Saoirse but not Irish

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just want to say I would not be deterred by the so-called political connotations.

The girls name Saoirse has ranked no lower than 37th most popular in Ireland since 1998 (as far back as data is available): https://www.behindthename.com/name/saoirse/top/ireland

That level is not some obscure ranking that leaves it connected only to the IRA or violent nationalist groups.

That said, I would think twice about using a name in America that is not easily pronounced when people see it for the first time. -- signed 1st generation Irish American who has a sister named Isolde.

Yeah, I agree with this. It's not like you're naming your child Thomas Begley Lastname or something.

[Anonymous]

I think it would make a lovely middle name.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the middle name approach. I used to live in Ireland and love the names Aoife and Grainne. But unless I’m living there, I can’t subject my daughter to a life of spelling and pronouncing her name.

Agreed! Grainne is a familiy name for us, and we were tempted, but in the end, we chickened out. Americans are not good with unfamiliar names.

[Anonymous]

I think it’s pretty mainstream now. I know 3 Saoirses and only 1 is Irish heritage (and that was generations ago). The youngest has Latino parents with no Irish connection at all. I say go for it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s pretty mainstream now. I know 3 Saoirses and only 1 is Irish heritage (and that was generations ago). The youngest has Latino parents with no Irish connection at all. I say go for it!

+1

I don't think it's quite as mainstream as Caitlin, Liam, Ryan, Sean, and Colleen, but it's definitely becoming much more popular, even among those who do not identify as having Irish heritage.

[Anonymous]

Oh, just name baby Mary Pat.

[Anonymous]

I am surprised by the poo-pooing here. I’ve never been to Ireland and didn’t grow up in an area with any sizable Irish community, but know the name Saoirse and how to pronounce it. This area is incredibly diverse and when someone doesn’t know how to pronounce a name they just ask — kids especially think noting of it. Go for it.

[Anonymous]

Go with Sally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s weird to go that ethnic without a direct link.

Assuming you aren’t Latino, it would similarly be weird to name your kid Joaquin.

I know a Jewish kid named Sinead VeryCommonJewishLastname. Everyone asks her who is Irish in her family. It’s annoying to her.

I agree with this. It’s odd and pretentious.

[Anonymous]

Saddling your kid with “..., it’s pronounced sheer sha ...” for a lifetime is not very nice. BTDT.

[Anonymous]

I know it looks like Isla but we say Eye la. I know it looks like Anna but we say On ah. I know it looks like Deborah but we say De bore ah. OOOKKKK

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know it looks like Isla but we say Eye la. I know it looks like Anna but we say On ah. I know it looks like Deborah but we say De bore ah. OOOKKKK

You DO know that many words are not pronounced exactly how they look, right?

[Anonymous]

Milly

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know it looks like Isla but we say Eye la. I know it looks like Anna but we say On ah. I know it looks like Deborah but we say De bore ah. OOOKKKK

You DO know that many words are not pronounced exactly how they look, right?

Certainly English speakers should be familiar with this concept!

[Anonymous]

Irish here, it's fine.