Another case of "will she hate us?"

See the results of this poll: Vote YES or NO for "Saoirse"

Respondents: 212 (This poll is closed)

  • Yes : 140 (66%)
  • No: 72 (34%)

I think it’s totally fine! [name_m]Even[/name_m] people with totally common English names have to spell them for people. So there’s no reason this should be that much harder for her than for anyone else. It’s a standard spelling for a standard pronunciation, which is better than you can say for a lot of names. I’d say go for it!

(you might want to post a poll so that you can get the stats on our responses and see if they line up to your 90/10 friend reaction).

Thanks for your input daisychain! I set up a poll =)

It’s fine! I [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] [name_f]Saoirse[/name_f] but I’m from [name_f]England[/name_f] so Irish names and their pronunciation come pretty naturally over here. It honours your DH’s background and although she may have to correct people on pronunciation/spelling, once they understand it, it should be smooth sailing from there on out. Go for it, it’s not as if it’s a youneek name, it’s a name with lots of history. :slight_smile: It’s gorgeous.

I didn’t know how to pronounce it :confused: “Seer-sha” is fine and pretty, but the spelling is too difficult in my opinion. She will have to spell it and correct people every single day. Sorry!

What do you think of [name_f]Saskia[/name_f] and [name_f]Elisheva[/name_f]?

[name_u]Love[/name_u] the Irish sounds but I wouldn’t want to deal with that everyday!

No, she won’t. I can’t speak for everyone, of course, but I have a name that I always have to spell and pronounce for people. It doesn’t bother me. You spell/sound it out the first time you meet someone, and after that it’s fine. In other words: she won’t have to spell it [name_f]EVERY[/name_f] [name_u]DAY[/name_u] as people here seem to suggest.

PS. [name_f]Saoirse[/name_f] is beautiful.

I love the name, but I can’t say in good faith that, if I were you I would use it. You will be living in [name_u]America[/name_u], and raising an American child, who will go to American schools most likely. It will probably be difficult. People are familiar with [name_m]Sean[/name_m], but not so many others. I have a similar issue when it comes to [name_f]Niamh[/name_f], and have resigned to putting it in the middle of some combos.

It’s a gorgeous name, and not too terribly uncommon. I think people can easily learn to pronounce it, though spelling it correctly is an entirely different matter. I’d use it anyway!

[name_u]America[/name_u] is supposed to be a multicultural country. Correcting mispronunciations and misspellings are a common part of many Americans’ lives. I don’t see why your daughter would hate you for naming her [name_f]Saoirse[/name_f]. If Americans can learn Tchaikovsky and Sacajawea they can learn [name_f]Saoirse[/name_f].

I like it! BTW I have a name that is difficult for many to spell, and it doesn’t bother me. I also use it to measure how well a person knows me.

I voted no, but having lots of Irish family with Gaelic names, theydo get some hell of pronunciations and spellings thrown their way. All of them appreciate the nod to their heritage, though. Plus [name_f]Saoirse[/name_f] being a famous actress might make it slightly better known. It’s a gorgeous name.

Oops: I voted no as in “no she won’t hate you” rather than “yes I like the name!” So please don’t count my vote the wrong way!

I first learned of this name (and the pronunciation) via Nameberry. So, I know how to pronounce it now having become a berry, but otherwise I would have been a little baffled. I think it’s a beautiful name and I definitely think there will be plenty of name fumbles in class and elsewhere, but you will also run into people who get it right and don’t bat an eye. I’d rather have a beautiful, meaningful, Gaelic name that represents my heritage than something that’s “easier to pronounce.” So I wholeheartedly vote YES on [name_f]Saoirse[/name_f]!

I voted No because I answered “[name_m]Will[/name_m] she hate us” I vote Yes on the name.
With all the tryendee spellings of names out there, common ‘English’ names have to be spelt more & more.
Also with traditional Gaeilge names jumping the pond in pop culture by the time she reaches school age it shouldn’t be much of an issue. She may have to spell it a few times, but I have to spell my name too (is that with an E, without or IE?)

Oops yeah I voted no before realising it meant yes or no on the name itself, not whether she would hate you. Nah I say go for it!! It’s the name of a famous actress, so that may help. Plus, she’ll only have to correct a person once, which won’t take more than 5 seconds. It’s really not that big of a deal correcting people’s pronunciation/spelling/et cetera of your name.

So:

No she won’t hate you
Yes use [name_f]Saoirse[/name_f]

[name_f]Saoirse[/name_f] is gorgeous!
I think it is a spectacular choice!

Oops!! I did the same!! :-o But I agree with the above. [name_f]Nevaeh[/name_f] and [name_f]Kayleigh[/name_f] and Brynlie will still have to spell their names; it’s nearly unavoidable these days. It’s a gorgeous name that deserves more exposure, and we’ll never become more accepting of diversity in names if no one uses them. [name_m]Even[/name_m] a name as simple as mine ([name_f]Amy[/name_f]) has multiple spelling variations.

I think it’s very pretty and unique

I love love love [name_f]Saoirse[/name_f]!