Baby name Oilibhear?

[Juliette222]

Hello!
I wondered what you think of the baby boy name OILIBHÉAR? (pronounced Olly-vare).
We wanted to find an Irish name. I like that it has the friendly nn “Ollie” but an unusual longer name. But keen to hear what others think ….?
Thank you! :-)

Even in Ireland, the anglicised spelling Oliver is the version pretty much always used. I've literally never come across anyone using the Irish spelling.

Oisín is fine, but it does need that fada or it would be pronounced more like 'ocean' than the correct 'uh-SHEEN'.

Awful

Its used more when somebody is translating their English name into Irish e.g. in a classroom environment.
Yes, that is what makes it fake pretentious.

@Contactmap

Its used more when somebody is translating their English name into Irish e.g. in a classroom environment. Yes, that is what makes it fake pretentious.

I don't understand why that makes it fake or pretentious? Unusual, yes, but it's a genuine name, just uncommon as a baby name nowadays. The OP wants to choose a name that reflects her heritage and there's nothing wrong with that.

Tbh people calling Eoghan Eggnog are the ignorant ones, not a problem with a lovely name, and the nicest spelling imo, on that one.
Oisín is lovely OP.

I think if you're going for an Irish name you're better off avoiding one that sounds almost but not quite like a name commonly found in the UK. Then they won't have to endure a lifetime of 'you mean Oliver?' 'oh is it the French version of Oliver?' etc. etc.

At least with Oisín it's not going to be mistaken for something else. It stands out as being a unique (in a good way!) name.

link

OILIBHÉAR, genitive -éir, Oliver; almost certainly a Gallicised form of the Norse Ólafr or Óleifr, ancestor's relic (see Amhlaoibhh); a name introduced into Ireland by the Anglo-Normans and once fairly common, until its association with Cromwelll made it unpopular. With the beatification of Blessed Oliver Plunkett_ it is likely to be revived. Latin — Oliverus, Oliverius.

Having read the above I prefer Amhlaoibh.

Oisin is a lovely name, I think the nicer of the two. Although people in some parts of the uk will be more familiar with the Welsh spelling and pronunciation Osian (Oh - like hot, Shan is how I’ve heard it), but that’s also a lovely name!

There are sooooo many beautiful Irish names
Pick another one

@Juliette222

Thanks so much for all the posts guys - very helpful comments :) We are Irish but living in the UK. Very good point it can seem like a gaelicisation of Oliver.

Another name we like is Oisin - I wonder if you also think this will sentence the poor little guy to a lifetime of spelling issues in the UK?

Oisin is gorgeous and there's loads in the UK

I'm Irish, I could pronounce I think, but you sounded it out so maybe I cheated! If that came through on an email I wouldn't have a notion. Never heard of that name being used either, unless I am mishearing Oliver.

Oisín, though I think is lovely.

@Contactmap

Its used more when somebody is translating their English name into Irish e.g. in a classroom environment. Yes, that is what makes it fake pretentious.

??? Your post makes no sense.

There is nothing pretentious about Oliver or Oilibhear.

People have to learn how to pronounce new names all the time and failing to do so is narrow minded.
I think it is a name he would spend his lifetime spelling out though.

One of my DC has a name people seem to have difficulty with. I wouldn’t choose that name again if I knew others would repeatedly call and spell it incorrectly.