Girls’ names - unpopular list!

[Indecision2020]

Hello
I’ve name changed because I’ve discussed these options at length IRL and would like my other posts to be anonymous!

No one likes any of my options for my baby girl due this autumn. Let me know your favourite or any other suggestions!

I’m Irish, DH is English. We live in London and DS has a classic Irish first name.

Mary
Marie (pronounced marry)
Maud
Eliza
Ailbhe
Caroline
Anne

Mary - classic but plain
Marie (pronounced marry) - I like it but everyone would pronounce it Mah-ree
Maud - cute vintage, maybe a little clunky compared to some recent revivals
Eliza - cute with a spunky vibe
Ailbhe - I have no idea how to pronounce this, sorry
Caroline - classic
Anne - classic but plain

My favourite by far is Eliza, with Maud or Caroline as potentials middles

Love love love Ailbhe.

Not on your list but I like Ciara too.

I love Mairi but don't think you can name someone Mhairi, I think it changes if you are calling to them? I'm not sure.

I don't think Londoners struggle too much with Irish names, they're not that unusual.

A name I've only heard on Irish people is Jacinta! Which I think is beautiful.

Maud is not nice.

Mary lovely.

Caroline lovely.

Anne, classic. Also Jane.

I really don’t like any of them, sorry. With the exception of Ailbhe and Caroline they all sound like Victorian street urchins to me.

love Maud.

I used to know a lovely Marianne. Apologies, I don't have Netflix so haven't a clue about the character mentioned 😁

I wouldn’t say that Mari looks made up. I know a few people who spell it like that and and pronounce it marry (all Welsh, but not sure if the spelling is necessarily ‘Welsh’).

I like your list and love Marie pronounced marry although I get the potential problems with pronunciation and spelling (although I have a tricky name and it’s never bothered me having to correct people!). I have an Irish aunt called Marietta, which English people always thought was pronounced Marie-Etta but in was actually more like Marita (. Maybe another option for you! I wouldn’t let Normal People put you off Marianne either haha!
I don’t like Eliza so much, or Anne (makes me think of the slightly weak annoying character in Gone With the wind)

I really like Maude. Have always loved it and it’s so rare.

I like Annie for Anne.

Eliza is sweet too.

PP suggested Mhairi spelling but as a Scot that would be pronounced Varry

I'm Scottish but wouldn't use Mairi/Mhairi in England as many people would pronounce in with a long /a/ sound.

Yep I’m not using Mairi (or Mhairi for that matter, which as I understand it is incorrect unless you’re addressing her anyway) because I’m not Scottish.

I know Marianne Dashwood is a million times better than the Normal People character but sadly I doubt many people would make that connection. I can’t stand Sally Rooney so would drive me mad forever to have people think I named a child in honour of one of her characters!

There have been so many nice comments about so many of the names that I still can’t pick a front runner. I think I’m tending towards Mary or Maud because DH doesn’t mind those. He hates Caroline for some reason.

I adore Mary, Maud and Eliza. The rest are not for me, but certainly inoffensive, classic names.

What about Aine?

Or Emer?

Annie is lovely.

Maud/Maude is totally due a revival do it 😍. Maud Caroline is darling!

Maud Caroline is a great combination!

Though maybe not if your DH doesn't like it!

Aisling
Maria
Grainne
Meabh
Muirinn
Sinead
Ciara

Marie-Anne, Marie-Claire? Then you'd get the correct pronunciation.

Take inspiration from The Darling Buds of May & go for Mariette?

My grandmother was Marie, pronounced Marry. She was English, and lived in England. It was fine, no major issues, other than the fact the priest refused to christen her Marry, as he said there was no such name. However, I went to university with a Scottish girl, whose name was also pronounced Marry, and I remember our lecturers just couldn’t get it. They all insisted on calling her Mar-ree, despite her repeatedly telling them, “Like here comes the bride!”

I love Maud, and I love Caroline. I also like Anne.

Love Eliza , also Mary

Hhm, they're all a bit stodgy, OP. Except Eliza, which is beautiful. And Ailbhe, which is also lovely.

My favourite Irish girl's name is Muireann.

Yep stodgy is what my friends and family tend to think. I’m deliberately trying to avoid “cute” or babyish names so at least I seem to have achieved that!

I'm not a fan of the cutesie names either. You have great options in Eliza and Alibhe though. Suitable for all ages, and not ten-a-penny or bonkers.

If you like non-cute and you seem to like shorter names, how about something along these lines? I always think if Sigourney Weaver would suit the name, it's a good choice.

Nina
Erin
Ellen
Rosa
Stella
Iris
Cara
Julia
Miranda
Sorcha
Joely