Scottish names.

55 replies

seawiych · 28/09/2025 18:27

Hi all. I’m English and my husband is Scottish. We tend to travel a lot between the two countries.
Ever since I was a child I had a best friend named Eilidh. Pronounced Ay-Lee. It’s Gaelic for sun ray/sun light. It’s a Scottish name and I adore it.
We are due to have a baby girl soon and I’d love to use the name. I know it’s not easy phonetically in English bit most people get it straight away once told and I don’t see it as an issue.
My husband is worried that it might be hard when we are in England.
May I have your thoughts please?

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Original poster

seawiych · 29/09/2025 00:35

MusicalCarbuncle · 28/09/2025 23:28

These threads always make me chuckle. Inevitably there will be someone who says:
”(insert name) reminds me of (unconnected unattractive thing), your child will be bullied relentlessly!”
”how about this completely different name with different connotations??”
“it’s not easy for English speaking people who have never come across this name before. Have you considered Sarah/ Isla/ something less foreign?”

As someone who grew up with a foreign name which is basically impossible to spell unless you know it already … it has had zero negative impact on my life, except that people always remember my name as it isn’t very common.

You are quite right. Thank you!

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Original poster

seawiych · 29/09/2025 00:36

mixedcereal · 28/09/2025 23:19

I’m an Eilidh in England.
i do get a lot of mispronunciations but just used to that now, it’s part of life. I couldn’t imagine walking into a room, meeting, or at school ever meeting someone with the same name!

I have an unusual name myself so so totally get you.
Thank you 🥰

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ElectronicRenaissance · 29/09/2025 00:51

I'm an Eilidh in Scotland. It's a much more common name nowadays than it when I was wee, so I was well used to the "eye-lid" mispronunciations! Whilst it was always nice to not have to correct pronunciations when visiting family in the Hebrides, I can't say it bothered me having to spell my name for folks.

There are so many different and unusual names nowadays, with weird and wonderful spellings, so I don't see how this would be that different. I would say go for it! But please, please use the correct spelling 😀

BettyTurpinPies · 29/09/2025 09:59

@DramaLlamacchiato Why on earth would you do that? Would you spell Lucia as Lootcheea, or Francesca as Frantcheska?

weatherthorp · 29/09/2025 10:44

Eilidh is beautiful. Go for it! I think Elspeth is another lovely Scottish girl's name.

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