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Baby names

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

Original poster

Zachary Malachy or Gabriel

69 replies

Drunkenmonkey · 13/03/2021 20:27

To go with DS Cillian. Other suggestions welcome. I have another son whose name I won't mention as both together might be outing.

I don't want anything too common for our next child as it would make Cillian seem out of place. Want something with a similar feel, it doesn't have to be Irish though. Surname is one syllable.
We already have a girls name chosen, Alannah.
Thanks Smile

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DramaAlpaca · 13/03/2021 23:27

I like Gabriel most from your list.

Livingmagicallyagain · 13/03/2021 23:26

Gabriel, the one we know is never shortened to Gabe.

Original poster
Drunkenmonkey · 13/03/2021 23:26

Ooo I quite like Malachai nickname Kai, that is quite cute and gets round the Mal issue (can't help hearing 'bad' as I speak Spanish).
Something to consider.

OP posts:
miltonj · 13/03/2021 23:22

I love Malachy. I also love Malakai/malachai. The little lad I know mainly goes by Kai.

VenusClapTrap · 13/03/2021 23:17

Gabriel. Dislike the other two.

Original poster
Drunkenmonkey · 13/03/2021 23:13

I'd rather have a different initial to Cillian which excludes Cormac. Starting to lean towards Gabriel. My DH hates Gabe though which is an issue I think. Interesting that Zachary has a very different feel to Cillian.

OP posts:
DotDotDotDotDot · 13/03/2021 23:00

Cormac or the Welsh name Macsen could give you the nickname Mac. Otherwise Gabriel is a lovely choice. I quite like Zachary but find it very different in style to Cillian. Apparently Malachy is really dated in Ireland but not in a good way.

HeelsHandbagPerfumeCoffee · 13/03/2021 22:07

I can’t see the link Mac to malachy. different sounds,not a natural association

Original poster
Drunkenmonkey · 13/03/2021 22:02

Is Mac a weird nickname for Malachy then? I don't know any Malachys. I'm not into really contrived nicknames but I'm not sure I like the nickname Mal that much.

I quite like Rafferty but we are avoiding R names due to my other son's name.
I'm not too bothered about popularity. I'd rather something that isn't top 20 (we discounted Finley/Finn last time due to this) but it doesn't have to be really uncommon.

OP posts:
Amdone123 · 13/03/2021 21:55

Love Malachy. I don't like Zachary. Gabriel is nice, but quite popular.

Notthecarwashagain · 13/03/2021 21:44

I had Malachy on my list for DS.
I love it, and only didn't use it as it was a bit clunky with surname.
Great name!

DerekMorganswife · 13/03/2021 21:38

We had Cillian, Malachi and Gabriel on our list. We also had Ezekiel, Emerson and Rafferty.

sweetnessnfight · 13/03/2021 21:32

Malachy is likely to get the nickname Mal.

They all sound nice

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 13/03/2021 21:24

Gabriel ,if you're not bothered about popularity. If popularity bothers you Malachy. I've never been keen on Zachary.
My DD had Malachy for a boy but shes having a girl.

HeelsHandbagPerfumeCoffee · 13/03/2021 21:22

I don’t see how you get Mac from Malachy, they are phonetically different?
Sure there’s a m, a, c in the name but Mac it’s not the diminutive of malachy

Original poster
Drunkenmonkey · 13/03/2021 20:41

I quite like Mac for a nickname too for Malachy.

OP posts:
Nell96 · 13/03/2021 20:36

Malachy. I like Mal as a nn. Not keen on Gabriel and Zachary / Zach feels a bit 90s to me, though is a perfectly fine name.

Bobbybobbins · 13/03/2021 20:36

I like them all and think they all go well with Cillian (sorry not much help but thought I'd congratulate you on your choices!)

HeelsHandbagPerfumeCoffee · 13/03/2021 20:32

Malachy without a doubt,beautiful name
I like the other names esp Gabriel