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HelpIf you had to choose and Irish name for your daughter (more)
without changing the spelling, which one and why? Do you think your choice would work in your home country? Would your choice be different if you could change the spelling?
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Lately Méabh although I slightly prefer the spelling Maeve. Ciara is my second favorite then third favorite is Aileen. I used to prefer Eibhlín to Aileen.
Not in order I also like Caoimhe, Eithne, Ailbhe, Siobhán, Áine, Aoife, Eilidh, Fíona, Deirdre, Eileen, Eibhlín, Fionnuala, Fidelma, Caitriona, and Morrigan. There are probably other ones that I am forgetting.
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Not in order I also like Caoimhe, Eithne, Ailbhe, Siobhán, Áine, Aoife, Eilidh, Fíona, Deirdre, Eileen, Eibhlín, Fionnuala, Fidelma, Caitriona, and Morrigan. There are probably other ones that I am forgetting.
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This message was edited 9/29/2017, 11:33 PM
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Alannah. I remember really liking that name when I first joined BtN; but since it's specifically described as an "Anglo-Irish term [of endearment]," I'm not sure it fits the criteria in the OP.
Other (not Anglicized) names I'd consider:
Bláthnat
Deirdre (pronounced DER-druh)
Saoirse
Áine
Líadan
Siofra
Aoife
Madailéin (pronounced like Madelaine)
Sinéad
Máire (pronounced MAW-ryuh)
Siobhán
Onóra
Niamh
Caitria (though this is more modern)
Eireann
Of that list, outside of Ireland (or Irish-speaking communities) I think only Deirdre, Saoirse, Sinéad, Siobhán, and Caitria would be practical and not cause too many headaches. Siobhan actually seems to have enjoyed some popularity here in the States, from the 70s into the 80s. (I work for a school, and have actually seen it as some students' names.) And Saoirse I think has been "normalized" in part by the actress Saoirse Ronan. And of course, there's Sinéad O'Connor.
If I could change the spelling, well, then Maeve and Kira would shoot to the top of the list. I would also add Shea, Erin, Nessa, and Darina.
Other (not Anglicized) names I'd consider:
Bláthnat
Deirdre (pronounced DER-druh)
Saoirse
Áine
Líadan
Siofra
Aoife
Madailéin (pronounced like Madelaine)
Sinéad
Máire (pronounced MAW-ryuh)
Siobhán
Onóra
Niamh
Caitria (though this is more modern)
Eireann
Of that list, outside of Ireland (or Irish-speaking communities) I think only Deirdre, Saoirse, Sinéad, Siobhán, and Caitria would be practical and not cause too many headaches. Siobhan actually seems to have enjoyed some popularity here in the States, from the 70s into the 80s. (I work for a school, and have actually seen it as some students' names.) And Saoirse I think has been "normalized" in part by the actress Saoirse Ronan. And of course, there's Sinéad O'Connor.
If I could change the spelling, well, then Maeve and Kira would shoot to the top of the list. I would also add Shea, Erin, Nessa, and Darina.
This message was edited 9/29/2017, 4:54 PM
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Áine
I considered it for my first daughter. It wouldn't be an issue, non-anglicised Irish/Gaelic names are used in my area with some frequency.
I considered it for my first daughter. It wouldn't be an issue, non-anglicised Irish/Gaelic names are used in my area with some frequency.
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Caoimhe
I've always loved Caoimhe (KEE-vah), it's the first Irish name I fell in love with.
But I also really like Eithne (EN-ya) and Ailbhe (AL-va).
I live in England and Aoife works here, so does Siobhán, so I think people would adapt to Caoimhe.
I wouldn't like to change the spellings. I do like Enya though.
I've always loved Caoimhe (KEE-vah), it's the first Irish name I fell in love with.
But I also really like Eithne (EN-ya) and Ailbhe (AL-va).
I live in England and Aoife works here, so does Siobhán, so I think people would adapt to Caoimhe.
I wouldn't like to change the spellings. I do like Enya though.
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Grainne
It would work, but people would likely call her "Grain." I would not change the spelling.
It would work, but people would likely call her "Grain." I would not change the spelling.
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I love Grainne, I almost chose it for my response.
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Ooh I forgot about Clodagh. I think it's really lovely, and I don't think it would be that troublesome even in the US.
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Hi Perrine !!!
Currently one Irish name that I adore is Béibhinn (yeah this spelling). It is sweet and charming with an elegant meaning.
Mavourneen is another lovely name but it seems too 'English' imo because of 'ee' spelling.
Saoirse and Eithne are my long-time favourites.
Currently one Irish name that I adore is Béibhinn (yeah this spelling). It is sweet and charming with an elegant meaning.
Mavourneen is another lovely name but it seems too 'English' imo because of 'ee' spelling.
Saoirse and Eithne are my long-time favourites.
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Bridget.
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I live in the UK, and have known a Siobhan, two Niamhs, and a Roisin, so I think I can push it. I really liked Caoimhe for a bit, but then my mum said it sounds like a disease, and then I went off it anyway. I like Mairead too, but I'm not sure if it's said Muh-rayd in Ireland, or if that's just the Scottish variant. I think I'd go for Ailbhe.
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Fidelma. No particular reason: I've just liked it for a while. I think it'd work fine in the US.
This message was edited 9/28/2017, 9:57 PM
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Bebhinn--its my favorite Irish girls name. It would be a lot of misspellings because of how its pronounced, so I would have to spell it but I'd be ok with it.
Combo-wise: Bebhinn Martha probably.
Combo-wise: Bebhinn Martha probably.
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I would use Roisin. I think it's gorgeous and it's not too difficult to comprehend in English. It would have to be spelled and pronounced frequently in my home country (US), though we're near enough the University of Notre Dame and there are totally kids with Irish names around there. So maybe we should just move to South Bend, lol.
If I could change the spelling I think I'd still go with Roisin. Rosheen isn't nearly as attractive.
Or I guess I may consider a familiar Anglicized one like Maureen. I've always liked it.
If I could change the spelling I think I'd still go with Roisin. Rosheen isn't nearly as attractive.
Or I guess I may consider a familiar Anglicized one like Maureen. I've always liked it.
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Aoife. I absolutely adore it! I actually wouldn't want to change the spelling, but this spelling would for sure cause problems here in the US.
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I assume by "without changing the spelling" you mean "no anglicization".
TBH I don't like many Irish names; I don't like names that are difficult to spell and I don't like the sound of many of them anyway (I don't love many anglicized ones either, I think I'm burned out on Americans who say "We named him Riley because we're 1/32 Irish!") . DH is always shooting down names I like because they don't "sound good" with his 'Irish' surname. I don't think he knows what an Irish name would even look like though-- his whole proud-to-be-Irish family all have English names.
If forced, probably Niamh. If anglicization is allowed, Maeve. I do really like Maeve.
TBH I don't like many Irish names; I don't like names that are difficult to spell and I don't like the sound of many of them anyway (I don't love many anglicized ones either, I think I'm burned out on Americans who say "We named him Riley because we're 1/32 Irish!") . DH is always shooting down names I like because they don't "sound good" with his 'Irish' surname. I don't think he knows what an Irish name would even look like though-- his whole proud-to-be-Irish family all have English names.
If forced, probably Niamh. If anglicization is allowed, Maeve. I do really like Maeve.
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Orphlaith. I really like the meaning and prefer that spelling to Orla.
This message was edited 9/28/2017, 2:47 PM
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I love Irish names and I would rather explain how to pronounce them a million times than change the spelling. I just love the traditional spellings, they are so beautiful.
I love:
Áine
Eilidh
Aisling
Caoimhe
Gráinne
I guess I would go with Eilidh. I love the sound, it's so sweet. With Aisling I guess the 'sling' comes out to much (I know it isn't pronounced like that but when I look at it I still see it). I love Áine but I already have a good friend named that. Caoimhe is nice too and I like Gráinne but I would fear that outside of Ireland it would become 'granny'.
I love:
Áine
Eilidh
Aisling
Caoimhe
Gráinne
I guess I would go with Eilidh. I love the sound, it's so sweet. With Aisling I guess the 'sling' comes out to much (I know it isn't pronounced like that but when I look at it I still see it). I love Áine but I already have a good friend named that. Caoimhe is nice too and I like Gráinne but I would fear that outside of Ireland it would become 'granny'.
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