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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Please help with Irish boys names

36 replies

AnnaRose3boys · 18/09/2018 23:38

I would really appreciate some name advice for the imminent arrival of our 3rd son. I’m irish but DH English ( living in N.Ireland). We’re older parents so finding that lots of our favourite names have been used by family and friends already. We have a Cian and a Rory which we love but bit stumped this time. We seem to like shorter simple Irish names but open to suggestions. Here’s a few we like, would welcome honest opinions, be a brutal as you feel please!

Oran ( both like this but very, very popular in our area at moment)
Oisin ( as above)
Conn ( saw this suggested recently on another mumsnet baby name thread and really growing on me)
Dara
Jack
Aidan

P.S - We can’t use Conor, Tiernan, Cormac or Cillian as been used by family.

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PomDeNlume · 18/09/2018 23:45

Fionn
Lorcán

I'm Irish and love both these names, but my DH vetoed anything he couldn't find spell/pronounce on hearing Hmm. He isn't Irish so I'll let him off with this one!

From your list I really like Cinn and Oisín Smile

TwentySmackeroos · 18/09/2018 23:48

What about Shay (Seamus), Tadg, or Eoghan?

Conn is a bit close to Cian.

Ferdia? Setanta? Fionn?

SixInTheBed · 18/09/2018 23:49

Given you in NI how about Ultán?

Maysong · 18/09/2018 23:56

How about Niall?

Original poster
AnnaRose3boys · 19/09/2018 00:02

Some great suggestions, forgot about the name Tadhg. I love it but DH worries it’s a bit ‘too Irish’ with us living in very mixed catholic/Protestant area. I think he’s being silly in 2018! What do others think of Tadhg?? Really like Fionn too but know quite a few already but maybe doesn’t matter. Ex boyfriend was Niall so don’t think it’s in the running, lol!! Not fussed on other suggestions but thanks for the ideas, def. giving us some discussion here.

OP posts:
flossietoot · 19/09/2018 00:06

I am a bit nervous about really Irish names living in NI- not because they aren’t lovely, but just as I worry you risk being discriminated against later on in life. Prefer something more neutral which people can’t easily place you from.

Corcra · 19/09/2018 00:06

Davin. Tiernan. Rian.

stayathomer · 19/09/2018 00:08

Donnacha!( not sure of spelling but adore name!)

Original poster
AnnaRose3boys · 19/09/2018 00:13

Flossietoot you expressed what my DH is thinking much more effectively than I could! He just worries about Tadhg for this reason ( although I still love it!). That’s why we loved Rory and Cian, easily recognised, one way to spell, Irish but quite neutral. Do you think Oran, Oisin, Conn have the same vibe?

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Original poster
AnnaRose3boys · 19/09/2018 00:14

Really loving all the suggestions by the way and appreciate everyone taking time to add names we haven’t even thought of.

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SpacePenguin · 19/09/2018 00:34

Seán
Dónal
Finn
Niall
Diarmuid (not short!)

flipflop67 · 19/09/2018 00:41

I love Seimi (shaymee, can't do fadas on the iPad ) short for Seamus.

foxotterhare · 19/09/2018 00:46

Enda
Owen (pronounced Ewan)
Oisin

Pumpkintopf · 19/09/2018 00:52

Seadna?
Padraig/Patrick?

DramaAlpaca · 19/09/2018 00:54

Have you considered Eoin? It fits the bill of short & simple & goes well with your other names.

moredoll · 19/09/2018 01:07

Jack
Aidan
Colm

Sophronia · 19/09/2018 02:52

Enda
Fionn
Shea
Eoin
Torin
Lorcan
Senan
Tiernan

badb · 19/09/2018 03:10

I would be very wary of using Tadhg in Northern Ireland, given its similarity to the slang word used there for Catholics.

I love Conn and Fionn from your list. Cathal might be an option? Also Senan is a great name, and easy to pronounce, along the lines of your first sons’ names.

dinosaurkisses · 19/09/2018 03:46

It was me who suggested Conn on that other thread beams

It’s one of my favourite boys’ names, but unfortunately it’s my bil’s name so I have to be content with suggesting it on every mumsnet thread I comment on.

I’m also in NI- mixed marriage, I’m the Protestant. Called DD Sadhbh and we’ve never had a negative reaction- if you love a name please don’t be put off by the fact some people are dicks caught in a pre-Good Friday bubble.

Original poster
AnnaRose3boys · 19/09/2018 18:36

Thanks everyone, we considering Senan, Fionn and Eoin from the suggestions. I still loving Oisin and Conn. Oisin very popular where we are but never come across another Conn. Someone pointed out it could be a bit similar to Cian which I hadn’t thought of? My DH worries DS would get teased and called ‘Condom’ ( he got teased at school for his name so bit sensitive I think!). Does anyone else have an opinion on that or know any little ‘Conns’? Dinosaur kisses, can I ask how does your BIL like his name or how is it viewed do you think? Definitely lots to think about after reading all the replies anyway.

OP posts:
rhnireland · 19/09/2018 20:28

How about
Colm
Finn
Sean

BuntyII · 19/09/2018 20:30

Daithi seems to be growing in popularity at the moment.

Littlesparrow0 · 19/09/2018 20:33

@annarose3boys what about cahir or shay

dinosaurkisses · 19/09/2018 21:02

@AnnaRose3boys He likes it- he’s in his 30s now and it suits him- it’s a solid, manly name and it’s as straightforward an Irish name in terms of spelling that you’ll get!

He was named for Conn of the Hundred Battles, which is pretty cool

TatianaLarina · 19/09/2018 21:23

Love Conn and Oisín. 😍