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It's a beautiful name, but unless you're in an area where most people are familiar with Irish names, it would probably be better as a middle name. I imagine that people would misspell and mispronounce it a lot, but her friends, classmates, teachers, etc. would probably catch on after a while.

This message was edited 12/11/2010, 6:55 AM

Love it. Love the meaning.

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Ella has a Saoirse in her class at school, and after the first time, noone has trouble with it. We live in Australia, by the way. There is also a Caoimhe, Tadhg and Aoife at her school, and there was an Aoibhe at Olivia's gymnastics, and they all seem to manage just fine after the first couple of times. Lachlan is one of the most popular boys names here, every one dose just fine with Sean and I often see Niamh in the birth annoucements. People will get used to it.

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I grew up having to spell and pronounce my name for people, and it hasn't hurt me or put me off using unusal names for my kids. People can mess up the simplest name. Heck, name your daughter Caitlin and she'll still be spelling it for people all her life.

This message was edited 12/9/2010, 9:19 PM

I love Saoirse; it's so soft and hauntingly beautiful. :)

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I think the original spelling will be just fine. There are people named Sinead and Siobhan who get along fine in this world, so why not Saoirse?

I used to have an online friend from Ireland named Saoirse (SAYR-sha). I've also heard it pronounced SEER-sha although I prefer the former pronunciation. Anyway, I love it -- both the way it sounds and looks. And hey, if America can get Sean, Seamus and Siobhan, they can get Saoirse.

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This message was edited 12/9/2010, 3:11 PM

You'll probably have to tell people how to pronounce it, but I'm sure they'll catch on quickly. Saoirse is a lovely name with a wonderful meaning. I say go for it!

I don't think that's a reason not to use it. Saoirse is probably my favorite of those names. Use it!
And yeah, you may have to correct people and tell them how to pronounce it sometimes, but I don't think it would be too much of a hassle.

people can mess up even the simplest names, so I wouldn't worry about it if you love it.

You're asking someone who would name dds Niamh and Aoife tomorrow. So I'm not the most objective one here.

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Saoirse consistently gets a lot of love on this site, more than I would have predicted. I know spelling and pronunciation will be always be an issue, but I don't think asking someone to learn something new is so tragic. As long as a name has history and meaning, getting to know how it should be spelled and pronounced is an opportunity. Well, that's how I see it anyway.

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I don't watch American Idol. But I'm told there was a Siobhan on there once. See? America didn't fall apart. :-D (Well, OK. It has kind of. But that had nothing to do with Siobhan.)

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By the way, Holly, Phoebe and Violet make me want to run out and buy a new straw hat. Very fresh and spring-like. Saoirse Holly and Phoebe Violet, perhaps?

This message was edited 12/9/2010, 1:14 PM