Mairead

[Anonymous]

I thought this thread was just an auto-correct-misspelled question about "Married"!!

But I love Irish names; also not familiar with the Scottish pronunciation, but agree with the Merrit poster too.

[Anonymous]

Trying too hard.

[Anonymous]

It's a beautiful name.

[Anonymous]

I work with a Mairead (rhymes with parade). I think its a pretty name, but its a classic "teacher/doctor's office/every stranger ever butchers it on the first time" kind of name.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work with a Mairead (rhymes with parade). I think its a pretty name, but its a classic "teacher/doctor's office/every stranger ever butchers it on the first time" kind of name.

I have an unusual name (not Irish, just unusual). I just want to say that the slight irritation on having to correct pronunciation is not a big deal for me. I like having a different name, and get many compliments on it.
I say go for it, OP.

[Anonymous]

I'm a teacher and I had a girl with this name in the class, only hers was pronounced Mah-Ray-Ed. I liked it!

[Anonymous]

I'm going to be a bit of a nay-sayer here.

If you are truly Irish, go for it. It gives you and your daughter a chance to open up a conversation about your nationality / language / identity, which is great. If you are not really that Irish, though, then use something a little easier for Americans to spell / pronounce / remember.

My own story obviously shapes my opinion-- I was born abroad but mostly raised here. My parents knew that they'd be coming to the US, so they deliberately chose an "American" name. It was fine here but awkward in my home country. For my own children, I've chosen names that I think work well in both my first language and in the US. They are slightly "different," but phonetic in English, and like I said-- they open the door for a conversation about my home country.

Congrats on your baby girl, and good luck.

[Anonymous]

OP, are you actually Scottish (as in born there, not like third generation born in the US)? I am, and this reads Irish to me, not Scottish. And I'd pronounce it as PPs have, muh-rathe.

[Anonymous]

For Scottish names: Fiona, Keira, Isla, Iona, Alba.

[Anonymous]

I have a friend with a daughter who has this name. It is prounounced Meh-raid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, are you actually Scottish (as in born there, not like third generation born in the US)? I am, and this reads Irish to me, not Scottish. And I'd pronounce it as PPs have, muh-rathe.

DH is Scottish as in born in Edinburgh and his family lives there. I am only half Scottish (my mother is a Scot, from the Isle of Skye).

Thanks for the comments!

[Anonymous]

NP here. If you and DH are Scottish (or half), then by all means, use it. I think that makes a big difference.

[Anonymous]

I think it's cute. I once worked with someone who had a little six year old(with red hair) named it so it fit her well.

[Anonymous]

My mom gave me an unusual name and I'm now 42. Yep, I've had to teach everyone I know how to pronounce it. Yep, it gets butchered by drs and telemarketers. And you know what? I've never minded. I've always felt special not having the same name as most anyone else. And it has actually served as a great ice-breaker (how do you pronounce it again? what does that name mean?) from my years on the playground to the board room. Go for it. It's a beautiful name that honors your unique heritage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, are you actually Scottish (as in born there, not like third generation born in the US)? I am, and this reads Irish to me, not Scottish. And I'd pronounce it as PPs have, muh-rathe.

DH is Scottish as in born in Edinburgh and his family lives there. I am only half Scottish (my mother is a Scot, from the Isle of Skye).

Thanks for the comments!

Are you the same person who posted about Angus? I like your taste in names. But then I'm Scottish too.