Freedom" does not just have to mean freedom from British Rule, it can be skipping-through-the-buttercups freedom as well!

How does "seer-sha" sound like sore-arse? unless you are really prounouncing it incorrectly? And being quite rude, given that there is a Saoirse on the thread.

www.babynamesofireland.com/pages/girl-names-n-z.html

burntsienna My mum thought it would become popular when riverdance was popular because I think it was the leading lady in the lord of the dance was called Saoirse. She was wrong! A few times I've said to people that it's like Saoirse Ronan and they've looked at me blankly.

chip I assume it's the spelling not the pronunciation that's like sore arse.

I had a belgian lecturer at uni who always pronounced it "saucy".

Hi Saoirse

Yes, you're right, the spelling! And I think that it's because the spelling is so different from the sound (to most folk) they might simply not recognise it ... Could be they've only ever seen Miss Ronan's name in print and have their own version in their heads ... eg Saucy (love that )

LOL! at "saucy" Maybe it's the way you looked at him!

spidookly, why on earth should people be reluctant to name their children Irish names because some idiotic bigots associates them with 'wrap the green flag round them' oatriotism (which I assume is code for the IRA).

Pathetic.

TBH, if you are not Irish or in Ireland, I'd avoid Saoirse because it's simply too alien a spelling for English eyes and ears (assuming, of course, you're in England - lol)

I have no idea whatsoever who Saoirse Ronan is BTW. [ignorant]

She's a fab actor, Soupy. Played Susie Salmon in The Lovely Bones and was nominated for an Oscar for playing the young girl in "Atonement".

I agree a young Saoirse is likely to be named after Saoirse Ronan, but of for GOD's sake at the people who haven't read the thread probably and who are making no distinction between Irish names and the one Irish name that means 'freedom'. Go and read the thread properly before you start throwing labels like bigot and idiotic around.

I think Saoirse is a beautiful name, but please think twice if you are English and living in England! I have an "awkward" aka Irish name and it is a pain in the arse having to spell it/pronounce it/put up with morons going "that's a weird name". Not to mention the racism but hey ho!

I wanted Roisin (with fadas :) ) for my DD but didn't want her to suffer her name like me, so chose something not at all Irish and very easy to spell.

Orla would be a better choice if you love Irish names, very pretty but easy for English ears/eyes/mouths. It's on my list if I have a DD2.

orlagh?

Orflaidth ? lovely use of redundant Irish letters there :)