LAST month, we wrote a piece on Irish *surnames* that Americans always mispronounce. Well there's nothing like a cheeky little follow-up is there? So here's some of the most commonly mispronounced Irish *first names* for you yanks to finally get right!
SIOBHAN
Very common Gaelic name in Ireland, the UK and in the US.
How others say it: "See-o-ban"
How it should be said: "Shiv-awn"
OISIN
We've got one here in the office, and he'd kill us if we didn't include this one.
How others say it: "Oi-zin" or "Waz-an"
How it should be said: "Ush-een"
CIARA
Another common one. The Anglicised/Americanised versions of the name will give you a big clue.
How others say it: "Kee-ar-ah"
How it should be said: "Keera"
NIAMH
Really doesn't look right to a non-Irish person, but trust us, this is correct.
How others say it: "Ni-Am-H"
How it should be said: "Knee-uv"
SAOIRSE
Here's actress Saoirse Ronan showing Stephen Colbert how it's done.
How others say it: "Say-oar-see"
How it should be said: "Ser-shah"
SINEAD
This one might be easier given a certain Ms O'Connor's fame, but in case anyone out there is still getting it wrong:
How others say it: "Sign-aid"
How it should be said: "Shin-aid"
CAOIMHE
Gaelic for "gentle", though the pronunciation isn't as it's translation suggests.
How others say it: "Cam-he"
How it should be said: "Kweeva"
CATHAL
I know what it looks like. But you're wrong.
How others say it: "Cattle"
How it should be said: "Cah-hull"
TADGH
Despite the fact there's no letter 'I', that's the sound we want here, like 'eye'.
How others say it: "Tad-guh"
How it should be said: "T-eye-g" (like the first three letters of 'tiger')
Hope that clears a few things up.
