Conference oass::babynames

    My daughter's name is Caileigh (pronounced the same as Kaley). 
    I first heard of it from a friend who had another friend who had
    named her daughter that (only she spelled it Caleigh).  And her
    last name was Fitzgerald!
    

    I originally wanted to spell it Caileigh, but input from people
    felt it would be easily mispronounced.  Have you had any problems
    with pronunciation or teaching her to spell it?
    
    Caileigh Scotland or Kaley Scotland, I like the first one!
    
    Jo

    We chose the spelling we did because we thought it looked prettier
    and more feminine.  
    
    We have occassionally had people call her Cally or Kayla.  This
    doesn't make sense to me since "ai" makes a long "a" sound and "leigh"
    (eg., Brenna Leigh) is an accepted spelling of "lee."  But you would 
    eliminate that problem with Kaley.
                   
    Now I admit she can't spell it, but she isn't even 2 1/2 yet!  I
    think the only thing potentially tough about learning to spell it 
    is that it's kind of long.  But so are lots of good/popular names: 
    Christopher, Elizabeth, Christine, Michelle, Benjamin.
                                                 
    By the way, Brenna was on our "short list" for our second daughter
    (Paige).  The other girl's names are interesting.  Any background
    on them?  Is Shea a family name?  I always thought that would be
    a neat first name for a boy (though probably not with Scotland).
                                                 
    -Tracy
                                                 
                                                 
                                                 
                                                 
                                                 
    
    

    By the way, what's your "early December" due date?   My daughters'
    birthdays are December 9th and December 10th.
    

    Yes, Shea is my grandmothers maiden name.  I like it for a first
    name too.  My due date is December 5th, but I think it's the 2nd.
    Anytime the first week of December will do!  I have a friend who
    has a sister named Paige.  I read the discussion on Paige and I
    always thought it was a pretty popular girls name, not a boys.
    
    I have always thought long and hard about names and now I find it
    even tougher!!!! Oh, to have to name a child something it could
    be 'stuck' with the rest of its life!!
    
    If you come up with any more ideas, please let me know...........JoEllen

    How about spelling (Caleigh) like this: Cailee or Caylee or Kaylee?
    
    I have a friend that spells her daughter's name Cailee.  I like
    it!!  Just a thought.
    

    By the way, JoEllen, I'd prefer you don't use Caileigh/Kaley at
    all.  I don't want anyone else having my daughter's name!
    
    -Tracy
    

    JoEllen,
    
    Just my topic!  My "favorite" Grandfather was born and raised in
    Glasgow, Scotland!  His name is William Burns Gailey.  His middle
    name is after the famous Scotish Poet, Robert Burns.  
    
    Now, for your Kaley, why don't you spell it Cailey.  Just like the
    Scottish name Gailey, though dropping the G and putting in the C.
    I don't think you'd find a more Scotish spelling!  It looks pretty
    also.
    
    If I have a child, (I'm getting married in 7 months, so nothing's
    "planned" yet),  I want to name her Gailey.  I will either have
    Gailey as her first name, with a middle name I haven't thought of
    yet, or use Gailey as a middle name.  i.e.  Erica Gailey Phelan.
     
    Phelan will  be my married name.  Our boy will be Greggory Burns
    Phelan.  (another will be Matthew Edward) since my finance's name
    is Edward, he wants that used too.  Good grief I hope I have a few
    sets of twins, so I can use all my combinations up!  
    
    Anyway, I am very partial to the Gaelic and definately will use
    Gailey and Burns as part of my children's names.  
    
    Good luck to you!
    
      Christina

    Re:-1
    
    Thanks.....I do like Cailey!  I am very partial to gaelic names....my
    husband has to be convinced!  He does approve of Cailey though.
    It better be a girl!  I like your names.  Phelan is a good last
    name for babynaming.  Erika Gailey is pretty, very pretty.  You
    are like me, I had names picked out long before I even had met
    my husband and babies were a twinkle in my eye!!!
    
    Jo

    How about Mhairi.  The Mh pronounced as a V making the sound like
    Vahry.
    
    My friends sister was called Mhairi and I loved that name.
    
    
    Tracy-Anne

    Thought I'd better update this note.....
    
    I just returned from a leave of absence....
    
    Caeli Shea Scotland was born on November 24, 1989.  She decided that
    a large Thanksgiving dinner took up too much room and it was time
    to exit!  She was 19 inches and 6 lbs 2 oz.
    
    At 7 months she is a true joy.  And her name fits her beautifully.  I
    knew the Irish-Gaelic spelling for Caeli was Ceilidh.  I have recently
    found out that the Scottish-Gaelic spelling is Caelidh.  So....Caeli
    is authentic!!!  
    
    I am now revising my list for future children.  I would like their 
    names to be as ethnic as Caeli's. (sounds like I'm going to be
    a baby factory 8^)... no, just one or two more)
    
    The list now is...
    
    
    Seann Allsun
    Devin Leigh
    Brenna Cailin
    Kyle
    Dael
    
    
    and for boys.... still a tough one.  I still like Darach James
                                                      Kyle Padraic
                                                      Iain James
    
    oh, well, I've plenty of time to do some more searching for names.
    
    jo