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Original poster

Ruadhán as a name

64 replies

GladHazelPoster · 13/06/2026 16:32

What do you think of the name Ruadhán?

Ruadhán - Roo-awn - meaning 'red' or 'red-haired'
Saint Ruadhán of Lorrha was one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland, a group of early Christian saints who studied under Saint Finian of Clonard. Wiki to Saint Ruadhán

Well-known people with the name now include Ruadhán Mac Cormaic is an Irish journalist and author who became Editor of The Irish Times in 2022, following a career that included various roles as a Foreign Affairs, Migration, Legal Affairs, and Paris Correspondent.

To all those who are going to say it's hard to spell please save your breath. If you had your way everyone would be called James Smith and if they weren't they would be forced to change their name to it. Have some confidence with names that aren't in the Top 5 each year please. By the way clearly the parents of this learned Saint weren't worrying about spelling when they named their son it.

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mathanxiety · 14/06/2026 22:08

BoredZelda · 14/06/2026 12:40

Isn’t the point that in her post, she felt it necessary to give the pronunciation? I’m not “little England” and am generally well educated on non English name pronunciations, I’m not sure I would get this one right.

I have a standard name with an unusual spelling, at 52 years old, it still pisses me off when people spell it incorrectly. Not sure why someone would deliberately do that to their child.

Show quote history

Pronunciation was given to aid the formation of an opinion on the sound of the name.

She wanted opinions on how the name sounded, not whether people used to the English language and its wacky orthography would be able to read a name from another culture.

The question of whether British people would be able to pronounce it if they encountered it only in writing is another matter entirely.

As I've said upthread, most British people are perfectly capable of committing the pronunciation of a name to memory after they've heard it a couple of times.

(People who can't remember names in general are a separate matter).

BoredZelda · 14/06/2026 12:40

mathanxiety · 13/06/2026 20:02

No.

She rightly suspects that posters wanging on about unfamiliar spellings are living in little bubbles, and is completely justified in her irritation at the Little England tone of many responses.

She gave the meaning and pronunciation of the name and asks if people like it as a collection of sounds.

Show quote history

Isn’t the point that in her post, she felt it necessary to give the pronunciation? I’m not “little England” and am generally well educated on non English name pronunciations, I’m not sure I would get this one right.

I have a standard name with an unusual spelling, at 52 years old, it still pisses me off when people spell it incorrectly. Not sure why someone would deliberately do that to their child.

SkippitySkoppity · 14/06/2026 12:29

mathanxiety · 13/06/2026 19:57

Yawn...

The OP warned about opinions like this in her original post.

Believe it or not, many British people are well able to wrap their heads around unfamiliar names, and if they're not, then they're not worth bothering about.

Show quote history

To be fair, that wasn't actually in her original post. It was a later addition.

Giraffehaver · 13/06/2026 22:21

It's a really handsome name

completelylostagain · 13/06/2026 20:34

I know of one but they pronounce it rowan (row as in argument, not row as in boat) - they are in Scotland not Ireland though.

KrazyKatty · 13/06/2026 20:07

If you’re not living in Ireland, it just sounds pretentious.

Not dissimilar to those Americans whose great, great, great grandfather was Irish so they also claim to be 100% Irish. 🤔😂😂

mathanxiety · 13/06/2026 20:02

treestumped · 13/06/2026 16:47

To all those who are going to say it's hard to spell please save your breath. If you had your way everyone would be called James Smith and if they weren't they would be forced to change their name to it. Have some confidence with names that aren't in the Top 5 each year please. By the way clearly the parents of this learned Saint weren't worrying about spelling when they named their son it.

Wow you sound a delight. You want to know if people like it but don't want to know if they don't like it because those people must only like top 5 names. I think what you're looking for is an echo chamber.

No.

She rightly suspects that posters wanging on about unfamiliar spellings are living in little bubbles, and is completely justified in her irritation at the Little England tone of many responses.

She gave the meaning and pronunciation of the name and asks if people like it as a collection of sounds.

mathanxiety · 13/06/2026 19:57

cheezncrackers · 13/06/2026 16:36

Are you Irish and do you live in Ireland? If so, then I'm guessing that people will know how to pronounce this. If not, you'll be setting your DC up for a lifetime of misspelling and mispronunciation of his name. And there is no-one 'well-known' with this name. I'm over 50 and I've never heard of it.

Yawn...

The OP warned about opinions like this in her original post.

Believe it or not, many British people are well able to wrap their heads around unfamiliar names, and if they're not, then they're not worth bothering about.

Duvetdayneeded · 13/06/2026 17:46

Don’t like it at all- spelling or name.

Thunderdcc · 13/06/2026 17:44

I don't like it much, but I don't like Rowan either - I think it's insipid. I like the spelling, it's better than Rowan but there are much more exciting names out there.

Skybluepinky · 13/06/2026 17:41

Are they Irish and will they have red hair?

Delphiniumandlupins · 13/06/2026 17:40

It's a nice name. If you don't live in Ireland or have Irish connections I might simplify the spelling. I also like Rowan for either boys or girls.

Dizzydrizzy · 13/06/2026 17:24

Will you live in Ireland?

Nursemumma92 · 13/06/2026 17:20

I like it but prefer Ruan for its simple spelling and obvious pronunciation.

Masqued · 13/06/2026 17:18

I have a nephew (living in RoI) called Ruàn - seems to be pronounced the same, is it an alternative spelling of the same name?

Monty36 · 13/06/2026 17:10

If you are set on it then don’t ask people and berate them before they have even said anything !

Onmytod24 · 13/06/2026 17:06

Sounds like you’re not Irish. it’s a really daft idea

Brunchatstephanies · 13/06/2026 17:05

I love Ruadhán but I live in Ireland and know how to pronounce it. I can’t talk I’ve given my own daughter a name in Irish that even Irish people struggle with. She’s and adult and loves it though.

6ate9 · 13/06/2026 17:03

It’s a name a lot of people won’t know how to pronounce and spell unless you live in Ireland. A bit like the name Aoife!!

Purplecatshopaholic · 13/06/2026 17:02

Lovely name. Really like it.

YorksMa · 13/06/2026 16:59

For me it's less about where you live and more about whether you're Irish or not. If you're not, it's a bit odd. Like calling a kid Giuseppe if you're not Italian.

WhereverIlaymycatthatsmyhome · 13/06/2026 16:56

If you live in Ireland my answer is go for it. If not, nope.

Laiste · 13/06/2026 16:55

To be fair your first sentence is 'What do you think of ... the name. (i can't scroll so can't check spelling!)

Folks are likely to answer with that question in mind. It's a lovely sounding name, but if not in Ireland he will probably have to spell it/pronounce it for people.

Not the end of the world of course and worth it for a nice name.

I have to spell my name out all the time and i get sick of it. But it's my name and i wouldn't change it.

krustykittens · 13/06/2026 16:54

I love it and I wouldn't care if they were living in Ireland or not. I have a name people cannot spell, it doesn't hold me back. Because it is unusual in this country it stands out, which is a wonderful benefit professionally as I am a journalist and people remember my byline! I also think it is important for children to be part of their culture, no matter where they live and a name is an important connection.

SkippitySkoppity · 13/06/2026 16:51

By the way clearly the parents of this learned Saint weren't worrying about spelling when they named their son it.

😂😂😂 I don't think parents generally had such concerns in the immediate AD years

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