Nice Irish Names?

[HillyHolbrook]

We have a very traditional Irish surname which is a 'Mc' name but it's more a Muc than a Mac IYSWIM.

We're having a little girl, and we really can't decide on a name. We have some picked out, but we really want to explore some really nice Irish names too, as DHs family history is very interesting, one of his relatives is in the history books, even, and it'd be a nice nod to his heritage and also mine on my mums side.

The names we have already are Ava, Claudia and Mia, just so you can see our tastes. Our boys name will be Ezra if we ever have a DS.

Maebh
Aine
Orla
Aoife
aoibheen
Roisin
Caitlin

I love Niamh, Siobhan and emur and ellen

How would Aoibheen be pronounced?

I like Niamh we're liking Saoirse as well. And Roisin.

Erin and Kathleen (Katie) not Gaelic but lovely.

Emer
Meabh
Aoife
Cara
Aisling
Caoimhe
Niamh
Aine

Caoimhe
Saoirse
Saidbh
Una
Sorcha
Siofra
Grainne
Aine
Aoibhe

Naoise (pronounced Neesh-a, used for both boys and girls)
Caoimhe (Keef-a or Kwee-va)
Reiltin (Railteen, meaning little star!)

Aoibhinn would be pronounced 'Eeveen'.

Anything with an 'een' sound at the end means 'little', eg little star (as above), Roisin means little rose etc.

Hope you have fun choosing!

Emer

I like Niamh and Clodagh

Cara/Caragh
Ailish
Sinead
Niamh
Deirdre ( not pronounced with an eee at the end like Deirdre Barlow, more like eh/ah.
Eileen
Albha
Raoinead
Siobhan
Tara
Erin

What's the first name of his relative in history book? Might be able to find a female version.

It'll totally out me to our family! It's Terence Ceadagam

I like Cara a lot, and Aoibhe, similar to Ava too which is one of our favourites. I wanted Erin but DH doesn't love it, he knew one at school who was a bit of a cow! Funny how people can influence your name choices like that.

I love that name, it's a real Irish name. Unfortunately I don't think there is a female version.

Hilly, the closest I can think of would be 'Treasa' (pronounced Tra-sa) which is Irish for Teresa (female for Terrence).

Best of luck with your new arrival, when is she due?

Think I know who his relative is!

We have a Maeve. Also love Liadan. And Sadbh (sive). And Orla. And aoibhinn. And Emer. And Ailbhe. And Aine (most of the names we love we can't use as already have nieces called them!).

Saorise combined with the surname I suspect plus the connection to the history books I suspect would make me think you were mad 'RA heads/up the IRA types which would put me off a lot. Saorla (pronounced Searla) or Sadbh or Siofra or sorcha (surr-i-ka) would be similar sounding but without the republican connotations.

I knew a Terena at school. I think it looks worse than it sounds. She was a nice girl so maybe that affects my opinion of the name.

I also knew a Sorcha but she pronounced it 'sorsha' although one teacher did insist on calling her surr-i-ka.

I know who the relative is too. I agree with the caution about using Saoirse. If the surname is the same as the relative (and assuming I am right in my guess about the relative) then I would steer clear of -een names as the end result might be a bit rhymey.

Beibhinn -- pr Bevin
Damhnait -- pr Dove-net
Ailbhe -- pr Alveh
Eithne -- pr Eth-neh or Enya
Fionnuala -- pr Finn-oola
or Finola -- an anglicisation
Neassa -- pr Nassa
or Nessa, and anglicisation
Nora, or Honora, an old fashioned name once quite popular in Ireland
Mairead
Orla

Fiona isn't exactly Irish but it might go well and it is Irishy..

Fiona is an Irish name!

If the relative is the famous Terence, then how about Muriel? His wife's name, a beautiful and interesting woman (who was treated badly by his family - they essentially kidnapped her daughter).

Who is Terence Ceadagam?? Never heard of him.

Okay just figured it out, he was Terence MacS.

To be honest I think Claudia is nicer than any of the names listed. An Irish first name and Irish surname isn't necessary.

I read the mention of the other names as meaning they already have DDs with those names.

I always thought Fiona was coined by some Scottish poet who wrote a fake saga about 'Ossian'.

Honora is gorgeous! I've met lots of lovely Niamh's too :)

Love most of the names and Saoirse but I'd also advise against it for the Republican links.

I know we don't need an Irish first and last name but we just wanted to look at a few. You're all right, too, it's the name you're thinking of. I get why to avoid Saoirse, shame though, because I really love it- always have! I hadn't even twigged the een names as being rhymey Glad you pointed that out

Of all of them, Claudia and Ava are still our favourites, anyway! I think she'll be a Claudia as DHs sister is called Evelynn/Eve and it's too similar, really. Sounds like an homage to her

She's due September Valsold And she is our PFB math, the other names were just ideas we had in mind. Thanks, everyone