Órla

[Yellowpolkadot]

I have adored this name since before having DD1, now pregnant with Dc2, we had agreed Thomas for a boy and Órla for a girl. This was until our recent visit to Ireland where DH read that Orla with no fada means vomit in Gaelic. Is it true that you cannot register a fada on the birth cert?

Would you just roll with it as very few people will know, insist on the fada when writing, or would you pick another name? If so any suggestions?

Dd1 is Niamh if it helps with suggestions😊

Why not use the Irish name for Orlaith, I think it’s a gorgeous name. A fada can’t be on birth certificates in Ireland.

Having had a lot of fun with the spelling of Niamh which is more common than Orlaith we are keen to stick to something relatively straight forward... it is still a consideration though if we can’t agree.

In my mind lots of people have baby Amelia’s 🤷🏻‍♀️ They either know the medical term and ignore or just don’t know...

It's lovely. Just use it.

If you're not living in Ireland, I don't see the big deal. Orla is a lovely name.

I wouldn't worry about it, Orla is a gorgeous name!

I did not know about the Amelia medical term...just googled it! Wow.

I am Irish and I have never heard that. Most Orlas don’t use the dada anyway. It doesn’t need it.

I'm Irish & I've a niece called Orla. It's a very popular & traditional Irish name that no-one I've ever known associates with "vomit" (it's only one of many words for it) You'll have no problems calling her Orla, it's a beautiful name. Congratulations & best wishes for the happy event

Orla is a beautiful name.
(As is Niamh!)

Ignore any slightly odd name meanings: my friends were nearly put off using it for their now 3 yr old Orla by a 'helpful' comment from scaremongering Jewish Granny about the similar-sounding Rabbinical term...
coughs

(Nobody else, Jewish or not, has been even remotely concerned).

And Cecilia, Claudia, Kennedy, Cameron etc. etc. are used regardless of literal meanings.

I'm Irish and speak Irish to a good enough level and have never heard this! I think it's a gorgeous name. Golden haired princess!!! I wouldn't worry about the fada if it makes life difficult.

I'm Irish, have friends called Orla and have never heard the vomit thing before. Just use it.

You are making something out of nothing. But I have to admit, I love the 'Orlaith' spelling as well.

I have a fada on my name and it's on my birth certificate (albiet over the wrong vowel a instead of e)

My DD is Orla 😊
Never ever heard about what you’ve mentioned, ever.
I still love the name - we don’t know any other Orla’s (London) and there was only one other at her primary school,
It’s quite unusual, without being ‘out there’.

I had no idea about Amelia either. And it is fairly common I think, though becoming less so.

As for Orla: I know of two in the same circle of friends but none in DS school. I think Orla Kiely will be people's first assoc.

I adore both Orla and Amelia and they’re now both ruined for me!!

I think it’s a moot point and not important as people won’t generally know this sort of thing. Orla is such a beautiful name and unusual enough whilst being classic. I’d still go with out...but I do think ignorance is bliss!

I wouldn't worry about it, OP. In Irish Seán is the approximation for John, pronounced Shawn, and sean means old, pronounced shan. But nobody thinks Sean means old when they see it in a name context. Ireland is mostly populated by English speakers who wouldn't even know about the vomit thing. Orla is a recognised spelling of the name in Ireland. You get all sorts here, people sticking fadas where they don't belong and leaving them off where they do. I'd imagine Órla should be pronounced more Oar-la than Or-la but I mainly hear the latter. Ciaran should be Ciarán and pronounced to rhyme with Seán with awn at the end, but both are used in Ireland. There are lots of similar examples. Éamon often appears without the fada.

Orla is beautiful

Just about my favourite Irish name
Just slips mellifluously off the tongue

I live in Ireland and I've never heard that it means vomit. Most people wouldn't know enough Irish to know that if it's true!!!