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Baby names

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

Original poster

Irish boy names

46 replies

Newhousewhodis · 21/03/2023 17:46

Hiya,

Looking for suggestions for traditional Irish boy names. Something a bit unusual, but that won’t be difficult for non-Irish people to spell or pronounce, ideally. Current favourite is ‘Orin’, if that gives a big of a steer.

Ideally, nothing that begins with a C or a D.

Thoughts?

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Snugglemonkey · 22/03/2023 11:15

Newhousewhodis · 22/03/2023 10:17

Please see my response above.

Also, as the baby is going to be half Irish, the idea that this is cultural appropriation (not misappropriation) is bizarre. Are you even Irish, or do you just hang about MN threads in the hope you’ll get the opportunity to take offence on other people’s behalf?

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I am Irish and I don't care how Irish the baby is, if you cannot reflect a culture respectfully, don't bother.

Original poster
Newhousewhodis · 22/03/2023 11:18

Snugglemonkey · 22/03/2023 11:15

I am Irish and I don't care how Irish the baby is, if you cannot reflect a culture respectfully, don't bother.

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In what name is asking for names that won’t be difficult for non-Irish people to spell or pronounce not reflecting the culture respectfully?

OP posts:
Original poster
Newhousewhodis · 22/03/2023 11:20

Newhousewhodis · 22/03/2023 11:18

In what name is asking for names that won’t be difficult for non-Irish people to spell or pronounce not reflecting the culture respectfully?

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In what way.

OP posts:
Original poster
Newhousewhodis · 22/03/2023 11:20

SageRosemary · 22/03/2023 11:13

Orin is not an Irish boys name.
Odhran, or Oran would be acceptable.
Orán - you've put in an accent which would make the pronunciation entirely different. An Irish person might think you were talking about bread (arán).

If you want the name to be authentically Irish, you will need to include only the following letters - a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, l, m, n, o, p, r, s, t, u. All of the vowels may have a síneadh fada - this will change the pronunciation. Definite NO to J, K, Q, V, W, X, Y, Z

@Fivemoreminutes1 and @user1492757084 have given some interesting suggestions - which look like they are pulled from an American website, most of them are bastardised versions of Irish surnames. Nigel gave me a fit of the giggles!

@Mouk has done better but has missed out on a síneadh fada here and there.

Keep it simple, use a name which does not require an accent if you are living in the UK

My suggestion is Fionn

This is really helpful, thank you.

OP posts:
Snugglemonkey · 22/03/2023 11:21

Newhousewhodis · 22/03/2023 11:18

In what name is asking for names that won’t be difficult for non-Irish people to spell or pronounce not reflecting the culture respectfully?

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Orin?

2023a · 22/03/2023 11:22

Snugglemonkey · 22/03/2023 11:15

I am Irish and I don't care how Irish the baby is, if you cannot reflect a culture respectfully, don't bother.

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How is asking for easy to spell/pronounce Irish names disrespecting Irish culture?

Original poster
Newhousewhodis · 22/03/2023 11:23

Snugglemonkey · 22/03/2023 11:21

Orin?

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And people corrected me and I thanked them, right?

OP posts:
Sugarfree23 · 22/03/2023 11:25

Is Orin not the word for song?

LynnLardAssian · 22/03/2023 11:33

Oisín is lovely. Was on my list for DS.

You’ll get the Irish MN-ers arguing over how it’s pronounced, though Grin.

Ush-een is is strictly correct, but lots of Irish people also use Osh-een and Oh-sheen, depending on region.

I also love Liam, Cillian, Cormac & Seamus already mentioned.

Also Féilim, Ultán, Dáithí.

NaomhPadraigin · 22/03/2023 11:37

Odhran, or Oran would be acceptable.
Orán - you've put in an accent which would make the pronunciation entirely different. An Irish person might think you were talking about bread (arán).

If you want the pronunciation Or-in then spelling is Odhran / Oran, the fada will give you the pronunciation Or-awn.
I don't think Irish people will confuse the name with arán for bread - they would be used in two different contexts.

NaomhPadraigin · 22/03/2023 11:40

Sugarfree23 · 22/03/2023 11:25

Is Orin not the word for song?

That's amhrán - roughly "hour-awn"

SageRosemary · 22/03/2023 14:53

NaomhPadraigin · 22/03/2023 11:37

Odhran, or Oran would be acceptable.
Orán - you've put in an accent which would make the pronunciation entirely different. An Irish person might think you were talking about bread (arán).

If you want the pronunciation Or-in then spelling is Odhran / Oran, the fada will give you the pronunciation Or-awn.
I don't think Irish people will confuse the name with arán for bread - they would be used in two different contexts.

Have you heard English people pronounce Orla? Ore-lah becomes ar-la

Findyourneutralspace · 22/03/2023 14:55

My favourite Irish boys name is Oisin. I love it!

LadyEloise1 · 22/03/2023 15:20

Since when was Nigel an Irish name ?
Or Thomas ?

Original poster
Newhousewhodis · 22/03/2023 15:29

LadyEloise1 · 22/03/2023 15:20

Since when was Nigel an Irish name ?
Or Thomas ?

I was a bit confused by a few on that list, but I appreciate she was trying to be helpful.

OP posts:
Original poster
Newhousewhodis · 22/03/2023 15:30

Lots of lovely suggestions! 😊

OP posts:
LizzieAnt · 23/03/2023 00:49

Finn?

I don't see any problem with OP asking for Irish names that are easier for people to spell and pronounce when she's based outside Ireland.
Seems sensible to me.

Nigel is actually thought to be derived from the name Niall as far as I know 🤔

Mumma · 23/03/2023 02:55

Killian

Dustyblue · 23/03/2023 05:03

I have a Declan, so that's no use to you. I'm not Irish, just love the name.

Would've called him Rory but it clashes with his surname.

Love Lorcan & Fionn. I used to work with an Irish man (I'm in Oz) named Ultan. LOVE that one.

StellaLaBella · 23/03/2023 05:09

I believe it's spelled "cringey". HTH 👍🏻

Original poster
Newhousewhodis · 23/03/2023 09:56

StellaLaBella · 23/03/2023 05:09

I believe it's spelled "cringey". HTH 👍🏻

Are you okay?

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