Gorgeous Irish name meaning 'freedom' that Americans struggle to pronounce

Before one particular movie star, Americans weren't too familiar with a lovely Irish name that means 'freedom' . There are many Irish names that parents around the world adore.

Popular Irish names for boys in the US include the likes of Liam and Aiden. Meanwhile, popular choices for girls include Maeve and Kennedy.

However, there are other Irish names that American parents will probably never opt for because they are too difficult to pronounce . In Ireland, meanwhile, these names remain popular.

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That is because people who grew up in Ireland have been surrounded by the Irish language their whole lives and have a basic understanding of its rules and conventions. But for those who don't understand Gaeilge, certain Irish names can be confusing.

Before one Oscar -nominated actress, the name Saoirse was only popular in Ireland. However, since Saoirse Ronan 's success, the name has been understood and appreciated by huge numbers of people around the world.

In Ireland, the name remains a popular choice for parents welcoming baby girls into the world. The name Soairse was given to 157 babies in Ireland last year.

That places it at number 27 on the list of most popular names for baby girls in Ireland in 2023. It shares that spot with another Irish name, Cara, which means 'friend' .

The name 'Saoirse' is pronounced like 'seer-sha'. It means 'freedom'.

Saoirse Ronan's name has been notoriously difficult for many Americans to pronounce. There have even been skits about how to pronounce the name on American TV shows like SNL.

Ronan isn't the only Irish success story who dons the beloved first name. There is also Derry Girls star Saoirse Monica Jackson, for example.

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