Baby names Pádraig or Ruairí

[Irishfarmer]

Ok, I am jumping the gun here I'm only a few weeks pregnant.

Just wondering what people think of Pádraig (Paw-rig) or Ruairí (Roo-ree) those pronunciation can depend on where in Ireland you live.

I love both names. Going by my experience and DHs plus most people we know there is a fair chance DC will live outside of Ireland at some point in their life. I've lived in England, Scotland and Australia. Would you find these names difficult to pronounce?

For a girl I think we are fairly set on Clara, I really like Fionnuala but DH isn't as keen.

I prefer Ruairí.

I am also Irish, but live in England. I don't find them difficult to pronounce...but I obviously know the names already!

Fwiw, I know some children here with Irish names. There is an Oisín in my ds class at school. No problems AFAIK. I also know a couple of little English born Aoifes. Again, no major issues.

I’m an immigrant to the Uk and had never encountered those names before. I know know two men with the names and years and years on I have to concentrate very hard to pronounce Padraig. Ruari I’ve got my head around. Obviously it won’t be an issue in Ireland but then most names are an issue overseas. And then I live in London and I’ve had to spell my bog standard “English” name three times already today. I’d go for what you like!

Padraig and Ruairi really aren't unusual names (there's a very well known golfer called Padraig - although commentators always pronounce him pod-rig). I'd be amazed if you had any problems with pronunciation or people being unfamiliar with them. Both lovely names by the way, and congrats!

I'm Irish and I think Ruairi is more versatile and perhaps easier to pronounce if you've never seen it before, as it's a bit more phonetic.

Padraig WILL get PAHD-RAIG

Love Fionnuala. Fair shoulders! Turned into a swan! What's not to love? :)

Ruairí by a country mile. Pádraig brings you up against more regional variants in my experience (PAWD-rig' vs 'PAW-ric' etc) and I always find Pád a kind of depressing shortening, somehow...?

Our Irish-language named son was born outside of Ireland and lived outside of Ireland for most of his life so far, and although his name is far more unusual (and less phonetic to an English-speaker), we never had issues. I mean, people generally won't know until you tell them, but after they do, no issues.

Also, I love Fionnuala.

We've had a new baby Síofra down the road recently, and more unusually but I quite like it a friend has called her baby girl Grian. (And is actually getting mildly annoyed people keep mishearing it as 'Briain' because little Grian is tiny and bald and looks like Winston Churchill. )

I prefer how Ruairí sounds, also my DH is a red head and it runs strong in his family so might be very appropriate! I like Pádraig because my grandad who I was very close to was Patrick.

From what I can gather from friends still living abroad Irish names are getting a lot more common and neither of the ones I've chosen aren't exactly unusual!

@astoundedgoat Thanks I really love Fionnuala, I asked on boards.ie before and someone said they immediately think of a 50yr old battle ax living in D4. Where I am if Pádraig was to be shortened it would usually be Paudie.

lol at the association for Fionnuala! I guess my own positive association is that I have an Auntie Fionnuala, and when was I was little I always remember her as being soooooo pretty and gentle and kind. :)

Ruari Padraig would be great.

@astoundedgoat I know lol! I'm pretty rural and as you can guess from my username a farmer, so 'tis far from D4 this child'll be raised!

@TatianaBis I don't think I'd use it as a middle name in case I wanted to use it again.

I prefer Ruairí and as a Scot would have no problem pronouncing as its pretty common where I live but usually spelled Ruiraidh in Scotland.

Ruairí especially if there’s a chance he’ll have red hair.
This is shameful to admit because my dad is Irish but I didn’t know that was how Pádraig was pronounced.
I’m in Scotland, there were 2 Ruairidhs in my class. It’s a fairly well known name in Scotland. I’m not sure about England or Australia.

@Furzebush

Also, I love Fionnuala.

We've had a new baby Síofra down the road recently, and more unusually but I quite like it a friend has called her baby girl Grian. (And is actually getting mildly annoyed people keep mishearing it as 'Briain' because little Grian is tiny and bald and looks like Winston Churchill. )

Síofra was on my list of names I was considering if dc was a girl Dh wasn’t that keen

Hate Rory (in any language) love Padraig.

I love Ruairí, but Rory and it’s variations is shooting up the charts along with all the R names - Ronan, Rueben, Roman, Rowan etc - so I’d avoid, sadly.

Padraig - I do think this will be a pain in the arse outside Ireland.. Patrick is ace and I expect will be revived soon, so I’d go for that.

Clara is lovely. Fionnuala is great and more unusual, although Finola spelling might be easier (and get you away from the Nuala short form which is horrible) - but she’ll likely end up being called Fin anyway. I don’t think the pronunciation issue is anywhere near as big as Padraig.

@Luredbyapomegranate by the way you're talking I'm guessing your Irish. Would you not be horrified by the spelling Finola? I agree I don't like the nn Nuala at all, strange that I love Fionnuala but wouldn't dream of calling my child Nuala! I'd probably call her Fi Fi. But who know what other kids/ people would call her Fin is nice.

I don't think variations of Rory increasing in popularity would put me off. It's no Jack, lovely name but wow so many of them!

Pádraig could always go by Patrick if he lived abroad. I know DH would be hoping for a mini farmer that will never leave!! Although, it might be a girl who takes over, more and more women are getting into farming these days :)

I absolutely love Ruairí. Plus if it's a nightmare he can always use Rory sometimes.

Fionnuala spelt anyway seems to most certainly be out. DH has said he really does not like it.

If you choose Irish names, register the forms that (at least) people in mainland UK can pronounce and spell . Otherwise the child faces a lifetime of weary explanations in every single new encounter, business phone call etc.

You might do better to register the child as Patrick/ Rory and save the Irish pronunciation for home use by family and friends .

A friend does this. His name is Domhnull. Outside the family, always known as Tom. He's worked all over the world as Tom.

My preference is Ruaíri, best of luck with your pregnancy ! Ps I adore Clara but what about Cara ( Irish for friend, phonetic and will travel and age well)

@lifesgoodwithlg I love Cara, but my name is sort of a spin on Cara. So might seem like I'm calling the child after myself. Also we had a dog called Cara growing up....

A friend does this. His name is Domhnull. Outside the family, always known as Tom. He's worked all over the world as Tom.

Is Tom his middle name maybe 2bazookas? They're unrelated names and it seems very random otherwise...

Also the OP is in Ireland, so there will be no 'lifetime of weary explanations in every single new encounter, business phone calls etc'.

If I were living in the UK, I'd be inclined to register whatever form of the name I preferred tbh, even if the intention was to use the English form on some occasions.

I like both names OP, so no help in that regard, I'm afraid

They are both nice but I think you are more likely to get a correct pronunciation/spelling of Ruarí outside of Ireland, whereas Pádraig would get called Patrick. Which is also a nice name but might be annoying for him if he did leave Ireland.

My 12 week old is Ruairi, we are Scottish but prefer that spelling. Even though we live in Scotland, he still gets Rory very annoying!!