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Baby names

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Original poster

Aoife?

95 replies

Mummy2beexx · 18/04/2022 11:50

Expecting baby 2 this June and she is a girl :)

We already have Finn our DS, our surname is Irish due to DH’s family being Irish so we like picking Irish names to go with our surname and because I love a lot of them!

My only worry is people will constantly ask our DD (if we name her this) how to spell or pronounce her name? We live in the north of UK, not Ireland

DH assured me it’s becoming more popular so everyone by the time she gets to school will know of it and not to worry but of course it’s just on my mind!

Do any of you have an Aoife? Does she get badgered with pronunciation and spelling questions?

I really love the name it’s beautiful so I don’t think I’ll let this get in the way but it’ll be reassuring if a lot of people say that it’s quite known now

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RussianSpy101 · 18/04/2022 11:52

I reckon everyone knows the pronunciation is Eefa.

It’s a beautiful name and goes perfectly with Finn.

villainousbroodmare · 18/04/2022 11:53

It's well known and an absolutely beautiful name.

quarantandrums · 18/04/2022 11:57

Yeah, it's quite a popular name in England now so I'd expect most people to know the correct pronunciation.

Porcupineintherough · 18/04/2022 12:00

I think yes you (and eventually she) will have to answer a lot of questions regarding spelling/pronunciation in her lifetime. But that's true of many names and if you really like it then I wouldnt let that stop you.

NannyR · 18/04/2022 12:02

I think Aoife is an Irish name where the spelling and pronunciation are pretty well known, it's a lovely name too.

Beees · 18/04/2022 12:03

He's right, it's incredibly well known so honestly I'd be a little surprised if I met someone who claimed not to know how to pronounce it.

Chances are it's going to be spelt incorrectly at times but that wouldn't put me off using it as it could happen to almost any name e.g Isabelle could be spelt Isobel or Isabelle for example.

AlexaShutUp · 18/04/2022 12:04

Another vote for it being pretty well known. You'll have a few who don't know it, I'm sure, but I reckon the majority would know how to pronounce it.

toomuchlaundry · 18/04/2022 12:05

I think it depends where you live, as it certainly isn’t common name where I live. I would struggle to know how to spell it and have to think about how to pronounce it

timoteigirl · 18/04/2022 12:07

I think it is well enough known name so people would know how to pronounce it. Go for it!

JoyLurking9to5 · 18/04/2022 12:07

Quite like it but prefer Eva to be honest.

So many Aoifes in Ireland. It's the new Mary!!

Chocolatecomaday · 18/04/2022 12:09

Makes me think of The Vicar of Dibley when she calls her heifer instead...
Imo as you don't live in Ireland it is fairer on your dd to give her a name people can pronounce and spell where she lives...

lomoloko · 18/04/2022 12:10

Will be no problem in the North West at least.

AlwaysLatte · 18/04/2022 12:11

I think it looks lovely although I admit until I saw this thread that I had no idea how to pronounce it.

FieryPitOfMordor · 18/04/2022 12:16

SE England here and there are a few around, so pronunciation shouldn’t be a problem.

I really like the name.

Beees · 18/04/2022 12:18

Imo as you don't live in Ireland it is fairer on your dd to give her a name people can pronounce and spell where she lives...

It's in the top 200 most used girls names in England isn't it so I hardly think this comment is accurate.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 18/04/2022 12:22

One of DD's best friends is Aoife. Everyone knows to pronounce it Eefa. It's a lovely name

FelicityPike · 18/04/2022 12:25

It’s a common enough name nowadays. You’ll be fine.

Janek · 18/04/2022 12:26

I have an Aoife. She generally doesn't have a problem with people pronouncing it wrongly, bar the odd supply teacher, but no one can spell it.

yikesanotherbooboo · 18/04/2022 12:27

I'm not from Ireland and have known Aoifes from all generations.It is not particularly unusual .It's a lovely name.

Nelliephant1 · 18/04/2022 12:28

Love Aoife!

LizzieAnt · 18/04/2022 12:34

I'm in Ireland and not the UK, so can't really help with your question OP, but just wanted to add that though some people say Ee-fa, in Irish Aoife is correctly pronounced more like Ee-feh. It's a subtle difference but it's there (the same thing happens with names like Saoirse).
Also remember the Vicar of Dibley - 'always missing u' Smile Lovely name.

RedCabbageHowMuch · 18/04/2022 12:34

It's beautiful and goes perfectly with Finn. I think anyone who doesn't know how to pronounce it, will soon learn and most will already know.

Stick with it, it's beautiful Daffodil

maddy68 · 18/04/2022 12:36

It's my friend's name and she has to constantly remind people how to say it.

maddy68 · 18/04/2022 12:37

Nuts it's lovely and goes well with Finn (also lovely /

overitall1 · 18/04/2022 12:47

He's right, it's incredibly well known so honestly I'd be a little surprised if I met someone who claimed not to know how to pronounce it.

I live in SW and although I would know it was Irish I wouldn't have the foggiest idea how to pronounce it! I would guess Ay-o-fee.

I am old though - Siobhan was exotic when I was young (and often pronounced See o ban)