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Baby names

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Original poster

Help me pick Irish name for a boy, Cathal or Conn?

34 replies

Cailinred · 15/08/2018 19:20

Hi, need a bit of advice on picking a name for our baby boy due very soon. We seem to like Irish names but wouldn’t rule out a non Irish name either. Problem is that lots of the nicest names have been used in our large families or among friends. I like Conn but DH thinks it sounds unfinished. He likes Cathal but I’m not so sure. Lorcan and Oran possibilities too? Would really love honest opinions especially on Conn as a boys name. Thanks in advance.

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soundsystem · 16/08/2018 21:34

Cathal is a great name, however agree with others it will get mangled outside of Ireland (I work with one, and people struggle a lot more than I'd have thought possible!).

TakeAChanseyOnMe · 16/08/2018 21:28

Lorcan is my favourite Irish boy’s name, it’s phonetic so won’t have the same trouble as some other names.

Cillian and Oisin seem to be the “in” Irish names atm, I know at least 2 of each. 1 of each are outside Ireland/NI but with one Irish parent.

Attie17 · 16/08/2018 21:26

I think Conn is a great name and it doesn’t seem unfinished to me (I’m Irish). I really like Cathal too but outside of Ireland, people really struggle to pronounce it for some reason so depending on where you live, it might be worth considering that.

Yeaididthat · 16/08/2018 06:56

I dont think Conn is a particuarly irish name? Conall would work better

sycamore54321 · 16/08/2018 03:50

Cormac is a good c-name without a complicated spelling.

I love Conn, it is a genuine name in its own right but I probably wouldn't use it overseas as I'd be annoyed with everyone assuming it was short for something.

Having said that, (and I am NEVER that person on MN suggesting nicknames but this is an exception), to my ear certainly, Conn is a perfectly obvious abbreviation of Lorcan, since you like it already.

dinosaurkisses · 15/08/2018 23:14

@DwangelaForever - I’m also Protestant (living back in NI) and called my DD Sadhbh. No backlash as of yet!

Please don’t let it put you off- things will only move on if people start to put these things behind us.

DwangelaForever · 15/08/2018 23:08

I like Cathal can I ask how you'd pronounce it though? Cause it's pronounced ca-Hal here.

I also love Cillian, unfortunately I'm from the wrong side of the political divide in NI to be using Irish names so I'll never get to name my son that Sad

LaurieMarlow · 15/08/2018 23:02

I'd assume a Con was from Cork (short for Cornelius, which was once very popular there).

I'm not a massive fan of Irish boys names, but I like both Cathal and Connor.

sabinaapplecross · 15/08/2018 22:50

have you considered Conleth meaning ardent or wise, that could be shortened to Conn

i know of one Con short for Cornelius

dinosaurkisses · 15/08/2018 22:38

We have a Conn in the family- I love it and would use it for a boy if the OG Conn wasn’t such a close relation. It’s a very masculine name and suits him down to the ground.

Conn of the Hundred Battles is a character in the Ulster Cycle of myths and legends.

I wouldn’t use Cathal - me and DH would pronounce it Caw-hul (Dublin) and I’ve just never warmed to it!

mikado1 · 15/08/2018 22:30

I would pronounce Cathal 'Co- hil', said quickly. (Co as in start of Conor)

Conn is really lovely I think.

AinmDubh · 15/08/2018 22:03

I've a Lorcan and all these years later I still love it! I do know a Con, but agree it feels unfinished.
Other names we considered were;
Odhrán (my preferred spelling)
Eoin
Cillian
Cian

Winegal · 15/08/2018 22:02

I thought Con was short for Conal, a super Irish name!

Original poster
Cailinred · 15/08/2018 21:35

Thanks for all the replies so far, lots to think about. Looks like DH was right in his opinion that Conn seems unfinished! ( won’t tell him that though!! 😜 ). It is a name in its own right though. Have a Conor in family already which is why it’s not being considered and to be honest we know lots of Conors so wanted something a bit less common. Will add a few suggestions to the list now too. Any further opinions very welcome.

OP posts:
implantsandaDyson · 15/08/2018 21:11

I love the name Cathal. I happened to mention it to my kids - apparently it is the equivalent of naming your child Assumpta, Dymphna, Concepta - very old fashioned and not in a good way. I know a Conn, I like it, much prefer it to Conor.

Lorcan was on my prospective boys list (I have daughters) I've always loved it. I like Oran but not that spelling, it's fairly common in my kids primary school.

sue51 · 15/08/2018 20:44

Feargal
Finbar
Eoin

BlairWaldorfsHeadband · 15/08/2018 20:43

Conn looks unfinished, I’m half Irish and I much prefer Cathal.

I also love Cillian and Ciaran.

blueskiesandforests · 15/08/2018 20:37

Con is a common swear word in French (means something between cunt and idiot I believe). Only matters if he goes on the French exchange (or lots of French holidays, or moves to France, or works in a very international business) obviously... A con is obviously a scam or deception in English too, I really think that if you're bothered about what people not familiar with the name think of Conn it's the wrong choice, because it has negative connotations in languages other than Irish. Connor is better but obviously widely used outside Ireland by people without Irish heritage and not unusual.

I like Oran best written down, but don't know whether it's pronounced as an English speaker would assume or differently? I've never heard it before.

IWouldLikeToKnow · 15/08/2018 20:37

I like Cathal, not a huge fan of Conn, but I love Oran.

WickerHippo · 15/08/2018 20:33

I really like Lorcan

Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 15/08/2018 20:30

I prefer Conn (and I like Conal too)

user1471555556 · 15/08/2018 20:28

I love the name Fionn

Corcra · 15/08/2018 20:18

I think Oran and lorcan are lovely.
I’d think Conn is short for Conall.
Davin.

Inkspellme · 15/08/2018 20:10

How to pronounce Cathal - Kaa - hal. Just for anyone who is wondering Smile

Peachbubble · 15/08/2018 20:09

I really like Lorcan