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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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Original poster

name meaning opinions & welsh speakers

47 replies

anonmam9 · 08/08/2015 20:39

I am pregnant. I thought that I had decided on a name I really like for a boy and girl. The problem is the boys name is Ardal - an Irish name that we love.
But we are Welsh, live in Wales and have just discovered that it means something in the Welsh language area/zone.
Will Welsh speakers laugh when they here the name? Should it put us off!?

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GingerCuddleMonster · 08/08/2015 20:42

ardal means area.

it would be a moment but when you'd say no it's a Irish name a Welsh speaker would just go ohh.

mind you we name children hill = Bryn

so we can't say much can we about area

Original poster

anonmam9 · 08/08/2015 20:49

Thanks ginger ... Do you speak Welsh? Would it stand out straight away as Area.
Think Hill is much better than zone/area!
I really like the name though... I have lots of Welsh speaking friends, it's my best friends first language but don't want to tell anybody names in advance!!
We do have an Irish surname so maybe that will help!?

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Original poster

anonmam9 · 08/08/2015 20:50

I always thought cariad and cari was strange in a way but that is my daughters middle name!!

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Chillywhippet · 08/08/2015 20:51

Anon - thinking ahead a bit I know but do you think you'll be sending your son to Welsh medium nursery or school?
If not then I would think you would be fine. My kids have all gone to English medium schools (in Wales).
I can't say how it would go down in a Welsh medium school thigh. Perhaps someone will be along who can?

GingerCuddleMonster · 08/08/2015 20:55

Yes I'm a fluent Welsh speaker educated through the medium of Welsh from birth till 18.

it would hit me straight away as area or district of honest, but once I knew it was a Irish name I'd just be like ok cool.

Celtic names tend to be actual objects or emotions or like bronwen (white chested) a personality trait.

it's no coincidence that Irish and Welsh have crossover words/names, and should they go to Welsh school the kids wouldn't mind one bit, heritage and history is important in Wales, so having a curtural name is seen as "normal"

IdaShaggim · 08/08/2015 20:55

It would stand out straight away as 'area' to me. However, like the poster upthread, I would raise my eyebrows but then accept the explanation and move on. Much like I did the first time I met someone called 'Mimi' (which means to have a wee in Maori)

Bippidee · 08/08/2015 20:57

The pronunciation is a bit different. In Welsh, the "r" would be rolled and emphasised more. "Arrr-dal"
The name Ardal (as in O'Hanlon, yes?) I'd pronounce more like "ahhh-dull".
There may be a bit of confusion when he's little, if he goes to a Welsh-medium primary. However, you mention you've an Irish surname, so you may well be ok.

GingerCuddleMonster · 08/08/2015 20:57

I mean in a class of

Emrys, Heulwen, Bryn, Seren and Aled, Ardal is hardly going to stand out on the register Haha

Original poster

anonmam9 · 08/08/2015 21:00

Thank you
I saw it on an adventure playground today and was hoping it meant adventure! Or something like that! Suppose it could be much worse!
I was even hoping it may have some wider meanjng so I could get away with it but evidently not. Area /zone is such a boring word!

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SirVixofVixHall · 08/08/2015 21:01

I live in a very welsh speaking area and have two children in Welsh medium education, and I think that yes, it would stand out there, but if your child will be at an english language school then far less of a problem.

Original poster

anonmam9 · 08/08/2015 21:02

In Irish it means valour / high honour.
It's really putting me off
My daughter's name is an Irish one that means lots in many different languages but all nice things!

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GingerCuddleMonster · 08/08/2015 21:04

I don't recommend naming your child Antur (adventure) he may live up to the name and you'll never have a sit down and a cuppa

it will be fine, it's a strong Irish name.

Original poster

anonmam9 · 08/08/2015 21:05

I haven't decided yet about Welsh language school, they will probably go to Welsh language pre-school as the only option. But I have to also consider in later life - applying for jobs etc! I want to stay in Wales all my life and feel very patriotic. I want to learn Welsh. I would hope my children may stay in Wales and learn Welsh too, and for better job prospects.
It's beginning to sound like that name could cause them problems / put people off!!

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Original poster

anonmam9 · 08/08/2015 21:07

Thank you Ginger cuddle monster Antur may be a good middle name! ... Was considering Eli but haven't looked up its meaning! Could end up with a funny combination that makes matters worse!

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Chillywhippet · 08/08/2015 21:08

That's a nice meaning anon.

I hadn't thought of seeing it on signs!

Ginger I thought of Emrys too. Sound-wise It's in that group of names like Evan.

a Welsh medium school thigh the mind boggles. Obviously I meant though.

GingerCuddleMonster · 08/08/2015 21:14

but if you have an Irish surname, it would just read as a Irish full name to me on top of a CV.

It's something to think about definatley, I wouldn't say its a instant NO!! Don't do that

GingerCuddleMonster · 08/08/2015 21:17

Antur is literally the Welsh word for adventure, however do not name him Ardal Antur because it will literally mean Adventure Area.... make of that what you will....

Original poster

anonmam9 · 08/08/2015 21:18

It will probably end up being a girl after all this!
Been panicking past few weeks because I didn't have a girl name but me and OH were pretty set on the boy name! It was only that we saw the sign today!

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GingerCuddleMonster · 08/08/2015 21:20

Haha its always the same, the name you stress the most about never gets used.

I was relieved when they told us boy, me and dp just did mot have a girls name and couldn't agree on one we both liked.

the most relieved I've ever been to see testicles on a screen .

Original poster

anonmam9 · 08/08/2015 21:26

Thing is I REALLY want a boy! But I wanted an Ardal.
Now that above sentence probably just sounds funny to anyone who knows Welsh!

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Bippidee · 08/08/2015 21:28

Eli can mean ointment in Welsh...

Suchafunnystory · 08/08/2015 21:31

I'm fluent Welsh and wouldn't use Ardal sorry.

GingerCuddleMonster · 08/08/2015 21:34

not at all, how is a non Welsh speaker supposed to know the meaning of Welsh words?!

Don't over think this. Honestly.

Your hardly naming him a swear word or a body part. So it will be fine.

also as a previous poster said, you will pronounce it differently to Arrrrdal, so people who hear it will hear the Irish name and only when it's writien will it look like "area" at which point when teamed with a Irish middle name and surname people will go "oh Irish name."

There's loads of Irish people in Wales, it's very common to have Welsh and Irish marriages in families too.

most of my cousins are Welsh/Irish some have Welsh names some have Irish, sibling groups too have the mix.

relax name your baby as you want to, as long as its not incredibly stupid like the Welsh word for "penis" it will be fine

Original poster

anonmam9 · 08/08/2015 21:35

Thanks for your honesty suchafunny story...but can you expand? Because of how you feel about the name or because as a Welsh speaker the primary meaning is the welsh one?
For me the whole area thing is a secondary one.

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Original poster

anonmam9 · 08/08/2015 21:41

What is the Welsh word for penis?
Middle name will be English/French and Welsh probably. I wanted them to have a Welsh middle name like their sister.

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