Page 3 | Irish baby boy names

pontipinemum · 2024-02-28T12:44:44+00:00

I am looking for a less common Irish boys name. I already have a Pádraig, well know but not very popular, 20/30 per year going by the CSO In the family we already have Peadar, Fionn, Tadhg, Cathal, Cillian, Seán, Odhran. If baby is a girl she'll be called Fionnuala. Also we are Irish living in Ireland. I loved Ruairí the last time but I was worried he would be called Rory a lot.

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Mumoffionnuala · 29/02/2024 22:16

pontipinemum · 29/02/2024 10:40

@Mumoffionnuala if it's a girl we are sorted. 😊It's such a beautiful name I think. DH didn't want it if our 1st was a girl, I think he was just intimated by how to spell it. Spelling isn't his strong point in English, and both of us only did Irish to primary level so not good there either. But he's on board with it now.

I like Fiachra too DH isn't as sure.

@IamaRevenant I think Tadhg is taking a spike in England. I have family in the S.E. and 1 called their DS Tadhg thinking he'd be the only one. They've met 4 so far and 2 have no Irish connection just loved the name

@Sloesandhaws going by what I've seen on FB and by the CSO Tadgh is a pretty common misspelling. I had to 100x check on Pádraig because my Irish is nearly non existent

I remember making the announcement on Facebook and being corrected by almost my entire family on my spelling 😂 Even now I have to rhyme it out in my head, I’m dyslexic so no matter how hard I try sometimes I need a bit of extra time to remember how to spell it.

I also liked Fiach for a boy.

it was funny today I was talking to my Fionnuala about this thread and she said when she grows up she definitely wants a boy called Finn 😂

YouTulip · 29/02/2024 22:10

mathanxiety · 29/02/2024 20:55

There' a pretty well known modern trad singer from Connemara called Lasairfhíona.

And I think one of the Motherfoclóir guys has a daughter called Lasairfhíona.

Derrymum123 · 29/02/2024 21:02

Fearghal/ Feargal.
Micheal/Michael
Séamus
Malachy/Malachi

Lozza70 · 29/02/2024 20:56

Lorcan, amazing name which we couldn’t use, too close to my name, but I adore it.

mathanxiety · 29/02/2024 20:55

There' a pretty well known modern trad singer from Connemara called Lasairfhíona.

mathanxiety · 29/02/2024 20:53

Fiachra is a gorgeous name imo.

Sloesandhaws · 29/02/2024 18:46

Like Fiachra.
Also Fiachna.

Slanabhaile · 29/02/2024 18:43

I like Fiachra ❤️ 💙

Original poster

pontipinemum · 29/02/2024 18:16

Probably got lost in one of my replies

What do ye think of Fiachra?

OP posts:

maimeo · 29/02/2024 17:06

Finian? My firstborn ❤️ Finn for short!

Slanabhaile · 29/02/2024 17:00

Lightandfire · 29/02/2024 16:53

The name Dara doesn't carry the meaning of 'second' though. Different root entirely.
Even if it did Macdara wouldn't translate as second son.

Fair enough. I was being too literal.

Radiatorvalves · 29/02/2024 16:56

I have a Fearghal. He’s happy with his name except when he goes to Starbucks … where he calls himself Fred!

Lightandfire · 29/02/2024 16:53

The name Dara doesn't carry the meaning of 'second' though. Different root entirely.
Even if it did Macdara wouldn't translate as second son.

Slanabhaile · 29/02/2024 16:42

Maybe a bit twee but if this is your second son would you consider ...
Macdara/ MacDara - meaning 2nd son?

Or just Dara/ Daragh/ Darragh/ Daire - meaning 2nd? (Think I've covered all spelling options there, I'm sure I'll be corrected if I missed one 😉)

harrietm87 · 29/02/2024 16:26

I know a couple of brothers (late 30s/early 40s now, speak Irish as first language) called Cuan (no fada) and Macdara - great names, not posh at all.

LizardOfOz · 29/02/2024 14:41

Ruadhan is lovely!

Lmes · 29/02/2024 14:34

My niece called her son Caoimhin ! Irish for Kevin .

Original poster

pontipinemum · 29/02/2024 12:00

@Summer8summer8 it is but I have a nephew Seán

OP posts:

Summer8summer8 · 29/02/2024 11:59

Seán is nice

Original poster

pontipinemum · 29/02/2024 11:59

@YouTulip I've never heard of Macdara I see that's what Eileen Dunnes husband is called.

@Sloesandhaws I think it's just because one of the first times I heard the name was from a very posh "D4" it's just an association in my head which isn't correct.

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Sloesandhaws · 29/02/2024 11:55

I like MacDara too actually but, rightly or wrongly, I'd be afraid of being thought poncy if I used it. I'd stick with Darragh. OP thinks of Lorcan as posh (I don't) so I'm not the only one who feels like this I think.

I don't see the names as the equivalent of Cressida or St John actually, more like using Cynefrith or Deorwine, old Anglo-Saxon names which have more or less died out.

Fair enough if you are an Anglo-Saxon scholar or a Gaelgeoir in Ireland but for me personally to use an old and rare name like Lasairfhíona or Gormfhlaith would be a bit much I think.

YouTulip · 29/02/2024 11:15

Sloesandhaws · 29/02/2024 09:12

I'd say some of the more unusual ones could be seen as posh or try-hard?
MacDara as opposed to Seán kind of thing.

Show quote history

The only MacDara I know is the solidly WC son of a taxi driver and a cleaner (and a total delight). It’s a nice name, too, actually.

I think with most Irish aristocracy since the flight of the earls being ‘planted’ Anglo-Irish using English names, there isn’t the Irish language equivalent of Cressida, Hugo, St John etc.

Sloesandhaws · 29/02/2024 11:08

Yes, I think you're right about Tadhg @pontipinemum. I know one and he says he often gets the gh spelling too. People are more used to it from words like cough. This is in Ireland.

It is possible that pp's colleague is using Tadgh himself and that's his correct spelling iykwim, but just thought it might be something she'd like to check. Turns out she's not emailing him or anything though so all okay.

Original poster

pontipinemum · 29/02/2024 10:40

@Mumoffionnuala if it's a girl we are sorted. 😊It's such a beautiful name I think. DH didn't want it if our 1st was a girl, I think he was just intimated by how to spell it. Spelling isn't his strong point in English, and both of us only did Irish to primary level so not good there either. But he's on board with it now.

I like Fiachra too DH isn't as sure.

@IamaRevenant I think Tadhg is taking a spike in England. I have family in the S.E. and 1 called their DS Tadhg thinking he'd be the only one. They've met 4 so far and 2 have no Irish connection just loved the name

@Sloesandhaws going by what I've seen on FB and by the CSO Tadgh is a pretty common misspelling. I had to 100x check on Pádraig because my Irish is nearly non existent

OP posts:

IamaRevenant · 29/02/2024 10:21

@Sloesandhaws oops, my mistake. We work in the same company but not directly together so don't email etc, I don't think I've ever seen his name written down other than the initial LinkedIn connection! Sorry Tadhg 😬