Anglicisations of Irish names

[Snowbell99]

I am just curious. What are your thoughts on anglicisations? Do you love them because they make things easier? Hate them because they ruin the beautiful original? Indifferent? Depends on the name?

I love many Irish names and this is just something I think about every once in a while. I am curious to hear your opinions.

I know several people named Shaun, Ailish, Eavan, Ashling and Neve. I feel like spellings such as these are being used less and less often. I also feel like people care more about fadas and using them properly.

A friend was thinking about Seersha for a while but people online got really upset because they found it inacceptable that she "butchered" the spelling. I personally much prefer Saoirse as well but I don't hate Seersha.

Also, do you think the acceptance of anglicisations has declined over the years? I sort of feel like this is the case. Anglicisations used to be more common from my experience, even in Ireland. But now the originals seem to be used more often, even more complicated names. I am wondering if this has something to do with the internet and people being able to look things up more easily. In the 90s you might have heard a more unusual Irish name and it would have been harder to figure out what the original was.

For me it really depends on the name. I am so used to Kiera and Keira for Ciara that they look perfectly fine to me. To be honest, the first time I saw Ailish it looked pretty bad to me and I find Ailis much prettier. But I got used to it. Seersha isn't really a favourite either I find Saoirse prettier.

For me personally in many cases I think I'd rather explain myself all my life than have the anglicisation of an Irish name but people might feel differently about this and even my children might and they may not appreciate being named Éadaoin or whatever I end up choosing. But I am curious to hear what you think. You can also name examples.

Mine:

Kiera - this actually looks nice to me and I would consider it if Keira hadn't been so common and I wouldn't be worried about people mixing them up. I also like Ciara, though.

Ailish - it looks more like an adjective that way and makes me think of "ailing", "fish" and "dish" therefore I really prefer Ailis. I am getting used to it, though.

Keeva and Seersha - I think they look sort of awkward but still okay. But I find Caoimhe and Saoirse much more beautiful.

Aideen - I prefer Éadaoin but Aideen looks fine to me.

Ashling - it doesn't look terrible at all, but I still like Aisling better.

Eavan - I prefer Aoibheann, the spelling is part of the appeal for me personally.

What is the most interesting anglicisation you have seen? What is your favourite? Least favourite?

I tend to dislike the anglicised versions, especially if the pronunciation is changed.

I don't really approve of names from another culture or language, or one you only have a tenuous link.

The objection I have is that the anglicised spelling or pronunciation becomes mainstream, or the name becomes too popular and ends up being a Kevin or Kelly type name.

Nothing wrong with the names Kevin and Kelly - I know very nice ones - other than they are dated

i am native English speaker but not British (or Irish) born.

Doesn't bother me when any (new baby name being bestowed) name is anglicised from another culture.

I Spanishify my own name when I introduce myself in Spanish.

Kaitlyn annoys me.

Pronounced Kate Lynn

Worst ones are IMO Killian (I just see Kill Ian) and Shevaughan and other similar spellings of Siobhan. Kieran, Kaitlyn etc are quite naff IMO

And regardless of what anyone on here says, people will struggle with a spelling/pronunciation that isn't obvious.

I say that from my own experience and have beeen bullied about my name, and been told things like 'How the fuck do you say that?'

Oh, sorry to hear that you have been bullied that is terrible.

I also see "kill Ian" when I see Killian. But I am so used to it that it doesn't bother me much.

As for Kaitlyn, I dislike the spelling but I don't mind Katelyn because to me it's not the Irish name but just Kate + Lyn(n).

Depends on the name and how well-established the spelling is.

Maeve, Aidan and Rory are totally acceptable, I think. But I get why people might prefer Méabh, Aodhán and Ruairi (etc). I think Méabh looks awesome, to be fair.

I'm not so keen on K spellings, like Kieran etc.

There are differences in the pronunciation too, of course, so it depends how you want to say it too.

As an Irish person living in the UK I decide not to risk a ‘proper’ Irish name for me kids, lumbering them with spelling it forever and having it mispronounced all the time.
Not helped as we have a complicated surname too.

So dodged the issue.
Not a huge fan of the Anglicising of any Irish names but can see why people do it.

Baby boy names :-

What do people think of these?
His sister is called Darcy Eden

Jacob Zachary
Zachary Jacob
Oliver Jacob
Leo Jacob

There are differences in the pronunciation too, of course, so it depends how you want to say it too.

I think this is what irritates me about the anglicisation of names, is that the pronunciation is often off when the spelling is changed. Like for me if someone said my name is Keeva I wouldn't associate it with Caoimhe at all because I live in the West and we pronounce it as Kweeva. Eavan, I thought you were trying to spell Eimhin. The Irish language has sounds that the English language doesn't and I don't really feel that it translates.

@Ashleyjk, they aren't anglicised versions of irish names

Eavan - I still don't know how to say it

Can’t delete my comment. Posted on wrong thread

Eve-Ann?

Absolutely cannot understand when people make up their own spellings of beautiful classic Irish names.(yes, I am Irish)
There are so many stunning Irish names, why uglify them and dishonour them with stupid anglicised version.
I Iove
súin
Doireann
Saoirse
Caoimhe
Clodagh
Bronagh
Meabh
Érin
Fiadh
Dearbhla

@Ashleyjk, they are all nice but popular. Look at darkgreener or ons if you want popularity stats

The stats only covers England and Wales

I'm not really for or against Anglicising names, but I just wonder at the choice of a name that will always be pronounced and spelled incorrectly if you live in another culture. Especially if you are aware of it (like having lived in the country for a while).

My Dad was French, but my parents chose names that were easily said and spoken in English (Canada).

@KirstenBlest

Eavan - I still don't know how to say it

The one I know is EE-ven and it is Aoibheann in Irish.

Seersha? God no I've always known it as Éilis, not Ailis and think Éilis is far superior. Yes some are v much accepted now, mentioned by pp above but the Seersha example, imo, is not a name as such, just the phonetic version of Saoirse. So it's a mahoosiveno from me

@HeyGirlHeyBoy

Seersha? God no I've always known it as Éilis, not Ailis and think Éilis is far superior. Yes some are v much accepted now, mentioned by pp above but the Seersha example, imo, is not a name as such, just the phonetic version of Saoirse. So it's a mahoosiveno from me

I have only ever seen Eilís (said EYE-leesh) and Ailís (said AY-leesh) in Ireland.

In Scotland I have know Ailis (AY-lish) and Aylish (AY-lish) as well as Ailish (AY-lish).

The name is a spelling/pronunciation nightmare because of several anglicisations and the fact that people tend to mix up Ailis, Ailís, Eilís, Éilis etc. As far as I know the A-variants come from Alice and the E-ones from Elizabeth but I'm not even sure right now.

I don't like the sound of it that much but if I did I think I wouldn't use it simply because of all of the spelling and pronunciation options. And I am normally not that bothered because I considered Aoibheann for quite some time.

They’re all ok except Seersha which looks ridiculous. I personally know Irish people, in Ireland, named Ava, Alva, Ailish, Dervla, Aideen, Rory, Aidan, Ashling, Nessa, Maeve, Dara, Emer.

I don't think the A or E variants come from Alice or Elizabeth as, as Irish names, they are likely to have preceded both and are names in their own right. Tho as I say I don't know Ailis at all (and wouldn't pronounce it Ailish so perhaps it is just another anglicisation?) Éilis gives the Ay sound. Eilís different again, as you say. I know one of each, no problem with pronunciation, but much prefer the sound of the former personally. Aoibheann beautiful, as you say, the spelling is part of the attraction. I feel the same about Caoilfhionn.

The poet Eavan Boland is Ee-VAN afaik. Know another Ee-VAN myself also. Hadn't made the Aoibheann connection.

@Snowbell99

Oh, sorry to hear that you have been bullied that is terrible.

I also see "kill Ian" when I see Killian. But I am so used to it that it doesn't bother me much.

As for Kaitlyn, I dislike the spelling but I don't mind Katelyn because to me it's not the Irish name but just Kate + Lyn(n).

Me too on Katelyn. I just think of it as an amalgamation name, like Maryann or Annabelle. I'd usually spell it with a C though- Caitlyn.

@HeyGirlHeyBoy

I don't think the A or E variants come from Alice or Elizabeth as, as Irish names, they are likely to have preceded both and are names in their own right. Tho as I say I don't know Ailis at all (and wouldn't pronounce it Ailish so perhaps it is just another anglicisation?) Éilis gives the Ay sound. Eilís different again, as you say. I know one of each, no problem with pronunciation, but much prefer the sound of the former personally. Aoibheann beautiful, as you say, the spelling is part of the attraction. I feel the same about Caoilfhionn.

It says everywhere on the internet that Ailís is the Irish form of Alice but I cannot tell you if this is 100% correct. But I am so glad we can discuss Irish names here. I love them. Normally when I post about an Irish name somewhere I never receive an answer, you just get answers when you post names that a lot of people are familiar with so I am so glad I found this place.

Ailis (no fada) is apparently Scottish for Alice and AY-lish. Again not 100% sure, just what I found.

@HeyGirlHeyBoy

The poet Eavan Boland is Ee-VAN afaik. Know another Ee-VAN myself also. Hadn't made the Aoibheann connection.

With the emphasis on the second syllable? The one I know says EE-ven. Like the word "even" just a bit of a stronger emphasis on the first syllable. I pronounce Aoibheann as EE-ven too.