Thoughts on Eilidh for a girl?
Out of interest would you know how to pronounce it?
Do you think a more phonetic spelling would be better? (Pronunciation is not a problem where we live but not sure about rest of world!) Thanks everyone! Lilidh
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Eilidh for a girl?
26 posts • Page 1 of 3 • 1, 2, 3
Eilidh for a girl?
by limike on Fri Oct 30, 2009 4:44 pm
Re: Eilidh for a girl?
by ricamaca on Fri Oct 30, 2009 4:51 pm
Yeah...I have no clue where to begin on pronounciation.
Sorry :/
Sorry :/
Re: Eilidh for a girl?
by rkarczynski on Fri Oct 30, 2009 5:25 pm
It looks Irish to me. Like a form of Eileen or something. I'd have to look it up to find out how to pronounce it. Are you asking how to pronounce it or do you already know?
If you know - how is it pronounced??? Is it a form of Eileen?
Oh - and where are you from?
If you know - how is it pronounced??? Is it a form of Eileen?
Oh - and where are you from?
Re: Eilidh for a girl?
by limike on Fri Oct 30, 2009 5:36 pm
Thankyou for comments! Is a gaelic name pronounced ay lee. It means 'light'. I believe it is the gaelic form of Helen but I'm not totally sure on that one! We're from Scotland. Was just wondering if anyone from elsewhere would know how to pronounce it... Apparently not! That's fine. Do you think a phonetic spelling - Aylee - would be better? Although that would kinda ruin the heritage of the name... What do you think? Thanks Lilidh
Re: Eilidh for a girl?
by scarlettsmom on Fri Oct 30, 2009 5:44 pm
If pronunciation for Eilidh won't be an issue where you're from and where your child will presumably grow up, then I would go with the traditional spelling. On the odd occasion you would have to explain it to someone, they would only need to be told once. Gaelic names are like a catch-22 for me - I think they're gorgeous but living in the U.S., no one would have a clue how to pronounce them, but if you Americanize the spelling, the names always look less special, sometimes even silly.
Unfortunately I have to admit that just by looking at it I would have wondered if it was pronounced like "eyelid."
Unfortunately I have to admit that just by looking at it I would have wondered if it was pronounced like "eyelid."
Re: Eilidh for a girl?
by aife on Fri Oct 30, 2009 5:47 pm
scarlettsmom wrote:If pronunciation for Eilidh won't be an issue where you're from and where your child will presumably grow up, then I would go with the traditional spelling. On the odd occasion you would have to explain it to someone, they would only need to be told once. Gaelic names are like a catch-22 for me - I think they're gorgeous but living in the U.S., no one would have a clue how to pronounce them, but if you Americanize the spelling, the names always look less special, sometimes even silly.
Unfortunately I have to admit that just by looking at it I would have wondered if it was pronounced like "eyelid."
Re: Eilidh for a girl?
by limike on Fri Oct 30, 2009 5:48 pm
That's true! I have a friend called Eilidh whose anatomy lecturer at uni called her eye'lid the whole time and didn't appreciate the irony! I've always loved the name but wouldn't want to make it hard for her through her life.
Re: Eilidh for a girl?
by rkarczynski on Fri Oct 30, 2009 5:59 pm
I agree with scarlettsmom. If there is not a pronounciation problem where you come from then don't change it. It's beautiful that way!
I wish Irish spellings and pn were more accepted in the US b/c they do have such beautiful names and spellings! But the name would get butchered so much here.
My husband is Irish, and I wanted Irish names for the kids - the only one who got one was my first daughter - Alanna. Even the name Catriona would get butchered - here we would pn it Ca - tree- on- ah , not Ca- tree- nah
Good luck! It's a beautiful name.
I wish Irish spellings and pn were more accepted in the US b/c they do have such beautiful names and spellings! But the name would get butchered so much here.
My husband is Irish, and I wanted Irish names for the kids - the only one who got one was my first daughter - Alanna. Even the name Catriona would get butchered - here we would pn it Ca - tree- on- ah , not Ca- tree- nah
Good luck! It's a beautiful name.
Re: Eilidh for a girl?
by aife on Fri Oct 30, 2009 6:00 pm
I am Irish and I am not at all familiar with Eilidh.I believe it is Scottish and it looks like a translation of Helen.Lean (lane) is the irish gaeilge for Helen ( a fada over the e ) this give the e a broad A sound.It is a beautifully simple name .Aileen is quite a common womans first name in Ireland pronounced Ale-LEEN and it is an anglicisation of Lean(pn. Lane). Perhaps Eilidh is a Scottish variation of the anglicised Aileen which is common enough here in Ireland.I have never ever come across an Eilidh in all my years in Ireland.Hope this helps.
Re: Eilidh for a girl?
by limike on Fri Oct 30, 2009 6:15 pm
Thanks for all the comments. We were also considering Isla (pronounced eye la). Thoughts on that one? Any preferences over the 2? Surname Macrae (mac ray). Thanks Lilidh
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