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Baby names

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Original poster

Stick to Irish theme or not?

121 replies

Sausagedog1 · 27/01/2021 13:52

Hi all,

My DH is Irish and we have two DS with Irish names. DS1 has quite a common Irish name (think top 50) so a lot of people probably don't assume Irish heritage. DS2 has a more unusual name over here and it has had a few pronunciation issues. I think people would definitely assume Irish heritage on meeting him.

So for DS3 would you go Irish again or something else? Some names I like are:
Gabriel, Zachary, Samuel and Blake.
I wondered if these would seem strange next to our other sons names? (None have the same initial)

DS1 is proud of having an Irish name as he is very close to his Irish family (grandparents loads of aunts uncles and cousins), DS2 is too young to know. I'm worried if I choose something else for DS3 that he might feel the odd one out. Am I overthinking this?

Also which one would you choose?
Thanks!

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FolkSongSweet · 01/02/2021 06:31

Jeez...Gabriel is a really popular name atm - I know 2 born in the last year - and there is absolutely no need to worry that a Gabriel might be bullied for being called “gay”. Gay is not an insult for teenagers today and certainly won’t be in 10-15 years time by the time this baby grows up. Things have moved on.

Scarby9 · 01/02/2021 01:04

The Gabriels I know go by their full name or Gabe. No bullying.

SmartPinkShoes · 01/02/2021 00:47

Should have said, yes, I think I would stick with the theme. But it can be a typical Irish name rather than as Gaeilge.

Stephen, John, Christopher are also common names in Ireland.

SmartPinkShoes · 01/02/2021 00:37

Irish names (or commonly used in Ireland) that are straightforward to pronounce because of spelling or common use are: Sean, Liam, Neil, Declan, Donal, Oscar, Leo, Martin, Colm, Conal, Kevin, Hugh, Brian, Connor, Con, Michael, Noel, Colman, Malachy, Fionn, Finn. Love Marcas too, but likely to be called Marcus.

WhatWouldZenoDo · 01/02/2021 00:21

What about Clodagh? It's not rough. I agree, Shannon was a bit tarnished by having come to Ireland from America, and I don't mean that in an Anti American way. They have their own culture that I don't understand, like Hudson after the NY river (in NY??) and Schuylar and Hoyt and other names that were on the Mayfair... I get that there is a backstory I don't understand, but Shannon came from America and was served to us as an Irish name and... It isn't really.

Some would say Clodagh isn't Irish either because an aristocrat called his daughter Clodagh, he made it up, for the river Cloddy which flowed through his estate. She was the 5th marchioness of Waterford so it was made up but a good while ago.

.

WhatWouldZenoDo · 01/02/2021 00:14

William / Liam or James with Shay for short ??

heidei · 01/02/2021 00:14

Darragh and Cillian are beautiful. I'd definitely stick with the theme.

Newchances · 01/02/2021 00:11

Fionn on its own is lovely too. Donacha or Dominic?
Also mal is short for malachy and I feel very angalsied?

Eoghan or Owen?

lovelychops · 01/02/2021 00:00

Tadhg is such a good name ! My son has it as his middle name after his late uncle- who we used to nick name tiger!

Florawest · 31/01/2021 23:57

Have 3 with Irish names living in Ireland but the eldest Bláithín went to college in Scotland ( still living there) and the lecturers ( all nationalities) had awful problems pronouncing her name. Loved the name, two boys are Diarmuid and Oisín.

I love the name Síofra and Realtín ( girls)
Fionn and Liam ( boys)

Powwow401 · 31/01/2021 23:56

@Sausagedog1
I'm Irish and my daughters name is Shannon, I've never heard it was a rough name 😬 in fact we don't even know any other Shannon's where we live and she loves her name

timeforanother1 · 31/01/2021 23:48

If you have a DS I would 100% choose an Irish name.
If a DD you can get away with an Irish middle name only.

I think Shay is really lovely! Easy to say/ spell and unusual but not ott.

Gabriel is a big no from me. As adults we can often miss names which could cause our dc issues because we are mature but I think when it's this obvious it should be avoided. I know someone who calls her Gabriel, Gay with no intention of anything (probably a good thing in a way to desensitise).
As lovely as it is I would be too scared to risk it and have dh saying told you so!

I also love Finn.

How far gone are you?

LittleChicken11 · 31/01/2021 23:47

Eunan is Irish if you didn’t want Euan?

If you really wanted to use Sam you could say it’s after the Sam Maguire to keep the Irish link so your son doesn’t feel left out! Grin

Other names maybe Michael Paul Stephen Emmet Joseph Aidan

Ifionlyknewthenwhatiknownow3 · 31/01/2021 23:42

Eamonn, not Ramon

Ifionlyknewthenwhatiknownow3 · 31/01/2021 23:41

Dominic
Francis
Ramon
Art

junebirthdaygirl · 31/01/2021 23:38

Fionn is nice too
Or Conor
Muireann is Irish for Mary Anne and is a lovely name or Doireann

DollyP23 · 31/01/2021 23:34

If you like Finn would Fintan be an option?

danascully96 · 31/01/2021 23:23

@JollyGreenGiantess Whoops, you’re right Blush I wasn’t thinking, but I do love Finn!

Chilver · 31/01/2021 23:22

Gabriel
Malachy
Euan (although feels more Scottish than Irish)
Finn
Tadgh

All lovely names in my opinion. I also think you should keep the Irish theme.

JollyGreenGiantess · 31/01/2021 23:19

I think Euan is Scottish Gaelic not Irish.

danascully96 · 31/01/2021 23:17

What about just Finn? It’s lovely on its own :) And Irish!!

Original poster
Sausagedog1 · 31/01/2021 23:15

I'm not keen on Lorcan for some reason. Malachy is on the list. Is it a bit too 'out there' do you think? I don't really want to get lots of Confused faces.
Finnbar is an option. We have considered Finn so many times and don't like Finley. There is something abour it that feels very old fashioned though to me.

OP posts:
TrappedAndDepressed · 31/01/2021 23:13

Obviously it's up to you

My two-penneth - as an Indian I much prefer hearing Irish names over English, Welsh and Hebrew / biblical ones - they sound nicer, prettier and the way they are spelt are beautiful too.
If I had any Irish link I would use Irish names, I don't so I can't.

danascully96 · 31/01/2021 23:09

If I were picking an Irish name, I would go with Euan.

Gabriel is nice too, but Gabe isn’t my fav nn. I really like Blake, but people will tell you it’s American. Sam’s lovely and classic, but I prefer Daniel. And Zachary is fine, but not something I’d choose.

Newchances · 31/01/2021 21:04

Lorcan,Finnbarr and malachy?

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