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Baby names

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

Original poster

Tadhg or Paxton

162 replies

MarjorieX · 29/10/2020 19:38

I'm pregnant with a boy and I quite like these two names. Tadhg is a name we have previously considered for our other sons but we didn't go for it. Paxton would be after my grandad. I'm so indecisive and my baby is due in a month so I'm really not sure on what name to choose. What are your opinions on these names and do you have any middle name suggestions for them? Thank you

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Ladderofyears · 29/10/2020 22:24

I like Tadhg. I'm English but know how to pronounce it because I had an appointment with one once and googled it first. It's not hard! I would spell it like that though.
I'm not keen on Paxton as a first name.

Tillygetsit · 29/10/2020 22:12

Tadhg is a fine name.

coronabeer · 29/10/2020 21:50

If your son is going to be growing up I the UK, I think it's a bit mean to subject him to a lifetime of explaining how to pronounce/ spell his name.

It's true that there are names with multiple possible spellings, like Isobel/Isabel/Isabelle etc - but at least people know how to say them. I assumed the name would be pronounced Tadge until I saw the explanation.

chasingshunshine · 29/10/2020 21:49

The text above is copied from Wikipedia by the way. It's a really lovely name, but it put me off using it x

chasingshunshine · 29/10/2020 21:48

Just so you're aware name Tadgh/Taig is sometimes used as a derogatory term in Glasgow:

In the context of segregation in Northern Ireland and sectarianism in Glasgow, the term "Taig" is used as a derogatory term for a Roman Catholic, used by Northern Irish Protestants and Ulster loyalists.[3][4] In this sense it is used in a similar way to the word Fenian, but is more ethnic in terms of abuse against people of Gaelic descent than "Fenian", which more commonly signifies Irish loyalists.

SeanCailleach · 29/10/2020 21:44

I actually think that takes even more explaining. Tadhg, known as Timothy, because we're Irish.

Legitimate pronunciation of Tadg, with dots over any or all the consonants:
Tady, Tidy, Taig, Tayg, Ted, Teddy, Tay, all those with a H at the start. Or Tim.

LizzieAnt · 29/10/2020 21:32

@SeanCailleach It's not just in your family though. Timothy is often used to translate Tadhg and vice versa, but the names aren't actually related.

SeanCailleach · 29/10/2020 21:12

@2Kidsinatrenchcoat in my family Tadhg gets Timothy. No-one knows why.

purplecorkheart · 29/10/2020 20:56

Tadgh is nice although most of the Tadgh I know are in their 70s +. I am so sorry to say this but your other name makes me think of American reality tv. However I am in Ireland so it could be just uncommon here. Sorry

Palavah · 29/10/2020 20:50

If you're named Claire or Jane or Geoffrey or Stephen you will have to spell your name.

Go for the one you like.

I'd normally take the Celtic option every time but I remember having a poster of Paxton on my wall as a young teenager that I'd pulled out of mizz magazine, so I could forgive you either way.

villainousbroodmare · 29/10/2020 20:42

Tadhg for sure.

Jericoo · 29/10/2020 20:41

Definitely Paxton as a first name, Tadgh as a middle name.

CarrotCakeSupprise · 29/10/2020 20:33

I absolutely love Tadhg. I've known a few and they've all been top chaps.

Yes they have to spell it, but it's not the end of the world.

2Kidsinatrenchcoat · 29/10/2020 20:30

@SeanCailleach

I love Tadhg. I'd spell it Ted outside of Ireland.
Tadhg and Ted are completely different names!
Frazzled13 · 29/10/2020 20:26

Definitely Tadhg, I think it’s a lovely name. Although you would be resigning him to a lifetime of people not being able to spell or pronounce his name. However, people consistently spell my name wrong and it’s not even difficult, so I wouldn’t worry about that much.

I personally don’t like Paxton because I hate surnames as first names.

SleepWellBeast · 29/10/2020 20:23

I have a Tadhg in England and have had very few issues. Sometimes asked 'how do you pronounce that?' which is no issue and people remember it after that. He loves it (he's 9) and so do I. Please spell it Tadhg though.

LoeliaPonsonby · 29/10/2020 20:21

If you go with Tadhg your child will have to spell it out and correct pronounciation all the time in England. If you’re okay with that, then crack on. And, fwiw, I am born and bred in Ireland and still couldn’t pronounce it reliably, but that may be a north vs south thing.

Paxton isn’t fabulous either.

MaverickDanger · 29/10/2020 20:20

I love Tadhg and really want to use it but my surname begins with an Er sound, so will sound too much like Tiger!

I agree that Tadhg Paxton works well.

Changethetoner · 29/10/2020 20:20

If you're not in Ireland, I'd avoid a classic name that English people don't know how to pronounce, or spell.

What about David? Or Tom?

mathanxiety · 29/10/2020 20:19

Tadhg wins hands down imo.

Spell it properly and use Paxton as a middle name.

Twizbe · 29/10/2020 20:18

I'd say wait until he is here and see what he looks like.

AgeLikeWine · 29/10/2020 20:17

Tadhg, no contest. Proper traditional Irish name.

CaribouCarafe · 29/10/2020 20:16

Don't spell it Tyge though!

CaribouCarafe · 29/10/2020 20:15

Tadhg is a wonderful name - there was a lovely boy in my class in primary school called Tadhg. Never met a Paxton!

Original poster
MarjorieX · 29/10/2020 20:13

Yes, it's pronounced like tiger without the r at the end. I'm half irish and so is DH, but we live in Lancashire. I did go to school with someone called Tyge though and was wondering if that would be a better spelling to use considering where we live.

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