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!

Bridget makes me think of Bridget Jones, and for that reason, I find it endearing

Étáin. ( Pronounced Ay-thawn)
Lúan
Éabha
Deirdre
Aisling

@AlwaysOnAbloodyDiet another reason not to pick it! Shit film!

Erin and Cara.

I knew Irish siblings Caoimhe and Fianna which I thought were both pretty cool!

(Caoimhe admittedly is not ticking your ease boxes, but our English staff group picked it up pretty quickly to be honest)

Have to agree that Ciara is lovely though

Lúan

Who's naming their daughters 'monday'?

Oh, Labhaoise is rather lovely. I like Gráinne and Áine but they might cause pronunciation issues.

Cushla
Saorla
Sorcha

Cliona
Alma
Aine
Cait

OP surprised no one has suggested Cora. It's beautiful, Irish and easy to spell. Perfect for you

Laoise is an easier spelling of Labhaoise but my friend is called that in ireland and people have trouble with it!

I don’t think Cora is an Irish name Hepzibar

Áine (Awe-nya)
Gráinne (Grawe-nya)
Saorise(seer-sha)
Muireann (mwir-an)
Cáitlín (Koch-leen)

I asked for ones that are easy to spell and got Sadhbh 🤣

Also Lasairfhiona! Ailbhe is lovely. The only straightforward ones I can think of are Cara, Emer, Orla and you’ve ruled out the last two of them.

Aine or Roisin

Bronagh

Aobh
Aoibhe
Ceilidh
Aine
Eadaoin
Meadh

What about Bríd instead of Bridget?

Not sure if it’s been said but A name from Irish mythology
Étain

Like Finnola from children of lit

OP: I want Irish names that won't cause issues living in England.

Posters: how about Caoimhe, Sadhbh, Lasairfhiona or Caoilfhionn

😂

I like Mairead actually - it's really pretty, not totally ubiquitous like Niamh etc but fairly easy to deal with in England I think.

My SIL is Irish and called her DS Caoimhe. They live in England. We just all learned to spell it because its her name! People spell simple names wrong all the time, or get the wrong versions, like Ann or Anne and Katie or Katy - people will either care enough to get it right or they won't. I reckon just pick the one you love most!

Aithne is lovely!

My SIL is Irish and called her DS Caoimhe.

Her DS?!

I actually think Caoimhe is becoming really popular and will eventually become as well known as Niamh and more recently Saoirse in England.

I love the name Ordharna but my severely, very dyslexic husband wasn't keen. Our daughter's a Niamh instead which is off your limits; I'd love to hear of other Odharna's.

PS, I think I Siobhan's boring but that's due to the name of one of my siblings.