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Baby names

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

Cillian, Keelan or Caelan

58 replies

Babybatman · 06/02/2020 16:51

Me again! Sorry for more threads but I've narrowed it down to these three and in 6 days time you'll be rid of me Grin
Live in England, half Irish baby. These are the spellings we would use (not Caolan as I think it's too confusing here and I think Killian looks too much like 'Kill')
Cillian is pronounced Kill-ee-un
Caelan is pronounced Kay-lun
Keelan pronounced as written

Thanks and please be kind as we have really struggled to come to a middle ground on names.

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MocholateMousse · 06/02/2020 16:53

Cillian is lovely

Grufallosfriends · 06/02/2020 16:59

Keelan is nice and easy to say/spell.

eyemask · 06/02/2020 17:00

Cillian is lovely but I do know someone with a child called Cillian (same spelling) and people do mispronounce it as 'silly ann'. That for me would be the only consideration.

Pieceofpurplesky · 06/02/2020 17:01

I don't like Keelan or Caelan. I do like Cillian but know one who people sometimes call 'Silly Ann'

Pieceofpurplesky · 06/02/2020 17:01

Cross post eye

Whatsyourflava · 06/02/2020 17:07

Keelan

Whatsyourflava · 06/02/2020 17:07

Oh not sure actually sorry

LizzieAnt · 06/02/2020 17:09

Hi, saw your other threads too. I think one of the problems you're having with Keelan/Caelan is that the root name, Caolán, is pronounced differently in various parts of Ireland. Caol, meaning slender, is always pronounced Quail in Munster, the south. Thus Keelan sounds wrong to those living in that area. However, I think the ee sound is found in caol further north, so maybe Keelan is used more widely there. The girl's name Caoilfhionn/Keelin is more widely used in my experience, but then I'm in the south of the countrySmile. My choice would be Cillian or maybe the anglicized spelling of Caelan which approximates Caolan. But of course the choice is yours. Enjoy the last few days of pregnancy. It's a special time. And wishing you every joy with your new baby x

Grufallosfriends · 06/02/2020 17:12

I know a Killian. That avoids the Silly An pronunciation.

Keelan is my favourite

TedsFederationRep · 06/02/2020 17:15

Yes, I'd go with Killian to avoid the possibility of mispronunciation.

Babybatman · 06/02/2020 17:40

Thanks all. I'm really unsure about 'Killian' I just see the 'Kill' at the start. I was hoping Cillian Murphy had made it common enough for people to pronounce it correctly.

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Omashu · 06/02/2020 19:01

I like Caelan and Cillian. As I said on another thread, I don’t like Keelan unless it’s spelt Caolan.

I don’t know why you’re considering Caelan if you don’t want Caolan as you’ll have the same confusion.

Babybatman · 06/02/2020 19:46

I thought Caelan was more obvious in terms of how it's pronounced as Mae is pronounced like May etc. I could be wrong though.

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CoffeeCoinneseur · 06/02/2020 19:48

Cillian is lovely - please don't go for Killian, it looks awful.

emilybrontescorsett · 06/02/2020 19:56

I agree that Killian looks awful.
I also think Keelan looks made up.
Use the traditional spelling whichever name you choose.

CoffeeRunner · 06/02/2020 20:00

Cillian. Lovely name.

Caelan & Keelan are twins at DD’s school (their older brother is Kyron). They are probably the worst behaved children I have ever come across - and I’ve been a parent for 23 years. I realise that’s more down to the parenting than anything, but it does really put me off the names!

CalleighDoodle · 06/02/2020 20:01

Cillian.

Slomi · 06/02/2020 20:03

Cillian, definitely.

Ciwirocks · 06/02/2020 20:12

I have a Cillian and live in the uk. He does get silly an sometimes but he just says no it’s Cillian it doesn’t bother him. He gets loads of lovely compliments about his name and he can always change it to Killian when he is older if he prefers. It’s such a lovely name

Babybatman · 06/02/2020 20:13

I think we are leaning towards Cillian. Keelan and Caelan as twins! what a confusing combo!

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Babybatman · 06/02/2020 20:21

@Ciwirocks that's good to hear. Does it get shortened at all or is he always Cillian?

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Babybatman · 06/02/2020 20:23

Thanks @LizzieAnt that was a lovely post Smile

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Ciwirocks · 06/02/2020 20:31

He gets Cillian now but we used to call him Cilly when he was younger. He is too old and cool for that now though Grin

LizzieAnt · 06/02/2020 20:32

I know what it's like to struggle with names! Mine were all nameless until they were about a week oldGrin

finallychangedmyusername · 06/02/2020 20:34

Caelan, definitely