Eilis

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I love the name Eilis, but it seems to be one of those names that even Irish people pronounce differently from each other! Eg. the character in the film Brooklyn is Ey-lish (first syllable rhymes with hey) but Colm Toibin, who wrote the novel, says he prefers the pronunciation Eye-lish.

I realise there's also an Ailis spelling, but I'm less keen on that (no idea why).

I really like the Ey-lish (hey) pronunciation and the Eilis spelling. Is that a reasonably common pronunciation (whether you are Irish or English)? Is it the sort of thing people will get once they've been told? Does the film help?

(NB I know there's also Eilís/Ailís, but I prefer the short second syllable.)

Ive never heard of it, and not a fan. I don’t even know where it’s a male or female name! You might be setting your child with lifelong difficulties in regards to pronounciation etc. I’m sorry but that’s my opinion.

I’m Irish and have only seen the Ailis (and Ailish) spelling. It’s a lovely name. One of my absolute favourites! Don’t care which spelling, but if I was using it, living in England as I do, I’d probably go with Ailish. But they’re all nice.

Fwiw, when I saw the thread title, I immediately thought; “oh that’s a different spelling of Ailis”, not; “is that Ailis or Eye-lish?”

It's such a lovely name. I know one and it's said as Elle- iss

Thanks Chubsy, that's helpful!

No worries, confused, though I'm surprised you've never heard of it. I recommend the film! Not worried about spelling, it's no harder than Siobhán (arguably easier).

Never seen it before I’d have thought it was pronounced Eye liss however as you say there are harder names - they will spend their whole life correcting people but otherwise it’s a nice name

I’ve only known it pronounced Ay, as in ‘day wish’. And it will only be as confusing as any Irish name in a non Irish country . I expect you will get some saying the correct pronunciation is eye, probably depends on where in Ireland you come from as to which is commonly used. Also I’ve only known girls who spell it with the E.

I had a friend with this name pronounced ey-lish. Lovely name, very pretty. Go for it if you like it! My son has an Irish name and I dont regret it for a moment.

Thanks Kukumbr and Judas (day wish is a cute mnemonic!).

I read it as Ellis. If I’d seen it written I’d assume it was a misprint.

I thought ‘Aylish ‘ was spelled Eilidh?

I know a child with a name pronounced ‘Aylish’, but not sure of the spelling.

:English numpty:

I read it as Ellis. If I’d seen it written I’d assume it was a misprint

Me too! I had to look again properly when OP started talking about pronunciation

I think Eilidh is Scottish. Thought it was pronounced Ay-lee... Could be wrong obviously!

Eilidh rhymes with ceilidh if it’s ay-lee. So that would make sense if it’s scottish. I don’t know how an Irish speaker would pronounce Eilidh... is there an idh sound in Irish? Would it be a bit like ay-ligg?

Hopefully someone who ACTUALLY speaks Irish can come along and help !

Yes, Eilidh is Scottish and Ay-lee. Different name!

Ailis = Ale-ish (for me in Ulster) Ay-lish (in all the websites.
EilÍs= Pronunciation varies.

irishwishes.com/girl-names/

www.lyberty.com/encyc/articles/irish_names.html

www.ireland101.com/irish-baby-names

Sorry, no fada on the second I in Eilis.

In Scotland, Eilis/Ailis usually has the 'ay' sound at the beginning - 'Ay-lish' - just like (as previous poster said) Eilidh (though, as another poster said, that is a completely different name).

Neither name is 'Celtic' (however defined) in origin.They are Gaelic versions of classic international names:
Eilis/Ailis is a version of Elizabeth or Alice
Eilidh is a version of Helen/Ellen

Love it, but I would assume eye-lish pronunciation. I’m English btw.

We have an Ellis, everyone loves his name. Have met a female Ellis as well, never had anyone struggle to pronounce it!

The name isn’t Ellis greenjojocat. it’s Eilis.

I'm Irish and I'm never sure of the pronunciation of Eilis/Eilís. I wonder is it a dialect thing? Ay in some places, Eye in others? Like Keeva vs Queeva for Caoimhe maybe.

English here and thought 'aylish' pronunciation. Beautiful name! Most people only need telling once how to say a name so I'd say go for it!

I love it I know it on boys and girls and suits both! Probably prefer it for a girl though