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Baby names

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

Original poster

Cianan?

38 replies

playinghippiefamilies · 02/07/2021 02:27

Hiya, we expecting our 2nd DC in October and already have Aoife picked out for a girl. For a boy we really like Cianan, our DS is called Tadhg and we think they sound nice together. It’s pronounced Kee-Nan. Just wondering what others opinions of it are?

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Middlesboroughgirl · 02/07/2021 09:41

Are you or your DH Irish? It's grand to use Irish names of you are not Irish but can seem like a (false) declaration of nationality.

Original poster
playinghippiefamilies · 02/07/2021 09:38

We also like Caolán, but I know the pronunciation varies depending on where you’re from

OP posts:
Original poster
playinghippiefamilies · 02/07/2021 09:31

I understand with the Fada it would have a slightly different pronunciation as that will make it a longer a sound. However, I know a few Irish Cianan’s who pronounce it Kee-nan.

OP posts:
Original poster
playinghippiefamilies · 02/07/2021 09:29

Thank you for the opinions :)

OP posts:
SeanChailleach · 02/07/2021 09:18

Cianán is a lovely name.

BramStoker · 02/07/2021 08:47

There are plenty of nicer Irish boys names to choose from IMHO

Written down it is obviously an Irish name but if I just heard someone yelling 'Keenan' at a child across a park I think it has a similar vibe to Jayden/Mason/Tyler/Kai etc which I'm guessing isn't what you're aiming for?

Synchrony · 02/07/2021 08:43

I am not Irish but I know a Cian, so I'd have expected it to be pronounced Kee-uh-nun.

mathanxiety · 02/07/2021 05:26

there should properly be a fada on the second a, so Cianán

That's what I thought too.

I would just spell the name Keenan if you want to pronounce it Kee-nan.

LizzieAnt · 02/07/2021 04:45

Here is an example, although it varies a bit depending on dialect.

forvo.com/word/cianán

LizzieAnt · 02/07/2021 04:31

I prefer Cian (KEE-un) to Cianan tbh OP - though Cian might cause some pronunciation issues depending on where you are, I suppose. I'm in Ireland and am more familiar with the anglicised Keenan as a surname here so, for me, it sounds unusual when used as a first name.

If you're spelling it the Irish way there should properly be a fada on the second a, so Cianán (though people do omit fadas from names quite often I know). It's also pronounced slightly differently from Keenan when spelt/said in Irish as mathanxiety said.

mathanxiety · 02/07/2021 03:31

Is it an Irish name? It would be pronounced Kee-uh-nun if so.

villainousbroodmare · 02/07/2021 03:16

I like it and Aoife is just lovely too.

ofwarren · 02/07/2021 03:13

I like it
Goes well with your other child's name