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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Girls shortlist...is Eilidh a bit unrealistic for living in England??

105 replies

marmitecheesetoast · 13/02/2017 13:22

So we don't know what we're having but approaching 32 weeks and feel like we should really probably start to sort out our names shortlist! No idea about boys (that's a whole other thread for another day ) but we have a few ideas for girls.

I've always loved Isla, for years I thought if I ever have a girl I'll call her Isla, but it's got so popular now that once I knew I was pregnant I discounted it. As approaching due date it does keep popping back into my head though..but really I feel like realistically she would end up being one of four Islas in her class? I suggested Eilidh as an alternative which I think I actually love as much/more than Isla now and DH loves it too - yay! However, is it a bit of a burden giving that name when we live in England? Would she be forever spelling her name/people saying her name wrong?? We have a long-ish surname which while not particularly complicated we do have to spell quite a lot....

I'm Scottish and while a Scottish name isn't a must, (we have some other names on shortlist too) I am quite keen to have a Scottish name. We hope to move back to Scotland in a few years too but nothing definite.

So shortlist is

Eilidh (love it but is it unrealistic giving this name in England?)
Isla (pretty sure we are going to discount this as too popular?)
Ailsa - I suggested as easier alternative to spell than Eilidh but DH not so keen)
Also like Alice and Evelyn...

Would welcome thoughts/opinions on the above generally and particularly on whether Eilidh would be a bit of a burden living in England?! Thanks!

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savagehk · 13/02/2017 13:24

I have no idea how to pronounce Eilidh...

kimlo · 13/02/2017 13:25

Eilidh is the best from your list.

LemonBreeland · 13/02/2017 13:26

It would need to spelled out to people in England, but so do many other names these days, there is a big rise in Irish names for example. I absolutely love Eilidh it is much nicer than your other suggestions.

I wanted to call my DD Eilidh, but my Scottish DH (we live in Scotland btw) said no, as he couldn't spell it!!

HeyYouYesYou · 13/02/2017 13:27

I always forget how to pronounce it too, but if I met someone with that name I would be sure to remember. I think if you like it you should go for it. People will cope.

Original poster

marmitecheesetoast · 13/02/2017 13:27

Sorry I should have said, it's basically pronounced like Hayley without the H if that makes sense?

OP posts:

bloodymaria · 13/02/2017 13:27

Eilidh is a lovely name. I'm sure once you tell people how to pronounce it they'll get the hang of it?

Mind you, I know of an Eilidh who goes by 'Ay-lid' (in Scotland), not sure of the story behind that!

tabulahrasa · 13/02/2017 13:28

I think Eilidh probably will be a name that has to be said or spelled in England, but, it's pretty straightforward after that.

As in, tell someone it's like Hayley without the h once and it's done, and loads of even easy names have to be spelled - Isla for instance, Isla or Islay, I'd check that if I was having to write it out.

Zebrasinpyjamas · 13/02/2017 13:29

I have no clue how to say that name! For me I would hate to have to repeat/spell my name every time I met someone so that would put me off.
I have young children (2 and under) and I don't know any Isla s. I love Alice and Evelyn (although I do know lots of Evelyn often shortened to Evie).

Deadsouls · 13/02/2017 13:29

How do you pronounce it?

Deadsouls · 13/02/2017 13:30

Okay I've seen. I think it's lovely. I mean think of all the Aoifes and they have to spell it out. I don't think it'll be so bad. You get used to it. I have to do it for mine.

xyzandabc · 13/02/2017 13:31

Ha ha, I have an Eilidh and live in England!

Never met another one south of the border (apart from one that DH went to school with 25 years ago). Yes she has to tell people how to pronounce it and spell it. And even when we've known them for years they still spell it wrong, even granparents (the English ones!). School christmas cards and birthday invitiations are always amusing, how many different spelling can we get.

We tell people it sounds like Hayley without the H, and spelt like ceilidh without the c.

I have a name that was always spelt wrong as a child, I like it.

NerrSnerr · 13/02/2017 13:31

I live in England and love Eilidh. Makes me think of the athlete Eilidh Doyle (was Childs).

xyzandabc · 13/02/2017 13:32

At the kids schools there are quite a few Isla and Aylas. Both pronounced the same.

mistermagpie · 13/02/2017 13:34

Im in scotland and Eilidh is as common as Isla here, more so maybe, I know more Eilidh's than Isla's anyway. Just wanted to point that out in case it was relevent with you moving back in the future.

As to the name, I really like it!

TheLivingAsheth · 13/02/2017 13:34

I think it would be fine. We had a Siobhan in my class when I was young and once we knew how to spell it everyone was fine. There are a few Niamhs around her (East Anglia) too. I wanted my sister to be called Eilidh 30 years ago (although I thought it was spelt Aily like in the Famous Five book) but mum went for Amy.

TheLivingAsheth · 13/02/2017 13:34

Here not her...

tabulahrasa · 13/02/2017 13:35

I have to spell my name and tell people how to say it, it's a pain right enough, but Eilidh is way more common than my name.

And I love Eilidh anyway, lol.

Most names are going to have issues, Isla/Islay is Evelyn, Eveh-lin or eev-lin.

strawberrypenguin · 13/02/2017 13:36

Even having seen it on here numerous times I've still got no idea how to pronounce it! So yes I think you will have to do a lot of spelling/ correcting pronunciation. I'm in the south of England if that helps

ScarletSienna · 13/02/2017 13:40

I only know one Eilidh (I'm im the south of England) and I think it's a lovely name. I am sure many people are familiar with the word ceilidh (dancing) so pronouncing it shouldn't be an issue plus saying Hayley without the H really helps!

LemonBreeland · 13/02/2017 13:41

I will just add that in my area of Scotland I don't know any young Eilidh's. It isn't common here. Also Isla isn't particularly common in Scotland I don't think, it is more popular in England. Ayla seems to be getting popular here, but I think that is a bit boring.

Original poster

marmitecheesetoast · 13/02/2017 13:41

Thanks guys, to be fair I have name that has about 4 different spellings so I've got used to always having to spell my first name (and since marrying DH my surname too!)

NerrSnerr I actually went to the same school as Eilidh Child/Doyle!

Bloodymaria DH was worried that Eilidh might be pronounced 'eye lid' if seen written down..

That's interesting mistermagpie from memory I think on the Scottish 2016 baby names record Eilidh was about 25 compared to Isla at number 4 but I wouldn't be surprised if it was rising up the ranks.

I think Alice is our joint second favourite, which would be more straightforward...

OP posts:

5moreminutes · 13/02/2017 13:41

I thought I knew how to pronounce that but now I realise thatI must have been thinking of another name entirely

You will have to decide in advance not to be upset or offended when people say or especially spell her name incorrectly. Sooften people give their children unusual names or even fairly common names with 86 different acceptable spelling options and then get upset that people spell the name incorrectly on birthday cards or party invitations.

If you can accept that "disposable" items will be spelt incorrectly even when you have told people the correct spelling (because people forget or get muddled or are doing two things at once etc) and won't spend the rest of your life stressing and taking offence about it and passing your own stress and offendedness on to your DD so that she has the same reaction as she gets older, then go for it.

It's a nice name and won't be a burden unless you make it one.

GooseyLoosey · 13/02/2017 13:42

I have 2 children each with Irish names and spellings. I think they like having to tell people how to say their names and the constant mispronunciation has never been an issue for me. Go for it if you really like the name.

Cosmicglitterpug · 13/02/2017 13:42

Go for it. I have a DD with a Scottish name in England that people are sometimes unsure how to spell, but it's fine. People will get it.

wishingona · 13/02/2017 13:44

It's a great now, fans of football with know there's Eilider Barber.

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