Saoirse or Niamh?

[Anonymous]

Baby girl on the way and all of the family has classic Irish names. We are down to the last few choices and I worry these two would be too confusing as she grows up. I'm tempted to go with "neve" instead but that's not the classic spelling. Not sure what to do here but we just aren't drawn to names like Brigid or Claire.

[Anonymous]

Americans would at least have a shot at correctly pronouncing Neve.

[Anonymous]

Both will be mangled by teachers.
--A teacher

[Anonymous]

Majority of people will be unable to 1) pronounce either or 2) spell either

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Majority of people will be unable to 1) pronounce either or 2) spell either

Agree, so if you go with either be prepared.

I like Neave:
http://www.babynamesofireland.com/neave

[Anonymous]

I agree with you, OP. Your daughter would spend her whole life correcting people - those names and pronunciations are just too unfamiliar here. There are so many other Irish names that are pronounced phonetically (in English, not Celt) and/or that are more familiar. I also agree that the "Neve" spelling would help a lot. What about Maeve?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Majority of people will be unable to 1) pronounce either or 2) spell either

Agree. Don't do this to your child unless you plan on living in Ireland.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Majority of people will be unable to 1) pronounce either or 2) spell either

Agree. Don't do this to your child unless you plan on living in Ireland.

+1 even in south Boston, people won't have a clue. Don't do this to your child.

[Anonymous]

Maeve!

Or Neve...but not Niamh...unless you live in Ireland.

[Anonymous]

I pronounced the first name the same way I would pronounce Cersei (as in game of thrones) Sayr-see Not exactly the connection you might want people to have.

[Anonymous]

I think that an Irish name that is reasonably phonetic in English would probably simplify the child's life.

On the other hand, may nothing worse ever happen to the child than being named Saoirse or Niamh!

[Anonymous]

Siobhan?
Aileen?
Catriona?
Deirdre?

[Anonymous]

Ugh neither, sorry!

[Anonymous]

I love Irish names! My children have 3 first names, one for each of their ethnic backgrounds. Luckily they're all just a little bit easier to pronounce, although we do have to spell them.

Just pick something you really like.

[Anonymous]

If you want to reflect an Irish background, then at least spell the name correctly rather than the corrupted American version. I have an Irish name and anyone that I have met in the past 25+ years here that is worth knowing has learned to spell it. Even teachers and faculty and executives at F500 companies.

Regarding Niamh or Saoirse, Saoirse doesn't sit well with me because I'm well aware of the underlying story. However, I love Niamh. I would, of course, be looking to name a brother Diarmuid!