Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Orla or Esme for baby girl?

46 replies

Londonmama85 · 27/01/2023 08:32

Which do you prefer?

(DH is Irish and he loves Orla. I think I prefer Esme)

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
FT123456 · 27/01/2023 08:39

I prefer Esme out of the two, but think they are both lovely names

Winniepoo · 27/01/2023 08:40

Not a fan of Orla but LOVE Esme.

Findyourneutralspace · 27/01/2023 08:41

Two of my favourite names! Orla just wins for me, with you having the Irish connection.

FloofyDuck · 27/01/2023 08:43

Orla. Esme is also lovely when said as Esmee but I dislike the Esmay pronunciation so that puts a damper on the name for me

Luredbyapomegranate · 27/01/2023 08:43

They are both nice, but Orla less overused (although it’s becoming popular). Oona is a more unusual alternative.

AliceMcK · 27/01/2023 08:43

Orla would have been my next DDs name if I’d had another. Love it.

pilates · 27/01/2023 08:50

Both gorgeous names.

Hard to choose, but with the Irish connection Orla

Nap1983 · 27/01/2023 08:59

Love Orla, lots of alternate spellings too. I’m not keen on Esme tbh.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 27/01/2023 09:01

Esme**

CastleTower · 27/01/2023 09:03

Orla

DoNutSweatTheSmallStuff · 27/01/2023 09:17

Orla

BliainNua · 27/01/2023 09:19

Orla 😊
Also the benefit of less confusion re pronunciation

Twoinapod · 27/01/2023 09:20

Orla. I know of lots of Esmes between 12 and 2. It’s pretty popular in various spellings. Plus you have the me/may pronounciation thing

bbqchickenandsalad · 27/01/2023 09:24

Love Orla

FayCarew · 27/01/2023 10:15

Not keen on either of them. Orla seems a bit dull, but it sounds nice in an irish accent. Esme is ok but Something May is too common, and the Esmae, Esmay, Ezmae spellings are horrible

Vexxa · 27/01/2023 10:52

Orla

garlictwist · 27/01/2023 10:55

I really dislike the name Esme, I think it's quite ugly. So Orla for me.

AnotherNameChangeYes · 27/01/2023 11:14

Orla, but both are really popular.

EL8888 · 27/01/2023 11:18

Tough one -they are both on my list. Orla is my preference as it’s a bit less popular and less confusion re the 2 pronunciations

JenniferBarkley · 27/01/2023 11:23

Where are you based? A lot of English people pronounce Orla as Awla which I don't like so personally I wouldn't pick it somewhere where that would happen.

Esme is lovely but you will get confusion over the pronunciation. Not an insurmountable problem though!

KirstenBlest · 27/01/2023 12:00

A lot of English people pronounce Orla as Awla which I don't like
I agree. I can't unsee Oral.

RuthW · 27/01/2023 12:13

Orla.

Can't bear it when Esme is pronounced wrongly.

Rauha · 27/01/2023 12:17

Orla

Original poster
Londonmama85 · 27/01/2023 12:17

Thanks everyone. It looks as though Orla is generally well liked 😊. I’m based in London - never heard Orla being mispronounced though.

I can see how Esme can be mispronounced too, but I don’t think either names are that unusual.

OP posts:
BridieConvert · 28/01/2023 19:18

Oral :)

Swipe left for the next trending thread