Diarmuid (shortened to Derry) - any thoughts?

[LeviStubbsTears]

Hi all,

My DH and I are contemplating this name if we have a boy - DH is Irish, and this was the name of his beloved grandfather. I think it's beautiful, and like the shortening (Derry), which would inevitably be his name day to day.

But if we remain in the UK, which we almost certainly will, is this going to be a lifelong plague to the boy, as it will inevitably need spelling (and people may also struggle with pronouncing it)? Some Irish names with Gaelic spellings are becoming quite commonplace in the UK, I know, but possibly not this one yet...

Just realized that Diarmuid Gavin, the TV gardener, does spell it this way so perhaps there is a temporary familiarity to it - but can't believe he will remain in the public consciousness for too long??

Any Diarmuids out there? Any thoughts from the collective wisdom of MN?

Thanks.

Is it pronouced Dermot?

Think it may cause those probs unless he attends Catholic schools.

diarmuid smashing name.derry isnt.its a town name or bovine beast

the diarmuid i know pronounces it as Dare-mood

Hmmm, my husband pronounces it Dare-mit - so even perhaps among Irish people (if the person you know, scottishmummy, is Irish) there is some uncertainty... It is a variant of Dermot (or rather that is the English spelling/version), gherkin, but DH does say it slightly differently (and I've learnt that). Perhaps it's just going to be too confusing for all concerned!

Derry is the name he has most fond associations with, and I've just learnt that the Derry of Derry Irvine the former Lord Chancellor is actually short for Alexander, which we also like, so that might be an option - though hardly standard practice. A bit sad to lose the Irish associations, but perhaps better to go for the easy life (in this one respect - no others where having a child involved, I realize!).

I like the spelling Diarmuid, and as you say Diarmuid Gavin is well known.

lots of lovely irish names.i like cillian,malachy,lorcan.buy abook or go online

the diarmuid i know irish mammie, scottish da

Diarmuid is fine. Yes, he'll need to spell it, but I'm a teacher and this is the case for LOADS of kids nowadays, especially as society becomes more multicultural.

My sister has a Gaelic name and although she jokes about it sometimes, it hasnt been a huge burden for her.

It's lovely - you should use it. Alexander is boring in comparison!

Lovely name; I would pronounce it Dear-mid (the D is soft like a French D in 'de').

Stick to your DH's pronunciation -- Irish pronunciation of Irish names depends on regional accents in Irish just as English names are pronounced differently according to where you are.

I don't think it would cause too many problems as Irish names have been in circulation in England for at least a generation now.

And I like Derry as a shortened version -- I knew some Derrys growing up in Ireland.

I love it! It was my French teachers name at school, and I bumped into him whilst I was pregnant. He gave me his email address to let him know how everything was going, and that's when I found out his name.

If it hadn't have been his name I think I would have wanted to use it for DS.

Use use use!!

I like it and love Derry as a nn. Go for it.

DH has insisted I come on and correct myself - he actually pronounces it Dear-mid (as mathanxiety says), though he also understands the pronunciation maryz describes. I've obviously got some work to do to learn how to say it (maryz)! He's from Cork, if that helps. Sounds like you might know what that means.

Thanks for all the support - that's very encouraging!

I would never associate Derry with Diarmuid. Derry is it's own name in my neck of the woods.

Diarmuid I like. I pronouce it Dieer mud

I really love the reasoning behind the name, but I don't like the name itself. It's great that you and hubby like it though, which is of course the most important thing! If you were worried, you could always use it as a middle name instead, it's probably what I'd do if I had doubts.

There's a well-known historian called Diarmuid Macculloch. Go for it! I thought it was pronounced almost Dermot but a bit more Irish!