Y’all! [name_f]My[/name_f] husband actually suggested a name! I can’t believe it! He texted me “Saoirse” spelled correctly and everything. That’s a big deal for him!
I’ve always thought [name_f]Saoirse[/name_f] was beautiful and love the meaning, but never seriously considered it because we live in the southern US and spelling and pronunciation will be a constant explanation. BUT I have to spell my name (C@thryn) for people every single time it is being written and I wouldn’t change the spelling of my name for anything. [name_f]My[/name_f] husband, Bri@n, said the same thing about his name. We don’t also have to worry about pronunciation though. However, we homeschool and we can help mitigate some of that since we’re pretty much always with our kids. I realize we won’t be with her always when she’s an adult, but our older kids are all outspoken and not afraid to correct people and I’m sure we can help a little [name_f]Saoirse[/name_f] be the same way. I know an [name_f]Antigone[/name_f] who was born and raised here and wouldn’t change her name for anything either.
Is there any other reason not to use this name? I realize it’s somewhat political in [name_u]Ireland[/name_u], but realistically I don’t see us ever getting to visit [name_u]Ireland[/name_u]. Is that really something I should worry about?
[name_f]My[/name_f] husband and I both have [name_u]Irish[/name_u] heritage. Our last name is a variation of MacManus, but we’re both really mutts, a mixture of so many different areas like many Americans. Does this preclude us from being able to use this name?
Your daughter might visit [name_u]Ireland[/name_u], why not? But I don’t see any reason why to not use this name. It has a great meaning no matter where you live.
I’ve done a lot of thinking on this name, too. I love it. I think it’s gorgeous. I’m in much a similar situation as yourself, too—I’m of [name_u]Irish[/name_u] descent, never visited the country, and have an obviously [name_u]Irish[/name_u] surname. But… I’m still on the fence about whether [name_f]Saoirse[/name_f] is a name I could ever use, even after doing what I consider fair research and asking of questions to people who know better than I do.
[name_f]Saoirse[/name_f] isn’t a mildly political name, to be clear as day. It was coined as a name during and post the [name_u]Irish[/name_u] War of Independence. It’s got a major cultural significance that I, as an American, can hardly speak to.
This all said… it’s beautiful. Knowing the history, researching it, and respecting it are keys to using the name [name_f]Saoirse[/name_f] in my book! [name_f]Sorcha[/name_f] and Sorsha are similar beauties, too, without the weight of freedom and history all attached. All three are lovely!
saoirse is beautiful. i live in the midwest, and i know quite a few of them- that being said, a couple come from irish catholic families. if you love it, i say use it!
Whenever I’ve seen the actress [name_f]Saoirse[/name_f] [name_m]Ronan[/name_m] in interviews with Americans, they mispronounce her name to the extent that sometimes it’s used as a punchline with how much they can’t pronounce it.
This, along with having such significant meaning to [name_u]Ireland[/name_u] gives me some hesitation.
I’m not [name_u]Irish[/name_u], so I can’t really say how usable it is for Americans, but I do think you’d run into some potential problems. While you and your husband both have to spell out your names, everyone can look at them written down and immediately know how to say it. Most Americans wouldn’t have the first clue of how to say [name_f]Saoirse[/name_f]. [name_m]Just[/name_m] something to consider.
I know Backstreet [name_m]Boy[/name_m], [name_u]Nick[/name_u] [name_u]Carter[/name_u] named his daughter it…. So I see it being usable in the US. Go for it is my vote!
Oh, I forgot to add: I think [name_u]Sasha[/name_u] would be a nice alternative. It shares some of the same sounds as [name_f]Saoirse[/name_f], but easier to say and spell.
