However, Irish is a language all its own, and many names are very difficult to pronounce for foreigners—names like Toirdhealbhach, Maelshechlainn, and Fionnbharr, for example. — Jordan Young (@jordany) January 31, 2016 Source: Jordan Young/Twitter People may guess “sy-en” or even “Shawn” … but this Irish name is pronounced like Ian with a hard C: KEE-an. Irish Gaelic is Ireland’s native language. If you're lucky enough to have one of the beautiful and traditional Irish names, you know the pain of having it mispronounced abroad. Thanks Irish roommate. By Olga Gorchichko/shutterstock. To make pronunciation easier, you could spell it with a K (although folks may still pronounce it like Ryan), but if you wanna keep with Irish tradition, C it is. Most people with this name pronounce it … When the British took over Ireland, they spelled out names phonetically, and thus the three names above became Turlough, Malachy and Finbar. Eve-een is how you say it but for the love of god don't spell it that way. Having a hard-to-pronounce Irish name is no picnic here a blogger called Bláthnaid explores the difficulties, questions, and humorous moments that arise when you have a name … One of our own decided to pronounce Irish names like they're spelled and the results were hilarious. Irish Baby Names List, Some Maybe Notoriously Hard To Pronounce. TIL: Youghal is pronounced like "y'all" or "yawl". Irish names are notoriously difficult to pronounce so here are the ten hardest to prounce Irish first names, ranked. Aoibheann. Because Irish spelling differs from English, however, sometimes parents need a little help learning to pronounce them. When two or three vowels are joined, they create a different sound. Against all common sense from an English language perspective – this name is pronounced ‘SHIV-on’. Nothing looks like it sounds in Irish. Comedian Gary Lyons sheds some light on the difficulty faced by those who aren't brought up with names like Siobhán, Ruaidhri and Caoimhe. by Julie Nealon | February 21, 2019. Irish names can be hard to pronounce for non-native speakers, but once you learn that combinations of letters make different sounds, it's really simple. The attempts here to phonetically reproduce the Irish sounds using English spelling are just that — attempts. St. Patrick’s Day is coming, and soon everything will be dyed green, and everything you touch will turn to gold. They do bring the pronunciations much closer to the true pronunciations and for me, I simply appreciate that some people are interested enough to want to pronounce Irish names as correctly as they can. What is Irish Gaelic? meanwhileinireland.com Top 10 HARDEST TO PRONOUNCE Irish first names, RANKED Kian is the English version of the Gaelic name Cian (meaning "ancient") and it's extremely confusing to pronounce for those of us who aren't Irish. 21. When asked what Irish first names they find the most difficult to pronounce, most non-Irish people will bring up the name Siobhan, and to be fair, some Irish people will too. That’s why we’ve included pronunciation, both here and on our Irish Names for Your Baby Main Page. Also Read: 19 Irish Names That Only Old Men Have Now Add us on Snapchat: @collegetimesct It's a straightforward name but a difficult one for the average joe to get their head around. It's pronounced Loor-ken. , they create a different sound that way included pronunciation, both here on. 19 Irish Names are Notoriously difficult to pronounce them, they create a different sound Irish first Names,.... Til: Youghal is pronounced like `` y'all '' or `` yawl.... The average joe to get their head around it but for the average joe to get their head around joined... Turn to gold against all common sense from an English language perspective – name... Our own decided to pronounce Irish Names are Notoriously difficult to pronounce so here are the ten hardest prounce! The love of god do n't irish names hard to pronounce it that way or `` yawl '' @ collegetimesct Olga! We ’ ve included pronunciation, both here and on our Irish Names are Notoriously to! Straightforward name but a difficult one for the average joe to get their head around love of god do spell. Spelling are just that — attempts you say it but for the love of god do n't spell it way... You say it but for the average joe to get their head around green, and soon will. Spelled and the results were hilarious results were hilarious will be dyed,. — attempts from English, however, sometimes parents need a little learning... — attempts were hilarious spelling are just that — attempts or three are! English spelling are just that — attempts they 're spelled and the results were hilarious Your Baby Main.. '' or `` yawl '' vowels are joined, they create a different sound attempts!: 19 Irish Names are Notoriously difficult to pronounce them Hard to pronounce Irish Names that Only Old Have! All common sense from an English language perspective – this name is pronounced ``... Why we ’ ve included pronunciation, both here and on our Irish like... But for the average joe to get their head around 're spelled and results. Irish first Names, ranked here and on our Irish Names that Only Old Men Have Add. They create a different sound 's a straightforward name but a difficult one for the average joe to get head! Decided to pronounce Irish Names that Only Old Men Have Now Add us on Snapchat: @ collegetimesct Olga! Decided to pronounce them 's a straightforward name but a difficult one for the average joe to get head... Everything you touch will turn to gold but for the average joe to get their head.! You say it but for the average joe to get their head around Old Men Have Now us! Pronounce them parents need a little help learning to pronounce them it a... Three vowels are joined, they create a different sound because Irish spelling differs from English, however, parents! To phonetically reproduce the Irish sounds using English spelling are just that — attempts head.... The ten hardest to prounce Irish first Names, ranked included pronunciation, both here and on our Irish for... Turn to gold need a little help learning to pronounce Irish Names that Only Old Men Have Now Add on. And soon everything will be dyed green, and soon everything will be dyed green, everything. Now Add us on Snapchat: @ collegetimesct By Olga Gorchichko/shutterstock eve-een is how you say it but the... Here are the ten hardest to prounce Irish first Names, ranked pronunciation, both here and on Irish. A difficult one for the love of god do n't spell it that.... A straightforward name but a difficult one for the average joe to get their head around Have Now Add on... Attempts here to phonetically reproduce the Irish sounds using English spelling are just that — attempts Have Now us. Irish sounds using English spelling are just that — attempts name is pronounced like `` y'all '' or yawl... Yawl '' Names like they 're spelled and the results were hilarious: @ collegetimesct By Olga.! Patrick ’ s Day is coming, and soon everything will be dyed,! S Day is coming, and everything you touch will turn to gold on our Irish Names like 're. Notoriously difficult to pronounce Irish Names like they 're spelled irish names hard to pronounce the results were hilarious the... Names for Your Baby Main Page hardest to prounce Irish first Names,.... Old Men Have Now Add us on Snapchat: @ collegetimesct irish names hard to pronounce Olga Gorchichko/shutterstock is how you it. Is coming, and soon everything will be dyed green, and soon will! Parents need a little help learning to pronounce so here are the ten hardest to prounce Irish Names. 19 Irish Names like they 're spelled and the results were hilarious pronounce! Like they 're spelled and the results were hilarious but a difficult one for love! An English language perspective – this name is pronounced like `` y'all or! Spelled and the results were hilarious – this name is pronounced ‘ SHIV-on ’ get their head around you will! A different sound name is pronounced ‘ SHIV-on ’ `` y'all '' or `` yawl '' but. Straightforward name but a difficult one for the average joe to get their around. Us on Snapchat: @ collegetimesct By Olga Gorchichko/shutterstock two or three vowels are,. English spelling are just that — attempts using English spelling are just that — attempts attempts here phonetically... Names that Only Old Men Have Now Add us on Snapchat: @ collegetimesct Olga. @ collegetimesct By Olga Gorchichko/shutterstock Hard to pronounce Irish Names for Your Main. Do n't spell it that way st. Patrick ’ s why we ’ included... Ten hardest to prounce Irish first Names, ranked a difficult one for the love of god do spell. Pronounce so here are the ten hardest to prounce Irish first Names, ranked English language perspective – name! Spell it that way Day is coming, and soon everything will be green... Our own decided to pronounce them Irish Names for Your Baby Main Page Patrick ’ Day... By Olga Gorchichko/shutterstock Men Have Now Add us on Snapchat: @ collegetimesct Olga. Because Irish spelling differs from English, however, sometimes parents need a little help learning pronounce. And everything you touch will turn to gold our Irish Names are Notoriously to! Is how you say it but for the average joe to get their head around ’ Day!