Saoirse but not Irish

[Anonymous]

I know a Niamh (pronounced Neve). Her father is actually Gaelic, so it makes sense. But seems like a rough name to saddle an American girl with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know a Niamh (pronounced Neve). Her father is actually Gaelic, so it makes sense. But seems like a rough name to saddle an American girl with.

My daughter worked at a summer camp this past summer and they had a Niamh K and Niamh F. I was shocked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love the name Saoirse. I know it's a hassle but it's gorgeous and I keep circling back to it whenever I think of other names. I think it may be the one. But I'm not Irish. Well, I sort of am. Like every other white person in America, I'm a quarter Irish and DH is as well but we're not particularly connected to Irish culture or communities. Is it appropriate to use the name or is that awfully plastic Paddy of me? I think the general consensus on names is you are welcome to use ones from cultures that aren't yours but Saoirse has strong political connotations and is so deeply Irish so I'm not sure if that still applies, though I would love it to. Thoughts?

It will always be mispronounced. It is also affected.

[Anonymous]

It’s the perfect middle name. Don’t saddle your kid with it as a first name.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know a Niamh (pronounced Neve). Her father is actually Gaelic, so it makes sense. But seems like a rough name to saddle an American girl with.

My daughter worked at a summer camp this past summer and they had a Niamh K and Niamh F. I was shocked.

It was pronounced "Neam" in Ballykissangel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love the name Saoirse. I know it's a hassle but it's gorgeous and I keep circling back to it whenever I think of other names. I think it may be the one. But I'm not Irish. Well, I sort of am. Like every other white person in America, I'm a quarter Irish and DH is as well but we're not particularly connected to Irish culture or communities. Is it appropriate to use the name or is that awfully plastic Paddy of me? I think the general consensus on names is you are welcome to use ones from cultures that aren't yours but Saoirse has strong political connotations and is so deeply Irish so I'm not sure if that still applies, though I would love it to. Thoughts?

It will always be mispronounced. It is also affected.

+1 All the people on this thread gushing about how "gorgeous" it is remind me of the part in Tina Fey's biography where she talks about how irritated she is by people who tell her her scar is beautiful. Pronounce Saoirse correctly in a room full of Americans and half of them will just assume you have a speech impediment. It's a strange sounding name. Add in that OP has no connection to the culture or language and affected is the perfect description.