|
A Major Life event!
If you have searched for an 'Irish baby name' then "Congratulations" must be in order. Whether you are the mother or father of a new baby, a member of the family or a close friend you are sharing in a major life event and taking a serious interest in choosing a special babyname from one of the
many Irish baby name's that are available.
Irish
Baby Names!
Click the following links for the complete selection of
nearly 1,500 Irish
Babynames to choose from! Still
unsure? Then check out over 50,000
others available via the
Index.
Information requested by our visitors
In their search for an Irish baby name
people become interested in researching their own surname or
family and First Name. We have therefore included this
information to meet the requests of our visitors.
Surnames
Irish
Surnames
- Info requested by our visitors
In their search for Irish baby name's people become interested in
their own surname or family name. We have therefore included
this information to meet the requests of our visitors.
Surnames
The oldest surname recorded anywhere in
Europe can be found in historical records in Ireland dating back to
the year 916. According to Friar Woulfe, an authority on Irish surnames, the first recorded fixed surname is O'Clery (Ó
Cleirigh) detailing the death of Tigherneach Ua Cleirigh, lord of Aidhne in
County Galway.
Patronymics are of , relating to, or derived from the name of one's father or a paternal
ancestor and this system of naming people played a part in the
meanings and origins of Irish surnames. The term 'Ua', as in the
above Irish surname Tigherneach Ua Cleirigh, was an early form
of "O" meaning grandson (Tigherneach was therefore the
grandson of Cleirigh). The prefix "Mac", meaning son of, was
also used in Irish surnames, although these names were not
always hereditary and could change according to a given name.
Ancient
Irish
Surnames
The oldest surnames were taken from occupations, tribal and from pre-Christian Gods. Unlike English surnames, very
few surnames were derived from locations. Irish surnames
tended to reflect ancestors or important historical
figures.
The
church & Irish
Surnames
The influence of the Christian church from the 10th century then
played a role in the origins and meanings of Irish surnames and
these have survived the test of time. Irish surnames beginning
with 'Kil' or 'Gil' derive from the Irish word 'Giolla', meaning
follower or devotee. Irish surnames beginning with 'Mul' derive
from the Irish word Maol meaning bald (this referred to the
tonsure of monks)
Irish
First Names
The
Importance of First Names!
We respond to our name throughout our lives. People associate
us with our first name, it forms part of our identity. They help to distinguish us from one to another. Other
people gain immediate and sometimes totally subconscious views
of people, just from hearing a name they can
therefore give us a distinct advantage in life, or conversely, a
disadvantage! The choice of an Irish Baby name is, therefore, incredibly important.
And those of us who choose a baby's name are taking on
a responsible task!
The
Origins of Irish baby names
The origins of this these include place names,
those related to
mythology and history, origins from colours, plants and
other types of nature, Fictional origins, historical origins, characteristic
and religious origins. We then move on to the
genre which can be classed as Descriptive, Place, Speciality and finally unique (or created
name's).
Questions
about Irish baby names!
At one time or
another most of us have posed some the following questions about
our own names...
-
What
does my name mean?
-
Why did my
parents choose the name?
-
Are there
any strong family connections to my name?
-
Where did
my name originate?
-
Why was I
given such a popular name?
-
Why was I
given such an unusual name?
What Irish
baby name shall I give to my baby?
Will the traditional Irish baby
name suit my
baby? Will it be suitable throughout all life phases ( "A Name isn't just for a birthday - it's for life!").
Will it be appropriate throughout a full life cycle starting with baby - toddler - school child - teenager - young adults - parents - middle age - retirement and
ending with old age. Will it suit a pensioner as well as a baby? Will the schoolchild be teased
mercilessly about a name? What will your baby think of your choice?
Help
is at hand when making a choice!
The various sections included in www. babynames.
org. uk accessed
via the Site Map will provide answers
to all of your questions regarding the choice of first names.
And our exclusive Name Evaluator
will help you avoid any of the many pitfalls!
Want
to know more?
Further
information about surnames and Genealogy can be found by clicking the
following links:
Genealogy
Surnames
|
