Choosing Strong Irish Names Like Maeve and Finn

Name Help is a series at Appellation Mountain. Every week, we discuss reader’s name questions, usually on Tuesdays and Fridays. We’re relying on thoughtful comments from the community to help expectant parents narrow down their name decisions. Thank you in advance for sharing your insight! To have your question considered, email appmtn (at) gmail. Looking for your own private #namehelp post? Order one here.

CONTINUING IRISH HERITAGE NAMES

Erin writes:

My husband and I are both of Irish heritage. (I’m half Irish, he’s 3/4.) Our last name is not obviously Irish. (It sounds like the man’s name Arn01d.) We both have popular Irish names, for people our age. I’m Erin and he’s Ryan.

Our children are:

• Maeve Elizabeth – We spent so long debating whether Maeve would be too different, and now we know two others! I wish we’d thought more about her middle name. Elizabeth sounds great, but we ended up adding it at the very last minute.
• Finn Connolly – Finn was the boy’s name we had picked out for Maeve. We might’ve used Liam, but my sister used it for her son around the same time we found out we were having a boy. We really love his name, and I especially love that we used my maiden name for his middle. I wish we’d done the same for Maeve.

We’re expecting our third in November. Ideally, we’d find short, strong Irish names for this child – at least one we love, and maybe have a few back-ups, too. I’m not sure if this is our last child, so keeping our options open is important.

I have so many questions!

• Would it be a mistake to use a very Irish spelling for a name? I love Tadhg for a boy, but I can see it might be a headache.
• What about the fada? I really like Éala (Ella) and Croía (Cree-ah) but they should have accent marks that I understand wouldn’t appear on their legal records in the US, but would mean that they’re not pronounced right in Irish. (We don’t speak Irish and no one we know speaks Irish, but it feels somehow less authentic.)
• Could we have Finn and Fia? The one name I keep coming back to for a daughter is Fia. I love everything about it, but it’s so close to Finn that I’m not sure we could use it.
• Are there names we’re overlooking? We spent so much time talking about names with Maeve and Finn and now I feel just name-blind. The only ones that stand out to me might be too complicated, like Tadhg and Cael for a boy or Siofra, Fia, Eala, and Croia for a girl.

We could really use some outside perspective! My husband is mostly opposed to anything like Tadhg that is too complicated, but he was the one hesitating about Maeve, so he’s willing to change his mind.

Please read on for my response and share your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.

FINDING STRONG IRISH NAMES

Abby replies:

Congratulations on your new baby!

Here’s the thing about names that reflect our heritage: they have to do heavy lifting. We want them to clearly indicate our roots, but we need them to function in our home culture, too.

That’s the needle you’re trying to thread. In fact, it sounds like that’s the same needle your parents threaded when they named you Erin. As you’ve noted, your names were very common for families honoring Irish heritage during your childhoods.

Finn and Maeve fit into the same category. They’re easy to spell and pronounce in American English, but also popular for children born in Ireland now.

First, let’s take a look at your questions:

• Should you use a very Irish spelling for a name? It sounds like this question is already answered for your family. Your husband is willing to use a very Irish name – provided the spelling and pronunciation are clear. It’s tempting to argue that a name like Saoirse counts, thanks to actress Saoirse Ronan, but I suspect even that’s a bit of a stretch. Also worth considering: as a middle name, something like Saoirse might be perfect.
• What about diacritical marks? This comes up in so many languages! Thousands of men named José see their names written Jose on official documents. Which any Spanish 101 student will confirm is not correct. And yet, we manage, because American English doesn’t rely on them. We pronounce the word the same way, whether it’s spelled café or cafe. So I think I’d say this: if the name appeals to you with or without the diacritical marks, then go for it. But if the diacritical marks are essential to your name choice? It will be an ongoing headache and source of frustration, and I’d choose another name.
• Could we have Finn and Fia? Visually, the names are very close. The sounds aren’t all that problematic. And yet … it would work better if we were talking about a fourth child. Maeve, Finn, Ronan, and Fia seems less confusing than Maeve, Finn, and Fia. (Readers, I’m curious to know if I’m overthinking this!)

Now, on to the names!

STRONG IRISH BOY NAMES

CILLIAN

The Anglicized spelling Killian is more popular in the US. In addition, the French spelling Kylian trended here for a while thanks to footballer Kylian Mbappé. But now it’s the more Irish C-spelling that’s rising fast. In this case, that’s probably down to Oscar-winning actor Cillian Murphy. That feels both authentically Irish and easy to wear.

CALLUM

Strictly speaking, Callum is considered more Scottish than Irish. It’s the name of the Irish saint who converted Scotland (and possibly wrestled the Loch Ness monster.) Callum is quite popular in Ireland now, and I think it hits the same note as Finn and Maeve.

OSCAR

Despite this name’s roots in Irish myth, it tends to sound less Irish than some choices on this list. But it checks every other box, so it’s worth considering.

RONAN

One of the first names that came to mind. Ronan means “little seal.” It’s Irish and upbeat.

RORY

While this name leans unisex in the US, it’s solidly masculine in Ireland. With a strong, colorful meaning – red king – I think it’s a logical brother name for Finn and Maeve.

TEAGUE

Tadhg has history to spare in Ireland, but I wonder if Anglicized spelling Teague isn’t the better choice?

STRONG IRISH NAMES FOR A GIRL

BREE

The Irish name Brígh means power. Another borrowing from myth and legend, it’s also brief and complete.

CARA, CIARA

They’re two very different names with similar sounds. Cara might read a little 80s in the US, but it’s an Irish name meaning friend. As for Ciara, various forms (and spellings) of this name occur in several European languages, but in Irish, it means dark.

MAREN

Speaking of diacritical marks, this name is better spelled Máirín in Irish, and pronounced more like Maureen. But I wonder if Maren isn’t close enough – and different enough, at the same time?

MAURA

Maura, rhymes with Laura, had a good run in the 1960s – but only ever cracked the Top 500 a handful of times. It’s nicely Irish, while remaining easy to wear.

NEVE

If we were naming as sister for Finn, Neve – rhymes with Eve – would be my top votes. Also spelled Niamh in Irish, it’s a short, strong sound. Except Maeve and Neve might be too close.

ORLA

One of my favorite Irish names, Orla means “golden princess.” It’s traditional, but feels a little offbeat. (If you know your Derry Girls, Orla McCool is the quirky, true-to-herself character.) But it’s also broadly familiar because of Irish designer Orla Kiely.

For a son, Teague seems like the name to beat. It’s unusual in American English but very wearable. Tadhg is currently very popular in Ireland. Should your child study abroad in Dublin or Belfast, he’d fit right in.

I do think naming a daughter is a little tougher here. I’m reluctant to suggest Fia because it is very similar to Finn. Likewise, Neve might be too close to Maeve. I’m leaning towards Orla. I think the designer makes this broadly familiar and quite stylish.

It occurs to me that you’re considering re-using the middle name Connolly. It works well with both Teague and Orla, though I wonder if you might consider using a more challenging middle? Teague Oisín and Orla Máirín, maybe?

Readers, over to you! Can you suggest some strong Irish names that go with Maeve and Finn?