Boys name shortlist. honest opinions please

[BarbieLovesKen]

Despite having ages yet, Im really panicing about a boy's name - to a point that Im getting worried as there is very little I actually love. Most are just ok and anything I do find pretty nice, dh hates and vice versa.

We adore our Ds's name - possibly a little too much as we're finding it very hard to follow it if that makes sense. Am worried if this ones a boy, he'll be getting a second best name as it couldnt possibly be as nice as ds's name (to us anyway). I know that sounds silly . (Ds's name is Oisín)

We're pretty much set on a girl's name. (Most likely Kate Gabriella or Kate Scarlett a la Gone with the Wind but could possibly be an Adrienna/e or Gabrielle/a too)

Anyway, would really appreciate if you could have a look at our list of boy's names (and be as blunt as possible please as really, Im we're not in love with any!!!)

My shortlist:
Iarla or Iarlaith (pronounced Ear-la)(is this girly? probably my favourite, I think but still not completely sold on it.
Naoise pronounced Nee-sha (too girly?)
Blaine
and suprisingly (different from the rest)
Alfie and Harry (I know these are hugely popular in UK, but arent here, havent heard of either and quite low down in charts).
Did like Elijah but think I've gone off it now.

DH's shortlist:
Tomás
Cian
Cianan (this isnt even a name, as far as Im aware)
He has also mentioned Cíaran and loves Cathal (irish for Charlie)

I know, some of his are perfectly nice names but I find them terribly boring and ordinary as in theres 600 of each around here. (p.s. we are Irish and are living in Ireland)

Could you give me your vote or thoughts on each? Thank you all so much.

[deemented]

I'm biased towards Ciaran, as was DS1's name, and i love it.

I think Iarla, Iarlaith or Naoise do sound very girly, sorry.

Not keen on Blaine, Alfie or Harry.

Do like Elijah, Tomas and Cian and Cianan. Quite like Cathal too.


Have you thought about Malachy or names of that ilk?

My DS2 has a good strong Irish name - Brennan Michael Patrick, and i love it.

What about something like Padraig?

[BarbieLovesKen]

I like Malachy but dh hates it. I dont love it though so dont really mind.

Brennan is fab (as it is my maiden name so am biased but for obvious reasons wouldnt/ couldnt use it)

Hate Padraig. (sorry, I am so awkard - I wanted somewhat a traditional Irish boy's name initially but find I like the unusual(ish) ones i.e. Oisín, Iarla, Naoise etc..) I do think you could be right about the girliness though. Particulary of Naoise.

[deemented]

I found this site really useful when looking at names.

[coco2901]

Sorry, I do think Iarla, Iarlaith and Naoise are too girly for my liking. I think my favourite is Cian maybe Ciaran.

[BelligerentYhoULE]

I like Tomas and then Elijah. Not fond of Iarla or Naoise. Blaine is Not Good imho.

[threefeethighandrising]

I was going to suggest Oisín

What comes after Oisín?! A good question and one I might have to answer myself one day

Other names from the celtic myths surrounding Oisín include Fionn (Oisín's dad) and Oscar (his son).

Or how about Eoin, based purely on the sound - they go well I think.

[threefeethighandrising]

Please don't apologise for being awkward BTW! I read - and rejected - all the names in 8 baby names dictionaries! DP had a list with lots of interesting --pet- baby names on it. I had exactly none on my list until a day after DS was born, so you're doing well IMO!

[Komondor]

Cianan

[BarbieLovesKen]

I was just about to come on and wail "but Cianan isnt a real name!!! he made it up cos I dont like Cian!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRGGHH"

but googled it and turns out it is an old Irish name (should be ashamed) its apparantly unusual and doesnt enter the top one thousand names so thats probably what I hadnt heard it. Its Cianán and means little ancient one.

Im worried with this one though, as it looks nice but when heard, Id imagine most would picture Keenan, which is a surname to me or a modern made upish time name which I do not want.

threefeet thank you!! its just the best name ever.

[BarbieLovesKen]

Beligerent why do you think Blaine is not good (and please dont hold back!!!! )?

Thanks deemented, am going to look at that site now.

[LesAnimaux]

I think of Blaine as a bit, dare I say it...chav...but having said that, the 2 Blaines I know are both from OK families.

[LesAnimaux]

How do you pronounce Cianan?

[BelligerentYhoULE]

Erm...I think it just sounds a bit sci-fi or a bit American tbh. I can see somebody called Blaine either having a skin tight silver jumpsuit and blue skin OR toothpaste-advert-teeth and an insincere smile. Sorry! :)

[LesAnimaux]

Seamus is fab!

[NewYearNewPants]

Oisin is fabulous, so well done on that one

I'm Irish and love tradiitonal Irish names, but really not keen on Iarlaith. It sounds too close to Orla for my liking. I also dislike Naoise. It does sound too girly to me, yes.

Not keen on your other suggestions, either (sorry!). Blaine is awful.

I love Elijah, but you've gone off that, so that's not much help...

Alfie and Harry are OK. So, so popular in London, though.

LOVE Tomas, like Cian. Not keen on Cianan. Ciaran is nice. Cathal awful.


Cillian
Seamus
Dara
Ruairi / Ruaraidh
Lorcan
Cormac ??

[BarbieLovesKen]

Leroy Oisín is prounounced Ush - een.

PML at "Blaine either having a skin tight silver jumpsuit and blue skin OR toothpaste-advert-teeth and an insincere smile" Ok, think I am officially off Blaine too!!. Only knew one, from a family of all very irish names too and he was super cool and lovely and think its the only reason I picked it, he had a stunning surname that it really suited though.

Do you all really like Seamus? really dont. At all.(again, sorry!!)

Newyear glad to you said you think Cathal is awful as I do too, really hate it.

Oh dear, Im actually beginning to hope this one is a girl, which Im really ashamed of admitting. Its purely on the name thing though, as I'd adore another little boy or girl around the house - if I'd a nice boy's name I wouldnt give a damn. Thats a bit sad really.

[BelligerentYhoULE]

Nope, I don't like Seamus.

[seanbonbon]

Dara? getting a bit popular here now but I love it.

[working9while5]

I like Brendan, Dara, Fintan, Finbarr, Odhran, Cian, Oisin, Ruairi, Sean.

I think it's nice to use Irish names. Blaine reminds me of that toss-pot magician. Alfie and Harry of Eastenders. Too many madey-uppy names in Ireland now - Jaydens and Kaydens and the like.

[BarbieLovesKen]

Course I will Leroy

Trouble is, think I found the perfect one in Oisín (for us anyway) and as I said, am finding it really hard to find something to match or live up to it, if that makes sense. Oisín is complimented by everyone we meet - from people of 70 odd years old to teenagers who think its "cool". We've relations/ friends in Austrailia, the States and UK and (although we may have to prounounce it out for them) seem to genuinely adore it. We are forever receiving comments on this name.

The likes of Niall (which DH really likes btw), Cian, Paddy, Michael, Padraig, Finbar, Eamon etc are all perfectly fine but very, very average imo and well, boring as I know about 50 of each. Also, as I keep saying to dh, fine doesnt cut it - I want it to be gorgeous or perfect - nothing is good enough for my son, dont you know . Think I was drawn to Iarla and Naoise for these reasons, that they are that little bit unusual (agree that Naoise is too girly though, and dh says no way but dont know if Im completely turned off Iarla/ laith yet)

[BelligerentYhoULE]

Just been browsing Irish boys' name lists and found Tadgh which it says means poet - I like the look of this a lot although not entirely sure how it would be pronounced. :)

[BarbieLovesKen]

Thigh - Ga (say it quick)

PML im terrible at explaining prounciations.

How kind of you, thank you so much.

I like it, said it to dh and he doesnt