Ferelith

Today I want to take a closer name at a very rare and fantastical-esque name. I recently had the opportunity to recommend it to someone who had never heard of it before. They instantly fell in love with it and decided it might just be THE name they have been searching for. Perhaps you will enjoy it too!

It is a rare feminine name of Scottish and English origin. It comes from the Medieval Gaelic name Forbflaith which means "overlord, ruler, or sovereign". There was an heiress in 13th-century Scotland who was named Ferelith. Aside from that, this name is very rare.

According to the US record, there has never been at least 5 babies given this name in a single year. That means that the chances of you running into someone with this name are slim to none.  If you are looking for a beautiful, rare name, this would make your child truly one-of-a-kind! With its Medieval origins, it has a Renaissance vibe, and also feels fantastical.

There are some other names that have a similar feel to them such as:  Aerith, Allifair, Caisséne and more.  If you're a fan of Ferelith, here are a variety of middle name ideas:

Ferelith Maeve
Ivy Ferelith
Ferelith Rose
Nola Ferelith
Ferelith Riley
Tieve Ferelith
Ferelith Rhiannon
Kathleen Ferelith

What would you pair with Ferelith? I do like mainstream Irish names like Maeve to go with it. Is this a name you might add to your list?

Tallulah

Inspired by our list of The Very Best T Names for Boys and Girls is the beautiful and unique name Tallulah.

Tallulah is a Native American name but there is a bit of discrepancy about its true origin and meaning. It is typically said to mean "leaping waters" in the Choctaw language but some argue that it actually means "town" in the Creek language. Perhaps both of them are accurate. This name is pronounced tə-LOO-lə.

The alternative spelling Talulla is actually a different name. Talulla is Irish and comes from the Gaelic name Tailelaith. It is derived from the Irish elements tuile meaning "abundance" and flaith meaning "princess". There are two early Irish saints by the name Talulla.

Neither name is popular or even common. The Irish Talulla has only been given to 10 girls total according to the SSA's records: 5 births in 2011 and 5 in 2013 in the US.

As for Tallulah, the name has been on record since 1917 in the US but it was only occasionally used until 1956 when it took a hiatus. It regained usage in 1979 but it was still spotty until 1995.

Now the name is gaining a following and climbing the charts. It has yet to rank within the Top 1000 names but with 139 female births in 2014, it is getting close. It also ranked recently at #265 in England and Wales.

As for famous namesakes, there was an American actress by the name of Tallulah Bankhead (1902-1968) who was named after her grandmother. Her grandmother may have been named after the beautiful waterfall at Tallulah Falls in Georgia.

Tallulah strikes an interesting chord as a name. Its Native American roots give it an earthy yet whimsical vibe, but it also seems sweet, sassy and elegant in other lights. This name seems rather versatile and definitely unique. If you're considering it, you could go many different directions when it comes to finding middle names and sibling names that would pair well. Here are a few ideas I came up with:

Sibling Name Ideas:
Sisters: Augusta, Delilah, Francesca, Jemima, Lorelei, Ophelia, Penelope, Theodora
Brothers: Ambrose, Benedict, Heathcliff, Horatio, Matthias, Maximilian, Stellan, Tristan

Middle Name Ideas:
Tallulah Belle
Tallulah Jane
Tallulah Noelle
Tallulah Scarlett
Tallulah Vivienne

As a Middle Name:
Audrey Tallulah
Emme Tallulah
Ivy Tallulah
Margaret Tallulah
Sophie Tallulah

What would you pair with Tallulah? What do you think of it?

Bridget

Original post: 2/6/15
Revision: 5/14/17

The latest article featuring The Very Best B Names for Boys and Girls had such a great collection that it was difficult to choose just one. In the end, today's featured name is Bridget.

Anglicized from the Irish name Brighid, Bridget means "exalted one".  It has also been suggested that Brighid could be derived from the Irish brigh meaning "strength".

Other spellings include Brigid, Bridgette, Brigit, and Bedelia. Variations in other languages include the Danish Britta, the Dutch Brigitta, the Finnish Riitta, the French Brigitte, the Italian Brigida, the Manx Breeshey, the Polish Brygida, and the Welsh Ffraid among many others.  Were you aware that Bridget was so internationally used?

In Irish mythology, there was a goddess of fire, poetry and wisdom named Bridget or Brigid. It was also the name of Saint Brigid in the 5th century, a patron saint of Ireland.  This saint was so esteemed in Ireland that the name was viewed as sacred and was not used for children. It wasn't until the 17th century that it gained usage, and when it did, it was insanely popular, so much so that its short form Biddy became the generic name for an Irish any-woman. The Scandinavian version Birgitta became common because of the 14th century saint of Sweden by that name.

These days in America, Bridget has been in constant use since before 1880. It began gaining an increase in usage in the late 1940s and climbed even higher up the charts in the 1960s. Bridget peaked in 1973 when the name was given to 2,763 baby girls for a ranking of #112.

Since then, the name has declined in popularity. Bridget ranked at #523 in 2013 with only 564 births for the year. This isn't a bad thing though. If you love the name Bridget, you'll be glad to know that it is growing more and more unique every year and that your daughter would be less likely to have another girl with the same name in her class.

Revision: As of 2016, Bridget ranks at #594 for a total of 506 births.  That is a decrease from the previously mentioned statistics above.

Bridget is a spunky and cute name for a modern girl. Since it is less popular and was never truly overly used in a past decade, it isn't considered "dated". It would still be lovely and refreshing to hear it on the playground today.

Nicknames could include Bee, Biddy, Britt, Bridie, Bridey, Jet, Jetty, Bridgie, Birdie or Bree.  What would you name a sibling for Bridget? Or what middle name would you give her? Here are some ideas for you if you're considering this name:

Sibling Name Ideas:
Sisters: Claire, Erin, Jessica, Katherine, Megan, Molly, Sarah, Vanessa
Brothers: Brendan, Christopher, Daniel, Jacob, Kevin, Michael, Patrick, Shawn

Middle Name Ideas:
Bridget Alaina
Bridget Genevieve
Bridget Juliana
Bridget Maeve
Bridget McKenzie
Bridget Riley

As a Middle Name:
Amelia Bridget
Caitlyn Bridget
Emma Bridget
Isla Bridget
Lillian Bridget
Shayla Bridget

What do you think of the name Bridget? Or do you prefer a different spelling or variation? Don't forget to vote for one below!

Which variation is your favorite?

Bridget

Bridgette

Brigid

Brigitte

Brigida

Birgitta

Britta

Donovan

Today's featured name is a strong, handsome Irish name that I hand-picked from this week's blog about boy names that contain the letter V!

The masculine name Donovan comes from an Irish surname which ultimately came from the Irish Ó Donndubháin which means "descendent of Donndubhán". That name is basically Gaelic for "dark brown".

Donovan has been in use in the US since 1900 and it has nearly always been in the Top 1000, save a few years early on. It peaked in 2003 with 2,210 births and a ranking of #176. Now in 2013, it has fallen to a respectable #281 with 1,224 births.  It also ranks at #380 in France.

Since this name is on the decline, it'll only become more and more unique. There probably isn't a danger of it sounding dated since it has been solidly established since 1900. It also wasn't incredibly popular. If it had peaked in the Top 50 and then immediately declined, it would be a different story. As it sits, it's still receiving good usage without being unusual or overly popular.

As far as namesakes go, there is a Scottish singer songwriter named Donovan who was most popular in the 1960s. There are many famous people with Donovan as a surname and a handful with it as a first name. Take a look at the full list here.

Nicknames may include Don, Donny, Dono and Van. What middle names might you pair with Donovan? What would you name his brother or sister? If you know anyone with this name, what are their siblings called? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Here are a few ideas:

Sibling Name Ideas:
Sisters: Alanna, Bethany, Delaney, Emily, Fiona, Keely, Maeve, Olivia, Tierney
Brothers: Aidan, Colin, Declan, Desmond, Logan, Oliver, Patrick, Rafferty, Vincent

Middle Name Ideas:
Donovan Finley
Donovan Murphy
Donovan Reid
Donovan Riley

As a Middle Name:
Garrett Donovan
Levi Donovan
Michael Donovan
Neil Donovan

Caoimhe

Closing out Irish Week, I present to you a very Irish girl name.

The name Caoimhe is pronounced KWEE-va and sometimes just KEE-va is accepted. It has been anglicized to produce the variants Keeva and Keavy. It comes from the Gaelic caomh which means "beautiful, gentle, kind". So while it may be difficult for the non-Irish to know how to pronounce, it definitely has a lovely meaning!  It is also used in Scotland with the same spelling, meaning and pronunciations.

According to the most recent stats on BehindTheName, Caoimhe ranks at #16 in Ireland and #35 in Northern Ireland. Nameberry confirms that this name has been consistently popular for quite a while, usually ranking in the Top 20 or so.

In the US, Caoimhe is definitely hindered by pronunciation issues. It has only been given to girls since 1996 but it has never had more than 19 births in a single year. In 2013, there were 18 births for a ranking of #6734. Revision: As of 2016, the name only had 11 births. This indicates that it won't be common any time soon.

Meanwhile, the anglicized spelling Keeva has been in use since 1968. It hasn't had regular usage though and it is by no means popular. Its biggest year was 2013 with 43 births for a ranking of #3580. It does a bit better than its Irish form but Keeva is still very rare.

Even if you're not Irish, what do you think of this name? Did you know how to pronounce it before reading this? Have you ever known someone with this name?

Here are some sibling and middle name ideas for Caoimhe:

Sibling Name Ideas:
Sisters: Aoife (EE-fa), Caitriona (kah-TREE-na), Niamh (NEEV), Orla, Roisin (ROH-sheen), Saoirse (SEER-sha),
Brothers: Aodhan (Aidan), Ciaran (KEER-awn),  Finnegan, Lochlainn (LOCK-lin), Oisin (OSH-een), Ronan

Middle Name Ideas:
Caoimhe Aisling
Caoimhe Erin
Caoimhe Maeve
Caoimhe Sheridan

As a Middle Name:
Bridget Caoimhe
Riley Caoimhe
Siobhan Caoimhe
Tierney Caoimhe

I stuck to using plenty of original Irish spellings, but it isn't necessary. Caoimhe could also pair with anglicized Irish names or those of an English origin.  What would you pair with Caoimhe?

Original post: 8/22/14
Revision: 5/14/17

World-Wide Wednesday: Irish Baby Names

Welcome to World-Wide Wednesday! Today we'll take a look at Irish baby names and naming traditions!

First, let's start with a bit of trivia.  Irish babies are typically named for their relatives, especially in the past. This trend may not be as prominent today as it once was, but there is a pattern that Irish families tended to follow:

• First born son named after his father's father
• Second born son named after his mother's father
• Third born son named after his father
• Fourth born son named after his father's oldest brother
• Fifth born son named after his father's 2nd oldest brother or his mother's oldest brother
• First born daughter named after her mother's mother
• Second born daughter named after her father's mother
• Third born daughter named after her mother
• Fourth born daughter named after her mother's oldest sister
• Fifth born daughter named after her mother's 2nd oldest sister or her father's oldest sister

Another fun tradition that is still carried out in recent years involves a "magic" handkerchief. On their wedding day, Irish brides are given a special white handkerchief to carry. When their first baby comes along, that handkerchief is turned into the baby's bonnet for their Christening.

The father's have traditions too. One called "Wetting the Baby's Head" is essentially a toast for the newborn's health and happiness. Traditionally, whiskey is used to commemorate the moment and is usually enjoyed by the father and his friends.

Other traditions may include placing a silver coin in the baby's hand during his Christening to ensure a prosperous life; and tying a red ribbon to the baby's cradle until their first birthday to keep away mischievous, baby-napping fairies. Of course, there's always plenty of Irish proverbs and blessings associated with pregnancy, childbirth and all the milestones a child will reach.

As far as actual baby names are concerned, a formal Irish personal name will consist of a given name and a surname. Irish surnames are rather patronymic and include O' meaning "grandson of" or Mac meaning "son of". A boy will usually have the same surname as his father. A girl's surname will replace the O' with Ni which indicates "daughter of the grandson of" or Nic which means "daughter of the son of".  A son of a man named Ó Dónaill would keep that surname, a daughter would be known as Ní Dhónaill. However, when it is anglicized, she would revert to the same name as her father and brother: Ó Dónaill.   There are other rules pertaining to a surname that begins with a vowel too; and sometimes the Normanic prefix Fitz will be used.

When a woman marries, she can opt to take her husband's surname but instead of keeping his O', she would replace it with Bean Uí which indicates "wife of the grandson of". Instead of Mac, she'd use Bean Mhic or "wife of the son of".  Bean may be omitted in certain cases allowing her to simply use Uí or Mhic. A woman marrying a man named Ó Dónaill may choose to be use Bean Uí Dhónaill or Uí Dhónaill as her surname.

Typically, a family would look something like this:

Mac:
Husband: Seán Mac Mathúna
Wife:  Máire Mhic Mhathúna
Son: Cillian Mac Mathúna
Daughter: Aoife Nic Mhathúna

Ó/Ua:
Husband: Pól Ó Murchú
Wife: Mairéad Uí Mhurchú
Son:  Eoin Ó Murchú
Daughter: Gráinne Ní Mhurchú

In the case of first names, sometimes an adjective will be added to distinguish, for example, a son from his father like the English junior and senior. Mór ("big") and Óg ("young") are typically used in this case but instead of being placed at the end of a name, they'll be inserted between the given name and surname. So Seán Óg Ó Súilleabháin would be anglicized to "John O'Sullivan Jr." Sometimes the O' is dropped when it's been anglicized.  Other adjectives that could be applied to a person may simply indicate their hair color, but these are always informal like a nickname: Pádraig Rua ("red-haired Patrick"), Máire Bhán ("fair-haired Mary").

One more interesting possibility that I'll mention involves traditional Gaeltacht names in Irish-speaking areas.  They still customarily give a child a given name followed by his father's name and sometimes followed again by the paternal grandfather's name. For example: Seán Ó Cathasaigh (Sean O'Casey), son of Pól, son of Séamus, would be known as Seán Phóil Shéamuis. Sometimes a mother's name or a maternal grandfather's name could be substituted in there if they are well-known in the area. These types of names are not official but used more for distinguishing people who share a name and are living in the same area.

While most Irish people have a traditional Irish spelling for their name, many also opt to anglicize it, especially if they are somewhat famous. A fun example is that of former US President John Fitzgerald Kennedy. If he ever used it, his Irish name would be Seán Mac Gearailt Ó Cinnéide. He was born in the US but all four of his grandparents were the children of immigrants from Ireland.

Today, it isn't very clear how many people still strictly follow the familial naming patterns. The top names used on Irish babies in recent years seem to indicate that more parents prefer choosing a name that they love instead of adhering to traditions.

Names in 1963 were very traditional in an English sense. They're not traditional Irish names. The Top 5 looked like this:

Boys:
John  (3,892 births)
Patrick (2,302 births)
Michael (2,010 births)
Paul (1,867 births)
James (1,575 births)

Girls:
Mary (3,721 births)
Margaret (1,526 births)
Catherine (1,387 births)
Ann (927 births)
Anne (824 births)

Here is the current list of the Top baby names in Ireland for 2013:

Boys:
Jack (764 births)
James (746 births)
Daniel (678 births)
Conor (610 births)
Sean (609 births)

Girls:
Emily (625 births)
Emma (499 births)
Sophie (497 births)
Ella (478 births)
Amelia (429 births)

Notice how many of the Top names were given to babies in 1963 compared to the number of births for each Top name in 2013. This indicates an increase in the pool of names being used in general. I imagine there has been a lot of influence from England and the US.  To view the entire Top 100 names, visit this page and view the tables at the very bottom.

There are still some traditional Irish names being given today, even though some of them are in forms that are a bit more anglicized than their original counterparts. Here are the ones within the Top 100:

Boys:                       Oisin Cian Darragh Cillian Fionn Eoin Tadhg Cathal Senan Eoghan Odhran Ciaran Dara Donnacha Niall Ruairi

Girls: Aoife Caoimhe Saoirse Ciara Niamh Roisin Clodagh Aisling Eabha Aoibhinn Aine Sadhbh Aoibheann Fiadh Aoibhe Laoise

What do you think of Irish traditions of the past? Are you familiar with more modern traditions in baby naming? If so, please share your insight in the comment section!  Which of the above names is your favorite?

[Note:] My paternal ancestors come from Ireland but I have never been there. I have, however, learned quite a bit of the language. If any of this information seems incorrect, please let me know! 

Source | Source | Source | Source

Cillian

Today is the start of Irish week! We'll explore Irish baby naming traditions on my World-Wide Wednesday segment and learn more about an Irish girl name on Friday. Right now, let's investigate one of my favorite Irish boy names: Cillian.

Cillian is pronounced KILL-ee-an which is made more evident with the alternate spelling Killian. Both names are said to come from the Gaelic ceall meaning "church". Other sources suggest that its meaning has something to do with war or a warrior and strife based on the Irish ceallach instead. The name Kelly also comes from the ceallach family tree. Despite sometimes being considered a softer name in Ireland, Americans tend to view Cillian as a tougher name with its meaning and that harsh first syllable.

As far as associations go, there was an Irish saint who was known as Cillian in the 7th-century. A modern namesake is that of actor Cillian Murphy today. There is also the association with the brand of beer known as George Killian's Irish Red. And on television, Captain Hook is also known as Killian Jones on Once Upon A Time.

Cillian is doing rather well in popularity on native soil, ranking at #23 in Ireland and #60 in Northern Ireland according to the most recent data on Behind the Name.  However, in the US, Cillian isn't faring as well as the more obviously pronounced Killian.

In 2013, there were 77 boys named Cillian in the US for a ranking of #1836. Killian has been in the Top 1000 since 2007. In 2013, there were 292 boys given the name for a rank of #766. Cillian has only been in use in the US since 1995; males named Killian have been around since 1982 and females since 1986.  Nicknames could include Killy, Lian or Ian.

Which spelling do you prefer, traditional or anglicized? I'm a fan of Killian, myself. I thought I'd try to come up with a few sibling and middle name ideas. Since they're pronounced the same, I'll just use the one spelling in my examples, but these should work for either spelling if you're in need of ideas:

Sibling Name Ideas:
Sisters: Aisling, Ciara, Fiona, Isla, Maeve, Niamh, Saoirse
Brothers: Aiden, Brennan, Declan, Ewan, Finnegan, Lorcan, Ronan

Middle Name Ideas:
Cillian Edward
Cillian Jack
Cillian Rhys
Cillian Reilly

As a Middle Name:
Findlay Cillian
Henry Cillian
James Cillian
Milo Cillian

What would you pair with Cillian?

Lennon

I came up with a short list of unisex names to potentially feature and it was hard for me to decide between them, so I took the question to the wonderful people on Instagram! The first poll narrowed the list to three names, but the voting was very close on the final three. It came down to Finley, Lennon or Phoenix. In the end, I tallied all of the votes from both polls together and Lennon was the winner!

Upon hearing the name Lennon, the first thought that may come to many peoples' minds is that of the late John Lennon of super rock group The Beatles. Beyond the musical connection, which is probably a huge reason parents choose the name, Lennon actually comes from an Irish surname. It has been anglicized from Ó Leannáin which is basically a patronymic name meaning "descendant of Leannán". Leannán itself is said to mean "lover" in Gaelic.

Lennon is now considered a unisex name. Originally, it was only given to boys from 1913 to 1980 in the US. Girls were slowly given the name starting in 1981 and it has quickly caught up to the same ranks as the boys. In 2013, there were 273 girls named Lennon and 289 boys which makes this name nearly even for both genders because of its 51/49 split.

It has only gained this boost of popularity for girls in the past year. The birth split for 2012 was 33% girl and 67% boy. Before that, the difference was even greater.  If you're wondering, as of 2013, the boy Lennon ranks at #769 and the girl Lennon ranks at #923, joining the Top 1000 for the first time ever. It will be interesting to see if this iconic surname of a male rock star will eventually be turned into a name that's favored by females.

As a baby name choice, like I mentioned, Lennon is a musical honor name. It joins the ranks of others such as Hendrix, Jagger, Marley and Presley. As far as nicknames go, the most obvious would be Len or Lenny. However, nicknames aren't very necessary when the name's only 2 syllables long.

What do you think of the name Lennon? What sort of middle names or sibling names would you pair with it? Names of other celebrities? Other surnames? Other unisex names? There's plenty of routes to take. Here are a few ideas I came up with:

Sibling Name Ideas:
Sisters: Auden, Hadley, Lucy, Marlow, Monroe, Rowan, Tatum
Brothers: Arlo, Harrison, Jude, Madden, Parker, Rowan, Sawyer

Male Middle Name Ideas:
Lennon Alexander
Lennon James
Lennon Oliver
Lennon Theodore

As a Middle Name:
Charles Lennon
Michael Lennon
Seth Lennon
Zachary Lennon

Female Middle Name Ideas:
Lennon Charlotte
Lennon Isabella
Lennon Kate
Lennon Victoria

As a Middle Name:
Audrey Lennon
Ivy Lennon
Maisie Lennon
Tabitha Lennon

Share your name pairing ideas in the comment section below or on Facebook!

Cara

The name Cara comes from an Italian word of endearment that means "beloved". In Latin, Cara means "friend" which is also true for the Irish Gaelic origination. However, the Spanish word cara means "face" and the word kara means "dark" in Turkey. On the Isle of Man, in traditional baby naming books, Cara referred to "a songster".

My name is Kara and I pronounce it CARE-uh. Most people that I meet initially say CAR-uh, though, which is something to ponder. Behind the Name gives three different pronunciations for Cara: KAHR-ə (English), KER-ə (English), KAH-rah (German).  Baby Names Hub has an extensive list of comments from ladies named Cara who have shared their experience with the name and its [mis]pronunciations. Many of them also mentioned how often this name can get confused for Sara, Tara, Clara, Karen or Carol. Keep that in mind if you are considering this name. Variants of this name include Kara and Karaugh; diminutives include Carina and Karyna. Cara can also be used as a short form of Caroline and Charlotte.

Cara has been used in the US since 1882 but it did not gain popularity until the 1950s. It boomed once the 1970s hit and it enjoyed the ride until it began declining again in 1994. Presently, Cara is down to just 402 births for the year 2012 which ranks the name at #695.

The name Kara wasn't used in the US until 1931 but it actually caught on a couple years earlier than Cara and has continued its popularity ride up until it finally began to decline in 2010. As of 2012, Kara is still ranked higher than Cara. Kara had 850 births and sits at #365.

Revision: As of 2016, Cara ranked at #807 with 350 births for the year. Kara ranked at #498 with 622 births. Right now, the K is the favored spelling. Do you pronounce these the same?

Sibling Name Ideas:
Sisters: Alexis, Emma, Hannah, Jenna, Leah, Nicole, Tessa
Brothers: Andrew, Brian, Colin, Eric, Luke, Ryan, Sean

Middle Name Ideas:
Cara Abigail
Cara Elizabeth
Cara Jane
Cara Michelle
Cara Selene
Cara Yvonne

Which name do you like more? What middle name would you pair with them?

Original Post: 1/24/14
Revised: 5/14/17

Rafferty

Today I'm featuring my favorite boy name that I took from my upcoming World-Wide Wednesday post that features names from Australia!  This name is also used in other English-speaking nations but it is extremely rare in the US! The name is Rafferty.

I can't help but love it. I think it is adorable, and yet, it really doesn't have your typical "American" feel. I love that Australians like it though! Over there, it is ranked at #292 with a total of 17 births for the year in Victoria. It is actually an Irish surname that originates from Ó Raifeartaigh which came from  O’Raithbheartaigh. It means "Abundance" or "Prosperity Wielder".

It is still very much used as a surname today. Thanks to the rough sound of Rafferty, it works better on a boy than on a girl as a first name. Some surnames could go either way, but this one has a boyish vibe to it. In fact, the term "Raffish" means "unconventional and slightly disreputable, especially in an attractive manner."  It makes me think of a badboy with shades and motorcycle that all the girls are crazy about; or a rough-and-tumble toddler playing in the mud. It has a certain charm to it as well.

However, despite the meaning of raffish and the fact that it might make you think of riff raff, Rafferty does have a great meaning. I would say it is rather upbeat and edgy, a cool option for a boy. However, most of America has not fallen in love with this name yet. Jude Law's son was born in 1996 which gives this name a bit of star power.

The name first appeared on records in 1989, 1990 and 1992. Not again until 1998 and then 2002, all with 5 births per year. By 2004, the name gained some regular usage. There was a record-high of 13 births in 2005, 2006 and 2008.  AS of 2016, there were only 10 boys given the name Rafferty in the US, so if you happen to know one, he's very unique!

There were 2 born in Scotland in 2012, ranking it at #1106.  There were 106 born in England and Wales in 2011, ranking it at #378; and in 2016, there were 181 male births for a rank of #280.

 In Australia, I already mentioned that the name is ranked at #292 but I'm told by Australian Baby-Name Expert, Anna Otto, that names starting with Raf- are "currently quite big" in Australia. Rafferty in particular  honors iconic Australian screen legend “Chips” Rafferty. Because of his fame, the name Rafferty has become a favorite celebrity baby name.

I think something short and sweet would be great in the middle name spot, especially if it also has an Irish background. Raff or Rafe are both great nicknames, or even RJ if you used a J middle name!  What would you pair it with? What do you think of it?  Let me know!

Sibling Name Ideas:
Sisters: Ashling, Bridgit, Ciara, Freya, Genevieve, Iris, Keeva, Maeve, Saoirse, Willow
Brothers: Atticus, Cashel, Digby, Emory, Flynn, Gilroy, Jarvis, Ossian, Pruitt, Sebastian

Middle Name Ideas:
Rafferty Aiden
Rafferty Cormac
Rafferty Hayes
Rafferty Malone
Rafferty Quade
Rafferty Sullivan

As a Middle Name:
Brennan Rafferty
Donnel Rafferty
Keegan Rafferty
Logan Rafferty
Tavis Rafferty
Seamus Rafferty

What would YOU pair with Rafferty?

Original: 11/18/13
Updated: 5/17/18

Name of the Week: Rowan

In honor of Monday's post about names that are considered unisex, I thought I'd choose my favorite of the bunch. I'm not personally a fan of unisex names, I prefer to keep things gender-specific and obvious, however, I do like Rowan and cannot decide which gender I like it better for. What do you think?

The name Rowan comes from an Irish surname. It is an Anglicized form of Ó Ruadháin which means"descendent of Ruadhán".  Sometimes this name is associated with the rowan tree which has red berries. It is also said to mean "little redhead".  This name is said to have been used for both genders since the middle ages, most commonly in Scotland and Ireland.

In 2012, this name ranked #301 for boys with 1,138 births. On the girl side, there were 678 births which ranks the name at #455 in 2012. It isn't quite a 50-50 split, but it is more evenly distributed than some of the other names that are considered unisex.  Additionally, there were 234 baby boys who spell it Rowen instead of Rowan, and the 97 female Rowens.

Source

Overall, Rowan first appeared in the states as a male name. It dates back to 1916 for boys, and it wasn't used for girls until 7 births in 1942 and then more regularly in 1975 after that.

The most famous Rowan is Mr. Atkinson who is well-known for his persona Mr. Bean. There is also Brooke Shields' daughter who is named Rowan.

I would pair Rowan with very gender-specific middle names like:  Rowan Isabelle or Rowan Alexander.  Which gender do you prefer this name on? Do you know any little Rowans?

Sibling Name Ideas:
Unisex: Alexis, Avery, Charlie, Dakota, Emerson, Finley, Hayden, Marlowe, Riley, River, Sawyer, Skyler, Taylor
Sisters: Caitlin, Fiona, Matilda, Laurel, Olivia, Sarah, Willow
Brothers: Aiden, Ethan, Dylan, Lucas, Mason, Nolan, Xavier

Middle Name Ideas (Boys): 
Rowan Alexander
Rowan Isaiah
Rowan Nicholas
Rowan Matthew
Rowan Oliver

Middle Name Ideas (Girls):
Rowan Isabelle
Rowan Grace
Rowan Elizabeth
Rowan Alexandra
Rowan Sophia

As a Middle Name (Boys):
Daniel Rowan
Anthony Rowan
Chase Rowan
Elliott Rowan
Thomas Rowan

As a Middle Name (Girls):
Scarlett Rowan
Violet Rowan
Juliet Rowan
Cassandra Rowan
Michaela Rowan

Boy Name of the Week: Ewan

The Boy Name of the Week is the Scottish form of a Gaelic name: Ewan. It is pronounced YOO-un.

It comes from the Gaelic name Eoghan. There were several legendary Irish figures with the name Eoghan, which possibly means "born from the yew tree" in Irish. Some say it may be derived from Eugene which comes from Greek words meaning "well born."  I've also seen some sites say that Ewan means "Youth" but I'm not sure where they got that information from.

So while I can't seem to get a clear picture on what it really means, it is still a very handsome name. Ewan can also be spelled Euan, Ewen, Ewyn or even Ouen, depending on where you live.  Sometimes it is said to be a variation of names like John, Owen, Evan, Hugh and again Eugene. Owen is actually the Welsh spelling of the name, also spelled Owain.

If you do more research on Eoghan, you'll see that it also has various spellings and that its true meaning is heavily debated.  The encyclopedia of Irish Names (1981, 1990) disputes any connection with Eugene and derives the name from Old Irish: Eógan meaning "born of the yew". So I think I'll go with that!

As you can see, Ewan has plenty of possible roots and brother-names.  What I think makes it so special is its unique sound, spelling and the fact that it isn't super popular. Sure, you've heard of the Scottish Actor Ewan McGregor, but how many others do you know? I can't say I've met one.

You may need to click the image to see it better.  Source

Let's look at the stats! This name wasn't heard of in the US until 1972. It did not catch on at all until 1997. The most usage that Ewan has received was in 2006 when there were 148 babies born. That wasn't enough for the name to crack the Top 1000 though.

In 2012, there were 140 baby Ewans born, ranking the name at #1245. Compare that to the 7,851 baby boys named Evan (#47), and the 8,630 baby boys named Owen (#38).

I like Ewan for how under-the-radar it still is.  What do you think of it?

Sibling Name Ideas:
Sisters: Ainsley, Caitlin, Clara, Fiona, Isla, Maeve, Rosalie, Siobhan
Brothers: Aiden, Callum, Finn, Gavin, Kellan, Lachlan, Ronan, Teague

Middle Name Ideas: 
Ewan Bryant
Ewan Cashel
Ewan Dempsey
Ewan Flannerry
Ewan Malone
Ewan Rafferty
Ewan Reilly

Girl Name of the Week: Maeve

The Girl Name of the Week is a short and sweet Irish name in honor of the one-syllable girl names post from yesterday. This name belonged to a legendary ancient Irish queen: Maeve. Today, it is starting to come back into favor with modern parents for both a first and middle name.

Maeve is the anglicized form of the Gaelic name "Medb" which means "intoxicating". In Irish legend this was the name of a powerful, warrior Queen of Connacht. Her fight against Ulster and the hero Cúchulainn is told in the Irish epic "The Cattle Raid of Cooley."

In Ireland, the Irish spelling Meabh is used more frequently. It is in the top 100 names there, but that spelling isn't recommended for usage in the US. Meabh actually comes from  "Medb" which is the original Irish form of Maeve. Other variants include Meadhbh, Mave, Maive, Mayve, Maeva and Meave. However, Maeve is my favorite.

It is gaining popularity in the US. It has the lovely nickname Mae/May as well as the stylish V sound. Maeve did not appear on [recorded] US birth certificates until 1940 when 8 girls bore the name. It has been rarely but steadily used since then but did not start to gain momentum in usage until the early 90s. Maeve landed in the top 1000 in 1997 at #955, which accounted for 207 births.  It gradually climbed the ranks and sits pretty at #484 in 2013, which equals 620 births.  In Ireland, Maeve ranked at #147 in 2011 with just 15 births.

Source

What do you think of Maeve? If you like it, here are some sibling and middle name ideas:

Sibling Name Ideas:
Sisters: Bridget, Erin, Fiona, Julia, Molly, Tessa
Brothers: Aiden, Connor, Finn, Jack, Patrick, Sean

Middle Name Ideas:
Maeve Alexandra
Maeve Carrigan
Maeve Kathleen
Maeve Sheridan

As a First Name:
Caroline Maeve
Enye Maeve
Kiley Maeve
Saoirse Maeve (seer-shah)

What name would you pair with it? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Boy Name of the Week: Flynn

In honor of my "One-Syllable Boy Names" post from yesterday, I chose a one-syllable name to feature.  This Boy Name of the Week has had a very sharp increase in usage from one year to the next. The name is Flynn.

You probably already know why it is suddenly more popular.  The Disney movie "Tangled" was released in November 2010 starring a cool character called Flynn Ryder. In 2011,  the name landed on the Top 1000 chart for the first time at #940 (up from #1806) with a total of 210 baby boys born (up from just 86 in 2010.)

Actor Orlando Bloom and his model wife Miranda Kerr recently named their son Flynn, which may or may not have had a lasting influence.

Flynn is an Irish surname. It is an anglicized form of "Ó Floinn" meaning "descendant of Flann." It is also said to mean "son of the red-haired one."  Flynn has a casual charm to it with a very handsome appeal.

In 2012, the name ranked #692 which is its highest ranking ever!  It originally appeared on US babies in 1913 when 5 of them were born. It remained very sporadically used with 5 babies here, none there, 7 here, etc. until it began ranking every year in the 50's. Only in the past decade has it gained popularity.

Click Image to View it Larger.  Source

Since Flynn is originally a surname, there are many famous people who have the last name Flynn. I'd like to see this name used more regularly in the first name spot.

However, there is a slight downside by association. The infamous Errol Flynn wore it as a surname and may be the most popular Flynn. Born in 1909, he was an Australian-American actor known for his romantic swashbuckler roles as well as his over-the-top playboy lifestyle. There were some allegations of sexual misconduct against him before and after his early death.

The phrase "In like Flynn" is a slang phrase meaning "having achieved a goal or gained access as desired". However, some believe it was in reference to Errol Flynn because of his reputation for womanizing.  He died in 1959 so it has been a long time since his name was in public thought.

Does this bother you or would you use Flynn despite the association?

What do you think of the name Flynn? Do you prefer one of the Finn variants instead? Let me know!

Sibling Name Ideas:
Sisters: Charlotte, Emily, Lauren, Paige, Ruby
Brothers: Ashton, Ethan, Liam, Noah, Rowan'

Middle Name Ideas:
Flynn Oliver
Flynn Walter
Flynn Silas
Flynn Henry
Flynn Alexander

As a Middle Name:
Sawyer Flynn
Thomas Flynn
Emmett Flynn
Eli Flynn
Lucas Flynn

Name of the Day: Desmond

Today's Name of the Day is Desmond, one of my favorite Irish names.

Yes, it is originally an Irish surname, but I can't help but love it for a boy's first name. It is bold but sophisticated. With the possible nicknames Des/Dez or Desi/Dezi, this name is starting to gain popularity in the US.

Desmond first appeared on 8 US birth certificates in 1904. It slowly picked up steam every year after that with its largest naming spike in 1992 when 1,067 boys were born, ranking it at #264 on the Top 1000 chart. As of 2012, there were 920 baby boy Desmonds born, putting the name at a rank of #339.

There have also been a handful of girls named Desmond almost every year since 1975. However, usage began slowing down in the 2000s, ending its female usage in 2007.

Source

Desmond comes from an Irish surname which was derived from Deas-mhumhain meaning "South Munster", originally indicating a person who came from that region in Ireland. Therefore, Desmond means "one from South Munster."

A Few Famous Desmonds:

• Desmond Bishop - American football player
• Desmond Bryant - American football player
• Desmond Dekker - Jamaican musician (The Beatles' song "Ob-la-Di, Ob,La-Da" was said to be written about this Desmond.)
• Desmond Harrington - American actor who plays "Detective Joseph Quinn" on "Dexter"
• Desmond Howard - former American football player
• Desmond Morris - English zoologist
• Desmond Tutu - South African activist
• and many others, including some with the last name Desmond.

My Favorite Desmond's are from Pop Culture:

• Desmond David Hume- character from TV series LOST
• Desmond Miles - Assassin's Creed protagonist

While I personally love this name, what do you think of this name for a baby boy? Let me know in the comments below!

Sibling Name Ideas:
Sisters: Adele, Aurelia, Elodie, Hazel, Margot, Madeleine, Rosalie, Vivian
Brothers: Beckett, Callum, Donovan, Ewan, Finnegan, Kellan, Rafferty, Teague

Middle Name Ideas: 
Desmond Grant
Desmond Marcus
Desmond Ellis
Desmond Evander
Desmond Arthur

As a Middle Name:
Asher Desmond
Arlo Desmond
Henry Desmond
Milo Desmond
Quincy Desmond