Boys name shortlist. honest opinions please

[BarbieLovesKen]

Despite having ages yet, Im really panicing about a boy's name - to a point that Im getting worried as there is very little I actually love. Most are just ok and anything I do find pretty nice, dh hates and vice versa.

We adore our Ds's name - possibly a little too much as we're finding it very hard to follow it if that makes sense. Am worried if this ones a boy, he'll be getting a second best name as it couldnt possibly be as nice as ds's name (to us anyway). I know that sounds silly . (Ds's name is Oisín)

We're pretty much set on a girl's name. (Most likely Kate Gabriella or Kate Scarlett a la Gone with the Wind but could possibly be an Adrienna/e or Gabrielle/a too)

Anyway, would really appreciate if you could have a look at our list of boy's names (and be as blunt as possible please as really, Im we're not in love with any!!!)

My shortlist:
Iarla or Iarlaith (pronounced Ear-la)(is this girly? probably my favourite, I think but still not completely sold on it.
Naoise pronounced Nee-sha (too girly?)
Blaine
and suprisingly (different from the rest)
Alfie and Harry (I know these are hugely popular in UK, but arent here, havent heard of either and quite low down in charts).
Did like Elijah but think I've gone off it now.

DH's shortlist:
Tomás
Cian
Cianan (this isnt even a name, as far as Im aware)
He has also mentioned Cíaran and loves Cathal (irish for Charlie)

I know, some of his are perfectly nice names but I find them terribly boring and ordinary as in theres 600 of each around here. (p.s. we are Irish and are living in Ireland)

Could you give me your vote or thoughts on each? Thank you all so much.

I like Ronan,Timothy, Doonan etc

Love love love Oisin.My Ds is Fionn and if he gets a brother he will be Oisin, or possibly Ruairi. There is a good Celtic baby name book on Amazon

Ooh love Fionn. Just said it to DH and he says "hmm not bad.." (thats really good). Dont like Ruairi - go with Oisín .

Will look on Amazon.

Colm?

Brother and SIL have texted in past half hour to claim Rory for their baby! I'm Irish and love the legends that go with these names - Fionn McCool, Oisin in Tir Na Nog etc.

Good because Rory isnt nice enough. . Actually, bought a beautiful book about Tir Na Nog for our Oisín and it really is a gorgeous story. Naoise - now thats a bit of a gorey one.

snoozy, again perfectly nice but meh. (sorry, I feel really ungrateful throwing these all out, I really do appreciate the suggestions)

What about Gaian? If I was Irish I would use this -it's the name of one of the dragons in Ivor the Engine!

I will be watching this with interest barbie, as we are in the same position. We already have three children with Irish names, have a girl's name in mind for this one (due next month), but can't decide on an Irish boy's name.

I like Oisin, but dp does not unfortunately. He wants Niall, which is very similiar to his own name, but I think it would get confusing.

I quite like Fergus, but again dp says nay. Also like Bran. Already have a Finn.

It is sooooo hard - I understand you really wanting the perfect name for your child.

YOU:
Iarla - lovely, not girly
Naoise - lovely, not girly
Blaine - WTF are you thinking? Worst name on earth. Only Blaise comes close.
Alfie - skanger
Harry - there is a good reason Irish people don't use this name
Elijah - skanger

YOUR DH:
Tomás - I like this actually, not as good as Iarla, but a good solid name
Cian - I love this name, English DH hates it because he thinks it has only one syallable and rhymes with bean
Cianan - as in, little Cian? This might be his Blaine
Cíaran - pretty nice, won't set the world on fire, but OK
Cathal - nice

Iarla's still your best choice here. Your DH seems to have some nice ideas too. I think since you last posted you may have slightly lost your mind. :o

Arlen??- a friend has it for her boy and it's apparently an old Irish name

Have never heard of Gaian - how is it prounounced? Guy - anne?

Oh theboyneedsaname thanks for that - and for understanding my being so awkard about choosing this one!. I like Finn but OH doesnt, but I love Fionn (which obviously you cant have because that would be plain silly!). Niall is lovely but a little not special enough, imo. Am glad theres a few of us that might benefit from this thread though and all the thoughtful suggestions from the lovely mnetters (lick-arse emoction)

PML at Spookly, I think you could have a point though, I may be loosing my mind. This damn name is driving me insane and am randomly throwing out ridiculous names constandly just for the sake of it (honestly, these are my nicest ones ) Im so glad someone doesnt think Iarla or Naoise are girly either, but unfortunately you and I appear to be the only two.

Whoodoo thank you so much but Arlen is too much like Arlene for me and I knew one I hated..

Guy-Ann, yes. Although, thinking about it, it is Welsh not Irish . Still a lovely name though, and goes well with Oisin I think!

Are you sure you cant use Brennan? I really like it and as it's your maiden name you have a great reason to use it!

It is lovely but its really a surname to me. I've never heard of a Brennan in Ireland (first name) so its unusual but I suppose its like someone using Smith as a first name to me.

Anyway, think my whole family would be kind of (I've loads of aunts/cousins/ uncles etc still with the name Brennan about and it just feels odd)

Its like naming a boy after his father to me.. a bit like "ah sod it! couldnt think of anything else.."

DN was going to be Tiernan, which was supposedly an old Irish name according to sil baby-name book but as DN was a Niece not a nephew she ended up being called Tierney.

I know a family where all the Grandchildren have biblical names - Micah, Elijah, Malachi, Samuel, Elias, Judiah are some of the boys names that I can remember.

You see I absolutely love Tiernan (thanks for reminding me of this one actually - is going on the list!) but am worried its too similiar to Tir na nÓg and story of Oisín and makes us sound a little obsessed/ OTT?? or am I overthinking that one?

Oooh I really like it soccerwidow I dont know why this one hadnt entered my head. I've just rang dh (as hes working tonight) and he said thats really nice. It goes well with our surname too and our dds name.

Hi Barbie, Dh is Irish and we both love Irish names. Our darling son who was born sleeping is Malachy Aidan, several members of his family are called Oisin and there is an Iarlaith too! Most of his family have trtaditional irish names, I think they're fab! How about:

   Aengus
   Fergus
   Conor
   Fionnan
   Seamus
   Cillian
   Ruairi
   Cormac
   Eoghan
   Euan

Fionn is lovely,and it goes well - Fionn Mac Cumhaill is Oisín's father in the legends.

Hi Minione (waves) how are you? I loved Aidan, think that was going to be the name before we conceived until I met a horrible little boy with that name and it really turned me off... (thats really nasty of me, no little boy is horrible, he was just.. hard on my nerves I suppose).

I like Conor but have 2 in the family and its popularity turns me off. Love Sean but DN whos just a couple of months old is named this. I loved Fionnan and mentioned it to dh but he hates it.

feethighandrising thank you

So new list:

Iarla
Naoise (I know, I know but I cant bear to get rid of it yet. Dh is never going to go for this anyway so dont know why Im adding it)
Tiernan
Fionn
Tomás
Cian

Oh lets face it, the last 2 Im never going to go with. Funnily enough, I find Fionn much "girlier" than Naoise or Iarla (in particular Iarla), not that Fionn is girly, I just find it girlier than these 2, if that makes sense.

Actually, realistically, I think its Tiernan or Iarlaith as front runners at the minute simply because these are slightly less usual than all the others, and we both have actually managed to agree that we like the sound of them. Most people saying Iarla is girly is really putting me off though, and of course I commited the ultimate sin and said my boy's names at a big family dinner today, to which I received screwed-up-nose type faces and "yucks" and "too girly" and about 40 suggestions of either Ben or Jack.

Everyone cross your fingers this is a baby Kate.

Oh I dont mean that - at all, I'd adore either a boy or girl - its just the damn name.

(sigh)

and I know I do have absolutely ages and ages considering Im not due until May but with my 2 DC I knew the name very, very, very early on and was definate and loved it and had a few months of being very happy and sure about it before the birth. Im that sort. I need it to be that way.

Kiernan I would have thought?

Lorcan or Rheodan?

I have always thought Fionn was a girls name. I have only met one though, she was around 2 years old.

I really like Tiernan, is it pronounced phonetically? It looks nice and is definitely a atrong boy name.