The Revival of Irish Names

F. A. Fahy
The Irish Fireside
Volume 6, Number 133
January 2, 1886
Irish Fireside: Revival of Irish Names

N.B.: The print in the original magazine was poor, so it is possible that a few typographical errors have crept in, and the names did not appear in strict alphabetical order. However, many of them can be cross-checked in Patrick Woulfe’s Irish Names and Surnames which contains 1000s of entries.

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:—

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—

[Skip to the MALE list »]

FEMALE NAMES

A
Abban
unspecified
Abban or Obban
Aideen
unspecified
Idyeen
Aileen
(Eibhlin), angl. Ellen, Helen, etc., Eveleen
Eye-leen
Aine
(—joy), angl. Anne or Anna, Hannah, Anastasia
Ann-ya
Alba
(all-binn—very melodius)
Alba
Albin
(all-binn—very melodius)
unspecified
Alma
(all-maibh—all good)
unspecified
Allin
(Aluinn—beautifully)
Aw-linn
Alphin, Alfin
(all-fionn—(very fair)
Awl-finn
Amory
(O’Hart, p.127) Amory O’Brien
unspecified
Avice
(O’Hart p.147) Avice O’Hurley
unspecified
Aoibhin, Evin
(pleasure, O’Donovan)
Eeven
Arrah
unspecified
unspecified
Aoife, Eva
pleasant
Eefa
Ailne
beauty, joy
Awl-nye
Ailphe
unspecified
Alva
Index: Male | Female | top
B
Borba
proud
unspecified
Berva
unspecified
unspecified
Baine
unspecified
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)
unspecified
Blanid
blosom bright (blath-naidh)
Blaw-nidh
Brigh, Bree
vigour
Bree, Breedh
Brigid, Bride
fiery dart
unspecified
Buana
unspecified
Boona
Benmee
(Bean-midhe), woman of Meath, very common
unspecified
Benmoon
(Bean-mumhain), woman of Munster, very common
unspecified
Blaoh[Bladh?], Blaw
(blosom)
Blaw
Banba
one of the names of Ireland
unspecified
Breaca
a saint
Brakka
Buriana
a saint
unspecified
Index: Male | Female | top
C
Carinna
unspecified
unspecified
Cloara
unspecified
unspecified
Ceara, Cara
ruddy
Kara
Coula
(Cobhlaith, victory)
Kuvla
Crea, creidh
unspecified
unspecified
Clothfionn
(fair fame)
Cloafin
Index: Male | Female | top
D
Darinna
(dearbh-fionn), truly fair
unspecified
Devnet, Damhnait
corrupted into Dymphna
unspecified
Derval
unspecified
unspecified
Deirdre
alaom[?]
Derd-rye
Dil
fond
D-yeel
Dudeasa, Dubdeas
dark-haired beauty
Dhoodhos
Duvessa, Dubhessa
dark-haired nurse
Dhuvessa
Duinseach
brown-haired
Dhoon-shagh
Dunla
unspecified
Dhoonla
Dervorghil
purely fair daughter
Dhervuril
Dianiv, Dianimh
unspecified
Dheeniv
Dervnin
unspecified
Dhervneen
Index: Male | Female | top
E
Edina, Edaoin
unspecified
unspecified
Eithne, Inny, Ethna, Enna
unspecified
Ethne or Enna
Elana
unspecified
Ellana
Eibhlin or Aileen 
changed into Eveleen, Ellen, Helen, etc
Eye-leen
Elbrigh, Elbry
unspecified
Elbree
Eiver, Emeria
unspecified
Ever
Eri
unspecified
Err-ee
Essa
a nurse
unspecified
Eany, Eugenia
feminine form of Eoghan
Oan-ee
Eva
see Aoife
unspecified
Einen
little bird
Ayn-een
Eevin
unspecified
Etta, Eitche
unspecified
unspecified
Index: Male | Female | top
F
Fanchea
unspecified
unspecified
Feidhlime, Fhelemy
ever good, feminine form of Thelim
Faylim-mee
Finbil
whiteblosom
unspecified
Findelva, Fionn dealbh
fair of countenance
unspecified
Finnavar, Finnore, Finora
}Fionn-abair, of the fair eyebrown
Finnore
Finne[?]
comely
Finny
Finnsco[?]
fionn-scot, fair flower
Finnsku
Finnda
fionn-dath, fair colour
Finndha
Feal[?]
faithful, generous
Feeal
Foala, Fodhla
Fodhla, an ancient name for Ireland
Foala
Foal, Finnal, Finola, Nuala
fair shouldered, angl. Penelope
Finoola
Flanna
ruddy
unspecified
Fincara
(Fianchaire)
unspecified
Index: Male | Female | top
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)
unspecified
Index: Male | Female | top
H
Honor, Nora, Honora, Omy, Winny
unspecified
unspecified
Index: Male | Female | top
I
Ineen, Inghin
daughter
Innein
Ida, Ita
(thirst—Latin)
unspecified
Index: Male | Female | top
L
Lasreena
unspecified
unspecified
Lann
unspecified
unspecified
Lassair
flame
Loss-er
Leeran, Lerthan
unspecified
L-arn
Liathan
(grey-eyed—O’D)
Lee-an
Ligach
(pearly—O’D)
Leegach
Index: Male | Female | top
M
Maev, Mauve, Mave
Meidheibh—mirthful, corrupted into Mabel, Maude, Martha
unspecified
Macha
from maith, good
Moho
Merva
unspecified
unspecified
Mella
unspecified
unspecified
Moncha
(L-monica), Muncha, Munchin
Monagha
Mor, Mora
great, a very common name, corrupted into Martha, Mary
unspecified
Moyne, Maine
see O’Hara’s L. Gentry, p. 342
Mawnya
Murgel
muir-geal—fair one of the sea, or fair as the sea
unspecified
Murrin, Murne
long-haired
unspecified
Moya
unspecified
Moyya
Maoin
wealth
Mween
Index: Male | Female | top
N
Neev, Niamh
effulgence
Neeve
Narra
(naire, bashful)
unspecified
Nessa
unspecified
unspecified
Nuala
unspecified
Noola
Norna
unspecified
unspecified
Nora (see Honor)
unspecified
unspecified
Naesi
unspecified
Nayshei
Nano
(Irish, or for Anne)
unspecified
Index: Male | Female | top
O
Oileana
ex Oileana O’Brien (see O’Hart’s L. G.)
Ill-yaana
Onny, Una, or Nora
unspecified
unspecified
Orla
Orfhlaith (golden-haired lady—O’D)
Ur-la
Index: Male | Female | top
R
Ranalt
fem. of Randal (O’D and O’H)
unspecified
Ronat
fem. of Ronan (O’D)
Roa-nath
Ros, Rose
(rosa)
Roass
Index: Male | Female | top
S
Saev, Sive
(Sadhbh, corrupted into Sabina, Sidby—O’D)
Soyr, Saer
Saraidh
(excellent—O’D—corrupted into Sarah)
unspecified
Shella, Shalla
(Sealbhlaith—lady of possessions—corrupted into Sally)
unspecified
Selma
fair
unspecified
Sighle
(Fairylike) Sheela, corrupted into Celia, Julia, Judith, Cecily
unspecified
Sioda, Sheeda
silken-haired
Sheedha
Slaine
pr. Slawin-ya—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
unspecified
Index: Male | Female | top
T
Tindi
sensitive
Tinndy
Tressi
strength, corrupted into Theresa
Treey
Thuala
tuathal-haith, noble lady
Thola
Index: Male | Female | top
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
Index: Male | Female | top
V
Vevina
befronna—fair being
unspecified

MALE NAMES

A
Achy, Atty, Ecca
(Eachaidh—horseman)
unspecified
Adhna, Ana
ex-Adhna—Chief Poet, first century
Ahna
Aedan
a saint, common baptismal name (root, aedh)
Ay-dan
Aedh, Aodh
(Aodh—fire) very common
Eve
Aengus, Angus
(a great strength) popular in Scotland, corrupted into Eneas, Ennis, etc
unspecified
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, Alpin
(most melodious) a saint
unspecified
Alt, Altan
high
unspecified
Anluan
(great hero) a quo O’Hanlon
unspecified
Ainmir, Anmire
unspecified
Annay, Annadh
ex Annay O’Reilly
unspecified
Ardan
very noble
unspecified
Art
(noble), very common, e.g. Art M‘Murrough, angl. Arthur
unspecified
Artane
(very noble), ex Artane O’Reilly
unspecified
Ardell
ex Ardell M‘Mahon
unspecified
Atin
unspecified
Awley, Auliff
Awly O’Sullivan, angl. Humphrey
unspecified
Avrey
Hugh Avry O’Neill, 14th century
unspecified
Index: Male | Female | top
B
Banan
(White) (O’Donovan)
Bawnan
Becan
(little) (O’Donovan)
Bechan
Beon
(lively) (O’Donovan)
unspecified
Barry
(looking straight at a mark, Taylor, Irish—Berach)
unspecified
Benin
a noted saint
unspecified
Blathmac
(blooming youth) (O’Donovan)
Blaw-mac
Bran
raven
unspecified
Branduff
black raven
unspecified
Braon, Breine
drop
Brain
Boyle
unspecified
Brasil, Breasail
unspecified
Brendan
a noted saint (Brandun, brown raven)
unspecified
Brian, Bryan
(great strength) corrupted into Bernard
unspecified
Brocan
(badger) (O’Donovan)
unspecified
Breas
(a prince)
unspecified
Index: Male | Female | top
C
Cairbre, Carbra, Carbury
(—ruler of a chariot)
Karbra
Cainneach, Kenny
head chief, angl. Canice, Kenny
unspecified
Caoilte, Kylta
Keelta
Caol
(—slender) “Caol O’Cowan”
Kail
Cahal, Cahill
(Cathal, warlike), angl. Charles
Kahall
Cahir
(Cathir, great warrior)
Kahir
Calva(ch)
unspecified
Carroll
(Cearbhaill)
unspecified
Ceallach, Ceallachan
(strife) Latinised Celsus
Kallagh
Caomhin, Kevin
(Taoimhin, gentle born)
Kevin
Cimbaobh
ex Cimbaoth, a pagan King
Kimbay
Ciaran, Kerin
(from ‘Ciar,’ a coal) zealous
Kieran
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
unspecified
Connor, Crohoore, Conary
helping warrior—impr. Latinised Cornelius, Constantine
unspecified
Conan
one of the followers of Finn M‘Cool
unspecified
Congal
unspecified
Connell
friendship
unspecified
Conla
unspecified
Cormac
(boy)
unspecified
Corc, Corcan
unspecified
Coovey, Covey, Cooey
(cu-mhaighe, dog of the plain) impr. Latinised Quintin
unspecified
Cronin
unspecified
Cullen
(Cuchullin) visitor warrior
unspecified
Culne, Cuala, Cool
Cu-uladh
unspecified
Cuan
hound, warrior
unspecified
Cosney
unspecified
Crom
unspecified
Index: Male | Female | top
D
Dalton
unspecified
Diarmaid, Dermot
(‘god of arms’ or ‘freeman’) vulg. Darby, Jeremiah(!)
D-yeer-madh
Dallan
Dhollan
Dathi
(agile) vulg. David
Dha-hee
Davin, Devin
unspecified
Daire, Dara
Dhar-ya
Deargan
(red) (O’Donovan)
Dhargan
Donat
Dhunath
Donchadh
(brown warrior) vulg. Donogh, Denis, Dionysius(!), Donald
Dhunn-agh
Donn
brown
Dunn or Dhown
Domhnall, Donae
(world-ruler) vulg. Donnell
Dhoanall
Deagh
(good)
D-ya
Index: Male | Female | top
E
Eneas, Aongus
unspecified
Evin
Evin or Eevin
Erard
examples—a saint and a poet
unspecified
Evir, Eibhear
miswritten Heber
Evir
Eremon, Eirvin
miswritten Heremon
Erevon
Ersevan
unspecified
Errill
unspecified
Egar
unspecified
Eochy, Ecca
see “Achy
unspecified
Erc
unspecified
Eoghan
(youthful warrior) vulg. Owen, Eugene
Ow-an
Elim
Eelim
Enna
unspecified
Ennis, Aongus
unspecified
Eilbe
Elba
Ernagh
unspecified
Ernan
unspecified
Index: Male | Female | top
F
Fachtna
(just, upright) Fachny, a great O’Farroll name
unspecified
Failbe, Falvey
Falva(ey)
Felim
(great goodness) vulg. Phelim, Felix
unspecified
Feargus
(a strong warrior)
unspecified
Fearfasa
(a man of knowledge), b, name of one of the Four Masters
Farfasa
Faragh
unspecified
Fearan
(manly) saint
Farran
Finn, Fionn
(fionn—fair)
Finn
Fingal
fair stranger
unspecified
Finneen
(fionnghin—fair born) vulg. Florence
unspecified
Fintan
a noted saint
unspecified
Fiach, Fiachy
(a hunter)
Fee-ogh
Fiachra
(an eagle)
Feek-ra
Finbar
a saint
unspecified
Flann
(ruddy)
unspecified
Feichin
Fekn
Fermac
unspecified
Fergor
(manly voice)
Ferghoir
Fithil
Fihil
Firbis
unspecified
Ferdana
(strong man)
Fer dhawna
Fial
(generous, faithful)
Fee-al
Felan, Faolan
Faylan
Index: Male | Female | top
G
Gerald, Garrett
this is not Celtic, but Norman
unspecified
Garva
(from garth, rough)
unspecified
Gall
Gawl
Gavan
unspecified
Gill, Giolla
servant, disciple. With Giolla as postfix occur a multitude of baptismal names, as Gillpatrick, Gillbride, Gillmhil, Gillchrist, Gillissa, Gillespie, Gillduff, Gillglass
unspecified
Glaisin
green, (O’Donovan)
Glasheen
Glasney, Glisnea
O’Hart, p. 149, 297
unspecified
Guaire
(excellent, noble)
Goor-ye
Geanan
(great affection)
Gannon
Globy
ex Globy O’Boyle, Abbot, hanged 1580
unspecified
Index: Male | Female | top
H
Hugh
see Aodh
unspecified
Heber
unspecified
Hereman
see Eremon
unspecified
Hussey
unspecified
Index: Male | Female | top
I
Iarlath
(a saint, Jarlath, A.D. 481)
Yarlath
Iber
unspecified
Irane
(ex Irane O’Donogh)
unspecified
Iriel
ex Iriel O’Farrell, very common
unspecified
Irvin
unspecified
Ivar
unspecified
Inna
unspecified
Ihbrec
(Joyce)
unspecified
Index: Male | Female | top
J
Jldana
(all strong)
Illdhauna
Justin
(a literal translation of “Saer-brethnac,” a common baptismal name among the M‘Carthys
unspecified
Index: Male | Female | top
K
Kane, Keane
a great O’Hara name from Cean
unspecified
Kedagh
Kay-dagh
Kellagh
unspecified
Kenyon
unspecified
Kevin
see “Caomhin
unspecified
Kenny
see “Cainneach
unspecified
Kilian, Killen
unspecified
Kieran
(Ciaran)
unspecified
Index: Male | Female | top
L
Lachtna
green (see “O’Donovan”)
unspecified
Lian, Liathan
(gray) O’Donovan
Lee-an
Lir, Lear
sea—Lear M‘Swiney
unspecified
Logan
unspecified
Lochlan
unspecified
Lorcan, Larry
Anglicised Lawrence, as St. Lawrence O’Toole
Lurchan
Lugaidh
Anglicised Louis, Lucius, Luke
Looey
Lysaght, Lysach
(Laoiseach), a common name among the O’Mores
unspecified
Loarn
unspecified
Lonan
Pagan “first” name
unspecified
Lynan
Pagan “first” name
unspecified
Lothra
Pagan “first” name
Loara
Lara
(Lathra)
La-ra
Loman
noted saint
unspecified
Liban
unspecified
Luath
(swift) Joyce
unspecified
Index: Male | Female | top
M
Maol
(follower), also prefixed to names of saints, etc.
Mail
Marcus
(a horseman)
unspecified
Manus
(great)
unspecified
Mhaghlin
M‘lachlin
Mahon
anglicised “Matthew”
Mahun
Myler
unspecified
Maidoc, Mogue
(beneficient), a well-known saint; corrupted into Moses
unspecified
Macon
ex Macon M‘Namara, O’Hart, L. G., p.368
Makkun
Maine
unspecified
Maolmora
(proud, noble, majestic) a favourite among b.n. among the O’Reillys
Mailmorye
Maolcolm, Malcolm
follower of Columba, common in Scotland
unspecified
Mil, Miles, Milesius
unspecified
Managh, Monagh
ex Monagh O’Carroll
Monogh
Moran
(very great)
unspecified
Molaise, Malise
Maol-Iosa (servant of Jesus)
Maleese
Murchadh
(Murchadh—sea protector), corr’d. Maurice, Morris
Mur-ra-ha
Molua, Milo
Molloo
Melcher, Milsher, Molsher
unspecified
Index: Male | Female | top
N
Niall, Neal
N-yeel
Neart
Narth
Nualan
Noolan
Naghten
Nawtan
Index: Male | Female | top
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
unspecified
Index: Male | Female | top
P
Phelim
unspecified
Patrick
(is Latin, Patricius—noble)
unspecified
Pierce, Petrus
unspecified
Index: Male | Female | top
R
Ralph
is Norman
unspecified
Randall, Rannall
unspecified
Redmond
is Norman
unspecified
Ronan
(sea-calf, seal)
Roa-nan
Ruadri, Rory
(Ruadhrigh, red or valiant king) corrupted into Roger, Roderick
unspecified
Ruan
a saint
Rooan
Index: Male | Female | top
S
Senan
unspecified
Standish
is an English corruption of Aneslis (O’Donovan)
unspecified
Sharry, Shearon, Sherrone
ex Shearon M‘Gibbon, O’Hart L. G., p.632 (Geffrey)
Shar-run
Suibhne
Seevna, Sweena
Shiel
unspecified
Sheelan, Siclan
unspecified
Siorne
Latin—Longoevus
Sheerna
Index: Male | Female | top
T
Tadg
corrupted into Thaddeus, Thady
Theigue
Tarragh
for ex see O’Hart, p.631
unspecified
Tailteach
Tholl-thogh
Tiernan
(Tighearnan, lordly) ex Tiernan O’Rourke
Theer-non
Thomhas, Thomas
(weight)
unspecified
Tomaltach (Thomas)
(hospitable)
unspecified
Tuathal
(Toole), from tuath—territory
unspecified
Turlough
(Toirdealbac—tower-like), Angl. Terence, Terry
Thur-logh
Tibot
(Norman—Theobald, Toby)
unspecified
Thallach
(Taichleach), ex Thallach O’Boyle, A.D. 1281
unspecified
Index: Male | Female | top
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