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Not so obvious - Irish boy's names

47 replies

apachepony · 27/10/2012 09:56

So we think we have a short list. Dh wanted an Irish name, I was unsure but have managed to find some that don't sound too Irish. Also don't want ones that we or anyone else would struggle to pronounce. So:
Oscar (front runner, and to my surprise has a venerable Irish history, a warrior from Irish mythology, the name spreading worldwide and now known everywhere. However I am concerned from reviewing Internet that it's now too popular although I don't know anyone with that name, and dh worried cos his friend's dog is called Oscar)

Cass

Art ( dh concerned this will make people think of Arthur though it is a seperate unconnected name)

Iarla (not sure about this)

Setanta (again like its origins in Celtic mythology but the football channel is a problem)

Other ones I liked were ferdia, though dh didn't, also though of ultan, but I'm not sure.

Any thoughtson the short list everybody? We live in Ireland so comments - eg re popularity - from other Irish particularly welcome

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toomuch2young · 27/10/2012 10:10

I love Art a completely seperate name from Arthur, Oscar is popular but still a good name.
Not keen on Cass, Iarla or Setanta.
I love Jarlath, Malachi and Emmet as some other ideas.
Art gets my vote.
Not living in Ireland but half Irish family.

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apachepony · 27/10/2012 10:42

Like jarlath (related to iarla) but unfortunately know a twat with that name.don't like Malachi, dh would l

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apachepony · 27/10/2012 10:43

Sorry cut off there! Dh would love emmett because of Robert emmett but I'm not so sure! Your two favourites are my two favourites. Was

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apachepony · 27/10/2012 10:45

Gah! Keep pressing submit by mistake! Was interested to see what people would think of cass as never heard the name until found it in two separate baby name books

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7to25 · 27/10/2012 10:45

Cormac
Everyone can pronounce it and they all know ot is a boy's name, names like Enda cause confusion as names ending in a or an een sound are usually female.

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PhyllisDoris · 27/10/2012 10:52

Taigh? Pronounced Ty.

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Clawdy · 27/10/2012 21:11

Niall

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KenDoddsDadsDog · 27/10/2012 21:17

I love Cashel . Have only ever met one Cass who had it as a full name.

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HappyBloodBlackPumpkinEater · 27/10/2012 21:21

Colm
Irla
Fergus

Oscar is great - makes me think of Oscar Wilde!

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sweetiepie1979 · 27/10/2012 21:25

I know a lot of girls called Cass. I like Finn and ohshin but that's not how you spell it. Cathal I love but these are all too obvious for you maybe..... Goodluck

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SJisontheway · 27/10/2012 21:27

Like Cass. Know of only one quite recently. I also admired it in baby names books but dh vetoed

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camgirl · 27/10/2012 21:30

I love Lorcan but not in Ireland so no idea how it would come across there.

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Baffledandbewildered · 27/10/2012 21:33

Rafferty means wealth and good fortune . Love this name :)

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TotallyEggFlipped · 27/10/2012 21:36

I love Oisin & Cian.
I liked Oscar, but DH vetoed it because it reminds him of bruscar.

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MoonlightandWerewolves · 27/10/2012 21:39

I'm guessing although you're living in Ireland, you would like the name to be 'usable' elsewhere as it were? How about any of:

Conor
Fionn / Finn
Conall (can be pronounced either with a long or a short 'o')
Lachlan(n)
Manus
Redmond
Rowan
Tiernan

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CremeEggThief · 27/10/2012 21:46

Am I right in thinking Oscar can also be pronounced more like Uscar (that u sound as in 'Oscail an doras', for example)? Might that work for you?

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Mollydoggerson · 27/10/2012 21:48

Not keen on Cass or Art - very rare names. Sort of exotic Irish, not sure where they come from.

I like Emmett and Oscar. Other options might be Caimen, Cian, Conor. I like Setanta but it might be difficult to carry off.

What do you think of Eamonn or Brendan, both very typically Irish, but not used very often.

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vamosbebe · 27/10/2012 21:49

Dara = mighty oak

Always liked that one and it was on our list - until Oscar won! He's 11 months and we don't know a single Oscar, old or young Smile

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mathanxiety · 27/10/2012 22:50

Raftery -- after Antaine O Raifteiri, late 18th C blind poet, the last of the bards.

Brendan is a lovely, underused name -- I second that suggestion.

Love Conn also.

Also --
Fiachra
Macdara
Eoin
Seamus
Diarmuid
Donagh/Donncha
Laoghaire (unless you live in Dun Laoghaire)
Murtagh
Feidhlim
Declan
Ruadhan
Somhairle
Ailbe
Anton

What about Moling or Laserian -- quite obscure saints from the south east (Carlow).

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mathanxiety · 27/10/2012 22:51

From your list, I like Oscar the best.

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Alisvolatpropiis · 28/10/2012 00:22

I think bar Oscar the rest on your list could be hard work in real life/if your son ever lives somewhere other than Ireland.

What do you think of Torin? I only mention it because I assumed it was Scandinavian and was really surprised to find it was Irish!

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Kahu · 28/10/2012 00:25

Rory

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MrsHBaby3 · 28/10/2012 08:16

I like Oscar the best on your list, but how about for boys
Taigh
Dermot
Declan

or for girls
Roisin

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babyblabber · 28/10/2012 08:22

I'm Irish and know loads of baby oscars. Gorgeous name though.

Have never heard the name cass, I would think it was short for cassia if I saw it so think of it as feminine.

I know a 60 year old Art.

I love Lorcan, eoin and Senan is my absolute favourite Irish boys name.

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Apparentlychilled · 28/10/2012 08:23

I have a Seamus! And people in the UK seem to cope with it ok (though he's generally Shay).

Sorry, but your names aren't really my cup of tea (sorry if that sounds rude). And the Irish names I like are REALLY Irish, so our issue was finding an Irish name which would work in UK (without every conversation involving "sorry, what's that? How do you spell it? Oh! That's how you say it" etc). I have a long list (DH was hard to persuade) if you want other ideas.

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