Tadhg or Tighe?!

[Marrilou]

Hi all, would really value your opinions. I live in London and my husband's family is Irish. There's only one boy's name I really love: Tadhg which is Irish and pronounced Ty-g (like tiger without the 'r' sound at the end). However, I am not sure whether to spell it the traditional Irish way or use the anglecised version which is Tighe. My husband is called Eoin and is forever being called Ian/Ewan etc or being asked how to pronounce his name and I worry if we use the traditional spelling we'll be condemning the baby to a lifetime of the same... Does anyone have an opinion on this?!

The one I know pronounces it more like ‘Tea-g’, just to add an extra level of confusion!

There's a Tadgh in DC's school that mostly gets called Todger or Todge.

Go with the proper spelling. People will only need to ask once how to pronounce it. Once they’ve heard it they’ll be able to say it. It isn’t a tricky pronunciation. Anyone who says they can’t pronounce it after hearing it is being a twat.

Tangent: what is it about Irish names that terrifies so many English people that they think children will have an horrific life with that name in London? as if London isn’t multicultural or something.

I’m not quite sure why you’ve picked a name that’s so hard to pronounce

It’s not hard to pronounce. Can you say “tag”? I’m sure you can. Try it out loud in front of a mirror. You can do it. I believe in you.

I have an Irish name in London and have “lumbered” my children with Irish names too. There are over 40 ethnicities represented in my daughters school and her classmates have names from all over the world and seem unbothered by it!

Tadhg is a lovely name, easy to pronounce once you’ve heard it. I know people who have given their children “anglicised” versions of Irish names- Shawn, Keeva etc and it hurts my eyes somewhat (though I’d obviously never be rude enough to tell anyone that!).

I met a little Tadhg in London a couple of weeks ago. Wouldn't bat an eyelid at it.

I've also met three Caoimhes and four Niamhs, a couple of Saoirses, a Cillian and a Seamus and probably more I don't remember. Variant spellings are to be expected as well as a bit of name snobbery but that's all par for the course and not worth getting upset about.

I've always thought my own name is a horrid one (and certainly it is considered dated and ugly in Ireland, so it's quite rare) but people of all ethnicities in London, where I have lived for 15 years, often compliment it. Particularly the British. They're generally not afraid of a foreign name despite what mumsnet threads might have you believe.

Crack on and do as you wish. Just please not with the d next to the g like Tadgh or Tidgh, I am scrolling through this thread reminding myself not to say "tadge" or "tidge" when I see those!

It’s a beautiful name in sound and meaning. My boys have Irish names and they are very proud of them.

And I was always very jealous of my brother’s Irish name even with people mispronouncing it sometimes!

Just an update, baby boy was born a fortnight ago and have called him Tadhg which suits him perfectly. Thanks again for the comments which I found v.helpful! X

Congratulations OP

Glad you went with the Irish spelling, Tadhg is gorgeous.

Neither, both will make his life in London difficult

BS, as someone who was born in the late 90s in London with a gealic name my life was never difficult & I liked being unique. Besides so many children in London have "different" names & children aren't prejudiced. Yes someone struggled to pronounce it so what.

Thankfully not another Harry, Oliver, Olivia or Amelia!

Its lovely, spell it the Irish way! I live in London and know a couple of Tadhg's (one in his 30s and one primary school age). It's one of those names that's easier as an introduction verbally to master than when people see it written down. But once people get it, they'll get it! Best friend is called Rocío (Spanish dad) which is pronounced Roh-see-oh but she's had Rocky-oh, Ro-sho and everything in between since we were at school - she doesn't mind! She's proud to explain it to people and say "it's Spanish".

To be honest the Anglicized form isn't that much easier, people may see that and think 'Tig' or 'Tig-hee'? Go for Tadhg!

Congrats OP and little Tadhg!

Tadgh.

Sorry didn’t read! Congratulations 🥳

LOVE IT - and a bit jealous!

Tadgh 100%

Sorry didn’t read the comments, glad you went with it congratulations xxx

Tadhg is great!

I think it's getting a bit more popular (I know 2 little Tadhgs in my toddlers circle) so people will become more familiar with it - I'd definitely stick with the Tadhg spelling. I think it's a really lovely name (but we're too close to one of them to really ever use it.)

Id pronounce Tighe like "Tie" - I know of a few people with Tighe as a surname pronounced this way.

I went to secondary school with a Tadgh in England where there definitely weren’t many Irish names but we soon learnt his name and never mispronounced it. Supply teachers struggled but you tell them once and they know so I’d go with the traditional spelling.

It always surprises me how many people are averse to a name like tadgh but wouldn't hesitate to call a child Isabella when its Spanish and they should really use elizabeth if they are sticking to their rules. I'm in NZ OP and noone would bat an eyelid at a Gaelic spelling.

Congratulations! Love the name Tadhg! And I'd know how to pronounce it (SE England) as I once dated one