So we love baby names, the more unusual, the better and we Irish are pretty lucky in that we have a wealth of gorgeous baby names that provide the dual purpose of honouring our heritage while baffling the world at large with their strings of consecutive consonants and random fadas.
Disclaimer: Every time I write a piece about Irish baby names, it proves virtually impossible to satisfy everyone’s staunchly held views on correct pronunciation and spelling. So apologies in advance: If your pronunciation or spelling differs from mine – as any Sadhbh or Sive or Saibh or Sadbh will tell you: it’s not always easy to settle on the definitive spelling or pronunciation for our unique names!
10 Unpronounceable Irish Baby Names That’ll Make the J1 Extra Fun:
1. Seanán
Meaning: Diminutive of Seán, Irish version of John
How it will be pronounced: Cee-an-an
How it should be pronounced (I think): Well I knew one Seanán who called himself ‘Shinawn’, but I’ve also heard it pronounced ‘Shawnawn’!
2. Eoghan
Meaning: Born of the Yew tree (appara)
How it will be pronounced: Eee-OG-an
How it should be pronounced (I think): Oh-win.
3. Coillte
Meaning: Forrest
How it will be pronounced: Koyle-TEA
How it should be pronounced (I think): Qweelche (let the berating of my attempt to pronounce Coillte commence in the comments!)
4. Líadain
Meaning: Grey lady
How it will be pronounced: Lya-dane
How it should be pronounced (I think): Lea-dan or Lea-dawn – again I know two people who say their names differently.
5. Síbeail
Meaning: God is my oath, Irish form of Isabel
How it will be pronounced: Sib-WHAAAAAA?
How it should be pronounced (I think): Shib-ale
6. Raghnall
Meaning: Strong
How it will be pronounced: To rhyme with urinal
How it should be pronounced: To rhyme with urinal
7. Clodagh
Meaning: Irish river name
How it will be pronounced: Clod-ag or Clod-hag
How it should be pronounced: Clo-dah
8. Aoibheann
Meaning: Fair or beautiful
How it will be pronounced: Aye-oh-been
How it should be pronounced: Ave-een or Eve-een
9. Tadhg
Meaning: Poet, philosopher
How it will be pronounced: Tad-hig, Tad-gee
How it should be pronounced: Ty-ge
10. Sinéad
Meaning: God is gracious
How it will be pronounced: Sin-ee-aahd
How it should be pronounced: Shin-ade
Do you have an unusual Irish name? Tell us about the crimes against your moniker in the comments…
