Saoirse...

[plumpynoo]

Was wanting to see what other english people felt about this name! This is the only name me and my husband have so far agreed on for a girl, but everyone i have mentioned it to hates it. I know in Ireland no one would think it odd, but my parents have said we are cruel to inflict a name that no one knows how to spell or pronounce on our child! I genuinely dont want to burden my child with a ridiculous name, but i think its really pretty and a little different! Opinions please....

Are you/ your parents/ your husband Irish?
I'm Irish, so I think it's an attractive and perfectly manageable name, even overseas.
Some people may tell you it has nationalist connotations but I think that's a little far-fetched.

How is it pronounced? I wouldn't have a clue how to say it.

Forgive me, but how is it pronounced? Thanks

Once you've introduced her and said her name no-one will have a problem.

How do you pronounce Saoirse?

I have to speak to the parents of a Saoirse quite regularly (due to my job) I have no idea how to say it and on the phone I always refer to the little girl as "your daughter"

I had hoped that the parent would say the little girls name but so far they haven't.

I wouldn't have a clue how to say it. Which is what a lot of people's reaction would be.

Is it Sah-Orse?

Sorsha? I rather like it. It's a real name, at least..

My Irish cousins living in England have called their daughter sorcha which is a bit of a compromise.

It's pronounced Sare-sha or Seer-sha, depending on dialect or region.

I agree with villainous that some people in Ireland see it as having political connotations.

Pretty name, though.

I like Saoirse (but I'm Irish). I don't think it would be that difficult to pronounce. Maybe she would have to repeat it a few times the first time she introduced herself, but if you don't mind that then I would go for it.

I actually prefer Sorcha though, which is more straightforward to pronounce in England maybe?

I like it and I don't think it's that hard to spell. :)

I love it! It was on our list. We're Scottish with Irish family connections, though.

I tried it out on English people in work and no-one knew how to say it. But if you tell people they'll get the hang of it, so I think if you love it, go for it. And Saoirse Ronan has helped a bit, I think!

I do know a baby Saoirse and it really suits her.

Am only familiar with the name via Saoirse Ronan, and she's awesome, so that wouldn't put me off... But do you or dh have any Irish ancestry?

It's pronounced Ser-sha.

It's a pretty name when said but really ugly written down.

Sare-sha lovely, looks like Sair-arse written down.

I think English people are more likely to pronounce Sorcha wrong, because it looks easy! At least with Saoirse people will concentrate I reckon.

i love it! it sounds romantic and old fashioned.

Meeep - I have been concentrating on how to say it for over a year - I would never have come up with ser-sha!

Most non english names are fairly easy to read phonetically because the letters have the same sounds but the Irish names are pretty difficult for us english as we don't have a clue about the letter sounds

I really like it . Would assume you were quite a staunch nationalist but doubt you would get that so much in England.

My Irish cousins living in England have called their daughter sorcha which is a bit of a compromise.

no it is not :) It is a completely separate name-meaning light or brightness. Pronounced Sor-ka or Sor-a-ka depending on where you are from in Ireland. It is a brilliant name - my "one that got away".

The pronunciations of Saoirse vary in Ireland depending on where you live. It is a relatively new name in Ireland- it means Freedom and wasn't a traditional name for either men or women but it does sound/look very like Seoirse (roughly pronounced shor-sha) which is a male irish name (translates usually as George).

I presume you or your dh or both are Irish, OP. I'd use what you want. it might be easier for your dd because of Saoirse Ronan.

When someone first told me how to pronounce Saoirse they told me it was pronounced Sorsha (which I loved). When I found out how it's actually pronounced (Seersha), I wasn't as keen. I think for the name I like I would go for the spelling Sorsha. If you like the pronunciation as it's supposed to be said then go for it.

I'm Irish and I don't like it. Reminds me of Sasha, can't really say why I dislike it,I think too many 's' sounds.

I say Sare-sha, like Sarah but with sha at the end.

There's also the whole D4 Saoirse on the dorshe connotation.

Yeah to me it's more D4 than political. Isn't Ross O'Carroll Kelly's girlfriend called Saoirse?

What is D4?

Oh just checked and she's a Sorcha.

I used to love the name Honor but I just couldn't do it as it's the name of Ross' daughter!

I love it. We are in Scotland and it is my friends daughters name and it suits her. I always need to double check I have spelt it correctly though!