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Baby names

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

Original poster

Irish baby boy names

134 replies

pontipinemum · 28/02/2024 12:44

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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Sloesandhaws · 29/02/2024 09:12

Smoor · 28/02/2024 15:28

I don't think there are 'posh' Irish-language names.

Show quote history

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.

Sloesandhaws · 29/02/2024 09:04

IamaRevenant · 28/02/2024 15:43

I really like Cathal and Tadgh. Speaking as an English woman in England though, they obviously wouldn't bring up any pronunciation issues in Ireland but it would possibly be something I'd consider in case your dc moves anywhere else. I have a friend called Cathal and work with a Tadgh and it's easy to remember once told but I got them both wrong initially (particularly Tadgh 😬) and I'd imagine others would too.

Others I love (mostly because they're the names of people I love! But also good solid names to me too) - Colm, Oisín, Daragh, Malachy. My nephew is one of these (half Irish), my BIL is another.

Lorcan and Cian are both lovely too.

The name is mostly, and correctly, spelt Tadhg.

It's also possible he spells it 'wrong' himself though?
Thought I'd mention it as you said you work together so it might be worth checking you're using the spelling he does.

mathanxiety · 29/02/2024 01:13

IamaRevenant · 28/02/2024 15:43

I really like Cathal and Tadgh. Speaking as an English woman in England though, they obviously wouldn't bring up any pronunciation issues in Ireland but it would possibly be something I'd consider in case your dc moves anywhere else. I have a friend called Cathal and work with a Tadgh and it's easy to remember once told but I got them both wrong initially (particularly Tadgh 😬) and I'd imagine others would too.

Others I love (mostly because they're the names of people I love! But also good solid names to me too) - Colm, Oisín, Daragh, Malachy. My nephew is one of these (half Irish), my BIL is another.

Lorcan and Cian are both lovely too.

I'm Irish and live abroad with an Irish name. How other people deal with my name is not my problem. The vast majority of people I introduce myself to get my name right. The rest are spam callers.

The history of Irish (the language) and Irish names being unacceptable in polite company is a very fraught one. We all live in a far more open minded world now, and we're more familiar with other languages than we used to be.

mathanxiety · 29/02/2024 01:04

Macdara
Luan (can spell it Lughan)
Ailbe
Moling
Eoghan
Laserian/ Lasairian
Donncha
Lochlann
Cairbre
Eamon
Cearbhall
Barra
Colman (fada on A)
Neasan (fada on last A)
Ruadhan (fada on last A)

Ahnobother · 29/02/2024 00:27

I love Conall, Ruadhán, Dara, Cormac

Orders76 · 29/02/2024 00:16

Con, Finn and Breff are my favourites

User6761 · 29/02/2024 00:14

I really like the name Ronan.

Mumoffionnuala · 28/02/2024 23:40

Fionnuala is beautiful, I have a Fionnuala and love the name obviously.

I’ve always been a fan of Fintan and Finbar.

jpclarke · 28/02/2024 23:38

Conall
Conan
Diarmuid
Seadna
Oran
Ciaran
Niall
Peadar
Eanna

serin · 28/02/2024 23:31

Daragh.

Gooseysgirl · 28/02/2024 23:07

I've always loved Colmán!
A few others not mentioned yet...
Darach
Naomhán
Traolach
Maitiú
Muiris
Rónán

Missmillymollymandy · 28/02/2024 22:54

Senan / Senàn
means “little wise one”

junebirthdaygirl · 28/02/2024 22:42

I love Conall and Diarmuid. Also Aengus.
And Lorcan..lrish for Lawrence is a great name and not posh in any way.

resm · 28/02/2024 22:36

Diarmuid
Donal / Domhnall

FlatWhite2 · 28/02/2024 22:16

Torin
Rossa
Rua

my 3 favs. Also I wouldn’t worry about Ruairi being Rory, I live in Ire and generally they’re seen as totally different names

Slanabhaile · 28/02/2024 22:08

pontipinemum · 28/02/2024 16:34

@scoopoftheday I really like Cáolan DH isn't as sure. Although he doesn't really want to think about it too much until we find out at the 20 week scan.

Current Irish rugby player is Caelan, so perhaps one to become more well known 🤔

Bonbono · 28/02/2024 20:10

pontipinemum · 28/02/2024 12:44

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.

This would be more Northern Ireland, Scottish. People are scared to use it. But, I'm actually Bonnie 4th generation male.

Ballygowenwater · 28/02/2024 19:44

I’ve come back to say Páidí, met a small boy recently with that name and loved it!

** just remembered you have a Padraig already, nevermind!

StephanieSuperpowers · 28/02/2024 16:35

@IamaRevenant , that's fair enough! I jumped to a conclusion there, I shouldn't have.

Original poster
pontipinemum · 28/02/2024 16:34

@scoopoftheday I really like Cáolan DH isn't as sure. Although he doesn't really want to think about it too much until we find out at the 20 week scan.

OP posts:
Miloandfreddy · 28/02/2024 16:33

Another vote for Lorcán as I have one too. And we are not at all posh lol

IamaRevenant · 28/02/2024 16:29

StephanieSuperpowers · 28/02/2024 15:46

@IamaRevenant which English names would you not call your children in case they decide to live abroad?

I'm not going to say what it is as it's outing, but mine, frankly! I have lived in several countries and everyone gets it wrong. It's constantly either mispronounced or I get called one of two completely different but similarly spelled (and more internationally known) names.

Just speaking from my own experience! It does get a bit annoying tbh.

Edit - @Slanabhaile really not being negative about Irish names. This is literally me speaking about my own experience of having a name that it seems 90% of the world gets wrong initially (and sometimes continue to even after being corrected multiple times...).

Slanabhaile · 28/02/2024 16:08

StephanieSuperpowers · 28/02/2024 15:46

@IamaRevenant which English names would you not call your children in case they decide to live abroad?

Thanks @StephanieSuperpowers!! God forbid any of us every want to leave the country with our unpronounceable names.

A few other names I've remembered.....
▪︎ Caoimhán (was the best looking boy in the boys school across the road, we were all madly in love with him!)
▪︎ Caoimh
▪︎ Donal
▪︎ Fergal / Fergus
▪︎ Conleth
▪︎ Eamon
▪︎ Aengus
▪︎ Declan
▪︎ Gearoid

On the spelling of Cuan, I'd say no fadas. At least in my pronunciation. It means Harbour and is a name I'm liking more and more.

Garman · 28/02/2024 16:05

Setanta is a great name, also Senan but it is quite popular.

scoopoftheday · 28/02/2024 16:05

My nephews are Cáolan, Cónan, Aodhan, Caoimhin, Rowan, Rían, Killian, Earleigh, Daíthi and Pauric. (The rest aren't Irish names)