Caolan for a boy

[Nov2023]

Any thoughts on Caolan or Caelan for a boy please ? Pronounced Kay-lyn

[mauvish]

Kay-lyn sounds like a girl's name (or to be precise, two girls' names). And the fact that you're having to tell us how to pronounce it means that any child will be doing the same for the rest of their lives.

[mauvish]

Plus, kaolin and morphine -

[Abouttimemum]

It’s a no from me and I though you were talking about your colon when I first glanced.

[EspressoMacchiato]

Yes if you’re Irish in Ireland, otherwise no.

[Whoopsadaisydownagain]

Yes unfortunately if I saw it wrote down , I would say it as colon but know it wasn't that a try a mix of that plus Kaolin .

[GoodVibesHere]

Caolan I would read and pronounce as Kao-lan. Isn't there a skin cream with that name? No I don't like it as a child's name sorry.

[Nov2023]

Irish heritage in the UK.. Names are a minefield!

[Omma23]

I know someone (male) called Caolan, although he pronounces it “Key-len”. Either way, I like it. But unless you live in Ireland it is one of those names he will be perpetually asked “how do you say/spell that?” With mispronunciation constantly. It’s a nice name though.

[HipHipWhoRay]

There was a Calan baby thread earlier this week!

[MerryMarigold]

I know a Caelan, pron Kay-lun. I would say Kayo-lan for your spelling.

[Nov2023]

I think Caelan is more instinctive to say but am not fully convinced that it is spelled correctly. That said neither is Caolan as I don't want to use the fada accent!

[WanderingAroundintheLark]

@mauvish

Plus, kaolin and morphine -

This. Oh and colon

[ColadhSamh]

It should be spelt with a fada Caolán which is then pronounced as Kay- lawn or kwaylawn depending on region.

[KirstenBlest]

I'd say it as Keelan

[ColleenDonaghy]

It would need an i for Keelan surely. Caoileann (which I think is a girl's name).

I'm Irish and familiar with the name OP, and would pronounce it as you have written but I have to say I don't love it.

[KirstenBlest]

"Vowel sounds in Irish include more combined letters to make one simple sound.
“Ai” = “ah” (as in mat)
“Ao” = “e” (as in tree)
“Io” = “ih” (as in mist)
“Ua” = “u” (as in truant)"

[MaloneMeadow]

It’s a lovely name but unless you’re living in Ireland then I wouldn’t use it - he’ll spend half his life having to spell/pronounce it for people

[user1492757084]

How about Cahal or Cormac?
They are handsome and have less confusion in sound.

[Redlarge]

I read this as colon

[Nov2023]

@user1492757084 Cormac is on my list but my husband is less convinced. Likewise with Cathal he pounced it incorrectly. It seems caolan is the only name he likes! He is not Irish and pronounced it correctly though. Also have Cillian, Lorcan, Rory and Tiernan as options. Picking a name has been the hardest part of this pregnancy. It is such a responsibility!

[Dotcheck]

@EspressoMacchiato

Yes if you’re Irish in Ireland, otherwise no.

I could never quite understand this.

[Dipsomaniax]

I know a few Caolan (variously pronounced Qway lan and keylan)

I always think Wailing Qwaylan but you know every name can be criticised.
If you like it go for it.

[DuploTrain]

I like Cillian and Rory best from your list.

I like Tiernan as well but I think it would sound quite different in England if the r isn’t pronounced the same.

[SunnyFog]

Love Caolán and Faolán and Whelan. Did read it as Carolan though (wrong glasses).

[DramaAlpaca]

My friend (in Ireland) has a Caolan pronounced KEE-lun. He goes by Cal, which I really like.