Irish names for a girl

[HarrietM87]

I’m Irish, DH is English, baby will have DH’s English surname and live in London. Our DS has a standard (though uncommon) Irish boy’s name (similar to Sean - ie Irish spelling but generally recognised in England so not many issues with pronunciation or spelling so far).

I’m pregnant and if it’s a boy we’ll probably go for Patrick (just saw another thread on this - love the name!).

If it’s a girl we’d like to give her an Irish name but ideally nothing that will cause her too many problems, and also don’t want to use an anglicised spelling. Can’t use Aoife, Niamh, Meabh, Eimear, Orla or Derbhla due to close friends/family.

Any suggestions of names that fit these criteria (ie recognisably Irish but straightforward-ish spellings)? My absolute favourite is Ailbhe but I think that might be difficult for English speakers and if it’s spelled Alva it loses the Irish connection completely. Also love Nora but DH hates because of “bloody Nora”. Also considering names which aren’t Irish as such but commonly used in Ireland like Mary and Anne. All suggestions welcome!

Kila

That’s not Irish.

Cara or friend

Fiadh, it means "wild"

Cara
Alana
Macushla ( my darling - Mo chuisle )
Darina

Aine?
Eileen

Eithne
Liadan
Muireann
Dymphna
Fionnuala
Caoilfhionn
Lasairfhiona
Brigid/ Bridget

naureen- my daughter’s name... it’s a Irish spelling...

Fia (or Fiadh)
Áine
Eabha (ava)
Cara
Dara
Gobnait ()
Maeve
Noirín
Ríona

Tiarna (pronounced Tierna), alternative spelling Tiernagh

Eira is Welsh for snow.

I knew an Eilish, I love the name.

Fáinte (pronounced Fawn Cha)

We're in the same boat and went for Cara.

naureen- my daughter’s name... it’s a Irish spelling.

No it’s a Muslim girl’s name.

Noirín is the Irish name of the same sound.

I've no idea if British people would struggle with those

I have no idea how to pronounce 99% of them

I do like Aisling though. And Nuala though I have heard it’s an old ladies name

I asked for ones that are easy to spell and got Sadhbh 🤣! I actually love it but think Sive looks crap.

Aine is lovely though. And Bridget! Can’t decide whether that one is too old lady for me...I’m on the fence.

Yeah you’ve got some lovely ones to pick from

It’s not just easy spelling though. It’s pronunciation.

I am not a stupid person. But I have no experience with Irish names so a lot of these are impossible for me to know how to pronounce....

I have a girl friend called Dara who is Irish but I have seen that Dara is usually a boys name in Ireland! Also Fionn?

This is outing, but I’m same situation as you ie English DH, live in london (but no DS) and we went for Ailbhe. I felt the same about anglicising it.

I absolutely love it, everyone does, once it’s explained ie “it’s pronounced AlVa” there are no issues. Sometimes I use the opportunity to explain bh/mh...

On first sight we get some “albie” or “ailbie” attempts but in london loads of kids have names that aren’t instantly recognisable to all. Plus there’s a couple of journo / radio ailbhes now.

The only persistent issue we’ve had is the English grandparents deciding to call her Alba, but that’s another thread.

If you love it, go for it.

Fionn is definitely male, Fiona female

Dara (IMO) is female. Daragh and Darragh are the male spelling.
It's a beautiful name

Another vote for Norah or Maeve. Lovely names and very easy to pronounce.

My guess would be that there are very few Irish names really instantly recognisable in England. I’d make a list of
Sinéad (but I see that’s gone)
Roisín
Saoirse (maybe)
Fionnuala
Niamh
Orla

Not sure people would be able to pronounce them all, mind, but they’d recognise them. I genuinely don’t think there are many names people know. 🤔

As someone with an Irish name who has grown up in foreign lands I can tell you you just deal with it - but none of my children have Irish names. I couldn’t find one I wanted that was easy enough for foreigners. My eldest comes closest with an anglicised but Irish middle name.

I think it might be lovely to bring back Bridget, Eileen, Kathleen or Maureen! Go retro. Or Eilish - it’s lovely and how in the name of God could anyone mangle it.

Oonagh

Eimear

I adore the name Bridget!

Another one to say Ciara... biased as I have one, and my goodness the trouble people have pronouncing it on England!

But I love her name. It means little dark haired one. And mine is is fair as the day is long. If I had the chance to name her again, then Roisin or Orla would have been on the agenda...

Please don't go with Bridget. Far too outdated in my opinion.

Eabha is a beautiful name.