Just when you thought you knew English well, Irish names come in to completely throw you off guard. With insanely confusing pronunciations and letter combinations that make entirely different sounds, we challenge you to guess the right pronunciation for all these names. We doubt you'll be able to get that many right on the first try!
1. Aoife
Pronounced as "EE-fa," Aoife is a popular Irish name derived from the Gaelic word meaning "beauty" or "radiance." Its spelling is incredibly confusing, especially for anyone not familiar with Irish phonetics. As a result, this name is commonly mispronounced; after all, who knew a name with four vowels and just one consonant existed?
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2. Caoimhe
Now this one will definitely throw everyone off. Pronounced "KEE-va" or "KWEE-va," Caoimhe is a beautiful Gaelic name meaning "gentle," "beautiful," or "precious." The combination of "mh" in Irish often confuses non-native speakers, who might not realize it represents a "v" sound. But not only that, how were we supposed to know "Caoi" is pronounced "KEE"?!
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3. Tadhg
Did you think to pronounce Tadhg as "TYG" or "TAIG"? Just think of it as "tiger" but without the "er" at the end. It's an old Irish name meaning "poet" or "philosopher" with the "dhg" ending being particularly challenging for anyone seeing the name for the first time.
4. Siobhan
No, there's no "B" sound in this name! Pronounced as "shi-VAWN," Siobhan is known as the Irish version of Joan and means "God is gracious." Once again, the "bh" combo in Irish names will often sound like a "v," throwing another curveball to non-native speakers.
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5. Saoirse
More commonly recognized thanks to popular actress Saoirse Ronan, this beautiful name means "freedom" or "liberty." Still thrown off by the spelling? Saoirse is pronounced like "SEER-sha" or "SAIR-sha." It's gained popularity outside of Ireland in recent years, but it doesn't make the pronunciation any easier!
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6. Ciara
While you might be tempted to pronounce it like "SEE-Are-Ah," in Ireland, it's pronounced as "KEE-ra." As the Irish form of Clara or Claire, Ciara means "dark-haired." The "C" in Irish can sound like a "K," contrary to the "S" sound many might expect.
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7. Niamh
Meaning "bright" or "radiant," this positive name, Niamh, has a unique pronunciation - it's pronounced "NEEV!" Once again, the combination of "mh" throws us on the wrong track; similar to Caoimhe, it represents a "v" sound.
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8. Oisín
Oisín, pronounced "UH-sheen" or "O-sheen," is a name derived from Irish mythology meaning "little deer." The "Oí" combination and the "sí" can be difficult to decipher without knowledge of Irish pronunciation rules.
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9. Eoghan
Just think of Eoghan as "OWEN," an Irish name that means "born of the yew tree." Once you remember the "gh" in the middle is silent, it becomes a whole lot easier to pronounce!
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10. Aisling
Suprise, surprise. Aisling, meaning "dream" or "vision," is pronounced "ASH-ling" or "ASH-leen." It's a relatively modern Irish name that was coined in the 20th century, but its spelling is still sure to confuse many around the globe. We suppose newer doesn't mean easier to say when it comes to Irish names!
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11. Darragh
Pronounced "DAH-rah" or sometimes "DAR-ah," Darragh is a unisex name meaning "oak tree." Its spelling might suggest a more complicated pronunciation, leading to common errors among those unfamiliar with it.
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12. Fionnuala
Oh boy, where do we even begin? Fionnuala, pronounced "fi-NOO-la" or "fi-NO-la," is derived from Gaelic, meaning "white shoulder." The combination of "nn" and "uala" can be misleading, making the pronunciation less intuitive than it appears.
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13. Seamus
Any Harry Potter fans out there? If you loved the books or movies, this might be a familiar one. Pronounced "SHAY-mus," Seamus is the Irish form of James meaning "supplanter." If you're seeing this name for the first time, it's definitely hard figuring out how to pronounce the "Se" at the beginning!
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14. Eoin
Similar to Eoghan, Eoin is pronounced "OH-in." It's the Gaelic form of John which means "God is gracious" just like Siobhan! Its spelling makes it obvious why this name is so easily mispronounced.
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15. Sinead
Sinead, pronounced "shin-AID," is an Irish version of Jane, meaning "God is gracious." We suppose this meaning is a very beloved and popular one in Ireland! The "Si" and "ead" parts are particularly tricky for non-Gaelic speakers, who might not associate the spelling with its correct sound.
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16. Padraig
Padraig, pronounced "PAW-drig" or "POR-ick (we're not sure how this one came to be!)," is the Gaelic form of Patrick. Its spelling, particularly the "d" followed by "r," can throw off those unfamiliar with the name's proper pronunciation.
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17. Blathnaid
Blathnaid, pronounced "BLAW-nid," means "flower" or "blossom." You're probably wondering where the "th" sound went, but to be honest, we don't know either! The "thn" combination in the middle is especially unusual, confusing anyone that's seeing this name for the very first time.
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18. Mairead
Just when you think you've got it, we've got another one that'll throw you off guard. Mairead, pronounced "MA-rad" or "mo-RAID," is the Irish form of Margaret, meaning "pearl." The "ea" in the middle often confuses people into thinking it should be pronounced differently.
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19. Ruaridh
Alright, if you manage to guess this one right on your first try, you must be a genius. Ruaridh, pronounced "ROO-ree" or "RORY," is an Irish name meaning "red king." The "dh" at the end is silent, which is a common stumbling block for those learning how to pronounce it. But to be frank, the "Ruari" are the beginning doesn't make it any easier too!
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20. Fiachra
Fiachra, pronounced "FEE-kra," is an Irish name meaning "raven." The combination of "ia" and "ch" can be particularly deceptive, leaving this name open for plenty for mispronunciation.
