The land of step-dance and jigging, St. Paddy’s Day and magpies...in today’s “If you liked” post, we will be reviewing a few tiers of name lists based on the name Aoife, a traditional Irish name that serves as a middle ground between the two lists below. So, without further ado, let's get into it.
Aoife herself:
So what’s the appeal in Aoife? Some people see this name as bothersome and phonetically incorrect, but others view the traditional spelling as a way to honor their heritage and pay tribute to the place their traditionally spelled name came from. Whether you believe the former or the latter, Aoife can be a breathtakingly beautiful name to bestow upon a little girl.
Just to clear the air on pronunciation, Aoife is pronounced EE-fa, and is considered the Welsh or Gaelic version of the Hebrew name Eva. If you and your partner want to spice up an honor name for an Eva, Aoife can definitely deliver.
Finally, the stats on Aoife. Aoife hit her peak in Wales in 2015, when 325 expectant couples gave this moniker to their little girl. Since 2015, Aoife has definitely taken a dive down the chart, but I see many reasons to restore this stunning name and use it more often.
But Aoife is just too weird for us, we want something pronounceable!
Well have I got the list for you! Whether you still have your heart set on an Irish name but fear having to repeat Labhaoise over and over and over again, or you simply are just drawn to names with an Irish touch, but not names that scream “here lives an Irish family”, here are some Irish names that might appear common enough for comfort.
Finn
Finn is internationally adored, and for good reason at that. He’s spunky, bears lots of longer forms, and, best of all, he’s Irish! Finn, Finnegan, Finnian, and unisex Finley all claim roots in the the Emerald Isle, but don’t sound as if your family is die-hard Irish due to its place in the top 200 names circa 2018. With Finn, you’re guaranteed the sensitive yet heroic charm of the 2010s hit name Jack, and the Irish hint you desire.
Riley
Although Riley is unmistakably Irish in origin, you can rest assured its popularity has pushed it past any initial stereotypes about its bearer, including gender. Riley is firmly team green, as it ranked #28 of all girls’ names and #250 of all boys’ names in the US in 2018, and with such widespread popularity, Irish culture is no longer tethered so closely to the name as it was in previous years, which may be a plus or minus depending on the family. However, alternative spellings like Ryleigh, Rylie, Rilee, and Ryley have lowered the likelihood of this name being spelled correctly all of the time.
Nolan
Nolan is the ultimate triple threat; a surname name, inspired by sports, and, naturally, Irish. Nolan sits at #64 in the top 1000 boys names, but definitely isn’t Aidan or Conor. Although Nolan does have the potential to become unisex, he remains firmly in the blue territory at the moment. Nolan does have a hint of an Irish feel, but also seems edgy, trendy, and modern for a little boy today.
Mckenna
As trendy as Mckenna, Mackenzie, Mckayla, and all of the male Mac- and Mc- names are, Mckenna does boast an Irish origin as well as a feminine aura, making her a real gem for families looking for the right balance between traditionally Irish and trendy in the US. Not only that, Mckenna, as opposed to Mikayla/McKayla, is an authentic Irish surname instead of a coupling of several trendy sounds pushed together to make a fan favorite.
Keira/Kiera
No matter how you spell it, Keira is the embodiment of an Irish twist on a classic name. Believed to be the anglicized version of the Irish name Ciara, Keira is pronounced exactly like Russian creation Kira. The problem with this is the constant respelling due to Kyra, Kira, Keera, Kirrah, and Kierra also being accepted spellings. However, Kira and co. do have a similar format to top ten favorites Ava and Emma--one syllable with the -uh sound at the end. If you’re searching for a sweet spot name with an Irish taste to it, Keira is a perfect fit.
Yeah… no. We think Aoife is too standard. We want something less recognized. 325 babies is 325 too many.
For the few who feel that Aoife is just too guideline Irish, and crave the many letters and unique style of Labhaoise, think that just a touch of Irish flavor disrespects the culture the names came from, or even just loves the complexity of a truly unique moniker, this list is for you. I’ve collected the rarest Irish names below for those of us in search of a truly distinctive name for a child.
Ceabhallan
Ceabhallan, pronounced similarly to unisex surname name Carlin, is an Irish boy’s name that fully embraces the Irish way of presenting phonics and sounds in names. Neither Ceabhallan or his slightly more phonetically transparent counterpart Carlin have cracked the top 1000 in the past two decades, and remain a mostly untouched moniker for the moment. If you’re looking to embrace true Irish spellings, names like Ceabhallan may contain irresistible appeal.
Aoibhinn/Aoibhinn
This raw Irish beauty is pronounced like AY-van, similar to Ava or Aidan if popularity is putting you off. Despite definitely being more popular than Ceabhallan, Aoibhinn is still a name you might never come across in real life, much less many times on your child’s kindergarten roster. If you adore names with familiar sounds and distinct spellings, this stunner meaning “beautiful sheen” is definitely one to consider.
Aibhilin
Aibhilin is thought to be an Irish variation of the English name Evelyn, whose sound and relatable meaning dazzles many parents each year. If the sound of Evelyn appeals to you, and the meaning “wished for a child” honors rainbow babies, but the popularity makes you weary, this variant might be a perfect solution. Pronounced ay-vel-LEEN, the feminine yet distinct feel wins her major points for expectant parents who don’t mind unusual spellings.
Caoimhe
Caoimhe is traditionally pronounced both Keeva or Kweeva, though Keeva may be more in favor for a girl today. The Keeva pronunciation has a traditional yet funky feel, as it follows a popular format of one syllable with an -uh sound at the end, yet the sounds are fresh, current, and unused. Caoimhe, whether pronounced Keeva or Kweeva, has an offbeat sound packed into a formula used for traditional girls' names for years.
Final thoughts:
Whether you were appalled or appealed by the lists above, Aoife and her Irish sisters and brothers are viable options for a child today to wear proudly. With soft and subtle sounds and unique, lengthy spellings, it’s only a matter of time before these striking beauties get the recognition they deserve.
~Delphina Moon
What’s your opinion on Irish names? Do you think the sound outweighs the spelling?