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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Inkspellme · 15/08/2018 20:08

If you want the Irish name Conor it's traditionally spelt with one n. Connor is an Irish Surname. Having said that - thats just tradition and you can spell your child's name any which way you would prefer to!

Greeneyedgeek83 · 15/08/2018 20:01

I agree with others that Conn does sound short and if you like it I would choose Connor and shorten it for a nn. Love lorcan

Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar · 15/08/2018 19:50

Cock-el? 🤨. Never heard anyone pronounce it that way.

Anyway, op; Cathal 😀

AmabelleOnabike · 15/08/2018 19:48

Small children often pronounce Cathal as Cock-el. Worth thinking about.

Oran and Conn are much nicer I think.
Rian?
Senan?
Tomás?
Cónán?

ReginaPhalange89 · 15/08/2018 19:48

Conn does sound unfinished. I'd assume it was a nn for Connor .

And Cathal.... I've no idea how thats supposed to be pronounced but in my head I'm saying it as it's written, and my first thought is that it sounds like someone saying Castle but can't pronounce their S . Like Sylvester the cat 😂🙈

Inkspellme · 15/08/2018 19:38

I love Cathal but have seen many non-Irish struggle with the pronounciation of it so as long as you are aware of that its a lovely name.

Other suggestions that spring to mind - Cíarán, Colm, Cillian, Cabhan (pronounced Cavan), Canice, Cian, Rian, Caoileann (pronounced kay-linn).

Conn can also be short for Connall if you dont want Conor. Conn does sound a bit cut off to be honest.

DramaAlpaca · 15/08/2018 19:26

Conn does sound a bit unfinished. Conor would be better, and that spelling is more authentic for a first name than Connor.

Cathal is nice but outside Ireland the pronunciation is going to get mangled.

Lorcan & Oran are both nice names & easy enough to spell & pronounce.

tumtitum · 15/08/2018 19:22

I think Conn sounds short for Connor. I have Irish family and that's what I would assume! I like Cathal although as with most Irish names be prepared for English people to have trouble with the spelling!

MiniMaxi · 15/08/2018 19:21

Maybe this is obvious (and I’m no expert on Irish names!) but could you go for Connor and use Conn for short?

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