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.

Tiernan is prounounced Tear - nan and yes, your right - it is a good, strong boy's name... hmm...

Am so suprised you met a girl named Fionn - but that does back up my point very slightly (ish)?

Hmmm Rheodan...

Tiernan would probably be my favourite from your list. Like you I prefer the more unusual names. Well actually we have very similar taste in names indeed, my son's name being the Scottish version of yours!

How about Torin?

Torin is going on the list!!! never heard of this and think its lovely - dont know how DH will like it though.. thank you. (whats the scottish version?)

theseconcoming loved Conal but its too like Conor, who would be a very close 1st cousin (as his mother and I are very close, they will have same childminder and only 2ish years between them).

Hmm Torin means Chief

Tiernan. That is how I thought it was pronounced. I like it best out of all the suggested names and it goes nicely with Oisin.

The Scottish version of Oisín is Ossian, and the Welsh version's Osian. You say the Welsh version Osh-an, and I've heard Scots pronounce it both Osh-ian and Osh-an, and also Osss-ian (although the last one is an Anglicised version and therefore just wrong IMO )

Barbie you may not get that "right, that's the name" moment. We had exactly the same problems coming up with a nice girl's name fir what turned out to be dd2. Like you, I was hoping for a boy since we gad that name sorted.

In the end we had to decide from our list the morning she arrived (a list with a few Blaines on it, I might add). Once she was here I just decided "we have thought about this too much, this child is being named by lunchtime", and I love the name we picked for her. And so, it seems, does everyone else - had so many compliments, way more than with dd1 (still best name ever IMO)

basically, chill out a bit you have some lovely names there - Iarla, Tiernan (NOT Fionn, too weird)

How about Rúadhán?

The thing I really like about Oisín and Iarla is that they don't both end in n.

Caoilte?

Ps Iarla is a very manly name, same as Oisín.

TheSec looking at the angle of that accent, Nàois is a Gaelic name, rather than Irish. I'd make the same guess as you as to how it's pronounced.

The Irish version is NEE-sha.

My SIL would be so pleased to hear that there is a real life Tiernan running around this world!

threefeet Ossian looks beautiful, I really like that.

Spidookly I said to dh what you did about Iarla and Naoise. I told him to disregard anyone elses thoughts or perception and in his own head just listen to the sound of the name and give an honest answer as to whether he likes it or not. He says in all honestly, he really does love Iarla. It has a nice sound.

I stupidly said the name to my cousin tonight, who was up visiting, she immediately said that it was a girl's name, which made me doubt it again but then she went on to say she loved Noah/ Luca/ Joshua type names, which, despite being perfectly lovely, arent to my taste and I suppose I had the realisation that it doesnt really matter what RL people think as we all will have different tastes (as per the Ben suggestions yesterday). Once the name is given to the child its the childs name, if that makes sense and people will get used to it. I just shouldnt have mentioned suggestions before birth.

Not so sure about Tiernan now , as both our DC have 2 syllable names ending in n and I think it'll sound a little OTT.

Any other thoughts on Iarla?

Iarla Ó Lionáird from <a class="break-all" href="//hwww.myspace.com/afrocelts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Afro Celt Soundsystem is pretty cool IMO.

FWIW I completely agree that people get used to unusual names once they get to know the child. The name becomes that child's name rather than some strange name they've never heard of. And they also get used to pretty normal names they don;t like too! I really didn't like my friend's pretty normal name choice for her DD. I'm to say I didn't hide it too well (I would never critise someone's name choice now!). The thing is once I got to know her as a little girl, the name grew on me. I love her name now and can't imagine her being called anything else.

Possibly not the name for you as it's Welsh but throwing this one in anyway. (DP is Scottish. I'm Welsh / Irish / English / Estonian!)

I love Taliesin, from the Mabinogion stories. It's got a great story behind it, involving a shapeshifting witch and is basically about how Taliesin came be a great poet. As Ossian was from a tribe of warrior bards I reckon it would go well. Unfortunately I don't think I'll ever get DP to agree on that though!

I'm guessing Welsh names are out though?