We’ve been scrutinizing your responses to our recent survey, in particular the question that asked what you’d like to see more of on nameberry, with an eye to accommodating your suggestions.  Quite a few responders put in requests for more ethnic names— with pronunciations—and a couple took note of our blog on birth announcements in the London Times, interested in seeing similar subjects, which Pam will be updating soon.

　　So, since we aim to please, this time we are taking a look at announcements in the Irish Times over the past few months–the ethnic and not-so-ethnic names found there–with pronunciations when needed.

　　The current batch of newborn names in Ireland shows a typical mix of Anglo-Saxon classics (especially for boys), modern Irish standards , and the old Gaelic names that have been revived and become fashionable in recent years, as well as some internationally trendy choices.  Below are some of the more interesting, with pronunciations where useful–bearing  in mind that they change from region to region (and reference book to reference book).

　　GIRLS

　　Among the currently most popular girls’ names are Emily, Lucy, Isabel (and Isabelle, Isabella and Isobel), and Grace, with several appearances of Hazel and Sophia/Sofia , Rose and Ruby.  Leading middle names in this sampling appear to be Elizabeth, Grace, Rose, Louise, May and Maeve.

　　Here, some of the more unusual choices–including some interesting combos:

　　AMELIE Rose

　　ANNA Catriona (kat-REE-na) Monica

　　AOIFE (EE-fa)

　　ARABELLA Elizabeth

　　ASHLING Elizabeth

　　AVA Maeve

　　BEVIN

　　BRONA Rose

　　CAMILLE Ita

　　CAOIMHE (KEEV-eh) Nadine

　　CIARA (KEER-a)

　　CLIODHNA (KLEE-oh-na)

　　CLODAGH (KLOH-da) Catherine

　　CHLOE Iris Hazel

　　DERVLA

　　ELEANOR Siobhan (sha-VAUN)

　　ELENA Mary

　　EMER (EE-mir) Maeve

　　EMILY Kariba

　　ESME Jemima

　　EVIE

　　FREYA Kate/Rosalind Antonia

　　HAZEL Maeve

　　ISABEL Dot/Daisy Mabel

　　ISABELLA Carmel

　　ISEULT (EE-sult) Estelle

　　ISOLDE

　　JUNO Helena

　　LEDA Marie

　　LEILA Katherine

　　MAEVE Emma

　　MARTHA Aisling (ash-ling)

　　NEASA (NASS-ah)

　　NESSA Joan

　　NIAMH (neev)

　　NORA Elizabeth

　　NYAH Jennifer

　　PASCALE Sophia

　　PENELOPE Hilary Danielle (the latter two the names of both Grandmas)

　　RACHAEL Olivine

　　ROSE Mairead

　　RUTH Harriette Lola

　　SABHBH (SIVE—rhymes with five) Olivia

　　SAOIRSE (SEER-sha) Mary Bronagh ( broh-nah)/Maureen

　　SEANNA (shaun-a)

　　SIOFRA (SHEE-fra) Ros Aine(oyn-nyeh)

　　SIONED (SHON-ed, the Welsh equivalent of Janet) Eva

　　SIUN (shoon) Margaret

　　SKYE Newsom

　　TESSA Mathilda

　　BOYS

　　The boys’ roster is significantly Anglo-classics-heavy, with many Matthews, Michaels, Davids, Charleses, Jacks, Thomases, Jameses, Edwards, and a liberal sprinkling of the more Irish Patricks, Oscars and Hughs.  In addition to which we find:

　　BRETT Rocky (!)

　　CALLUM Pearse

　　CALUM James

　　CATHAL (KOH-hal)

　　CIAN (KEE-an) Patrick

　　CIANAN (KEE-anh-aun)

　　CONALL (KAW-nall) Jeremy Ailill (pron. not found)

　　CONOR Liam Patrick

　　CULANN John

　　DEVLINN Pearse Giles

　　DONNCHA (DUNN-aka-ah)

　　EOGHAN (OH-an) Patrick

　　EOIN (OH-in) Alexander

　　FINN Michael

　　FIONN (FYUHN)

　　GAVAN Diarmuid (DEER-mud)

　　HUGO Michael/Thomas Andrew

　　JAMES Fintan

　　JUDE Thomas

　　KILLIAN

　　LOCHLANN (LUK-lan)

　　LUKE Conor Niall (NEE-al)

　　MARK Declan

　　MAXIMILIAN Raymond

　　MICHAEL Oisin (OH-sheen) Charter (mother’s maiden name)

　　OSCAR Hugo/Simon George/Willem

　　RHYS James

　　RORY Peter

　　THEO James

　　THOMAS Diarmuid (DEER-mud)

　　TOM Ruari (ROO-re)

　　Coming soon–what’s in in Inverness: Scottish birth announcements.