Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Cormac

40 replies

Snowbell99 · 10/03/2022 18:40

What do you think of Cormac for a boy?

Is it too harsh? Does it sound dated?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
PutinIsAWarCriminal · 11/03/2022 13:36

I like it, but then I love Irish names. Its a shame some people stigmatise them.

DeedIDo · 11/03/2022 13:30

It's a yes from me too.

It's a real name, it's strong and it's not over used.

4kinell · 11/03/2022 13:29

I say go for it , it's lovely

feckingknackered · 11/03/2022 13:27

Love it, was on my list for my son Smile

Liv999 · 11/03/2022 13:22

Dont think you can go wrong with Cormac really, it's an all round great name, simple, strong, ancient, one of my favourite Irish names

JenniferBarkley · 11/03/2022 09:27

I really like it and it would have been on my shortlist if it went with our surname.

Completely agree about non-rhotic accents though, I would avoid if you're in parts of England.

inappropriateraspberry · 11/03/2022 07:14

www.cormacltd.co.uk/

Here in Cornwall it's a highways company that lays roads etc! That's the first thing that came to mind. I suppose it depends if you come to Cornwall often! 😆

pontiouspilates · 11/03/2022 07:11

I love Cormac, not overly used, simple and strong. Great name.

SeanChailleach · 11/03/2022 07:07

@murderatthebeautypageant is that a Belfast pronunciation "Cormc"? Goes with Ern (Erin), Gerrd (Gerard) and Paatrrc (Patrick).
I love the name Cormac. Ancient and kingly.

Mrstwiddle · 11/03/2022 00:14

I don’t like it, but I think Mac for a nickname is nice.

Enough4me · 11/03/2022 00:11

I'm in SW and it reminds me of the dodgy company too.

Kanaloa · 11/03/2022 00:08

@Calandor

Cormac McClaggen. A particularly odious boy in Harry Potter who's always trying to force Hermione to snog him. That puts me off the name.

Depends how much you care about cultural references though.

This was my thought too! He’s a fairly minor character though, I’ve just never really heard of another Cormac and never met one so it’s my only association with the name. I’m not too keen on the sound to be honest. Not sure why because I like Connor and most Mac names but it’s the two sounds together, they just sound quite throaty.

It’s just taste though. Objectively speaking it’s a fine name.

Erinyes · 11/03/2022 00:08

It’s a nice, strong classic. However, I’d echo the poster above who cautioned against using it if your Cormac is likely to grow up as ‘Caw- mack’, like the unbearable Awla for Orla. Some names just don’t work in non-rhotic accents.

LizzieAnt · 11/03/2022 00:03

I don't like the Scottish pronunciation of core-mack, only the Irish pronunciation core-mc.

Bit confused by thisSmile
The first pronunciation in the link below is how I've mostly heard the name pronounced in Ireland (ie as Cawr-mock or Cawr-muk). I've also often heard Cur-muk by native Irish speakers in Munster.

forvo.com/word/Cormac/

Because the surname derived from Cormac (anglicised as McCormack/McCormick) is spelt and pronounced a bit differently in Irish than Cormac as a first name, this has possibly led to a bit of confusion in the pronunciation of the name, especially outside Ireland. However, the second syllable of Cormac as a first name should not be pronounced mick (as the American speaker says in that link).

It's not really an Irish Catholic name as such (like a pp suggested) in that it's a very old Irish name, pre-dating Catholicism in Ireland afaik. A famous Irish high king was named Cormac Mac Airt. It has a steady popularity without being at the top of the lists. I know several Cormacs, so Cormac McLaggen doesn't get a look in here.
Really like it, though it depends on accent too - I imagine it could sound quite different in a non-rhotic accent.

Cleebope2 · 10/03/2022 21:27

I adore this name. Wanted to call my son this as it has family meaning but was over ruled but now my ds 23 wishes I had called him it as I gave him a much more common name. Strong and masculine and individual.

MurderAtTheBeautyPageant · 10/03/2022 21:26

I have a cousin called Cormac.

I don't like the Scottish pronunciation of core-mack, only the Irish pronunciation core-mc.

SallyCinnamon3009 · 10/03/2022 21:24

Love it

OrangeAndYellowAndBlue · 10/03/2022 21:19

I like it, like Cormac McCarthy. I know of one teenage one (in England).

Sadly, with surnames starting with C, the two C's run into each other and it ends up sounding a bit like korma... But if your surname starts with any other sound, it's ace.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 10/03/2022 20:58

I don't love it, but I don't think it's dated.

RuthW · 10/03/2022 20:56

I always see Caramac (the confectionery) for some reason

Ihaventgottimeforthis · 10/03/2022 20:14

Yes if you ever go on holiday to Cornwall be prepared for endless jokes about does he sit on his arse all day drinking tea etc
It's a shame as actually I think it's a great name if only I lived in any other county.

Hasselhoffsheadband · 10/03/2022 20:11

My first thought is the Cardinal (it's the Catholic upbringing in me!) and my second thought is Caramac. And it's quite dated, and doesn't really sound that nice.

It's a no from me.

Luredbyapomegranate · 10/03/2022 20:10

I don't mind it. Prefer Caleb though.

RedRobin100 · 10/03/2022 20:06

I love it. My friend has a Cormac. Great name. Strong.

Original poster
Snowbell99 · 10/03/2022 20:04

@Calandor

Cormac McClaggen. A particularly odious boy in Harry Potter who's always trying to force Hermione to snog him. That puts me off the name.

Depends how much you care about cultural references though.

Oh I had almost forgotten about him! It doesn't bother me so much as he isn't in the books that much. But yes, he was awful.
OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread