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

Thanks so much everyone for all the feedback.

I’d really like to give her an Irish name but have ruled pretty much all of them out for various reasons (the ones that are easier to spell are mostly used by family, and I don’t want to use one with a spelling that would be too problematic in England).

I have always loved Ailbhe but my issue with it is there are just so many Isla/Ava/Ada/Ida/Eva/Evie’s around and though it looks completely different it does fit that pattern. Also as many pps have shown on this thread, the pronunciation isn’t obvious and anglicised to Alva you lose the Irish connection completely which is a big part of it for me.

A lot of the other names on my list - Mary, Marie, Maud, Anne - have strong Irish connections without actually being Irish names which is why I like them. (Also why I’m not going to use a Welsh or Scottish version).

I’m still really struggling to decide! I think I’ve ruled out Marie because of pronunciation. And if she isn’t a Mary as her first name it will almost certainly be her middle name. That’s as far as I’ve got.

Would you consider Darerca - Dar air ka. ?
It is an Irish saint's name.

The only name I would actively discount from your list is Maud. It is ugly and clunky.

Marie is nice, but people won't automatically pronounce it Marry. I used to know a Marie who pronounced it Marry and without fail she had to correct people the first time she met them, and beyond that in many cases too.

I like Irish names, but mostly I admit that I do need the spelling and pronunciation explained to me. It isn't automatic.

I think that they are all lovely names. If you like Marie but are concerned about mispronounciation, how about Marianne? It has the ‘marry’ sound there, but I guess that’s losing the Irish connection?

I like the historical connection of Maud to Maud Gonne Mc Bride but I don't like the look of it or the sound of it.
I think of maudlin.

Alana ( pet/ darling ) is a lovely Irish name.
As is Cara ( friend )

Maud is one of those old lady names that seem to be doing the rounds atm
A lot of the names I would associate with the 1950s/60s

If I had to choose one it would have to be Eliza.

Have you considered spelling it Marrie, I said before I know two little girls with it spelt that way and it doesn't confuse anyone.

I love all of them!

A little Caroline would be a refreshing change. And Caro is a cute nickname.
Eliza is lovely too.

As others have said, it will be hard to dictate the pronunciation if you go for Marie---I would always say "muh-REE" if I saw this written down, and if I heard of someone whose name was pronounced "marry" I would assume they were a Mari or Mhairi.

Yes Caro is lovely and you could go for Carrie too. Caroline is sensible and grown-up but a bit frilly too. Very versatile.

Really love Maud. Ailbhe is gorgeous, though I admit I had to look up the pronunciation!! Quite like Eliza too.