Which girls name?

[neadyda]

I have to tell people how to pronounce my name, doesn't bother me. It's not a burden.

Thanks for your input though.

 

[JumpingIn]

Thanks to Sinead O Connor yours isn't nearly so unheard of as something like Roisin (still thinking roy-sin!)

 

[MUMOF5]

I voted Abaas it's one of my faves, but I do really like Aoife too. Xx

 

[Eleanor ace]

I think that most people are able to remember how to pronounce a name when they've been told. I wouldn't avoid a name for the odd one or two people who can't get their head around it even when they've been told the pronunciation. My name is quite common (Eleanor) but people get it wrong fairly often- I often get called Elena. I just correct them. My DH is Finlay, he used to get asked how to pronounce it is only now that is is super popular he doesn't.
Apart from Roisin the other names on your list are quite popular now, not just with those living in Ireland. Aoife, Niamh and Roisin all ranked in the 300's on Babycenters popularity list- so not super popular, but certainly not unheard of.

 

[JumpingIn]

Admittedly I'm not that in the loop with the latest name trends.

However my concern wasn't about people who have already been told how to pronounce the name (my point there was simply that even after having being told, I personally stumble and find it an awkward adjustment) but rather those who you're meeting for the first time, like at the doctor's surgery, in a new class, at a job interview etc. You know, all those situations where someone has to figure out how to read out your name from a register or welcome you. Also of course all those times someone has to spell your name, like if they'e taking an order from you on the phone, which happens loads.

While you may get the very occasional person stumbling over Eleanor, I'd bet a lot of money that if you were to trial Roisin and Eleanor in these situations, Roisin would be mispronounced a lot more often than Eleanor. While occasional issues wouldn't be a problem, I can imagine that if you had to spend a lot of time explaining to people, it would become tiresome, and yes, a slight burden.

My name is Maxine and even I have to spell out my name for people sometimes, so I can only imagine what a Roisin would go through!

 

[xprincessx]

Ava is my favourite

 

[emyandpotato]

Admittedly I'm not that in the loop with the latest name trends.

However my concern wasn't about people who have already been told how to pronounce the name (my point there was simply that even after having being told, I personally stumble and find it an awkward adjustment) but rather those who you're meeting for the first time, like at the doctor's surgery, in a new class, at a job interview etc. You know, all those situations where someone has to figure out how to read out your name from a register or welcome you. Also of course all those times someone has to spell your name, like if they'e taking an order from you on the phone, which happens loads.

While you may get the very occasional person stumbling over Eleanor, I'd bet a lot of money that if you were to trial Roisin and Eleanor in these situations, Roisin would be mispronounced a lot more often than Eleanor. While occasional issues wouldn't be a problem, I can imagine that if you had to spend a lot of time explaining to people, it would become tiresome, and yes, a slight burden.

My name is Maxine and even I have to spell out my name for people sometimes, so I can only imagine what a Roisin would go through!

Equally though it's kind of nice to have such a unique name. My name has been in the top ten for decades and I have always hated how common and boring it is. But to say it must be avoided because someone may not like having such a common name, as I did, is a bit silly. You can jump through all the naming hoops and still somehow not find a name that fits the child/the child loves, so giving a name that the parents love, within reason, is the best they can do. OP has accepted your point already. She loves these names and most of the others who have said they don't know how to pronounce them are from the US.

 

[sbl]

Hi sinead!
Fellow irish girl here.
I really wouldn't worry one bit about people having to figure out how to pronounce irish names!

It's good to be proud of your native language.

I'd love to hear how some of you would pronounce some of my family members names and my own!.

Irish names are beautiful for the most part.

If I have another girl I'm gonna call her Realtin **rail-teen ** (little star).

What a burden that will be! Lol.

also I love aoife!
what about caoimhe?
Xx

 

[JumpingIn]

But to say it must be avoided because someone may not like having such a common name, as I did, is a bit silly.

My point was never about them being common or uncommon. I love a lot of uncommon names.

 

[emyandpotato]

But to say it must be avoided because someone may not like having such a common name, as I did, is a bit silly.

My point was never about them being common or uncommon. I love a lot of uncommon names.

I know, I was saying that there will always be one perceived difficulty or another, in this case you see the pronunciation as a problem. Another may see the commonness of another name as a problem, but it doesn't stop people using them.

 

[JumpingIn]

If I have another girl I'm gonna call her Realtin **rail-teen ** (little star).

What a burden that will be! Lol.

The sarcasm/defensiveness about this particular issue has really surprised me. Lots of these potential issues come up on the forums, like whether or not initials will spell something rude, whether the names sound clunky or inappropriate or whether spellings are difficult, and it's perfectly reasonable to point out that for me personally, I would avoid names which are proven to be likely to cause confusion. If that's not a concern for you or the OP then more power to you, but I added my thoughts as the OP wanted opinions on the names and that was mine.

I think it's so important to keep an open mind when it comes to naming your child and not so fiercely defend your personal preferences, as what others say about a particular name may actually be valid.

If someone were to tell me my names could potentially cause an issue I would weigh up the pros and cons about it and make my decision. I wouldn't have a go at the person who was kind enough to point it out

The child's future is a bit more important to me than my own sense of pride about any name preferences or even my heritage.

 

[JumpingIn]

But to say it must be avoided because someone may not like having such a common name, as I did, is a bit silly.

My point was never about them being common or uncommon. I love a lot of uncommon names.

I know, I was saying that there will always be one perceived difficulty or another, in this case you see the pronunciation as a problem. Another may see the commonness of another name as a problem, but it doesn't stop people using them.

And nor should it, but they're still factors it is very valid to weigh up the pros and cons of before committing, which is why I gave the input.

So basically I'm saying this: If it's not a deal breaker for you, fine. For me, it would be, and I've explained why for the OP's benefit. That's it!

 

[neadyda]

If I have another girl I'm gonna call her Realtin **rail-teen ** (little star).

What a burden that will be! Lol.

The sarcasm/defensiveness about this particular issue has really surprised me. Lots of these potential issues come up on the forums, like whether or not initials will spell something rude, whether the names sound clunky or inappropriate or whether spellings are difficult, and it's perfectly reasonable to point out that for me personally, I would avoid names which are proven to be likely to cause confusion. If that's not a concern for you or the OP then more power to you, but I added my thoughts as the OP wanted opinions on the names and that was mine.

I think it's so important to keep an open mind when it comes to naming your child and not so fiercely defend your personal preferences, as what others say about a particular name may actually be valid.

If someone were to tell me my names could potentially cause an issue I would weigh up the pros and cons about it and make my decision. I wouldn't have a go at the person who was kind enough to point it out

The child's future is a bit more important to me than my own sense of pride about any name preferences or even my heritage.

Honestly JumpingIn I have taken your comments on board

I was just saying that my name isn't a burden to me that's all. Tbh when we have more kids I'm most likely going to have a boy anyway lol

 

[JumpingIn]

Thanks neadyda, didn't mean for the mega debate!

 

[sbl]

If I have another girl I'm gonna call her Realtin **rail-teen ** (little star).

What a burden that will be! Lol.

The child's future is a bit more important to me than my own sense of pride about any name preferences or even my heritage.

Are you suggesting someone who uses a *difficult* to pronounce name (be it irish or otherwise) doesn't care about their child's future?

Because that's madness.


Of course your entitled to your opinion and as am I.

I don't feel a difficult to pronounce name is a burden I and many of my family members have gotten by fine.

I wasn't defensive merely giving my point of view.

 

[emyandpotato]

JumpingIn, I only said something because you posted quite a few times about it. I thought your first post was fine.

 

[JumpingIn]

Are you suggesting someone who uses a *difficult* to pronounce name (be it irish or otherwise) doesn't care about their child's future?

Because that's madness.

No, not at all. I'm saying that it's well worth considering peoples viewpoints rather than just shutting them out on principle when it comes to names, because it affects that child's future. The OP clearly does, which is fantastic.

 

[Kirsty3051]

I'm Italian and we ruled out all uncommon Italian first names because we're living in the UK, although there were some wacky ones on our list. Uncommon names aren't an issue if the parents are willing to explain the correct pronunciation and spell them out when needed. I'm just not one of those people haha!

Now I know how to pronounce them, the Irish names OP listed are all lovely x

 

[Lauren25]

I love all the names on your list.

I'm from England and I know lots of people with those Irish names!

 

[staralfur]

I have a common name that is spelled totally differently than you would expect and I've had to spell it, re-spell it, correct pronunciations, and make numerous phone calls to companies to correct spellings on documents and plans for my whole life and I do find it quite irritating.

At the same time, I do think I'd feel differently if I had a name that was actually a name but was just uncommon. It's harder (I believe) when it's a name that everyone is familiar with but it's spelled completely differently. If it's a name people aren't familiar with then they'll pay more attention when you're spelling it the first time.

Anyway, my favourite from that list is Aóife. I just read how to pronounce Róisín like five minutes ago and I already forget.