No, it’s not just you—everyone struggles to pronounce her name. Ronan has explained the pronunciation in every single interview she’s done. Saoirse is pronounced like “Sir-shuh,” and it means “freedom” in traditional Irish. (Photo: WENN)
Her big break was in the film adaptation of Ian McEwan’s novel “Atonement”. She played 13-year-old Briony Tallis, who misunderstands what she sees on a summer night in 1935, setting off a dramatic chain of events. (Photo: Release)
Saoirse’s work in “Atonement” won her an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress, making her one of the youngest Oscar nominees in history. She’s been nominated two more times since, in 2016 for her work in Brooklyn, and again this year for “Lady Bird.” (Photo: WENN)
Though she has a heavy Irish accent, Saoirse was actually born in The Bronx. Her Dublin-born parents emigrated to the US in search of opportunity. Her family returned to Ireland when Soairse was only 3. (Photo: WENN)
She could’ve been Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter films! Ronan auditioned for the role, though she eventually lost out to Evanna Lynch. “At the time I thought, ‘I’d love to be in Harry Potter.’ When I was younger, I used to think they had the best job in the world.” (Photo: WENN)
She’s gifted at accents. In fact, Saoirse said in an interview with Variety that she’s never used her own Irish accent on a film. (Photo: WENN)
Saoirse had her first kiss on the set of “I Could Never Be Your Woman”. “Everyone of those takes consisted of a 3-second kiss—no more, no less. I suffered for the art. We did about eight takes. I was a phenomenal kisser by the end.” (Photo: WENN)
Saoirse dated her “How I Live Now” costar George MacKay back in 2013. In fact, their portrayal of on-screen lovers was a case of art imitating life. It was Saoirse’s first proper boyfriend and, in a way, I think she was living through the same thing that the character is going through,” the director said. (Photo: WENN)
In case you were wondering how Lady Bird and Julie managed to become one of our favorite best friend couples of all time is because Saoirse and her co-star Beanie Feldstein are real-life friends! (Photo: WENN)
She has a bit of a sideline in music video cameos. You’ve probably seen her in Ed Sheeran’s “Galway Girl,” but before that, Saoirse had already appeared on Hozier’s “Cherry Wine” and Natasha Khan and Jon Hopkins’ “Garden’s Hear” music video. (Photo: WENN)
Ronan is well known for her experimental, feminine style on the red carpet, and its all thanks to Elizabeth Saltzman. Saoirse credits the stylist for encouraging her to try colors and textures she’d previously avoided. (Photo: WENN)
Saoirse’s next big role is playing the titular character in the historical drama Mary Queen of Scots, alongside Margot Robbie, who’ll be barely recognizable as Queen Elizabeth I. (Photo: WENN)
It was November of 2017 and we already knew that 2018 was going to be the year for Saoirse Ronan.
After making headlines in 2016 for her work in the movie Brooklyn, Saoirse Ronan once again became the name on everyone’s lips for her portrayal of the eclectic Lady Bird in Greta Gerwig’s directorial debut and tremendous ode to teenagedom.
And since Ronan’s already-colossal fame is only sure to grow, why not get to know the notoriously unpronounceable name a little bit better? Celebrating her 24th birthday, here are 12 interesting facts about Saoirse—from her Irish background to her past boyfriends to how to properly say her name!
