Irish boys names

[Helen8888]

Hi,
We’re a mixed Irish/English couple living in England. Would like to use an Irish name, any suggestions? Surname is one syllable beginning with ‘K’. Thanks!

[Limpid]

@ritalia, that’s one of those ridiculous US sites, though, which invents name derivations and includes random non-Irish names. That one includes Duane, Glen, Nigel, Torin, Corey, and Elvis as ‘Gaelic’ names!

[romdowa]

Irish /english couple here too and top of our boys list is pheilim (fay-lum) weve been finding it very difficult to find irish boys names that we love too

[ritalia]

@Limpid Did not notice the boy name at title. haha
Try this one:
www.babynamechoice.com/search?&g=m&k=irish&offset=0&sortby=pop1&order=desc

[Limpid]

@ritalia, by no stretch of the imagination is Chloe an Irish boy’s name.

[billysboy]

my lads called Duggan

[ritalia]

www.babynamechoice.com/index#search
www.babynamechoice.com/search?&k=irish&offset=0&sortby=pop1&order=desc
Liam
Chloe
Connor
Declan
Bennett
Gael
Brian
Aidan

[Heh1991]

Rafferty

[ExtremelyBoldSquirrels]

I’m never sure why people are surprised that there might be several different pronunciations of names within Ireland. The country isn’t a single homogenous mass where everyone speaks identically. Of course there will be multiple (equally correct) pronunciations.

And there will be mispronunciations that have caught on and become dominant even within Ireland. These things happen.

[abiirthdaycake]

I'd say ay-awn/ay-gawn(ish) unless told otherwise but where I live even fadas are decorative half the time so guessing at the "proper" Gaeilge pronunciation isn't always reliable. Niall should certainly be like Neil (think of how Niamh and Niadh are said) but the anglicised pronunciation has more than caught on now

I absolutely love Tadhg OP but I know what you mean about have the g sound right before a K sound - Cillian Cole or something similar sounds like a superhero in a good way

[LizzieAnt]

It can also be said as Ay(uh)gawn.

[MadeForThis]

Aodhan pronounced Ay-dawn in Northern Ireland too.

[cailingaelach]

@Boscoismyspiritanimal I'm in Connacht, it must vary around the country! Loads of Aodhán's around here and all pronounce it Aodán. Think I prefer it too.

[thegreylady]

One of the nicest little boys I know is called Darragh

[LizzieAnt]

@worriedmama1980
Niall is actually pronounced 'Neil' in the Irish language afaik. The late actor and comedian Niall Tóibín, who grew up in an Irish speaking family, pronounced it as such. The more usual 'Nye-al' is a (long established) anglicized pronunciation, but it seems to be the most commonly used version now.

[LizzieAnt]

Another vote for the Aay-awn pronunciation of Aodhán (also in Munster). I considered the name for DS but was put off by the varying pronunciations tbh. Also love Aodh but it does sound like an initial (Ay). Big fan of Cormac also.

[Viragoesque]

Yy, @SionnachRua, Irish people do mispronounce Irish names. There’s that weird mispronunciation of Aoibheann as ‘Ayveen’ that has come up on here from time to time, not to mention Sorcha pronounced as ‘Sore-sha’.

[AngelaScandal]

I live in a Gaeltacht area and Aodhan is definitely not pronounced Aay-awn, I've never heard it pronounced that way, always Aay-dawn

Oh that’s interesting, there are a few near me (Munster) and all Aay-awn (like the politician). I prefer Aay-dawn tbh.

[SionnachRua]

Sure Saoirse Ronan has her whole "Saoirse rhymes with inertia" thing going on. She's still wrong to a massive chunk of the country.

OP I think Tadgh K would sound alright. Tadgh Kenneally, Tadgh Kennedy...they don't sound too bad. Not sure I like Tadgh King (sounds like typing) so perhaps it works better with a longer surname. While I love Cillian, I don't like the alliteration.

[Helen8888]

Thanks for all your suggestions. Like Niall but definitely can’t use it (close family members name).

[Educationwhateducation]

Cillian, Niall or Aidan for me but Cillian is my favourite

[autumnkate]

Niall works fine in England in my experience

[worriedmama1980]

@cailingaelach did you miss aodhan o'riordan's election campaign? He had crayons printed up with the slogan 'it's aodhan like crayon' and did a whole video about people being unable to pronounce his name.

OP, some of these names people would struggle to pronounce in Ireland. Having lived in both countries, I would definitely steer away from Diarmuid, Oisin and Fionn - Fionn will be pronounced as Finn, Diarmuid as Dermot. And actually Niall will get Neill.

Sean, Seamus, Rory, Ferdia, Aidan are boys names that I think travel well.

[Viragoesque]

Tiarnan, Fergus, Ferdia, Iarla. DS was nearly Naoise, which I adore.

[shenanigans5]

My Irish friend living in England has two boys- Caelan and Oran. I love both names.

[Sunnydayshereatlast]

I have a Fynn and a Shay!
Also Roan and Gabriel..