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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Fiadh or Aoife in the UK

81 replies

Jacketandbeans · 25/02/2022 08:23

I started another thread looking for a name to go with our two Irish boys names.
We had pretty much written off the Irish girls names due to spelling issues with the ones that we like.
However I can't help feeling like she might wonder why she was the only one without an Irish name. Just wondered what people's thoughts are on these two
Aoife - Eefa
Fiadh - Fia (like Mia or Tia but with an F)

They both have beautiful meanings and I think Fifi would be a cute nickname for both of them. We live in England, interested to know if people would know how to pronounce them over here and thoughts on the names.
Thanks!

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Original poster
Jacketandbeans · 26/02/2022 12:10

Thanks for all the comments. I've been thinking about both with our surname and I actually don't think Aoife works!
Our surname sounds like Forbes
So Aoife Forbes
Fiadh Forbes

I like the alliteration but I find the F in Aoife that is so close to the F in the surname makes it hard to say!
I'm leaning towards Fiadh, as I like the option Fifi for a nickname and also like that it has a simplified acceptable spelling in Fia that she could use.

OP posts:
LizzieAnt · 26/02/2022 12:15

Fia is modern Irish OP, Fiadh an older spelling. Both are equally correct as names, though Fiadh is more popular. It's like Órla vs Órlaith, or Dónal vs Domhnall.

Goneback2school · 26/02/2022 12:16

I have a Fiadh, nearly 7 now. Its #1 girls name in ireland for 2021. Our English relatives have had no issue with learning or saying her name. It's a bit ridiculous to suggest that a 2 syllable name is unlearnable.

Thoosa · 26/02/2022 12:20

FWIW, I instantly recognised Aoife, although I’ve heard Eva, eefer, and efer pronunciations used by Aoifes in London. Fiadh I have never seen before and was trying to work out the pronunciation based on “claddagh” until I read your explanation.

Thoosa · 26/02/2022 12:21

(Which shows how confusing Irish diphthongs are to non-speakers) 🤷🏻‍♀️

SoupDragon · 26/02/2022 12:23

What part does the "DH" play in the pronunciation?

Thoosa · 26/02/2022 12:27

@SoupDragon

What part does the "DH" play in the pronunciation?
It’s driving me mad that I can’t think of the other common Irish word that ends with a silent “dh”.
KirstenBlest · 26/02/2022 12:28

It's a bit ridiculous to suggest that a 2 syllable name is unlearnable.

@Goneback2school, not Irish but try Lleucu.or Llio

KirstenBlest · 26/02/2022 12:32

Neither of those are unusual , and I'll add that on Coronation Street there's a Llio and they only get one of the three letters right.

Original poster
Jacketandbeans · 26/02/2022 12:33

@LizzieAnt I would definitely spell it Fiadh as I love the look of it and it looks more finished especially with our short one syllable surname.
But I love the fact that she would have an easier version if she turns out to be shy and doesn't want the embarrassment of people stumbling over her name at school or whatever Smile

I'm hoping it will get more popular over here now it is so popular in Ireland.

OP posts:
Thoosa · 26/02/2022 12:39

They’re both lovely.

SeanChailleach · 26/02/2022 13:07

@SoupDragon

What part does the "DH" play in the pronunciation?
Long ago the name was Fiad. The h shows the d has been softened. Like in the name Tadhg, there the dh changes the vowel from short "a" to long "i". Does that help?
YoComoManzanas · 26/02/2022 13:15

Just go with whichever you and the dad like.
I have a perfectly average, 2 syllable disney princess name and it still get misheard, mispronounced and renamed.

JenniferBarkley · 26/02/2022 13:28

I think Fiadh has become so popular so quickly in Ireland that it's going to date horribly.

I like Aoife but I know you've said it doesn't go with your surname.

What about a different Irish name like Aisling, Clodagh, Maeve (probably best to stick the with anglicised spelling), Niamh?

SoupDragon · 26/02/2022 14:01

Long ago the name was Fiad. The h shows the d has been softened.
Like in the name Tadhg, there the dh changes the vowel from short "a" to long "i".
Does that help?

Thank you 🙂

Classica · 26/02/2022 14:05

Ah, ná bí ag caoineadh, @Thoosa!

Thoosa · 26/02/2022 14:06

Thank you that helps. I’ll stop stressing about it now. Grin

Phyllis321 · 26/02/2022 14:11

This is totally my problem but Aoife sounds to me like part of the Cockney alphabet : 'A for 'orses' etc.

It's a lovely name though although I have a soft spot for Niamh.

KirstenBlest · 26/02/2022 14:15

@Phyllis321, Aoife is pronounced EE-fa not Ayfa.

I like Niamh too but you'll struggle to get it said as Nee-uv in the UK. It's not Neeve

Phyllis321 · 26/02/2022 14:22

I know, there's E for Adam or something. We had a ' fun lesson' at school about it once and it just stuck all these years.
Like I said, highly unlikely anyone else would make the association. They're all beautiful names.

KirstenBlest · 26/02/2022 15:00

I do hear E for ... and "All a... for Aoife and Orla, @Phyllis321*.

Fiadh falls into the Mia, Thea, Leah, Nia, Pryia, Croia trend

I'd look for a less popular name that is fairly easy to guess the spelling and pronunciation

mae2014 · 02/03/2022 14:52

LOVE fiadh, my niece is called Fiadh Belle x

honeyrider · 02/03/2022 16:10

Fiadh was the top girl's name in Ireland last year. I wouldn't be gone on it but I think Aoife is a beautiful name.

Indiana2021 · 02/03/2022 16:21

Lots of Aoife's around now, and it is a beautiful name. They'll likely be sitting in class with the many Eve's, Evie's and Eva's though.
It may end up bothering you having various similar sounding names. I get totally confused with who's who in DS class as there are a lot of them!

BonnieBlue88 · 02/03/2022 19:08

If you were in Ireland, I would say: these names are so common and boring 🙄
Might be unusual in the UK