Is it unfair to call my baby Saoirse?

[Myname15]

Hi everyone
I'm 21 weeks pregnant with my first child. Recently found out that we're having a girl. My favourite girls name is Saoirse (pronounced sir-sha). I love the meaning (liberty) and have loved the name since i was a kid. The name's Gaelic, dp is Irish as is half my family, but I am really struggling with whether or not it's unfair to land my daughter to be with that spelling :s.
What does everyone think?

I love it, was on my list for DC2 until DH vetoed it because we're not Irish! And he can't spell it - it's beautiful use it.
And I live overseas, I know two saoirses here, after the first time nobody had trouble with it. Far easier than trying to pronounce Grainne!

I think most English people are familiar with it and if not, well then that's not Saoirse's problem. You just have to learn.

I know sisters Saoirse and Caoimhe. Caoimhe has far more problems with people not knowing how to pronounce her name.

Love the name Saoirse. it's very pretty.

"the practicalities of having a name that most people she meets can't pronounce or spell, and having to have the same conversation about it fifty million times, was really just a nuisance."
I've mentioned this on previous threads but, my daughter's name is Megan and she is constantly running into people who hear it and then spell it wrong or (more puzzling to me) see it written and then pronounce it wrong.
If a relatively incredibly easy name like Megan has that issue, then I suspect you really can't avoid it and so might as well pick the name you like regardless.

Are you Irish Saulgood ?

I think it's a lovely name, very pretty.

But I'm really surprised to hear others say that it's not associated with Irish Republicanism when it's the name of the newspaper of Republican Sinn Fein who would, it's fair to say, be at the quite extreme end of the spectrum.

I love Irish names but, whilst I do think it's a pretty name, it is the one and only Irish name that I would associate specifically with 'making a statement'.

Totally agree, treaclesoda. Such a pretty name but the SF connection is the first thing I think of every time I hear it.

Nope, not Irish. Why?

Name changed just to say- do it! I am biased as I have a Saoirse myself and I ummed and ahed about it before hand also. I'm English with Irish family, DH pure English-live in England.

Yes, there are republican connotations, but what can you do, it's a name in its own right, with a beautiful meaning- so I don't dwell on those.

We pronounce it Seer-Sha and when you're introducing her to new people they will always ask you to repeat it but it's not a big deal at all for us and i'm so glad we did it.

Good luck whatever you decide!

The name is definitely pretty mainstream now, and has been for years. It's been in the top 25 girls names in Ireland for several years and fairly certain most of the parents are not republican activists!

I might wonder if a NI Saoirse's parents were of a Republican frame of mind but I wouldn't wonder the same about a Dublin Saoirse. It's a very mainstream and middle class name in Ireland these days.

Saoirse's brother would be called Fiachra and they'd live in Ranelagh and go to the local Educate Together school and have a holiday home in Connemara.

With regards to using the name in England, to be honest I probably wouldn't as I'm mildly irritated on a daily basis by being asked about the spelling and pronunciation of my name. But that's just me, I can be quite grumpy!

I've seen this name plenty of times but I've always been to scared to ask how its pronounced I always thought it was swA-Reece would never have thought sir-sha... I like it but be prepared for problems x

My friend has daughters Caoimhe and Saoirse saulgood just a coincidence

I know two- my cousin and a school friend. Both nice girls so I like it!

It's a beautiful name! When I was at school in the 80s there were quite a few Siobhans around. I only had to be told once that it's pronounced 'che-vaughn' and I was fine.

She may find it a bit of a pain having to spell it out over the phone, etc, but it's not like that would be a daily occurrence.

Hate this name. I'm Irish. It's just not one I like. Until fairly recently I would have made assumptions about the 'leanings' of people who chose the name. Not any more, as I think people choose it now without knowing that. But I still don't like it.

what about síofra

If it's a name you like then use it!
I would've mispronounced it if I was just reading it but once corrected itd be fine. It would take me a while to be able to spell it though

I grew up in England with a very Welsh name. I have had a lifetime of explaining the pronunciation and how to spell it.

It bothered me a lot when I was a kid but less so now.

Also, English people won't have a clue how to spell or pronounce it.

Really? All English people? How about the Welsh?

Are Welsh people English? Genuine question. I'm Irish myself.

OP personally I'm in the camp of giving a child a name that's reasonably recognisable in your own country / area, so Saoirse would be fine here in Ireland but if I was in the UK I'd probably give it a miss.

However, I think my views are getting a bit old fashioned now so on balance I think if you absolutely love it, go for it.

DD has a friend called Saorise. I think it's a beautiful name.

I meant Saoirse, obvs!

Sur sha or seer sha I've heard for pronunciation. It's a good name, not unheard of, and one I'd use. And you have the family connection too, not essential of course, but...

My husband is also Irish and we are due our second child in 2 weeks...
We both always loved Saoirse and our daughter Freya keeps saying I like Saoirse.... ????
I like you worry about people being able to pronounce it as much as spell it.
It's such a pretty name though and I will always love it!!

We both really like Aoife and if we have a girl think we will go with that as also like it with Freya.
Xxxx