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

Nora or Eira for a girl?

62 replies

Taggys · 09/04/2025 08:51

Hey!
Which name is nicer for a little girl:

Nora
Eira (ay-rah)

She would grow up in England on the Welsh border, as Eira is a welsh name.

Thanks ☺️

OP posts:
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Offtobuttonmoontovisitmrspoon · 09/04/2025 08:53

Both lovely but prefer Nora.

SandrenaIsMyBloodType · 09/04/2025 08:57

I think Nora is adorable

foreverbasil · 09/04/2025 08:57

I love Eira but a lot of people pronounce it as Ira.

Brownhairdontcare · 09/04/2025 08:57

Eira a million times over. Especially if she's a winter baby.

828Pax · 09/04/2025 08:58

I've always loved Eira

finallydecorating · 09/04/2025 08:58

Eira is lovely.

Sebora · 09/04/2025 08:59

I have a Nora 🥰 Eira is also lovely but it would constantly get pronounced wrong. Personally I would’ve pronounced it Eye-rah until I saw your post.

SheWaits · 09/04/2025 09:07

Eira is nicer by far. I don't think the pronunciation is too hard and I wouldn't let it put me off a name I liked, you just correct people (I have to do it all the time with my daughter's)

user1492757084 · 09/04/2025 09:43

Eira 100% It's bright and uplifting.

Nora is more fuddy duddy.

Eira is sweet with many middle names; and it's a great choice for near Wales.

Mulledjuice · 09/04/2025 09:46

There is a regional pronunciation difference for Eira. It would be my preference if you don't mind that.

I also love Cora and prefer it to Nora, but Nora is perfectly fine.

Shayisgreat · 09/04/2025 09:47

Eira all the way

username462025 · 09/04/2025 12:06

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Moreteaandchocolate · 09/04/2025 13:29

I like both but particularly love Eira. I live in Wales and know several, but they all pronounce their names Eye-ra.

Baggyprincess · 09/04/2025 13:50

I much prefer Cora to Nora.

Eira I pronounce as Eye-ra, also live in Wales.

Eira (Eye-ra) or Cora, both fab.

Clearinguptheclutter · 09/04/2025 13:52

Love both
I’d worry about English people pronouncing Eira as eye-rah and even if they get the first vowel right they won’t be able to roll their r
properly

Gundogday · 09/04/2025 13:53

Eira definitely.

Nora still has Nora Batty connotations for me, so sounds dated and fuddy duddy (sorry).

ThePinkPowerRangers · 09/04/2025 15:27

Eira.

DanDin · 09/04/2025 15:44

Eira is the nicer but doesn't sound nice said as Ay-ra or I-ra.

Nora doesn't depend on accent, so choose that one.

FrootScoot · 09/04/2025 17:27

I’m not keen on Eira because I wouldn’t call a child Snow, plus being from North Wales I prefer that pronunciation which wouldn’t be guaranteed.

Nora is lovely. One of my favourite books growing up had a Norah as the protagonist and I loved it then.

uncomfortablydumb60 · 09/04/2025 17:28

Both lovely but I prefer Nora

StScholastica · 09/04/2025 22:36

Eira is gorgeous.

iwentjasonwaterfalls · 09/04/2025 22:39

I love Eira, I'm from north Wales so pronounce it correctly ay-ra but live in the south so everyone around here pronounces it wrong eye-ra, so that's one thing to be aware of (they also pronounce DD's Welsh name wrong differently so 🤷‍♀️)

LittleLabrador · 09/04/2025 22:45

I like Eira. Lots in dds Welsh primary and pronounced ay (like ray) -ra

DanDin · 09/04/2025 23:01

As @iwentjasonwaterfalls undoubtedly knows, Gogs don't say it as Eye-ra or Ay-ruh.

It's Eir-a, the Eir is a short Ay sound, followed by a rhotic R, and the -a is 'ah' not a schwa (uh) sound.

The Norwegian name Eira might be pronounced differently, but it won't be 'Eira- it's Welsh for snow'.

Justyouwaitandseeagain · 09/04/2025 23:08

I love Eira - probably would have said eye-ra first but like Ay-ra too.
I like Nora but think you may get some 'nosey Nora' references which wouldn't be very nice for her.