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If you have an Irish name outside Ireland, do you like it?

27 replies

SundayMorningSun · 18/05/2019 08:14

So one of the names we're seriously considering is Aisling (Ash-ling). We love it, and it's not the most difficult of names to pronounce or spell, though it's not necessarily intuitive at first for people outside Ireland. We also think Ash is a cute nickname, which she could use more often if she really hated her name. (We hope she'd love it, but trying to plan ahead!)

My sisters-in-law both have Irish names that are relatively well-known outside Ireland. I asked them their opinion (not of the names we're considering specifically, but of Irish names in general). They both agreed that it can be a little irritating, but basically (a) it's a good ice-breaker with people, and (b) the rise of written communication like email and social media means that people generally get it right, because it's right there - lots less talking to people on the phone these days. And they both like their names a lot.

I have a 'classic' name with a lot of spelling variations - think Catherine - which I have to spell out every time. It's never particularly bothered me, although that might be partly because the pronunciation is clear. I also have a lot of friends who have given their children names they assumed were straightforward, but turned out to be pronounced or spelled wrong constantly (e.g. Hannah always spelled Hanna or mis-heard as Anna; Amelia spelled as Emilia or Amelie). So part of me thinks that at least we'd be prepared for some spelling, and it won't take us by surprise.

So - if you have an Irish name, particularly if you live/grew up outside Ireland, how do you feel about it? Do you love your name and its history? Or is it just not worth it?

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CupOhTea · 18/05/2019 09:01

I don't, but my dad does. We picked one which is easy to spell phonetically, for non Irish speakers.

I love Aisling and think people will get it. I live near London and there are quite a few little Aoifes knocking about. Also, one Blathnaid, which is frequently mispronounced.

CupOhTea · 18/05/2019 09:02

DS not dad!

Saharasunset · 18/05/2019 16:32

I know a few Niamh's whose families aren't even Irish

Aisling is lovely and I think people outside of Ireland will definitely be able to pronounce it

daisypond · 18/05/2019 20:03

Aisling is fine. Surely the comedian Aisling Bea is quite well known.

SnipSnop · 18/05/2019 21:15

Aisling is a pretty straightforward name so even if someone hasn't seen it before they'll probably make a decent guess at its pronunciation. Plus as pp mentioned Aisling Bea is becoming more well known.

I'm an Eimear. It's okaaaaay living with the name in the UK but I do often get bored of spelling and explaining my name. Other times it's fine. Depends on my mood. And that's before I get to my surname...

Caoimhes probably have it rougher though! Wink

SnipSnop · 18/05/2019 21:17

And the Blathnaid mentioned further up the thread, that must be a barrel of laughs for her!

lifebegins50 · 18/05/2019 21:24

Very funny vid in YouTube "how to order coffee with an Irish name"

YahBasic · 18/05/2019 21:29

Yes and I love it.

We’re thinking of giving future DCs Irish names - Caoimhe being an option Grin

SundayMorningSun · 18/05/2019 21:29

Thank you all, you're very helpful.

@SnipSnop Eimear is a lovely name. Don't start giving me ideas!

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YouKnowILoveYou · 18/05/2019 21:31

I hate my Irish name, hard to spell and pronounce ☹️

RoseReally · 18/05/2019 21:41

I hated it when I was younger. I grew up on the continent rather than the UK, although live in the UK now. Around the age of 4/5 I insisted on being called 'Emma' for a while.

Now I love it. I have a very Irish name (first, middle and surname) and I wear it with pride! I agree that it's an often an ice breaker. Only time it's annoying is at when making an appointment with the GP or something, but that's only a very minor annoyance. We gave DD an Irish name too. I hope she likes her name when she's older, I love it and it suits her so well.

GiveMeFiveMinutes · 18/05/2019 21:48

Thanks to this thread I've just ended up down a rabbit hole of Irish name pronunciation videos on YouTube.

Caoimhe was quite the surprise! As was Sorcha.

Anyway, Aisling is a lovely name, and I knew how to pronounce that one even without the YouTube videos.

BackforGood · 18/05/2019 21:52

I have friends in England, Aisling and Niamh, and neither like the fact their names sound nothing like they are written down to English eyes, and that nobody can spell them (even though I'd have thought Niamh is fairly well known). I have another friend too, who also hates her name, but I'm afraid I can't spell it to tell you Blush

CupOhTea · 19/05/2019 00:22

The Blathnaid I mentioned is only 4yo, but yes, I imagine it won't be easy for her explaining how to spell and pronounce her name when she's older! It was her mum who had the problems with pronunciation. When she was called at the well baby clinic etc, it kept being called out "blath-naid" (to rhyme with bath-laid).

Jaxhog · 19/05/2019 00:26

It's a lovely name! My name is constantly mispelled (there are many options). It's annoying, but I've learned to have a sense of humour about it.

MadeForThis · 19/05/2019 00:28

I think Aisling is an obvious pronunciation. Also love Aislinn which was on my baby list.

As you explained with Catherine, lots of people have names that can be spelled several ways.

giddyyup · 19/05/2019 00:32

I know an Odhran which no one can pronounce in English!

GlitterPixie · 19/05/2019 00:34

My sister is Blathnaid and she finds it hard enough in Ireland Grin

Anoisagusaris · 19/05/2019 00:39

In fairness, Odhran is hard enough for Irish people! I know one pronounced Or-awn and one pronounced O-drawn.

Although neither of those would sound correct in a British accent/dialect (??). I’m not sure how to do phonetically spell for non-Irish!

Deadringer · 19/05/2019 00:47

I have an Aisling. I love it. She never had any issues until she lived in the US, they couldn't get their heads around it there at all. They called her A -is -ling. She goes by Ash now. I have a younger DD with a more unusual Irish name, we have spent her whole life spelling it out, and that's in Ireland! If you are looking for an Irish name that is easy to pronounce and spell can I suggest Cara?

mathanxiety · 19/05/2019 07:57

I have an Irish name in the US. I like it.

I use people's response to it as a litmus test.

CupOhTea · 19/05/2019 08:04

Cara is also lovely.

I also really love Ailis, which I think can also be spelled Ailish. That's an easy to pronounce one.

barryfromclareisfit · 19/05/2019 08:07

Gosh, yes, I like it. Whenever I can get it. Hmmm.

Oh, the name? Nah, Barry is just fine.

SundayMorningSun · 19/05/2019 08:09

I use people's response to it as a litmus test.

I like this attitude, @mathanxiety.

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PoorRichard · 19/05/2019 08:16

What mathanxiety said, though I’ve lived all over the world before the UK, and have an unusual Irish language surname too. And DS has both an unusual (even in Ireland) Irish name, my surname and DH’s into the bargain.

However, if you’re the kind of person who chooses names on the basis that you can buy souvenir crap with Name X on it, or that the average dental receptionist will get it right first time, you should probably stick to Sophie.

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