Thoughts on the name Séamus? + tell relative since it's her deceased husbands name?

[pontipinemum]

I posted on the name forum ages ago before we had decided on a name but we are I think certain on Séamus now and wanted to get Irish views?

Is it a little bit old? I like it, it seems strong, traditional, well know but not popular. We will probably call him Séimí or Shay day to day. Or something completely unrelated to his name like with DS1!

Also should I give my Gran Aunt a heads up? Her deceased husband was Séamus? So my gran uncle - in law. I haven't told my mam the name yet as I think she will wrinkle her nose and worry what others will think, she's the sort to say 'ooohhh' or huuummm so I think I'll just tell her after the baby is born. My aunt though doesn't think I need to say anything and that no one will think I've name the baby after G. Uncle

From the CSO. So it's not wildly popular but certainly not uncommon. If you like it, go with it.

I know 2 Séamus'. One is 73 and the other is 22.

I like it, but I don't live in Ireland so I couldn't tell you how young or old it sounds to someone there. The only Séamuses in my family are older. I like classic names anyway, even if they're not common. It's certainly well-known enough to not raise any eyebrows.

I don't think you need to pre-warn your great-aunt, but I do think she might naturally assume you've chosen the name after her husband. If that doesn't bother you, then go for it. My niece shares a name with our cousin's cousin (deceased), so someone not at all related to us; that side of the family all thought the name had been chosen in her memory.

@Fink he was fine, a bit of a grump sometimes but fine. So no I wouldn't mind her thinking that. She might like it

I did go to college with one and he was very good looking so it's not always older men I think of!

I’m Irish, I have a big family, lots of good Irish names, Fintan, Fionn, Padraig but not a Seamus!
Its a lovely name, the Irish equivalent of James.
I would tell your Aunt but ask her to keep it under wraps, I’m sure she will be delighted her late husbands name will continue in the family, she doesn’t need to know anymore.

It's a lovely name and one of those names that's cute for a little boy but works great for a grown man. DD went to crèche with a gorgeous little Seamus that usually went by Shay. Also your great aunt will be delighted and I know it's really frowned upon on MN but I love using family names. I called my DD the same name as an aunt but not after my aunt but she was still delighted.

@SparkyBlue I called DS1 after my grandfather, sort of I went with Pádraig GF was Patrick, who was actually a first cousin of this great uncle! So I guess I don't look far for my inspiration

I know a young boy around 8 or 9 called Seimi and that's his legal name, his dad is Seamus. I think it's a lovely name. Most old names come back in fashion at some stage.

I don't think you should tell anyone before you have your baby and named him because there's always someone who will have something negative about a name no matter what the name is suggested.

I really like Séimí and think that's what we will call him. I just prefer a 'full' name along with a nn, just a preference of course nothing at all wrong with Séimí or Shay on the birth cert.

I love it and it's also on my own baby name list! So cute for a young kid and still works well for an adult, it's well known but not overused. I think I would mention it on the quiet to your gran aunt first though.

Congratulations on your pregnancy but Seamus wouldn't be for me @pontipinemum.
I'm in Ireland and for me it's an old man's name.
Are you in the UK ?
Would it be pronounced Sea mus ?

Thank you :)

I'm in Ireland. I'd pronounce it Shay mus

If you're in Ireland it will be pronounced correctly so.

I have a 21yo ds called Seamus, mostly uses shay. He loves his name

I think it's lovely. I actually know a few, 70s, 50s, 30s. Séimí is cute.

I like it.
I'd say it's a bit young rather than a bit old.

I'd run it past your relative and see how she reacts before you tell her it's your choice. Ask her what she thinks.

I have a little 6 year old Séamus as a nephew, wasn’t keen to begin with but he’s Séamus now,

It is a cracking name and I would definitely run with it 👌

That's great to hear! Are ye in Ireland? I obviously have no idea what currently unborn DS will do in life but I've lived in a few (all English speaking) countries and he might too. I wonder if the name travels well. Not that, that matters too much people can adjust

I too see it as an old man's name and not sure it is ready for a revival. But as soon as a person is named that is just who they are and nobody really thinks about it, so if you love it, use it and you do seem to really love it.

IME, in a lot of the white anglophone world (i.e. not so much in African, Asian, and Caribbean English-speaking countries), Irish names are common enough that people will recognise them as such and maybe make an attempt at pronunciation (with varying degrees of success), although there are still plenty of ignorant people around.

In the rest of Europe, Irish names tend to get mangled a lot more than classic English names (saints' names), as there's usually an equivalent in the local language. I don't know how people with more modern English names fare.

I love it!

Seamus is a great name and will travel well.
I have a very traditional Irish name, people get used to it once they know you. You can't not choose a name because someone, somewhere may not be able to pronounce it in 25 years time.

My cousin Meadhbh copes perfectly well in another country 😉

I'm Irish and really dislike Seamus, I find it very old fashioned, I only know a few guys in their 60s named Seamus, but if you like it go for it

I love it.
I don't think it is an unusual enough name to need to tell great aunt, it's quite possible to just like it. Different if he was called Melchior or Basil or something.

I have a cousin called Seamus. I remember him as a little blond curly haired boy, so although he's now in his 40s, I think it works for all ages.

I love Seamus. I considered it for my son - we live overseas. However, my family reminded me that in my home town - it's often pronounced Shimus instead which I don't like.