irish baby girl names

[DeborahRoss26]

Hi ladies :) im expecting a baby girl at beginning of september. And im thinking of using either Aoife.. Caoimhe.. Saoirse, 1 of those 3. I love irish names my middle names Siobhan. What do you think if those 3 names? And any suggestions?

[strawberryblondebint]

I have a Caoimhe and a Maeve. Wanted a Clodagh but he's a Seamus instead. Love all the names. What about Eilis ( eilish)

[mrspaddy]

I am expecting in ten weeks and was always going to go for Maeve only we have a special reason for using Mary (if it is a girl).
Also love Grainne (Grace).. think it is pretty and timeless.

I don't like names that are very 'out there' though as I know what a pain it is to have to spell/explain your name constantly.

I have recently heard a baby Kathleen.. now I never thought it would be nice on a baby but it actually really suits her and is/will be unusual growing up/can shorten to Kate which I love.

[ThwartedbyMum]

My XP is Irish and he has a niece called Eimaer (pronounced EeMer) which I think is very pretty.

[Blanketsandpillows]

I much prefer Sorcha to Saoirse. I really like Aoife but think Caoimhe is just OK, I don't know why! I'm watching this thread with interest too!

[mathanxiety]

Lasairfhiona is brill imo.

Also Damhnait and Beibhinn.

Sorcha is a bit of a minefield

[mathanxiety]

I wouldn't dumb down a name just for fear of having to spell it. Some people are going to get John or Mary wrong.

[Imscarlet]

I love Roise (Row-sha) as an alternative to Roisin, I came across Tiarnagh (Teerna) that I thought sounded nice recently and Saileog (Sal-oh-g) is different!

[burberryqueen]

Also love Grainne (Grace).. think it is pretty and timeless
I thought this was the Irish 'Hannah' not Grace?
Sorry but this name just sounds horrible, like grotty or granny.

[TakingTheStairs]

I have one of the Irish names mentioned in on this page of this thread and I have to have explain how to say my name or spell it at least twice a day and often a lot more.

When I order a sandwich or have to give my name, I just say Amy. It's a pain in the ass otherwise.

For your baby, my preference would be Aoife. It's still very Irish but will be the least amount of hassle for your daughter.

[mamageekchic]

DD is an Orla (I actually regret not sticking to my guns with Orlaith) my second favourite was Aine. I really like Saoirse, it feel nice to say but I'd worry about the associations.

[mamageekchic]

*feels

[LucySnoweShouldRelax]

You're right, mathanxiety, but it's one thing when it's a common alternative - "that's Jon with no 'h'", and when it's "that's Duran, but with a good handful of letters that you won't be expecting and won't make any sense." (Doireann)


Of course, there are versions of Irish names that are developing their own British pronunciations. My friend's BF (in the UK) has a cousin who insists on "Roh-sheeeen" instead of what I would consider the 'correct' "Row-sheen". And why not, I guess.

[forgetmenots]

My head is going to combust if there's one more thread in here about Gaelic names and spelling, so help me!

How about some people consider it important to spell a name correctly in the language it originates and some consider it important to spell it in keeping with the dominant language of their community? Both fine and valid. except when these threads descend into xenophobic crap

[forgetmenots]

The above, it should go without saying, is a bit different for those of us who speak Gàidhlig or Gaeilge. Might not matter so much to those who don't and that's fair enough.

[PseudoBadger]

My DD will be called Caoimhe when she arrives.

[mathanxiety]

But so what if people who are ignorant of the world outside of the island of Britain can't wrap their little peabrains around the fact that languages use different sounds and different letter combinations to represent them? It's rude of them not to make at least a bit of an effort or to give the impression they find the spelling conventions of another language simply incomprehensible. There are at least two other British languages spoken on the island of Britain (this has been the case for thousands of years) and it is not excusable that anyone on the island should stare in bewilderment at a name. Suspend your disbelief: Yes, Caoilfhionn is pronounced Keelan. Move on with your life. Try respectfully to remember the name next time you meet. Move the spelling to a remote corner of your brain if it helps to get over the Anglocentrism.


Hannah/Anna/Anne (all versions of the same name) = Aine (with a fada on the A). Grainne is pronounced similar to Aine (Grawnyeh --- Awnyeh) but they are transliterations of different names.

[Justfornowitwilldo]

What Mathanxiety said.

[HenriettaPye]

I absolutely love Eimear. I wanted to name DD it but DP hated it and told me it was an elephants name

I've still to this day find an elephant called Eimear.

[DramaAlpaca]

Totally agree with mathanxiety.

[forgetmenots]

I completely agree mathanxiety. The narrow-mindedness drives me mad.

I'm just ready to chuck the towel in on this topic after umpteen threads... :)

[burberryqueen]

I agree with mathanxiety
i have a reasonably common Irish surname and the smirks and purposeful mispronouncing of it in England drove me mad, you know,
as though it was something hilarious?
pissed me right off I can tell you!

[ZolaBuddleia]

How do you pronounce Lasairfhiona? I agree, it's a belter!

Love Afric.

[squoosh]

Lasairfhiona = lassa-reena.

Most Irish people would have difficulty with that one!

[WhiteShakette]

What Mathanxiety said. With bells on.

Seeing a few baby Aingeals around these days, which I quite like.

[squoosh]

But aingeal is pronounced angle. I think I prefer deamhan!