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Archivesmeaning of the name Shelagh
My mom's name is Shelagh, pronounced 'sh-lay', and her mom found it in a book and said it was supposed to be scottish but I couldn't find it on here except as a variant of Sheila and I was told that it has it's own meaning and isn't just a variant. I would like to know it's meaning and origin if anyone on here is familiar with the name. I've never heard of anyone else who had the name. thanks
This message was edited 6/9/2006, 12:10 AM
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It may also come from the ancient Irish fertility oddess, Sheela-na-gig. Her statues are found in neolithic (i think) art across Ireland. Sheelagh and Shelagh are Gaelic cognates of Sheela
"Les yeux sont aveugles. Il faut chercher avec le coeur." -- Le Petit Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupery
"Les yeux sont aveugles. Il faut chercher avec le coeur." -- Le Petit Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupery
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Moiragh exists as an Irish variant spelling of Moira, but the pronunciation remains the same. Irish spelling is very hard for the non-Irish to understand! My guess is that, although your grandmother was no doubt sincere in her belief, the source she used was mistaken - as many baby-name sources are.
I have encountered people named Shelagh, but never with your mother's pronunciation and always as a form of Sheila.
I have encountered people named Shelagh, but never with your mother's pronunciation and always as a form of Sheila.
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