Totally Irish and this thread had totally done before.

Don't do it unless you want to move back to the mother land.

Why set her up for failure?

Totally non- Irish here.... Most people are familiar with saoirse and Siobhan. I would have no idea what to do with niamh.

I'm surprised people are so unfamiliar with these names, but I went to a Jesuit college so maybe it's just my social circle. I don't think they're more unusual than any number of "unique" ethnic names I've been exposed to since moving to DC.
I like Saoirse better, but both are great names.

How about Fiona?

Well if you're the type of Irish-American family to pass the hat for the cause while shouting "tiochfaidh ar la and up the IRA" then go for Saoirse.

Otherwise Niamh.

Don't use Neave. Because frankly I like not having ever met anyone else yet, besides us, who has used that for their daughter. People will pronounce Neve with a short e sound, like Neve Campbell

Jesus, Mary and Holy St. Joseph! Why the feck would you want to do that to an innocent child, for feck's sake?

I'm an Irish-American and there's no way I would saddle a baby born in the US with either of those names. Are you planning on moving to the Old Sod?

Anonymous wrote:We use Irish names but "American" spellings. I am from Irrland and have one of those names. It is actually just a joke now and my DH has a grand old time with "Her name is Eva but don't forget the F!"

Aoife! Another one that I like.

We use Irish names but "American" spellings. I am from Irrland and have one of those names. It is actually just a joke now and my DH has a grand old time with "Her name is Eva but don't forget the F!"

I love Saoirse. I know a Niamh. I would only use these if the last name was easy to pronounce.

I love the name Saoirse.

Love Neve- I'd Americanize the spelling. Have you read Orphan Train?

I have posted this before-- I work with someone who has one of these Irish names whose spelling bears no resemblance to English. She actually has her name spelled phonetically in her email signature and on her business cards. (e.g. "Saoirse "Sear-sha" O'Neill")

She is very good-natured about it and always says she doesn't mind, but seriously....do you want to impose this on your child?

Anonymous wrote:How are they pronounced?

http://www.babynamesofireland.com/saoirse

http://www.babynamesofireland.com/niamh

How are they pronounced?

neither.