| Take a glance at a bookstore's baby | | | | classic Irish names did not originate in |
| names shelf, and you'll see that Irish | | | | Ireland, but are Irish versions of names |
| baby names are a very popular category. | | | | from other cultures. The name Sean, for |
| But for many prospective parents, Irish | | | | example, is the Irish version of the |
| names can be very confusing. Many | | | | name John. Then there are Irish names |
| different races have settled in Ireland | | | | that have been given English |
| over the centuries. Celts, Vikings, | | | | 'translations,' which really have |
| Normans, and English have all gone into | | | | nothing to do with the original name. |
| the melting pot. | | | | The name Aoife, for example, means |
| It was once believed that the first wave | | | | 'radiant,' yet it is often translated as |
| of Celtic settlers were a fair-haired | | | | 'Eve,' or 'Eva.' |
| race, while later settlers were of a | | | | Around 1923, a priest named Patrick |
| darker complexion. However, recent | | | | Woulfe wrote a book called 'Irish Names |
| evidence seems to contradict that idea. | | | | For Children', which gave parents the |
| It is now believed that very ancient | | | | resources to research and choose an |
| settlers to Ireland came across the sea | | | | Irish name. The book helped spark a |
| from Gaul (modern France) and Spain, and | | | | renewal of interest in names from |
| were probably a dark-haired people. | | | | Ireland, and that interest has expanded |
| The periodic arrival of newcomers to the | | | | and continued to the present day. |
| Emerald Isle, each with slightly | | | | Today, parents looking for an Irish name |
| different appearances, has led to a | | | | might start by thinking about whether |
| tradition where Irish names describe | | | | they want a Gaelic name or an Anglicized |
| physical characteristics. Whole groups | | | | name. For example, Bairre is Gaelic, |
| of names revolve around such personal | | | | while the English version is Barry. The |
| attributes. The name Ciara means 'black' | | | | famous Irish name Kevin comes from the |
| or 'dark,' while 'Finn' means 'fair.' | | | | Gaelic Caoimhin. |
| The name Breac means 'freckled.' | | | | Invariably, the English version will |
| The Irish people were very fond of | | | | sound less authentically 'Irish,' but it |
| creating names that reflected the world | | | | will be easier to pronounce and to |
| around them, especially the natural | | | | spell. That's an important consideration |
| world. Names such as Anbhile (pronounced | | | | for a child. Some Irish names, such as |
| an-vile), meaning 'great tree,' are | | | | Siobhan, (pronounced Shev-orn) work very |
| common. Celtic sun-worship gave rise to | | | | well in the original Gaelic, and have |
| a whole set of names based on sunlight | | | | become popular in that form. |
| and radiance. The girl's name Grian, for | | | | Next, prospective parents will want to |
| example, means 'sun' or 'sun goddess.' | | | | consult some name lists, and to learn |
| Other themes such as wildlife, warfare, | | | | about the origin and meanings of names |
| and of course, magic and fairies, gave | | | | they like. There are plenty of good |
| rise to beautiful and evocative names. | | | | resources available, especially websites |
| An unfortunate consequence of the | | | | and books. In the end, parents' personal |
| periodic invasions of Ireland is that | | | | choice is the best guide. For those who |
| many Irish and Gaelic names have been | | | | are looking for a name that evokes the |
| transformed over the centuries, and, in | | | | charm and mystery of the Emerald Isle, |
| some cases, the original meaning is lost | | | | the possibilities are almost endless. |
| to us. Some names that are considered | | | | |