Is ROAN an actual, real irish name?

[amhurst]

I'm Irish, living abroad, looking for a nice not too usual Irish boy name. I have come across ROAN on a few sites and think it is v nice but I have never met nor heard of a Roan in Ireland..is it a bit of a made up irish Christian name? And apologies in advance don't want to offend anybody who has picked this name - am genuinely curious. I also really like IARLAITH but think the spelling will always be a problem. Many thanks for any thoughts!

Ruadhan (fada on a) is more like ROO-awn.

(fada on second A)

Ruadhan is Irish. Means "little red one".

Ruadhán of Lorrha
Saint
St. Ruadhán mac Fergusa Birn, also kown as Rowan and Rodan, was an Irish Christian abbot who founded the monastery of Lorrha, near Terryglass. He was known for his prophesies. Wikipedia
Died: April 5, 584 AD, Lorrha, Republic of Ireland
A feminised version of this name "English" spelling would be Rowanne.

Great - thanks for ruadhan info..don't mind a little spelling simplification as long as name relates back to something real..will wait and see if nature guides the way..I am a rua so maybe he will be too! Funnily enough first boy is a v fionn Finn..fits home v well...

Irish Times newspaper birth announcements last Saturday had a Roan - for a girl !

I am Irish and have never come across it before as a name - I thought it was what you called a brownish-red cow. I did know a few Rowans though (all boys)

I think Ireland is still agricultural enough for the name Roan to conjure up an image of a cow or a horse, MelanieWiggles

I know an Irish Ronan.

Only heard of Rowan or Ronan
Strawberry Roan or Blue Roan Equines

Thanks for all the replies..still no closer a selection ..arghh

My cousin is called Roan and he is a boy!