Tag: Names for Children

  • Names of Irish Saints

      I recently ended a series on Irish saints’ names published in the Australian press in 1914, links to which can be found here. There is another example below, this time from 1918, where a selection of ‘euphonious names of
    Irish saints which one hardly ever hears’ are brought to the attention of prospective parents. A sense of regret that traditional names were falling into disuse
    was often expressed during the Irish national revival and immigrants in particular were encouraged to do their patriotic duty by bestowing historic saints’ names on their offspring.  How realistic it was to expect people already facing the challenges of the immigrant experience to assume the responsibility for reviving archaic names, no matter how euphonious, is another question.
     
     
     

     
     
    Names of Irish Saints.
     
    His
    Eminence Cardinal O’ Connell, Archbishop of Boston (U.S.A.), on a
    recent occasion said that the Irish people are returning to the laudable
    practice of giving the beautiful names of Patrick and Brigid in baptism
    to their children, and he cited several instances from his own
    experiences where even converts to the Faith gave their children the
    names of the Apostle and Patroness of Ireland. Apropos of this movement,
    we append a few other euphonious names of
    Irish saints which one hardly ever hears:
     
    For women— Adine, Avine,
    Eileen, Naala, Orla, Reinalt, Saiv, Una, Ita, Colma, Ethne, Faela,
    Aglen, Macha, Melle, Brona, Lassair, Laurenn, Eina, Richelle, Aniltine,
    Feidela. 
     
    For men — Albenan, Alvan, Cathal, Cahal, Cahir, Finn, Bran,
    Colman, Connell, Conor, Dermot, Donal, Flann, Nial, Rury, Art, Frill,
    Fridolin, Conan, Ultan, Angus, Kiran, Meil, Sheirl, Fintan, Bevin,
    Oran, Slevin, Gilnary, Gilchrist, Gilbride, Senan, Falry, Cuthbert,
    Caerlan, Fergus, Oisin, Brendan, Erc, Bron, Columbkille, Carroll, Lon,
    Rumould, Melmary, Kevil, Kilian, Cormac, Blan, Felimy, Loard, Danouhgh,
    Rial, Fergal, Gornan, Lonan, Lurcan, Siris, Oilan, Aleran.
     
     

     
     

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  • Irish Saints' Names – March

    Time for the final instalment of the 1914 series on Irish saints’ names from the Australian press, offered to prospective parents as suggestions for naming children. I have gathered together all of the monthly entries on this page for convenience. The March selection includes three women saints, a famous abbot of Aran and a famous martyrologist, but there will be no prizes for guessing which even more famous saint features on March 17! More surprising perhaps is the inclusion of Saint Cuthbert of Lindisfarne in Irish guise at March 20. There was a medieval Irish Life of Saint Cuthbert which claimed Ireland as the land of his birth and I hope to make a post explaining more on the saint’s feast day.

    Irish Saints’ Names.
    There are many who think that the Irish saints are only a few, and so their choice of names for their children is very small. Week by week, a list will be given. The name will be spelt as in Irish and the English equivalent will be given in brackets. The sex is marked, m. for males, and f. for females. Only one name is given for each day, but more could be given. Year of death as below.
    March.
    1. Moinenn (Maena). m., Clonfert, 571.
    2. Feargna (Fergna), m., Iona, 623.
    3. Faile (Faela), f., Kilfaile, Galway.
    4. Muicin (Mucna), m., Moyne, Tirawley.
    5. Ciaran (Kieran), m., Seirkeiran, King’s Co., 550.
    6. Cairpre (Carbry), m., Clonmacnoise, 899.
    7. Cairetan (Caritan), m., Tidavnet, Monaghan.
    8. Senan (Senan), m., Scattery Island, 545.
    9. Lugaid (Lewy), m., Kilcool.
    10. Scadna (Scadna), m., Seirkeiran, King’s Co., 570.
    11. Aengus (Aengus, the Culdee), m., Tallaght, 824.
    12. Mura (Mura), m., Fahan, 645.
    13. Mocaomoc (Kevin), m.. Leamokevogue, 656.
    14. Talmac (Talma), m.
    15. Diocuill (Dichull), one of the sons of Nessan, Lambay.
    16. Abban (Abban), m., Wexford.
    17. Padraig (Patrick), Apostle of Ireland, 493.
    18. Comman (Comman), Bp., 677.
    19. Lactnan (Lachtnan), m., Freshford, Kilkenny, 623.
    20. Mo-nalloc (Cuthbert), m., Lindisfarne, 688.
    21. Enda (Enda), Bp., Arran, 542.
    22. Failbe (Falvy), m., Iona, 678.
    23. Ciannait (Kinnata), f.
    24. Caorlan (Caerlan), m.. Armagh, 588.
    25. Caimin (Camin), m., Scattery Island, 653.
    26. Garban (Garvan), m.
    27. Fionntan (Finntan), m.
    28. Cassan (Cassan), m.
    29. Sodealb (Soldevia), f., in Affaly, sister of St. Eithne.
    30. Tola (Tola), m., Clare, 734.
    31. Faolan (Faelan), m.

    Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1954), Friday 27 February 1914, page 11

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  • Irish Saints Names- February

    The February selection of Irish saints’ names as suggestions for naming children, published in the Australian press in 1914. We find six female saints as well as two abbots of Iona among them:

    IRISH SAINTS’ NAMES.

    There are many who think that the Irish saints are only a few, and so their choice of names for their children is very small. Week by week, a list will be given. The name will be spelt as in Irish and the English equivalent will be given in brackets. The sex is marked m. for males, and f. for females. Only one name is given for each day, but more could be given. Year of death as below.

    February.
    1. Brigid (Brigid), f., at Kildare, 523.
    2. Finnech (Finnia), f., Killinchy, Down.
    3. Caoilfionn (Kealin), f.
    4. Lomman (Loman), m., at Lough Gill.
    5. Liadnan (Lianan), m., Fore.
    6. Lalloc (Laloca), f., Tirerril, Sligo.
    7. Tressan (Tressan), m., Avenay, France, 7th century.
    8. Colman (Colman), m., Clonard, 653.
    9. Cronon (Cronon), m., Waterford.
    10. Derluge (Derlua), f.
    11. Gobnat (Gobnat), f., Ballyvourney.
    12. Siadal (Shiel), m., Dublin, 785.
    13. Modomnoc (Downog), m., Tibroughney, Kilkenny, 6th century.
    14. Mancan (Manachan), m., Mohill. 7th century.
    15. Bearac (Berach), m., Cloncraft, Roscommon, 7th century.
    16. Roibne (Revny), m.
    17. Oissen (Oisian), m., Trim. 686.
    18. Molibba (Moliba), m., Annahill, also on 26th December.
    19. Baitin (Baethen), m., Tibohine, 592.
    20. Colcu (Colga), m., Kilcolgan, 794
    21. Fionutan (Finutan), m., Clonfert.
    22. Maelbrigde (Melbride), m., abbot of Iona, 927.
    23. Finnen (Finnan), m., Clonard.
    24. Cuimine (Cummian), m., abbot of Iona, 669.
    25. Croine (Cronia), f., Tallaght.
    26. Aodlug (Aelu), Clonmacnoise, 651.
    27. Comgan (Comgan), m., Killashin, 570.
    28. Siollan (Sillan), m., Bangor, 610

    Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1954), Friday 6 February 1914, page 6

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