Post date: Mar 31, 2015 3:06:46 PM
A recent baby names post that went around on social media got me thinking, "Won't be long until we see these at a consult table." So then I thought to myself, "Why not document them in advance?" As written in the original article, a lot of these are modernized, so I am documenting the period version of the name wherever it can be found.
Some names were easily found, and some I am still working on. I totally welcome documentation anyone turns up, just send it to muirenn.heraldry@gmail.com .
I've added some tentative pronunciation notes - these are modern and not period, but they will give you some idea of the sound of a name.
1. Síomha (SHEE-va )- This girls’ name has a proper ancient Gaelic background and it means peace-good.
A baby name site says that this name is probably a modernized version of Síthmaith. That name is registerable, found in the early period, 771-778.
2. Aurni- Meaning golden lady as Gaelige. It really is such a nice name.
I could not document this name. It seems to have more of a Latin origin from the "aur" prefix referring to "golden", but that's conjecture. Requires more research.
3. Dagda (DAHG-da) - Meaning good god in ancient Celtic language, this boys’ name stretches all the way back to the ancient clans.
Dagda was the name of a superhuman being in Irish mythology. Barring evidence proving that it was used as a name for individuals, this will not be registerable.
4. Íde (EE-da) - Ita is the English translation – but this is much cooler.
Íte is listed in the Index of Names in the Irish Annals as an early period name, from 546-577. It is noted that this is a saint's name, but saint's names are registerable according to the September 2001 Cover Letter to the LoAR.
5. Proinsias (pron-she-iss)- You see this about in some places, but it needs to make a comeback into the mainstream.
Baby name sites say that this is a Gaelic form of "Francis", for St. Francis of Assisi. I am not currently able to document this name in period, requires more research.
6. Bébinn (BUH-veen) - A goddess in ancient Celtic folklore, this name is coolness personified.
Easily done, using the Index of Names in the Irish Annals. It is found from 1073-1426, with two forms depending on the date range the submitter chooses.
7. Ardgal - An old Irish boys name from Irish mythology.
Many variations of this name are available, from 513-1524 with various forms depending on the date rage the submitter chooses.
8. Comyna - And the boys’ version, Comyn, isn’t a bad idea either.
This appears to be Scottish in origin.
Taken from OSCAR notes:
Reaney & Wilson p. 120 s.n. Cumming dates William Comyn 1133, John Comin 1175-9, and William Cumyn 1230. Comyn is either Anglicized from Irish Ó Coimín or Ó Cuimín, or a surname of Anglo-Norman derivation used in England and Scotland; in neither case is it authentic as an Irish name.
It can also be documented as an English surname using FamilySearch.
Coimín is found as a header form in Wolfe in a few variations, which would make the masculine version registerable.
In-period, Gaelic names were not feminized by adding a terminal -a, as other languages did. From the introduction to OCM Irish Names*: "The Irish, as most peoples, distinguish sharply between male and female names... With few exceptions, all names ending in -án, -éne, and -ine are masculine. (-ine should have an accent on the I.) These may be frequently turned into female names by substituting -nat or -sech. Quite a number of female names are compounds containing the (element) word flaith as a second element."
Comyna is a modern name and cannot be registered in this fashion - a submitter should be advised to look for another Gaelic feminine personal name similar to Coimín.
There is a feminine form of Co(m)mán, which is Comnait; both are headwords in OCM.
(Cultures that used the terminal -a for feminization include Russian (Seraphinowa Maslowska), Roman, and Italian (Raffaella di Contino.)
*Ó Corrain, Donnchadh & Maguire, Fidelma. Irish Names.
9. Bradán - No more Brad.
Can be found in late period as Bradáin
10. Iúile - Again, so much more Irish that Julie. Still, it might be a tough one to explain to the Starbucks person.
I did not find this name exactly. I would recommend Iuliana to the submitter, if they are interested in a mid-period name (1255). This seems to be a Gaelic form of "Julie".
11. Séarlas (SHAHR-las)- Charles is an alright name and all, but Séarlas beats it every day of the week.
Available for mid to late period, 1233-1602, in various spellings depending on the date range the submitter chooses.
12. Cadán (CAY-den) - This name has its origins in the Celtic language, but is nowhere to be seen today. Why not? Just look at it! Rolls off the toungue.
Cadan is available with a limited date range - one mention in 977.
Cadáin is a late-period spelling.
13. Étaín (AY-teen) - Still about a bit today, but this girl’s name could do with a boost in popularity.
Available in the middle period, from 1104-1476, in various spellings depending on the date range the submitter chooses.
14. Cairbre (KHAR-bre) - This boys name was extremely popular in medieval Ireland. It’s due a return to prominence.
Available in mid-to late period, from 1386-1520, with various spellings depending on the time period the submitter chooses.
15. Mallaidh - I think we can all agree that this beats Molly hands down.
Appears to be a Gaelic form of "Molly". I cannot document this name in period, more research is needed.
16. Nainsí - An Irish twist on a classic name that’s dying out. Turn Nancy into Nainsí and make it an instantly quality selection.
Appears to be a Gaelic form of "Nancy". I cannot document this name in period, more research is needed.
17. Cillín (SILL-een) - This means “little warrior” in old Celtic terms, and is a nice twist on the uber-popular Cillian.
Available in early period, 713-817, with various spellings depending on the time period the submitter chooses.
18. Sláine (SLAW-na) - This name for girls might get mixed up with Sláinte a little too much for your liking, but it looks and sounds beautiful – as well as meaning health in the old Celtic language.
Available mid to late period, 1259-1587, with various spellings depending on the time period the submitter chooses.