What do you think? Girls name

[halloween41]

Having a DD soon. DH and I have hugely, and I mean hugely, struggled to find a name that we both like. I like floral/very feminine names whereas DH likes almost androgynous or very old fashioned names. Anyway, one day I suggested a name in passing that I thought was okay and he’s jumped on it and is adamant that’s what we’re calling DD. To be honest, I don’t love it but I can live with it. It’s a Mairead, pronounced Ma-raid. Be honest, t
what do you think?

It’s a name Ive always liked since I heard it, and I’d pronounce it Mir-aid.
I also like Bridie, and Birdie since I saw it used in a film.

@DustyLee123yes that’s another way, they sound very similar when pronounced. Thank you

Love it, I have a cousin called that, although she pronounces it More - aid.

Nope to grannyish

It’s a lovely name. I know an Irish lady with that name with your pronunciation. My friend’s aunt is Scottish and a native Gaelic speaker. Her pronunciation is more like Myrit. I prefer the Irish version.

I think of it as on old Scottish name. I don't know how it's perceived in Scotland these days.

It's a good name.

Kindly, are you Scottish as that’s not how you pronounce it?
I’m sure as its Gaelic there’s a range of pronunciations but we’d say “My red” with the emphasis on the “My” and the whole word being quite soft (if that makes sense!)
I love it!

I'm not keen but it's not an English name is it? So I don't really know it.
However, you don't love it but can live with it? That's not the name for your child.

How about something along the lines of Alexandria, Georgia, Harriet, Laurel - quite feminine but all shorten to androgynous names?

Yeah it's Mir-aid. I haven't come across this name for about 30 years. I think its lovely.

Nice name but won’t you constantly be telling people how to pronounce it?

It’s Mairéad (unless there’s also a Scots version that doesn’t use a fada). Without the fada on the ‘e’ it would be pronounced something like ‘Morred’.

@gardeningwoesno but DH is and I’ve just asked him and you’re right, I’m saying it wrong 😂 @HamYardi think you’re right too which makes it more complicated for me!

There are lots of pretty Irish names. Have you suggested any other to him?

Might be worth a bit of a Google.

@JustSawJohnnyso DH said he liked Irish and Scottish names and this was the only one I saw that I liked enough bear in mind that they’re not the kind of names that I’m used to thinking of!

On the basis people here differ on the pronunciation spelling it wouldn't seem to be a good choice. She'll be correcting people for her entire life.

I think it’ll be a pain in the arse name, even on here no one can agree on how it’s said. It doesn’t look pretty written down to me either.

I think the pronunciation variations would get on my nerves so it’s a no from me.

Mirren as an alternative that's easier on the pronunciation?

Love it!!! I almost used it but we don’t have any Irish heritage.

@halloween41 , Just pick a name from Isla, Lily, Ava, Sophia, Freya, Clara or Penelope, then add Rose, May or Grace as a middle name.

Mairéad is fine, but be prepared for misspellings and mispronunciations.

I think she’d be constantly telling people how to pronounce it because I didn’t have a clue.
How about Merryn or Maeve?

Only in England.
Amazingly, the rest of the world is able to deal with names in different languages. Once told how to pronounce a name, we just get on with it.

I like it, but I wouldn't be comfortable picking a name if you're not sure how to pronounce it.

What about Bridget, Una, Morgan, Tressa, Ellen, Elowen, Seren. Might merge your styles a bit? Or if you give examples of your favourites vs his favourites then people might be able to suggest more.

Oh that's a shame.

If you're not sold on Mairead I do think you should keep looking and ask DH to be open minded.

I also think it's best to have a few names you both like because when DD is born she may just not be a Mairead, if you know what I mean! It might just not fit her.

Fingers crossed something perfect pops up.x.

Mairead is the Irish Gaelic for Margaret