Is Aisling too boring?

[Snowbell99]

Aisling has always been one of my favourite Irish names. I love the meaning and sound.

But I am wondering if it is perceived as too boring or too generic, especially in Ireland but also England, Scotland etc.

I know that it was very common in Ireland in the 80s and 90s (top 10) and that it is one of the better known Irish name outside of Ireland (which is also a positive thing in many ways).

But I read online that Irish people say "You are such an Aisling" for a generic person, is it true? And then there is a book "Oh my god, what a complete Aisling" which also sees Aisling as a generic name.

On the other hand it is still being used in Ireland so it can't be that bad? What would you say? I also wonder why Aisling was chosen for this as other Irish names like Niamh and Siobhán or Aoife were way more common.

I love the movie "Secret of Kells" which features an Aisling and the meaning. I love both ASH-ling and ASH-leen but I think I prefer ASH-leen. Do you think ASH-leen will work or will people say ASH-ling all of the time?

Where are you OP?

I also wonder why Aisling was chosen for this as other Irish names like Niamh and Siobhán or Aoife were way more common.

I suspect the creators of the Aisling books (I think they're a writing duo?) each knew an Aisling that fitted the character they had in mind.

I think it's a nice name, if not the most exciting. I like the softness of it, but would pronounce it ash-ling, never ash-leen. Ash-leen is the pronunciation I'd expect to hear in the UK. But it doesn't sound as nice.

Love, love, love all the Cartoon Saloon films so its inclusion in The Secret of Kells is a plus

I absolutely love this name - it was on our shortlist. I would say ash-ling (in England). I would expect ash-leen in Northern Ireland, maybe. I also know someone who spells it Aislinn.

I've read all those books, and they're pretty affectionate about the character. Her foibles are fairly harmless. It's along the lines of calling someone "such a Bridget [Jones]" - I don't think the name is too closely tied to that character, and the books aren't that negative anyway, so I don't see it as a problem.

I really like it. Not boring at all. Pretty but sharp and clear

I'd say Ash-lin but that's because I always just assumed it was a spelling variation on Aislinn

I don't think it's boring. I like it.

In Britain, the name doesn't have a reputation for being boring.

I really like it. It’s a soft sound but for some reason I’d associate it with a strong woman.

I’m in England with no Irish connections.

I'm Irish. Have never heard anyone being described as an "Aisling" however....

Also Irish. The books are not particularly famous enough that people will immediately think of the book series when they hear it IMO. It's a beautiful and classic name and I woukd use it myself if there wasn't one in the wider family already.

Also, I would always pronounce it ash-LING, even if it was spelled Aislinn (but I'm from munster where "linn" is pronounced "ling" in the Irish language).

Yes very

The books are huge in Ireland, but unlikely to be read widely internationally, but the name is so common anyway it’s not as if they’d popularised something very obscure. I mean, I don’t think subsequent baby Aislings will be stuck with the label of being nice, sensible country girls who don’t dye their hair, think a pair of gold earrings dresses up any outfit, and are trusted with the keys to the stationary cupboard.

I like it, it has a softness to it that most Irish names don't have. It isn't exciting but what is an exciting Irish name? Fiadh is about as exciting as Irish names get and that isn't exciting either. The names are old but thats part of their appeal.

Not at all. It's a gorgeous name. Personally I'd go with the standard Aisling spelling. I say that as a teacher in Ireland who has seen versions of popular names which almost guarantee that the majority of people will spell your child's name incorrectly, even with the best of intentions.

I like it. Its my niece's name, also know about 3 others. I don't think it's boring.

With regards the books, I have heard of them but I've never heard anyone use 'she's such an Aisling' to describe anyone. Not like the Karen meme which finally seems to be going away, all Karen's I know are lovely

I can’t speak for Ireland but in Scotland and England I wouldn’t say it was boring. I’ve never looked after a baby or school child Aisling. I think it’s a nice name and not too popular - however obviously in Ireland that is probably different!

I like the name Aisling, but I think it will be said mostly as Ash-ling, or maybe Ash-linn. I've never heard it said as Ash-leen before.

ASH-leen is more popular in Northern Ireland. At least the Aisling I know from there says it like that.

But to be fair, I think the pronunciations sound very similar anyway.

ASH-ling can also easily become something close to ASH-lin when you say it quickly just like "riding" can become "ridin".

ASH-leen sticks out a bit more but while they are not exactly the same they all sound somewhat similar.

Definitely not boring, I love it!

My daughter in law as named our granddaughter Aislyn spelt this way

ASH-leen is more popular in Northern Ireland.

That explains it, I'm very far south . I'd maybe check how an Ulster Irish speaker says it too though, if you want to be sure it's the correct Irish language pronunciation there. (If that matters to you, of course - I just think it might judging from some of your other posts.)

Yes, that would be nice!

There was also an Aisling on "Derry Girls" which was filmed in Northern Ireland. They didn't say her name often and when you say it quickly in the middle of a sentence it is hard to hear what it really is because they are quite similar. But to me it sounded like ASH-leen too.

This is what makes me wonder, but there may be more than one way of saying it, of course. I'm really bad at Ulster Irish!
www.teanglann.ie/ga/eid/Aisling

And that's the word, rather than the name, but I suppose they'd be the same.

I can't see a way to listen to it. I clicked on it but nothing comes up.

Sorry, I don't know why that is.
When I click on it a page comes up with a speaker icon that you click on...