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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Saoirse as a muddle name for baby girl- is it to difficult to pronounce/spell for a child living in UK?!

19 replies

Pinklady3777 · 04/09/2011 22:46

We are thinking about using the name Saoirse for our baby. We think
It is too difficult for a child to spell/pronounce as a first name but could it be ok as a middle name or still problematic? Baby will e half English/half Irish but will live in UK. Pronounced Seer-sha.

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TheSecondComing · 04/09/2011 22:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ohjusthitmealready · 04/09/2011 22:52

Well I wouldn't have a problem with it as a fn (mine is far far more unusual than that) Don't think spell/pronouce would be a problem after telling them/saying it.
But if you think you can't have it as a fn then as a mn I would say it is fine, don't think mn really matters (esp if the only think stopping you is if people will be stumbed)

Cereal · 04/09/2011 22:55

Yes, I think people will often be asking how to spell/pronounce it.

ChippingIn · 04/09/2011 22:56

Blimey - I would never have said Seer-sha More like 'say 'orse'

I think she will spend a lot of her life explaining how to say and spell it & that it is not Sasha, but if you are OK with that then go for it.

A little girl I look after isn't even at school yet and can write her very complicated 10 letter name - so don't let that stop you.

Popple · 04/09/2011 23:17

I think it is beautiful and you should use it as a first name! It will become slightly more mainstream because of the Irish actress (stunning young girl & v talented) who seems to be everywhere at the moment. Even if the pronunciation does need explaining...who cares really? Irish names are on the rise - Niamh, Ciara, Orla, Eoghan etc. and people get the hang of them eventually. I really hope you go for it! I think you'd regret not using it....it's just SO lovely & a name I couldn't ever pull off as we don't have any Irish ancestry!

mathanxiety · 05/09/2011 05:52

If it's going to be a muddle name then it really has to be unspellable and unpronounceable doesn't it?

I think Saoirse Ronan's fame will help greatly. Gorgeous name imo.

Tortoiseonthehalfshell · 05/09/2011 06:08

Nobody ever says the middle name aloud after the first week of life, though, do they? I've written DD's name a lot, but after announcing what she was called nobody has ever spoken it aloud again.

CurwySwide · 05/09/2011 08:30

Tortoise makes a good point - when do people ever really say their second names - except at their weddings? It's pretty - I would go for it.

Original poster

Pinklady3777 · 05/09/2011 10:05

Thanks everyone! Still worried about it even though I love it. Do you think it goes with the names Imogen or Lilia as first names and/or what do you think of these as first names? X

OP posts:

Bartimaeus · 05/09/2011 10:08

Love the typo in the title

ragged · 05/09/2011 10:11

Having only read the title, I wouldn't have a clue how to pronounce it (DH doesn't know either).
I'm sure people can get used to it, though.
I personally don't think it is a pretty name, though (reading the pronunciation now), sounds like... I dunno. A horse? Siobhan is pretty, though; that is popular for a reason.

Original poster

Pinklady3777 · 05/09/2011 10:18

Sorry about typo in title!! Oops!

OP posts:

midnightexpress · 05/09/2011 10:26

Depends where in the UK I think. You'd probably be OK in Scotland where Gaelic names are quite common. And as a middle name I don't think it matters.

Original poster

Pinklady3777 · 05/09/2011 11:05

No it would be Surrey not Scotland where she would live...hmm.

OP posts:

pinkgirlythoughts · 05/09/2011 11:19

Imogen Saoirse was one of my names for my DS if he'd been a girl. Love it!

sqweegiebeckenheim · 05/09/2011 15:43

I work in London there are lots of little Saoirses running about the place - your local Catholic primary school will have a few I'm sure :)

Original poster

Pinklady3777 · 05/09/2011 17:03

Oh really? That is nice to hear actually! Keep writing it down for people to pronounce and everyone seems to have no idea what to do or how to say it!!!

OP posts:

Beamur · 05/09/2011 17:11

I wouldn't have known how to say it, but think it is beautiful - if you like it, use it anyway.
I have quite a common surname, but due to a slight lisp cannot pronounce it very clearly (!!) so often have to spell it for people - it's not a big deal really.

HerdOfTinyElephants · 05/09/2011 17:21

I would know how to pronounce it, and I think if Saoirse Ronan's career continues on the up the way it is now then most people will wind up knowing how to pronounce it. And pretty much no one other than you and the rest of her immediate family will need to pronounce a middle name anyway, so even if people can't it doesn't matter.

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