Fiadh or Elva?

[CarlyAM]

We’re having a gender scan next week at 18 weeks, and I’ve been playing around with girl names. I’m set on Irish names as I feel it gives my kids a part of my heritage in their name, but torn between Fiadh and Elva. Both go with middle names I like too, Belle and Rose. Would be good to hear thoughts on what combo other like! We already have a son called Ciarán Shea.

Of those two, probably Fiadh.

I also love Alva or Ailbhe, rather than Elva.

I love them both! However I'm not keen on either with your chosen middle names, sorry. I think they spoil what are two fantastic names and make them a bit fluffy.

Elva isn't an Irish name, you can tell from looking at it. Ailbhé is though.

Fiadh far nicer anyway.

Elva is like elver...like baby eel

@HotCrossBumsticks

Elva isn't an Irish name, you can tell from looking at it. Ailbhé is though.

Fiadh far nicer anyway.

Eilbhe is the correct spelling

Either way, Elva is not.

@HotCrossBumsticks I know Elva is an anglicised version of Ailbhé, but wasn’t sure on this.

Definitely leaning more towards Fiadh. Open to middle names too, I’m not dead set yet.

Not mad about either - I think Fiadh sounds like Thea mispronounced, and if you are not in Ireland no one will know how to pronounce or spell . Elva I don't mind but think there are nicer names out there - Niamh, Aoife, Aisling, Orla, Oona, Caitlin - I know there are some Irish spellings in there, but much better known.

I think if you’re outside Ireland, Fiadh will be pronounced Fee-add, not sure what the correct pronunciation is

I like them both but they don't 'go' with your middle names at all. Choose middle names with some family or personal meaning.

@Tibtab Fiadh is pronounced Fee-a, basically like Fia but just dh added in Irish spelling

Fiadh is lovely.

I knew a nasty Elva once, probably now late 40's/50 but I cannot forgive the name .

Heaven help her when she gets to phonics!

They both sound like sweet names.

The nasty Elva was in rural Ireland in the late 80's so either the parents had fancy notions or it passes as Irish

Oh, maybe it was Elga....never mind, Fiadh is much nicer. But was on Twitter recently that it is in the top ten of popular Irish girl baby names (though most comments were that they didn't know any Fiadh's).

I'll go again the grain and say I prefer Elva (or Alva). Fiadh sounds too close to fear for my preference.

I like Elva, I suggested it to my DH but he said it made him think of baby eels like a PP said! That wouldn't have put me off though.

The actors Jamie Dornan and Amelia Warner have a DD called Elva so it will probably become less unusual over the next few years.

Both nice - I'd probably go for Elva Rose.

If your DD is likely to grow up in a place where Irish spelling isn’t well known - I’m English- Fiadh should be easy to pronounce once learnt.

I just just tried to look up pronunciation of Eilbhe and still not sure but I prefer the meaning.

Fiadh

Thanks everyone, we live in the SW of England so shouldn’t be too difficult for people to work out. Although saying that, some are still getting their heads arpund the fact that Ciarán doesn’t start with a ‘K’ lol! Loving Fiadh more and more, just need a nice middle name now. But definitely helps having your opinions

I LOVE fiadh! :) it's such a lovely name I also think fiadh rose is really pretty!

Fiadh will sound like Fear and Thea.

Elva sounder like Elver, a baby eel.

Fiadh is also a bit like Fiaz, a boy's name

Eilbhe is nicer IMO

If you're in the SW, you avoid the confusion with Thea/"sounds like fear" problem anyway!

Like a PP, I would pick a family name for the middle name. (Your name? Your mum's name?)

Or otherwise, I'd go either very classic or nature-y.

Fiadh Catherine
Fiadh Charlotte
Fiadh Bryony
Fiadh Hazel
Fiadh Rowan