Aoife

[namedecisionshelp]

Honest opinions of this name?

I really don't like this name and can't understand why it's becoming so popular in England. It will be constantly misheard as Eva and it doesn't even look nice. It just looks like a random combination of letters. I realise it's an Irish name and generally I have nothing against using names from other places and cultures, but to me this one doesn't seem right in English.

LotusClover that's because it's not English, it's Irish, a completely different language, and follows the phonetic rules of that language.

My children do have Irish citizenship and an Irish surname so fairly strong connections.

Everyone on here seemed to know how it's pronounced so hopefully that wouldn't be an issue

Irish is not unphonetic at all.

it doesn't even look nice

This is total opinion! not fact.

Irish is a very phonetic language. If you speak Irish you will see immediately how a word should be pronounced due to the arrangement of the letters. Unlike in English where words with the same arrangement of letter should can have different pronunciations- eg. Heard and beard- door and poor- cough and slough.

I've always wondered how it's pronounced. I would have said ay-off

Beautiful name

Ay oi fee if you’re not from the U.K.

Exactly, Chandler. Once you know the phonetic sounds in Irish you can work out how to pronounce every word or name.

The letter combination 'Aoi' in Irish makes the sound 'ee' in English.

I'm english and im sure I've always been aware of the name and the correct pronouncing of it. It's not that unusual. Its actually always been a favourite of mine. Luckily i found myself a fiance who is half irish with a strong Irish surname, its top of our girls name list.

Poor child will struggle with phonics!!!

Also 'it doesnt event look nice'?!? The way it looks written down is what attracted me to the name, I literally think the way its written looks beautiful on the page

I think it’s dreadful sorry.

@Mischance if you base your child’s name on what works with phonics you are going to be seriously limited...there are absolutely tons of standard English names (and indeed English words) which don’t comply with the phonics rules: Christopher, Michael, Charlotte, John for a start!

Beautiful name.

It's such a perfect name. It was high on my list and would be my choice for another girl.

Yes I like.

As long as your prepared to accept lots of mistakes over spelling and punctuation go for it.

I teach in an English secondary school have taught a few - everyone seems able to grasp the pronunciation and spelling quite easily.

It just looks like a random combination of letters. I realise it's an Irish name and generally I have nothing against using names from other places and cultures, but to me this one doesn't seem right in English.

wtf!

Lovely name - I was going to use it for my first but ended up going for another name.

I was living in the Middle East at the time and no one has any problems pronouncing my children’s names once I say it to them. Similarly I had to learn how to pronounce other peoples names there as well - it’s rudeness not to even bother if you know the person

Beautiful name.

I am astounded at the comments on MN about Irish names. If you said the same about a name from Nigeria or India or any country you would be lynched.

Very ugly name. Sorry.

Historically, us Irish, and all the other British/colonised nations, had to learn how to pronounce English names. It’s not that hard.

@thatmustbenigelwiththebrie do you think the name Eva is ugly too or is it just the spelling you have an issue with? (genuine question)