Message: "Favorite Welsh and Irish names?"

[Opinions] Favorite Welsh and Irish names?

by quigonjecca

3/4/2008, 5:01 PM

Well, after doing some family research, we've come to realize that we are both Irish and Welsh. So I was wondering, what are your favorite Irish and/or Welsh names? Off the top of my head, I like Ceridwen for a girl, but that's all I can think of right now.

Suggestions?

#Irish #Welsh

Replies

- Dot (Spider from Mars)

3/5/2008, 7:04 PM

I generally am not a lover of Irish and Welsh names, but I do love...

Bridget
Deirdre
Eira
Gladys - I know this is considered horribly fusty, and I don't know if I'd use it as a first name, but I think it's so lovely and sweet and I love it as a middle name.
Gwendolen
Honora
Kathleen/Cathleen (I'd encourage you to use the original Caitlín, but since the Katelynn sound is so in vogue, Caitlín has no chance of being anything else.)
Máire/Moira
Máirín/Maureen
Mona
Nia
Winifred

I find there are no Irish or Welsh male names I truly love, but here are some I very much like:

Angus
Christy - Obviously not a full name, but worth noting- I really love this nn for Christopher. I would have guessed it was just Scottish, but it's listed as Irish too, so I thought I'd include it.
Duncan
Einrí
Gawain - I like this a lot more than Gavin.
Ilar
Ioan
Meredith
Morgan

Names I always consider Irish-American (probably because they pop up so often in my family tree) are Mary, Margaret, and James, and I'd also recommend those, especially with nicknames like Maureen, Maisie and Jamie, to tie them strongly to your Irish heritage.

Some combinations:
Honora Gladys
Deirdre Máirín/Deirdre Maureen
Winifred Eira
Winifred Nia
Bridget Gladys
Bridget Deirdre
Gwendolen Deirdre
Kathleen Bridget
Mona Caitlín

Angus Meredith
Christopher Meredith 'Christy' - is this far too girly?
Morgan Gawain - too Arthurian?
Morgan Einrí
Ilar Duncan / Duncan Ilar

Any names or combinations in this post that appeal to you?