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Baby names

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

Original poster

Scottish Gaelic boys names

29 replies

FeistySheep · 26/05/2021 10:41

Am in the Highlands, so it's a 'fit-in' name I'm looking for. I don't want to resurrect a name that hasn't been used since 1852...

It needs to be pronouncable/spellable for non-Gaelic speakers, so although I love Eòghann, Seonachan etc, they probably won't work. I'm looking for a name already commonly used, which non-Gaelic speakers are accustomed to seeing already.

I've got a shortlist, but hoping to expand it!

Alasdair
Iain
Niall
Ruairidh
Cailean

Can anyone add to the list?

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midsomermurderess · 27/05/2021 21:27

I have a soft spot for Sorley (Somhairle) which has the rather lovely meaning, so I'm led to believe, of Summer wanderer.

BatleyTownswomensGuild · 27/05/2021 17:12

Not sure if they are of Gaelic origin or not, but I've always loved Fraser and Finlay.

QueryA · 27/05/2021 14:36

Douglas/Dùbhghlas is my current favorite Scottish name, but I'm not sure how often its used in Gaelic to be honest. I also like Duncan and Sandy but I'm not sure whether they are used in Gaelic much either!

I haven't found many names that are spelt/pronounced the same in both gaelic and english and unfortunately they probably will end up being mangled in one language or the other. I think Calum is maybe the few that might cross over.

sarah13xx · 27/05/2021 13:01

@FeistySheep no I’m not in the highlands so we would use the more common spellings of names where we stay

Original poster
FeistySheep · 27/05/2021 09:31

@sarah13xx there are loads of misspellings of Gaelic names used commonly throughout Scotland, so maybe it doesn't matter too much if you're in the Lowlands. If your Highlands though, you're probably saving your kid hassle if you spell his name right - he won't have to be correcting people all the time!

Your names spelt right would be:
Fearghas
Calum
Ruairidh
Aonghas
Eòghann

Not sure you can really translate Murray and Harris. They are place names of course, but have never heard anyone use them as names in Gaelic!

OP posts:
Original poster
FeistySheep · 27/05/2021 09:25

@TeacupDrama yep, don't worry, I speak Gaelic (moderately) so I can sift through for the genuine Gaelic ones and amend spelling where necessary! Grin All suggestions gratefully received though!

@EarringsandLipstick there is definitely crossover with Irish and Sc Gaelic names - not surprising with the history eh. I'm fascinated trying to guess which name your sons have now!

@LisaLane what a cracking list - taing mhòr!

Calum and Seamus are going on the list :)

OP posts:
whattodo2019 · 26/05/2021 22:19

Sholto

sarah13xx · 26/05/2021 22:06

I’m in scotland too and trying to name a boy. We love Fergus, Callum, Murray, Ruaridh (nickname Ru/Roo), Harris, Angus and Euan. Not sure which ones are gaelic but they’re our favourite Scottish names

LisaLane · 26/05/2021 21:33

Domhnall
Mìcheal
Peadar (Peter)
Eardsaidh (Archie)
Gilleasbuig (Archibald-better in Gàidhlig!)
Seumas (James)
Padraig (Peter)
Tormod (Norman)
Torcuil
Aonghas/Innes (Angus)
Fearchar (Farquhar)
Fionnlagh (Finlay)
Seòras (George)
Murchadh (Murdoch)
Iain (John)
Calum (Malcolm)
Seonaidh (John)
Eoghan -(Euan)
Alastair/Alasdair
Cailean (Colin)
Raghnall (Ronald)
Proinseas -(Francis)
Uileam (William)
Ailig (Alec)
Cathal (Charles)
Tearlach (Charles)
Anndra (Andrew)
Lachie/Lachlan/Lochlan
Ruairidh

Just a few of the lads I know with Gàidhlig names.

dancemom · 26/05/2021 21:30

Lots of these names are not Scots Gaelic

LadyEloise · 26/05/2021 21:22

Tarlach
It's predominantly Irish but is a Celtic name.
I like it.
I also like Lachlan.

caringcarer · 26/05/2021 21:18

Hamish

EarringsandLipstick · 26/05/2021 21:07

I'm fascinated with this thread. Beautiful names, with (of course) much similarity to Irish names (names in the Irish language).

One of my son's names is listed, an Irish name which isn't that usual (both name & spelling) and I hadn't realised it was also a Scots Gaelic name.

(My other son's name is also listed here, with a variant in spelling, but I knew that was used in Scotland)

QGMum · 26/05/2021 21:04

Tormod

soupmaker · 26/05/2021 21:02

Seamus
Calum
Eoin
Cailean

All great names and easy to spell.

QGMum · 26/05/2021 21:02

Hamish

whoisjoe · 26/05/2021 20:59

Seoras
Sorran

TeacupDrama · 26/05/2021 20:56

I presume as looking for a gaelic name you understand gaelic spelling rules (so you can't spell it ruaridh as suggested instead of your correct original spelling Ruairidh ) my preference is Alasdair or Calum or perhaps Seumas

Yorkshirepuddingforever · 26/05/2021 20:50

How about

Calum
Conall
FeArghas
Marcas
Seamus
Torcall

I also love Magnus and Adair but guessing they aren't gaelic.

ChatterMonkey · 26/05/2021 20:39

How about domhnall?

partyatthepalace · 26/05/2021 20:37

Oh and Innes

partyatthepalace · 26/05/2021 20:36

I’m not sure how Gaelic they are but I think Kester, Gilles, Struan snd Lorne are all great, you can’t go wrong with Lachlan or Alistair. I am also going to mention Hector, I know it’s not Gaelic but I seem to meet a lot of them in Scotland.

Original poster
FeistySheep · 26/05/2021 12:20

@ditalini I was really looking for Gaelic names, as I don't want them to have to change it when they're speaking Gaelic. But I'm not going to reject anglicised suggestions either - you never know, there might be a cracker!

Thanks everyone for the suggestions so far.
Lachlann/Lachaidh is great :)
Cormac is a great name, but not good with our surname unfortunately!
Somhairle/Aonghas are lovely, but definitely fall into the category of tripping up non-Gaelic speakers :(

OP posts:
GoodbyeToCare · 26/05/2021 12:09

Lachaidh.

Serpenta · 26/05/2021 11:58

Cormac