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The Revival of Irish Names
From The Irish Fireside Volume 6, Number 133, January 2, 1886
We publish to-day the first of the lists of Irish baptismal names sent us in response to the offer of a prize of three guineas which appeared in the Fireside some time ago. When we started the project, we had no idea that it would have been taken up with anything like the positive enthusiasm which it elicited. The enormous number of lists forwarded, the numerous letters which reached us from time to time regarding the proposed revival, and the extraordinary amount of attention attracted by the movement generally, all convinced us that it only needed a little aid from the Irish people to insure its success. For this aid we look confidently, not alone amongst our own people at home, but to wherever an Irishman has made his home.
The committee of Irish scholars who were kind enough to take charge of the various lists for consideration, had no idea of the enormity of the work it entailed until they were fairly face to face with the task. Had it been otherwise the publication of the lists would have been carried out long since. In selecting the list compiled by Mr. Fahy as that most deserving of the prize, the judges felt somewhat embarrassed by the large number of those whose lists ran very closely to his. Some of them, in fact, were even longer than that prepared by Mr. Fahy, but euphony and adaptability to modern tastes being considered, they had to be placed lower down in the list of competitors They have thought it only just to offer a special word of commendation to Mr. J. Rogers, of London; Mr. Dermod O'Meagher, of Dublin; Mr. J. H. Lloyd, of Dublin; and Mr. Hugh O'Donnell, of Leixlip.
We shall publish in our next two, or, if necessary three issues, further lists containing any euphonious names supplied by the other competitors and omitted by Mr. Fahy.
We wish also to direct the attention of our readers to the second competition, of which particulars will be found in the last page of this issue.
THE PRIZE LIST OF IRISH BAPTISMAL NAMES, COMPILED ON BEHALF OF THE SOUTHWARK LITERARY CLUB
BY
F. A. FAHY, VICE-PRESIDENT.
COMPILER'S INTRODUCTION.
The subject, which has been taken up by the Fireside, is a highly interesting one, embracing as it does the consideration of the origin and meaning of the names most in use by our Pagan and Christian forefathers, of the enforcement of family names by King Brian Boriohme, and the selection from the multitude of ancient names of those which were handed down as Christian patronymics. A highly enjoyable paper might be written on the subject showing how the Irish, like other nations, exhibit the characteristics of their race in their choice of names.
I, however, confine myself to a few remarks on the list I forward. My principal authorities were as follows:—
(1) The Four Masters
(2) Various Irish histories, MacGeoghegan's, &c, drawn from that source.
(3) Several Genealogical Translations by O'Donovan.
(4) A Valuable Essay on Irish Names, by O'Donovan, prefaced to his "Topographical Poems of O'Hearin."
(5) Curious Collections in O'Hart's "Pedigrees" and "Landed Gentry when Cromwell came to Ireland."
(6) Notes made at various times from Taylor, Joyce, &c.
A host of names have been omitted--(1) Those of which only few instances occurred; (2) those which were unharmonious in sound or low in meaning; (3) a number of names commencing with "cu" (a hound or warrior), Giolla (a servant), Maol (a follower); (4) and a number of names of saints, euphonious enough, but which did not appear to have been adopted as Christian names. I might remark that a large proportion of formidable looking Pagan names might be easily made suitable by the softening of the guttural "h".
The meanings of names, instances of their use where rare, the various forms they have assumed, and the curious corruptions made in them, are shown where clearly ascertained; and the pronunciation is given where the spelling of the name does not sufficiently indicate it.
Norman names, such as Gerald, Redmond, &c., where given are so indicated, and are not meant to be included, excepting for reference.
Several old baptismal names have been omitted, for minor reasons, such as their prevalence at present as surnames (such as Kelly, Mullony, Dea), or their likelihood of being confounded with English words of similar sound, e.g. Coon (Cunn).
I have but few remarks to make on the best method of reviving and perpetuating these old Celtic names. The revival of the Irish as a spoken language would perhaps do more in that direction than all other means together, as it would reveal to everybody the intrinsic beauty of those names. Among the possible things might be attempted--
(1) The restoration to their original Celtic form of such abortions as Jeremiah, Darby, Barney, Dionysius, Cornelius, Luke, Panastasia, &c.
(2) The adoption of a second and Celtic name at confirmation period by the youth of both sexes.
(3) The aid of the clergy of all denominations in giving at baptism Celtic names, instead of as at present, giving a Latin form to Celtic names, e.g. Lucius, Constantine.
| FEMALE NAMES | ||
| A | Origin/Meaning | Pronunciation |
| Abban | Abban or Obban | |
| Aileen | (Eibhlin), angl. Ellen, Helen, etc., Eveleen | Eye-leen |
| Aine (--joy), angl. Anne or Anna, Hannah, Anastasia | (joy), angl. Anne or Anna, Hannah, Anastasia | Ann-ya |
| Alba | }(all-binn--very melodius) | Alba |
| Albin | ||
| Alma | (all-maibh--all good) | |
| Allin | (Aluinn--beautifully) | Aw-linn |
| Alphin, Alfin | (all-fionn--(very fair) | Awl-finn |
| Amory | (O'Hart, p.127) Amory O'Brien | |
| Avice | (Do. p.147) Avice O'Hurley | |
| Aoibhin | }(pleasure, O'Donovan) | Eeven |
| Evin | ||
| Arrah | ||
| Aoife | }pleasant | Eefa |
| Eva | ||
| Ailne | beauty, joy | Awl-nye |
| Ailphe | Alva | |
| B | ||
| Borba | proud | |
| Berva | ||
| Baine | Bon-ye | |
| Banntigh | angl. Binnery, house-wife b n found in Galway | Ban-tee |
| Befinn | fair being, angl. Vevina | Bay-feen |
| Barduv | black haired (barr-dubh) | |
| Blanid | blosom bright (blath-naidh) | Blaw-nidh |
| Brigh, Bree | vigour | Bree, Breedh |
| Brigid | }fiery dart | |
| Bride | ||
| Buana | Boona | |
| Benmee | (Bean-midhe), woman of Meath, very common | |
| Benmoon | (Bean-mumhain), woman of Munster, very common | |
| Blaob, Blaw | (blosom) | Blaw |
| Banba | one of the names of Ireland | |
| Breaca | a saint | Brakka |
| C | ||
| Carinna | ||
| Cloara | ||
| Ceara, Cara | ruddy | Kara |
| Cula | (Cobflaith, victory) | Kuvla |
| Crea, creidh | ||
| Clothfionn | (fair fame) | Cloafin |
| D | ||
| Darinna | (dearbh-fionn), truly fair | |
| Devnet, Damhnait | corrupted into Dymphna | |
| Derval | ||
| Deirdre, alaom | Derd-rye | |
| Dil | fond | D-yeel |
| Dudeasa, Dubdeas | dark-haired beauty | Dhoodhos |
| Duvessa | Dub-essa, dark-haired nurse | Dhuvessa |
| Duinseach | brown-haired | Dhoon-shagh |
| Dunla | Dhoonia | |
| Dervorghil | purely fair daughter | Dhervuril |
| Dianiv, Dianimh | Dheeniv | |
| Dervnin | Dhervneen | |
| E | ||
| Edina | } | |
| Edaoin | ||
| Eithne, Inny, Ethna, Enna | Ethne or Enna | |
| Elana | Ellana | |
| Eibhlin or Aileen | changed into Eveleen, Ellen, Helen, etc | Eye-leen |
| Elbrigh, Elbry | Elbree | |
| Eiver, Emeria | Ever | |
| Eri | Err-ee | |
| Essa | a nurse | |
| Eany, Eugenia | feminine form of Eoghan | Oan-ee |
| Eva | see Aoife | |
| Einen | little bird | Ayn-een |
| Eevin | see Aoibhin | |
| Etta, Eitche | ||
| F | ||
| Fanchea | ||
| Feidhlime | }ever good, feminine form of Thelim | Faylim-mee |
| Fhelemy | ||
| Finbil | white blosom | |
| Findelva, Fionn dealbh | fair of countenance | |
| Finnavar | }Fionn-abair, of the fair eyebrown | Finnore |
| Finnore | ||
| Finora | ||
| Finni | comely | Finny |
| Finnsco | fionn-scot, fair flower | Finnsku |
| Finnda | fionn-dath, fair colour | Finndha |
| Fal | faithful, generous | Feeal |
| Foala, Fodhla | Fodhla, and ancient name for Ireland | Foala |
| Foal, Finnal, Finola, Nuala | fair shouldered, angl. Penelope | Finoola |
| Flanna | ruddy | |
| Fincara | (Fianchaire) | |
| G | ||
| Gelges | (swan-white--O'D) | Gell-gesh |
| Glorvina | fair-voiced | Gloar-veena |
| Graine | love, angl. Grace | Grawn-ya |
| Gyllis | Giolla Iosa, servant of Jesus | Gill-ish |
| Glaniua | (clear-spoken--Joyce) | |
| H | ||
| Honor, Nora, Honora, Omy, Winny | ||
| I | ||
| Ineen, Inghin | daughter | Innein |
| Ida, Ita | (thirst--Latin) | |
| L | ||
| Lasreena | ||
| Lann | ||
| Lassair | flame | Loss-er |
| Leeran, Lerthan | L-arn | |
| Liathan | (grey-eyed--O'D) | Lee-an |
| Ligach | (pearly--O'D) | Leegach |
| M | ||
| Maev, Mauve | }Medheibh--mirthful, corrupted into Mabel, Maude, Martha | |
| Mave | ||
| Macha | from maith, good | Moho |
| Merva | ||
| Mella | ||
| Moncha | (L-monica), Muncha, Munchin | Monagha |
| Mor, Mora | great, a very common name, corrupted into Martha, Mary | |
| Moyne | }see O'Hara's L. Gentry, p. 342 | Mawnya |
| Maine | ||
| Murgel | muir-geal--fair one of the sea, or fair as the sea | |
| Murrin, Murne | long-haired | |
| Moya | Moyya | |
| Maoin | wealth | Mween |
| N | ||
| Neev, Niamh | effulgence | Neeve |
| Narra | (naire, bashful) | |
| Nessa | ||
| Nuala | Noola | |
| Norna | ||
| Nora (see Honor) | ||
| Naesi | Nayshei | |
| Nano | (Irish, or for Anne) | |
| O | ||
| Oileana, ex Oileana | O'Brien (see O'Hart's L. G.) | Ill-yaana |
| Onny, Una, or Nora | ||
| Orla | Orrhlaith (golden-haired lady--O'D) | Ur-la |
| R | ||
| Ranalt | fem. of Randal (O'D and O'H) | |
| Ronat | fem. of Ronan (O'D) | Roa-nath |
| Ros, Rose | (rosa) | Roass |
| S | ||
| Saev, Sive | (Sadhbh, corrupted into Sabina, Sidby--O'D) | Soyr, Saer |
| Saraidh | (excellent--O'D--corrupted into Sarah) | |
| Shella, Shalla | (Sealbhlaith--lady of possessions--corrupted into Sally) | |
| Selma | fair | |
| Sighle | (Fairylike) Sheela, corrupted into Celia, Julia, Judith, Cecily | |
| Sioda, Sheeda | silken-haired | Sheedha |
| Slaine | health, very common | Slawn-ya |
| Sheema | (Simait) good, tranquility--O'D | Sheema |
| Sodhelva | (so-Qealbha)--of the good aspect (O'D) | Soelva |
| Sodomina | good lady (O'D) | So-oana |
| Scota | an ancient name of Eire | Skoata |
| Sorroghy | (Sorcha--clear, bright), corrupted into Sarah, Sally | Surr-ughee |
| Sheevan | ?Irish, or equivalent for Jane | |
| T | ||
| Tindi | sensitive | Tinndy |
| Tressi | strength, corrupted into Theresa | Treey |
| Thuala | tuathal-haith, noble lady | Thola |
| U | ||
| Una | (famine) corrupted into Honny, Winny, etc. | Oona |
| Uailse | proud (O'D) | Oolshe |
| Uaisli | gentle born (O'D) O'Hara, p.364 | Ooshle |
| Uallach, Ualla | proud (O'D) | Oola |
| V | ||
| Vevina | befronna--fair being | |
| MALE NAMES | ||
| A | Origin/Meaning | Pronunciation |
| Achy, Atty, Ecca | (Eachaidh--horseman) | |
| Adhna, Ana | ex-Adhna--Chief Poet, first century | Ahna |
| Aedan | a saint, common baptismal name (root, aedh) | Ay-dan |
| Aedh | }(Aodh--fire) very common | Eve |
| Aodh | ||
| Aengus | }(a great strength) popular in Scotland, corrupted into Eneas, Ennis, etc | |
| Angus | ||
| Ailill | ex Ailill, husband of Maebh; nname of several saints | Ali |
| Ainle | e.g. Pagan King | Anla or Aynla |
| Ainin | Aneen or Ayneen | |
| Ailbe | e.g. a noted saint | Alba or Aylba |
| Albin | }(most melodious) a saint | |
| Alpin | ||
| Alt, Altan | high | |
| Anluan | (great hero) a quo O'Hanlon | |
| Ainmir, Anmire | ||
| Annay, Annadh | ex Annay O'Reilly | |
| Ardan | very noble | |
| Art | (noble), very common, e.g. Art M'Murrough, angl. Arthur | |
| Artane | (very noble), ex Artane O'Reilly | |
| Ardell | ex Ardell M'Mahon | |
| Atin | ||
| Awley, Auliff | Awly O'Sullivan, angl. Humphrey | |
| Avrey | Hugh Avry O'Neill, 14th century | |
| B | ||
| Banan | (White) (O'Donovan) | Bawnan |
| Becan | (little) (O'Donovan) | Bechan |
| Beon | (lively) (O'Donovan) | |
| Barry | (looking straight at a mark, Taylor, Irish--Berach) | |
| Benin | a noted saint | |
| Blathmac | (blooming youth) (O'Donovan) | Blaw-mac |
| Bran | raven | |
| Branduff | black raven | |
| Braon, Breine | drop | Brain |
| Boyle | ||
| Brasil, Breasail | ||
| Brendan | a noted saint (Brandun, brown raven) | |
| Brian, Bryan | (great strength) corrupted into Bernard | |
| Brocan | (badger) (O'Donovan) | |
| Breas | (a prince) | |
| C | ||
| Cairbre, Carbra | (--ruler of a chariot) | Karbra |
| Carbury | ||
| Cainneach | }head chief, angl. Canice, Kenny | |
| Kenny | ||
| Caoilte, Kylta | Keelta | |
| Caol | (--slender) "Caol O'Cowan" | Kail |
| Cahal, Cahill | (Cathal, warlike), angl. Charles | Kahall |
| Cahir | (Cathir, great warrior) | Kahir |
| Calva(ch) | ||
| Carroll | (Cearbhaill) | |
| Ceallach, Ceallachan | (strife) Latinised Celsus | Kallagh |
| Caomhin | }(Taoimhin, gentle born) | Kevin |
| Kevin | ||
| Cimbaobh | ex Cimbaoth, a pagan King | Kimbay |
| Ciaran | }(from `Ciar,' a coal) zealous | Kieran |
| Kerin | ||
| Cian, Kian | (head) angl. Keen, King | Keen |
| Cisby | O'Hart's Landed Gentry, p.437, p.364 | Kisby |
| Colm | (Colm, a dove) | Kahum |
| Colga, Colla | see O'Hart, p.320 | Kalla |
| Conn | (wisdom or from `cu', a hound, a warrior--impr. Latinised Quintus | |
| Connor | }helping warrior--impr. Latinised Cornelius, Constantine | |
| Crohoore | ||
| Conary | ||
| Conan | one of the followers of Finn M'Cool | |
| Congal | ||
| Connell | friendship | |
| Conla | ||
| Cormac | boy | |
| Corc, Corcan | ||
| Coovey, Covey, Cooey | (cu-mhaighe, dog of the plain) impr. Latinised Quintin | |
| Cronin | ||
| Cullen | (Cuchullin) visitor warrior | |
| Culne | }Cu-uladh | |
| Cuala | ||
| Cool | ||
| Cuan | hound, warrior | |
| Cosney | ||
| Crom | ||
| D | ||
| Dalton | ||
| Diarmaid | }(`god of arms' or `freeman') vulg. Darby, Jeremiah(!) | D-yeer-madh |
| Dermot | ||
| Dallan | Dhollan | |
| Dathi | (agile) vulg. David | Dha-hee |
| Davin, Devin | ||
| Daire, Dara | Dhar-ya | |
| Deargan | (red) (O'Donovan) | Dhargan |
| Donat | Dhunath | |
| Donchadh | (brown warrior) vulg. Donogh, Denis, Dionysius(!), Donald | Dhunn-agh |
| Donn | brown | |
| Domhnall | (world-ruler) vulg. Donnell | Dhoanall |
| Donae | ||
| Deagh | (good) | D-ya |
| E | ||
| Eneas, Aongus | ||
| Evin | Evin or Eevin | |
| Erard | examples--a saint and a poet | |
| Evir, Eibhear | miswritten Heber | Evir |
| Eremon | }miswritten Heremon | Erevon |
| Eirvin | ||
| Ersevan | ||
| Errill | ||
| Egar | ||
| Eochy, Ecca | see "Achy" | |
| Erc | ||
| Eoghan | (youthful warrior) vulg. Owen, Eugene | Ow-an |
| Elim | Eelim | |
| Enna | ||
| Ennis, Aongus | ||
| Eilbe | Elba | |
| Ernagh | ||
| Ernan | ||
| F | ||
| Fachtna | (just, upright) Fachny, a great O'Farroll name | |
| Failbe, Falvey | Falva(ey) | |
| Felim | (great goodness) vulg. Phelim, Felix | |
| Feargus | (a strong warrior) | |
| Fearfasa | (a man of knowledge), b, name of one of the Four Masters | Farfasa |
| Faragh | ||
| Fearan | (manly) saint | Farran |
| Finn, Fionn | (fionn--fair) | Finn |
| Fingal | fair stranger | |
| Finneen | (fionnghin--fair born) vulg. Florence | |
| Fintan | a noted saint | |
| Fiach, Fiachy | (a hunter) | Fee-ogh |
| Fiachra | (an eagle) | Feek-ra |
| Finbar | a saint | |
| Flann | (ruddy) | |
| Feichin | Fekn | |
| Fermac | ||
| Fergor | (manly voice) | Ferghoir |
| Fithil | Fihil | |
| Firbis | ||
| Ferdana | (strong man) | |
| Fial | (generous, faithful) | Fee-al |
| Felan, Faolan | Faylan | |
| G | ||
| Gerald | }this is not Celtic, but Norman | |
| Garrett | ||
| Garva | (from garth, rough) | |
| Gall | Gawl | |
| Gavan | ||
| Gill, Giolla | servant, disciple. With Giolla as postfix occur a multitude of baptismal names, as Gillpatrick, Gillbride, Gillmhil, Gillchrist, Gillissa, Gillespie, Gillduff, Gillglass | |
| Glaisin | green, (O'Donovan) | Glasheen |
| Glasney, Glisnea | O'Hart, p. 149, 297 | |
| Guaire | (excellent, noble) | Goor-ye |
| Geanan | (great affection) | Gannon |
| Globy | ex Globy O'Boyle, Aboot, hanged 1580 | |
| H | ||
| Hugh | see Aodh | |
| Heber | see Eibear | |
| Hereman | see Eremon | |
| Hussey | ex Hussey Burgh | |
| I & J | ||
| Iarlath | (a saint, Jarlath, A.D. 481) | Yarlath |
| Iber | ||
| Irane | (ex Irane O'Donogh) | |
| Iriel | ex Iriel O'Farrell, very common | |
| Irvin | ||
| Ivar | ||
| Inna | ||
| Ihbrec | (Joyce) | |
| Jldana | (all strong) | Illdhauna |
| Justin | (a literal translation of "Saer-brethnac," a common baptismal name among the M'Carthys | |
| K | ||
| Kane | }a great O'Hara name from Cean | |
| Keane | ||
| Kedagh | Kay-dagh | |
| Kellagh | ||
| Kenyon | ||
| Kevin | see "C" | |
| Kenny | see "C" | |
| Kilian, Killen | ||
| Kieran | (Ciaran) | |
| L | ||
| Lachtna | green (see "O'Donovan") | |
| Lian, Liathan | (gray) O'Donovan | Lee-an |
| Lir | }sea--Lear M'Swiney | |
| Lear | ||
| Logan | ||
| Lochlan | ||
| Lorcan | }Anglicised Lawrence, as St. Lawrence O'Toole | Lurchan |
| Larry | ||
| Lugaidh | Anglicised Louis, Lucius, Luke | Looey |
| Lysaght, Lysach | (Laoiseach), a common name among the O'Mores | |
| Loarn | ||
| Lonan | Pagan "first" names | |
| Lynan | do. | |
| Lothra | do. | Loara |
| Lara | (Lathra) | La-ra |
| Loman | noted saint | |
| Liban | ||
| Luath | (swift) Joyce | |
| M | ||
| Maol | (follower), also prefixed to names of saints, etc. | |
| Marcus | (a horseman) | |
| Manus | (great) | |
| Mhaghlin | M'lachlin | |
| Mahon | anglicised "Matthew" | Mahun |
| Myler | ||
| Maidoc | }(beneficient), a well-known saint; corrupted into Moses | |
| Mogue | ||
| Macon | ex Macon M'Namara, O'Hart, L. G, p.368 | Makkun |
| Maine | ||
| Maomora | (proud, noble, majestic) a favourite among b.n. among the O'Reillys | Mailmorye |
| Maolcolm | }follower of Columba, common in Scotland | |
| Malcolm | ||
| Mil, Miles | } | |
| Milesius | ||
| Managh | }ex Monagh O'Carroll | Monogh |
| Monagh | ||
| Moran | (very great) | |
| Molaise | }Maol-Iosa (servant of Jesus) | Maleese |
| Malise | ||
| Murchadh | {(Murchadh--sea protector), corr'd. Maurice, Morris | Mur-ra-ha |
| Morogh | ||
| Molua, Milo | Molloo | |
| Melcher | ||
| Milsher | ||
| Molsher | ||
| N | ||
| Niall | } | N-yeel |
| Neal | ||
| Neart | Narth | |
| Nualan | Noolan | |
| Naghten | Nawtan | |
| O | ||
| Odhran | a saint, etc. | O-ran |
| Oisin | the noted Fenian bard | Usheen or Isheen |
| Oscar | (bounding warrior) | Uskar |
| Orgiall | a name among the O'Reillys | Ur-eel |
| Olla | Ulla | |
| Oltan | a saint | Ull-than |
| Oiloll | ex Oiloll O'Byrne | Illihl Ullil |
| Owen | see Eoghan | |
| P | ||
| Phelim | ||
| Patrick | (is Latin, Patricius--noble) | |
| Pierce, Petrus | ||
| R | ||
| Ralph | is Norman | |
| Randall | } | |
| Rannall | ||
| Redmond | is Norman | |
| Ronan | (sea-calf, seal) | Roa-nan |
| Ruadri | (Ruadhrigh, red or valiant king) corrupted into Roger, Roderick | |
| Rory | ||
| Ruan | a saint | Rooan |
| S | ||
| Senan | ||
| Standish | is an English corruption of Aneslis (O'Donovan) | |
| Sharry | }ex Shearon M'Gibbon, O'Hart p.632 (Geffrey) | Shar-run |
| Shearon | ||
| Sherrone | ||
| Suibhne | Seevna, Sweena | |
| Shiel | ||
| Sheelan | ||
| Sielan | ||
| Siorne | Latin--Longoevus | Sheerna |
| T | ||
| Tadg | corrupted into Thaddeus, Thady | Theigue |
| Tarragh | for ex see O'Hart, p.631 | |
| Tailteach | Tholl-thogh | |
| Tiernan | (Tighearnan, lordly) ex Tiernan O'Rourke | Theer-non |
| Thomhas | (Thomas) (weight) | |
| Tomaltach | (Thomas) (hospitable) | |
| Tuathal | (Toole), from tuath--territory | |
| Turlough | (Toirdealbac--tower-like), Angl. Terence, Terry | Thur-logh |
| Tibot | (Norman--Theobald, Toby) | |
| Thallach | (Taichleach), ex Thallach O'Boyle, A. D. 1281 | |
| U | ||
| Uisneach | Ush-nogh | |
| Ualarg | (Ualgarg--fierce warrior) a great name among the O'Rourkes | Ool-org |
| Uaithne | (Oona--green), O'Donovan, ex Uaithne O'Loughlin, O'Hart, p.117 | Oona |
| Ulick | great name of the Burkes | You-lick |
| Uriell | (ex Uriell O'Farrell) | Oor-yell |
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