I’m Kayla. I spent a summer in Galway, and my granny is from Mayo. I grew up hearing soft Irish pet names on crackly phone calls, then I tried them in real life—on buses, in cafés, on late walks by the river. So this isn’t a list from a book. I’ve said these words. I’ve messed them up. I’ve seen faces light up, and once or twice, I’ve made a barista blink.
If you want an even deeper dive into the phrases I keep coming back to, you can thumb through my running journal of favorites and flops in this expanded guide.
For a broader roundup of classic Irish pet names (including a few tongue-twisters I still can’t nail), have a wander through this IrishCentral guide.
How I fell for them (and used them)
My granny called me “a stór” when I scraped my knee. She’d say it like a hug: “Come here, a stór.” I tried it with my niece. It felt right. Later, in Galway, a baker called me “pet” when she handed me a scone, and I almost cried. Funny what one small word can do.
I started testing Irish terms in texts with my partner, in voice notes to friends, and—bold move—while ordering tea. Some landed sweet. Some landed… odd. That’s fine. Language needs a few scuffs.
The ones I reach for first
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a stór (uh store) — “treasure”
- Where I use it: with kids, close family, and friends who like soft talk.
- Real line I sent: “Night, a stór. Call me in the morning.”
-
a chroí (uh khree) — “heart”
- Soft and warm. Works for partners or family.
- What I whisper: “Thanks, a chroí. You saved my day.”
-
a rún (uh roon) — “secret, darling”
- It feels private, like a secret handshake.
- I said: “You’ll be grand, a rún.” She smiled and exhaled.
-
a ghrá (uh ghraw) — “love”
- Stronger. I keep this for romance or deep care.
- Text I sent: “Home soon, a ghrá.”
-
a mhuirnín (uh WIR-neen) — “darling”
- Old-school cozy. There’s also “mavourneen,” the English form you hear in songs.
- I used it once in a kitchen when the soup burned. We laughed anyway.
-
a chuisle (uh KHUSH-leh) — “pulse”
- You might know “acushla.” It’s tender. A bit poetic.
- I said this after a long day: “Sit with me, a chuisle.”
- Want the backstory on the phrase “cushla machree”? Merriam-Webster unpacks its history.
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a chara (uh KHAR-uh) — “friend”
- Great for friendly notes, and safe with coworkers.
- Email sign-off I use: “Thanks, a chara.”
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a leanbh (uh LAN-uv) — “child”
- Sweet with kids. Sounds gentle even when the day is not.
- Real life: “Careful on the steps, a leanbh.”
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mo stórín (muh store-een) — “my little treasure”
- Add “-ín” for extra cute. I use this with my niece and my cat. Yes, the cat.
- Said out loud: “Come here, mo stórín.”
You know what? Tone matters more than spelling. But the spelling helps too.
What actually landed (and what got me funny looks)
- Big win: Saying “a chara” in emails. It’s friendly without being mushy.
- Family gold: “a stór” to kids. Every time, the shoulders drop.
- Romance sweet spot: “a ghrá” in short texts. It feels simple and deep.
- Slight miss: I tried “a chuisle” at a checkout. The clerk blinked and said, “Sound.” Wrong place, Kayla. Save that one for quiet rooms.
Sometimes those tender lines open the door to flirtation that’s a little more fast-paced than the traditional slow burn. If your chat pivots toward a casual rendez-vous and you’re curious how the French famously shorthand that scenario, a quick stop at Plan Q can clue you in on the slang, the etiquette, and the do’s and don’ts of hooking up without heartache—handy knowledge before sweet talk turns spicy.
And speaking of no-strings adventures, travelers who find themselves as far south as Tasmania can tap into this straight-talking guide to casual sex in Hobart for tips on meeting like-minded locals, staying safe, and keeping the vibe light.
Quick tip so you don’t trip
When you call someone by these names, Irish often adds “a” at the start. That’s normal. It turns “mo ghrá” (my love) into “a ghrá” (hey, love). The “h” you see in words like “chroí” or “mhuirnín” changes the sound. If it growls a little, you’re close. If it’s smooth as tea, that’s fine too.
Irish English bits I heard everywhere
- “Pet” — Cork and Limerick folks used this a lot. Warm, not flirty.
- “Love” — You’ll hear it in shops, quick and kind.
- “Colleen” — From “cailín.” Old-fashioned now. Cute in stories, less in real life.
- “Gasúr” — Kid. Handy, but I don’t say it as a pet name.
Tiny note: Know your setting. “Love” in a pub? Grand. “a ghrá” in a staff meeting? Maybe not. If you do find yourself testing out terms over a measure of uisce beatha, my field notes on putting Irish whiskey through a real-world sniff test might pair nicely.
How I fit them into my day
- Texts: “Thanks, a chroí.” Short. No fluff.
- Home: “Tea, a mhuirnín?” Yes, even for friends. Food softens any word.
- Work: “Hi, a chara” at the top of an email. Lots of smiles, zero drama.
- With kids: “Steady now, a stór.” Works like magic.
Of course, nothing greases the gears of conversation like a proper fry-up; trading endearments over sausages led to a whole side quest of taste-testing – you can read the sizzling details in my ode to Irish bangers.
Pronunciation cheats I learned by ear
- ch = a soft “kh” like clearing fog from a window.
- mh or bh = can sound like “v” or “w.” Try both. See what feels right.
- Say it slower than you think. Then lighter. People hear the care.
Want an extra earful of Gaeilge in action? Brocach shares clips and tips that sync perfectly with these cheats.
The small risks, and why I still lean in
Could you overdo it? Sure. Too much sugar makes tea weird. But one kind word can change the weather of a day. I’ve seen it. On buses. At school gates. In a quiet kitchen where the soup burns and life still goes on.
My verdict, as someone who uses these words
They’re warm. They’re musical. They bring people closer, fast. A few terms are a touch grand for casual chat, but when used with care, they land soft and true.
Would I recommend using Irish terms of endearment? Yes. Start with “a chara” and “a stór.” Save “a ghrá” for heart hours. Keep your voice kind. Let the words carry the rest.
And if you slip? Smile. Try again. Language forgives. Hearts do too.