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Original poster

Eireann- thoughts

73 replies

Oscarspup · 02/12/2023 23:24

Can I ask for people’s honest opinions on the spelling of Eireann - instead of Erin?
expecially if you are familiar with Irish language- as my grammar/Irish language is not great ( despite only speaking Irish at primary school 🙈)
I appreciate some may wonder why not keep it simple- but I like the fact it has ‘Eire’ in it and and also would include my beloved aunt’s name Ann.
Also thank you to anyone taking the time to reply

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pinkdelight · 02/12/2023 23:28

I'm not Irish sorry, but I'd guess that this was pronounced more like Aaron not Erin. Course if you're in Ireland and it's well known that won't be an issue.

Scruffington · 02/12/2023 23:30

Honestly, I'd find it weird.

Erin is an Irish American name rather than an Irish name, and I can see why it came about, people misty eyed about the 'old country' so they came up with this anglicised tribute name. (But I find it a bit naff tbh.)

But Eireann is a whole other kettle of fish. It would be like a Spanish person calling their daughter España or an Italian having an Italia. Just weird!

Gnomegnomegnome · 02/12/2023 23:32

I would assume that it was pronounced Iran.

ChocoChocoLatte · 02/12/2023 23:33

It's a no from me too and I have Irish roots & kids. Sorry.

Erin is timeless though.

Scruffington · 02/12/2023 23:33

And some of the most famous orgs in the country have it in their name - CIE, RTE. Your baby would give state sponsored body vibes!

CostaDelPatio · 02/12/2023 23:36

Like the bus?

Janedoe82 · 02/12/2023 23:36

It’s a popular spelling of it amongst Irish republicans in NI. If that doesn’t bother you go for it!

Mittens1717 · 02/12/2023 23:36

I'm Irish and I think it's fine, nothing wrong with it at all, if you love it use it!

Abhannmor · 02/12/2023 23:51

Éire is the Goddess after whom Ireland is named. She is one of a trinity - Éire / Banba/ Fodhla.

Éireann is the genitive form ie pertaining to or belonging to Éire. Usually preceded by ' na' meaning of (the) . As in the song Mná na hÉireann / Women of Ireland. Not sure how useful that is!

I have noticed more girls here in Ireland called names like Erin or Shannon or even Kelly lately so I wouldn't think it was that odd tbh? My mum used to call my baby brother Alanna from A Leanbh - O Child or O Baby. It has also become fairly popular as a girl's name.

DramaAlpaca · 02/12/2023 23:56

No. Eireann really doesn't work as a name, at least I've never seen it used in Ireland. Erin is OK in an expat sort of a way I guess.

Wallflower3 · 03/12/2023 00:05

I’m Irish. It’s beautiful ❤️

Boomarang · 03/12/2023 00:14

I have an Oísin living in England. Love his name, would never change it. He might disagree re spelling 🙈

That being said, gave our next son a Celtic name but a more phonetically spelt one.

Your child will literally be spelling their name out multiple times a day whether you live in Ireland or elsewhere. And people will not know how to pronounce it.

It’s a beautiful name but also an absolute ball ache for them as they grow up!

Nineteendays · 03/12/2023 00:19

I would have pronounced it ay-ree-Ann because it reminds me of the welsh name Eirian

MaloneMeadow · 03/12/2023 00:40

Honestly don’t do it, use Erin if you really like the name. I’m Irish and think it’s really naff and cringe. You’re effectively naming her after Irish public services (Met Éireann, the Irish weather service being one of them)… Also she’s very likely to have trouble with people mispronouncing/misspelling it.

Chicaontour · 03/12/2023 00:46

I am irish and love it

Snugglemonkey · 03/12/2023 00:47

I am Irish. I wouldn't.

PurpleChrayne · 03/12/2023 00:51

Eireann is lovely.

Erin looks weak.

Sugarfree23 · 03/12/2023 00:54

Op I've no clue how it's actually meant to be pronounced, so this is purely from me reading it I'm getting something closer to Eran / Iran rather than Erin.

Erin is a much more widely used name.

CallieQ · 03/12/2023 00:55

Just use Erin it's nice as it is

TheCraicDealer · 03/12/2023 01:00

I literally just thought “As in, Met?” when I saw your title. Appreciate it is an actual name but there are so many state bodies with it in the title. It just comes across as a name picked by someone who wants an Irish name but doesn’t live in Ireland to know it’s not commonly picked as a baby name because of how it’s so frequently used on a state level.

A mate just called her baby Áine if you’re interesting in honoring your aunt.

flosset · 03/12/2023 01:01

Please don't - Eireann is the name of Ireland's national bus company service. It would be like calling your kid Stagecoach or national rail. Just go with Erin

AncientBallerina · 03/12/2023 01:10

I’m Irish. Don’t - it’s weird. Honestly it’s like calling a child British as in British Airways British Rail etc. There are so many lovely Irish names. And the Ann bit doesn’t make sense at all. The second syllable is eann not ann. Aine is the Irish for Anne although the pronunciation is another matter… Erin is just about ok although more of an Irish American name.

Wallflower3 · 03/12/2023 09:51

As an Irish speaker, it’s pronounced Erin anyways so spell it whichever way you like x

Abhannmor · 03/12/2023 09:57

I don't get those posts about the bus / train / weather. The word Éireann doesn't mean any of those things without a prefix of some sort. Anymore than England means 'Bank' or Wales means ' Prince'.

Áine for your late auntie is a good plan!

IReallyMissPrince · 03/12/2023 10:02

I’m Irish. I think it’s OK. A bit much for me, and I come from a very <ahem> Republican family.

I’ve never liked Erin, though. It seems American rather than Irish. Not unpleasant just…not Irish.