Opinions of Irish MNers needed...

[natwebb79]

I have posted this as a brief thought on here before but we're pretty much set now and I'm just checking for opinions in case we make a mistake, ha! My DH's mum is Irish and we called DS1 'Niall' as a.) we loved the name and b.) it's a nod to the Irish side of the family. It suits him down to the ground (and we didn't know about bloody One Direction when we named him ). So, we are now expecting DS2 and would like to stick to the 'Irish but not unpronouncable/unspellable in England' theme. We really like 'Oran' (noone over here would manage the Odhran spelling). I would just like to check that it doesn't have a hideous reputation in Ireland in case the poor boy gets it in the neck if he visits when he's older.Ta!

[natwebb79]

I should add - we have asked Irish family members but they're so lovely they're practically human treacle and would never be honest enough to tell us if they hated it!

[CiderwithBuda]

A friend's DS is Odhran - in Ireland - I'm Irish and had never heard of it.

The only thing I would be concerned about is that people might confuse it with Aaaron. I know it's different but you know what people can be like!

[natwebb79]

Yes a few people have already said 'What? Aaron?' but I'm kind of hoping people get the hang of it. Oh blimey choosing boys' names is HARD!

[GiniCooper]

Oran is perfect.
I know quite a few with both spellings too.

Lovely.

[natwebb79]

Thank you Gini. That's the correct answer

[Trooperslane]

Gini has it.

[natwebb79]

Yes! (Punches the air). Ha!

[Flywheel]

Lovely name. I also know some with both spellings. Can't think of any negatives.

[mawi]

Oran a lovely name, not too popular. According to CSO it has ranked around the 80s in top 100 names used in Ireland between 2007 - 2012. Niall is ranked around the 90s for the same years. I prefer the spelling Oran personally to Odhran. A lot of people even here in Ireland who pronunce it ODran, they don't understand the silent DH. Wonderful choice and congratulations.

[squoosh]

Niall has been one of those solidly popular names for absolute yonks now. I feel as though I know a million of them.

Oran's popularity is much more recent.

[Wings13]

Love the name Oran. Not too popular as far as I know. I had never heard of it before until a boy started in dd's crèche. Was on my list for a boy but found out that 2nd baba was a girl so will remain on list for third I guess!

[natwebb79]

Fantastic, that's settled then!

[wigglesrock]

My daughters go to school with a couple, it's lovely.

[Helgathehairy]

I'm Irish and I've never heard that name before - it's lovely.

[adaloveslace]

Oran is lovely. It is the name of one of the sweetest, loveliest men I've ever know (he has the dh version), and there were gorgeous preemie twins in SCBU with DS called Oran and Cara.

If you're pronouncing it right, it shouldn't sound too like Aaron though - it's almost Oar-On, whereas I'd pronounce Aaron like 'Arran', as in the islands. Like most Irish names there are probably regional variations to be allowed for though, so I am open to correction.

Anyway, great choice. (Love Niall too, but the way.)

[ToffeeMoon]

I know a toddler Oran, Irish family living in the UK. They spell it with the dh which I think is a bit silly for a child growing up outside of Ireland. They have their other child a very common Irish name with a ridiculous spelling. Most people, seeing it written down wouldn't have a clue how to pronounce it. Eoghan - Owen!

Anyway, it's nice - do it!

[squoosh]

'They have their other child a very common Irish name with a ridiculous spelling. Most people, seeing it written down wouldn't have a clue how to pronounce it. Eoghan - Owen!'



I'm sure people learn how to pronounce the 'ridiculous spelling' easily enough. There was an Eoghan on X Factor a few years ago and he managed just fine.

[ToffeeMoon]

I'm sure they do too. But isn't it better that people can have a stab at saying your name without help? It will constantly be mispronounced in new settings.

[JanineStHubbins]

They have their other child a very common Irish name with a ridiculous spelling.

What's ridiculous about the spelling 'Eoghan'? Owen is an Anglicised version.

This 'Irish names are sooooo crazy, why can't they use sensible, UK names' shtich is really tiresome.

[JanineStHubbins]

Oh, and OP: Odran is a lovely, unusual name.

[MrsJoeDolan]

Crazy Irish spellings raising their heads again. Why can't they just be more English??!! [hmmm]

Do Welsh names get the same reaction?

[dancemom]

Oran means song or poem in Scottish Gaelic

[YoureBeingASillyBilly]

Well i have an Odhran so i am biased but it is quite popular in my part of NI with both spellings. Lovely choice OP

[YoureBeingASillyBilly]

"I'm sure they do too. But isn't it better that people can have a stab at saying your name without help? It will constantly be mispronounced in new settings."

Seriously?

The UK is so multicultural that you have names from every flaming country in the world with all their wonderful variations in spelling and pronunciation yet you object to the names from the country closest to the uk being spelled in their own language? Do you insist people from Poland/China/Germany all anglicise their names?

[Jellybellymummyofsix]

I know 2 Odhrans', both are lovely.

I'm Irish but live in UK.

I think it's a great name. My ds is 24 & Niall was one of my favourite names for him. I actually regret not calling him Niall.

Odhran & Niall go together really well.