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Baby names

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Original poster

Is ROAN an actual, real irish name?

35 replies

amhurst · 31/01/2014 18:58

I'm Irish, living abroad, looking for a nice not too usual Irish boy name. I have come across ROAN on a few sites and think it is v nice but I have never met nor heard of a Roan in Ireland..is it a bit of a made up irish Christian name? And apologies in advance don't want to offend anybody who has picked this name - am genuinely curious. I also really like IARLAITH but think the spelling will always be a problem. Many thanks for any thoughts!

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Tinker315b · 22/03/2018 15:54

My cousin is called Roan and he is a boy!

Original poster
amhurst · 07/02/2014 11:50

Thanks for all the replies..still no closer a selection ..arghh

OP posts:
Only1scoop · 05/02/2014 08:03

Only heard of Rowan or Ronan
Strawberry Roan or Blue Roan Equines Smile

HoneyandRum · 05/02/2014 07:57

I know an Irish Ronan.

mathanxiety · 04/02/2014 15:42

I think Ireland is still agricultural enough for the name Roan to conjure up an image of a cow or a horse, MelanieWiggles Smile

MelanieWiggles · 04/02/2014 08:10

Irish Times newspaper birth announcements last Saturday had a Roan - for a girl !

I am Irish and have never come across it before as a name - I thought it was what you called a brownish-red cow. I did know a few Rowans though (all boys)

Original poster
amhurst · 02/02/2014 09:41

Great - thanks for ruadhan info..don't mind a little spelling simplification as long as name relates back to something real..will wait and see if nature guides the way..I am a rua so maybe he will be too! Funnily enough first boy is a v fionn Finn..fits home v well...

OP posts:
TimeIsAnIllusion · 02/02/2014 05:49

Ruadhan is Irish. Means "little red one".

Ruadhán of Lorrha
Saint
St. Ruadhán mac Fergusa Birn, also kown as Rowan and Rodan, was an Irish Christian abbot who founded the monastery of Lorrha, near Terryglass. He was known for his prophesies. Wikipedia
Died: April 5, 584 AD, Lorrha, Republic of Ireland
A feminised version of this name "English" spelling would be Rowanne.

mathanxiety · 02/02/2014 01:37

(fada on second A)

mathanxiety · 02/02/2014 01:36

Ruadhan (fada on a) is more like ROO-awn.

sarahquilt · 01/02/2014 21:54

Fionn if he's blond.
Ruan if he's got red hair.

Ciaran if he's dark.

Yama · 01/02/2014 13:30

Aye, but Ruairi/Ruaridh is pronounced Roo-ray, whereas Rory is Roar-ray.

I much prefer Roo-ray.

Original poster
amhurst · 01/02/2014 12:17

Thanks so much for thoughts! Finding it really difficult to find 'the' name..2 weeks to go! Poor nameless boy...also like RUAIRI but know the world wld prefer if I spelt it RORY...

OP posts:
Diamondjoan · 01/02/2014 00:05

Never came across it. I know a Ruadhan which is pronounced like Ruan.

Grotbagstwin · 01/02/2014 00:01

We have a Roan in our family, they are English.

LucyBabs · 01/02/2014 00:00

trainersandaches pmsl at garlic word

EnlightenedOwl · 31/01/2014 23:56

Not very helpful but just read a book where the lead character was called Roan and portrayed as an Irish name but its not one I'd heard of before.

RabbitPies · 31/01/2014 23:54

There was a Roan in my primary class. He was Scottish though,but I loved the name,and it suited him.

angelinterceptor · 31/01/2014 20:52

I'm in NI but never met a Roan

Do know a Rohan though

nearlyreadytopop · 31/01/2014 20:42

I have only ever heard the word roan in the context of the colour of a horse. But I am in NI so not much Irish being spoken.
I love Rowan and Ronan.

quietlysuggests · 31/01/2014 20:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsJoeDolan · 31/01/2014 20:24

I think Iarla looks like a girl's name (sorry).

Pontouf · 31/01/2014 20:20

My cousin's youngest is Roan, pronounced Rowan. They're not Irish, not sure where it comes from, but it's really grown on me in the three years since he was born.

Yama · 31/01/2014 20:19

I know a Scottish Roan. He's 6 and a lovely wee boy.

DramaAlpaca · 31/01/2014 20:17

I'm in Ireland & I know an 8 year old Roan. No idea if it's an authentic Irish name or not.