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Original poster

Using a Welsh name when we aren't Welsh

43 replies

stegasaurus · 13/04/2011 18:42

The name is Eirlys (pronounced Air-liss). We aren't Welsh and we don't live in Wales. No one would know how to spell or pronounce it if we use it, so would it be cruel?

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happywheezer · 13/04/2011 18:47

Other people use Dylan and Rhys. You could always move to Wales!
People have probs with Welsh but you say it how you see it, so no I don't think there is a problem.
I'm Welsh, living in England but not planning to give my son a Welsh name that's because I don't like any but girls names are much prettier.

ValiumBandwitch · 13/04/2011 19:10

I really like Olwen. I wouldn't have let not being Welsh put me off.

Bunbaker · 13/04/2011 19:13

I wouldn't worry too much as it is a name that sounds like it is spelt. However, be prepared for the teasing as it sounds a bit like hairless (where I live it does because the locals drop the H)

SolarPanel · 13/04/2011 19:18

People might mis-hear the name as Ellis.

Blackcoffeeandcigarettes · 13/04/2011 19:21

It's welsh fro snowdrop. It's pronounced ire-liss. I'm welsh, and I think it will be pronounced incorrectly. But if that doesn't bother you then it's lovely. But it's ire-liss x

SolarPanel · 13/04/2011 20:53

A bit like wireless? (yes I am old)

Blackcoffeeandcigarettes · 13/04/2011 21:04

Byrw eira (sp?) is welsh for snow. Eira is aiyra with yhe emphasis on the I (bit like myra). So yea wireless would be more like it than air-liss

Original poster
stegasaurus · 13/04/2011 21:06

Blackcoffeeandcigarettes Ire-liss looks more like I wanted it to. I wasn't sure how to write the pronounciation.
Olwen is also on my shortlist, as is Bethan. These are also lovely Welsh names that are easier for other people to spell and pronouce.

OP posts:
freesias · 13/04/2011 21:07

Really love the name eirlys especially it's meaning seriously considered it for dd4 who was born during last years snow . dh is welsh but we live in scotland . decided against it simply because we thought it would never be pronounced properly and would cause endless confusion and a life time of spelling and pronouncing her name correctly .

ConstanceFelicity · 13/04/2011 21:12

Pronounced differently in different parts of Wales. DH (south) would say ire-liss, but I (north) would say eyr-liss (more of an e sound than an i).

I must say I do think it's a bit odd to give your child a name that is very very specific to another culture, but on the other hand it's a beautiful name and she would be a lucky girl.

maxmissie · 13/04/2011 21:16

Oh go for Bethan, it's my dd's name! it's a lovely name, easy to spell and pronounce and not very common. I'm not Welsh although my dh is half Welsh and we live in England. You should go for whatever you like though!

Hatterbox · 13/04/2011 21:45

Go for it. There is no rule you can't use a name if you're not from that culture/nationality!

Blackcoffeeandcigarettes · 13/04/2011 21:59

I love olwyn. Thats easier with the pronunciation to.

CheerfulYank · 13/04/2011 22:03

Go for it! Rhys is on our shortlist for our yet-to-be-conceived-DC2, and we're not Welsh. (Well, apparently I am way back)

Of course I'm American and we'll name our kids any old thing. :o

ConstanceFelicity · 13/04/2011 22:03

Do you mean Olwen, blackcoffee? Olwyn is Welsh for wheel! :o

cowboylover · 14/04/2011 01:11

Constance; I'm south so would say the same as your DH!

I am aware of the name but know most of my English relative would end so up saying Elise from hearing it and that would bug me!

Blackcoffeeandcigarettes · 14/04/2011 08:19

Hahah! Yea olwen. My welsh spelling is dire!

oohlaalaa · 14/04/2011 09:31

I think if it is an easy to pronounce welsh name, it is fine, but for the more unusual welsh names, you need to be welsh or live in Wales. I think the following names, are okay for an english baby:

Gwen
Megan
Bethan
Carys
Nia

Owen
Gareth
Ellis
Glyn
Evan

shangrila · 14/04/2011 09:38

I think it's lovely that people want to use Welsh names - and there are some gorgeous ones to choose from. Eirlys presents a challenge to many people even here in Wales, so you (and your DD) will need to be happy with explaining how to say it as a matter of course. Great name, and worth it, in my opinion.

For what its worth, my in-laws really struggle with the DCs (relatively simple) Welsh names. Goodness only knows what they would have done if I had had my way and really gone for it!

MintyMoo · 14/04/2011 10:24

Eirlys is my first choice for a DD, I'm half English, half Welsh, born in England but Mum's side of the family are all Welsh and all bar her and one Uncle are living in N. Wales. DP also has some distant Welsh connections and his Mum, although English, was brought up in Wales. I have a Welsh name so I think we'll just about get away with it. I would expect it to be mis pronounced though, people continually mis pronounce mine even those who have known me for years. I've yet to work somewhere where my name is pronounced correctly. It doesn't bother me, I like having an unusual name but it is something to think about if you think it might bother you.

I'd pronounce it like 'ay err liss' with the R rolled, my Mum had a friend at school in Anglesey who pronounced it that way.

Eira
Eleri
Alys

Are also faves of mine. Most of the non Welsh girls names I like are 'E' names as well (Emmeline and Evangeline).

DuelingFanjo · 14/04/2011 10:27

I'm in South Wales and would pronounce it Eyr-lis

DuelingFanjo · 14/04/2011 10:27

yes, deffo with a roll of the R too.

frakyouveryverymuch · 14/04/2011 10:29

Eirlys is lovely and even a guess at pronounciation produces a close enough approximation. Go for it!

HappyAsIAm · 14/04/2011 10:33

I really like it. I'm Welsh (lived there until I was 21 - I'm 35 now) but now live in London. My name is Rhian. I have spent the last 15 years saying to people 'its said like Ian for a boy, but with an R in front'.

My name is constantly said "ree-ann". Which it isn't!

I like Eirlys, but I am tbh tired of always having to tell people how to pronounce my name. Especially when they have been saying it for a while and I then get embarrassed to correct them, but then as more time goes on it is even more embarrassing to correct them, and so I don't, and am called the 'wrong' name forevermore!

What about Elsbeth? Anwen? Bethan? The pronunciations are obvious for those Welsh names.

shaunwinonaandsue · 14/04/2011 10:36

It's a lovely name but see the thread on Saiorse as to why you might want to think long and hard about it...