Christian, Cían, Ciar

[casey101]

Hi guys
Which do you like best out of the above? I really lke Christian but was thinking bit hard to spell and pronounce. Was thinking about putting Christian on birth certificate then everyday nickname of Cian or Ciar. What do you think and which do you prefer? Thank you!

[florascotia]

I think most people would use 'Chris' as the everyday name of Christian. It's fairly widely-known - eg famous mountaineer Sir Chris Bonnington.

Or else they might use 'Kit', or even 'Kester'; both are old short versions of the realted name, Christopher. Both are very easy to spell and say.

'Cian' and 'Ciar' are names from a completely different language than 'Christian'. They have no links with the name and sound very different, as well (approx 'Kean' and 'Keir'). Their pronounciation is not difficult, but it's not obvious to many people, either. I can't see how anyone would think of them as nicknames for Christian.

If you like them, why not use one of them as your baby's name? They are both good names.

[florascotia]

Should be 'related name'. Sorry for bad typing.

I will leave Irish Mumsnetters to comment on the fada on Cian.

[casey101]

I'm preferring putting the fada on as otherwise all I see is Ian and I dont like that name no offense to any Ians! I don't like the nickname chris which is why i was trying to think of something else. I know christian is greek and latin and the others are irish/ celtic, just throwing ideas around at the moment, thanks both :)

[casey101]

I mean thanks florascotia :)

[florascotia]

Fadas are not decoration - they change pronounciation. And sometimes they are just wrong! It really would be a good idea to check, to save your son any possible future embarassment.

[Peanut14]

Cian is a lovely name,there is no fada on it. As already said a fada changes the pronunciation of the name. I'm a big fanof the name Cian.

[ButterflyOfFreedom]

Love Christian!

[sweetpeame]

I'm sorry but it's completely ridiculous to put a fada on Cian because you don't want it to look like Ian... As previous posters here (and on your other threads) have commented a fada changes the sound of the letter and therefore word, you simply cannot just add them in because you feel like it (well I suppose you can but people will think you can't spell and frankly it will be an embarrassment for your son to explain in the future). I'm sorry to be harsh but spell Cian properly.

[casey101]

sweetpeame Ye ma'am! Kidding ;) I have seen it spelt that way online but clearly from what you say that was incorrect. Thanks everyone for all your comments!

[casey101]

Also in previous threads I had put the fada over the 'a' whereas in this one it was over the 'i' as, as mentioned, I had seen both online, but happy to stand corrected, second-hand! :) It sounds like you feel the same way about the fada as I do when I hear people incorrectly pronounce the letter 'H' as 'haitch'- it sets my teeth on edge!

[villainousbroodmare]

Cén fáth atá ainm Gaelach ag teastáil uait?

[ImpatiencePersonified]

My husbands name is Christian and he has absolutely no problem spelling or people pronouncing it - if you love the name, don't shorten it... he's almost 40 and is called Christian, not Chris or Cian or anything else.

Follow your gut

[casey101]

Villainousbroodmare I don't know what you said but it looks lovely- unless you were insulting me! haha. Dydwi ddim yn siarad gaelic/ irish! Pwy t'in siarad cymraeg? Diolch y'n fawr :)

Impatience...thank you :)

[casey101]

ps Impatience...I meant more it would be hard for my son to spell growing up :)

[villainousbroodmare]

Casey, I asked in Irish why you want an Irish name. I don't speak any Welsh!
I'm asking because in one sense you seem so interested but at the same time you are saying about various names that when you look at them written, you simply see an English word or name. And that seems to be why you want to add a fada or choose a particular spelling.
I would be the same if contemplating names in a language that meant nothing to me - it's natural to relate unfamiliar words to words we know.
I'm curious - is there an Irish connection? Did you mention Northern Irish in some other thread?

[casey101]

yes both his paternal grandparents were northern irish but he will be born in wales. i also have scottish heritage so a bit of a mix and i do like celtic names. or at least the idea of them. The initial C is special to me, hence I wanted a name beginning with C but just can't find one I love. Kind of liked the Welsh Cai but have a Kai in the immediate family.

[casey101]

ps regarding seeing Ian in Cian it's because I used to know an Ian who was horrible and it put me off!

[villainousbroodmare]

Conor?
Colman?
Conn?
Colm?

[casey101]

Thank you Vill.... I have literally scoured the websites and books and still nothing. I tend to like 'open' names as well ie ending in a vowel which is why unsure about Cian and Christian and why I like Cai. :D

[casey101]

Considered Cory until someone said it sounds like Corrie ie Coronation Street! Plus I think it's Corey which is the Irish version and don't like the meaning which is 'seething pool'!

[casey101]

I think my baby is not going to have a name until he is around 3 years old!

[casey101]

I did like Finn but obviously that doesnt start with a C plus is quite popular/ trendy which means will soon sound 'dated'? maybe?

[villainousbroodmare]

How close is the Kai in the family? I have cousins who have the same name and I don't believe it causes a problem.

[gointothewoods]

Cian doesn't have a fada.
I do like the name but it's quite common these days.
Never heard of Ciar - I would just think Ciar-a or Ciaran (as in Keer-a and Keer-an).

[casey101]

Well basically my son's Dad and I aren't together. He has a 20 year old son he doen't see called Kai so they would be half brothers but would probably never meet! The 2 names look and sound alike but have different meanings and origins. Prob a bit silly though eh? Although I read George Foreman has 4 sons all called George Forman 1, II. III, IV etc!!