I am so happy for you! Congratulations : D! FYI I know a woman who is ethnically [name]Asian[/name] and who has a very Irish name. People generally react to it neutrally or well, I have heard people say things like “it’s a little surprising” but nothing too offensive or weird. However, that’s maybe still mildly insensitive, depending on how you look at it. [name]Hope[/name] you don’t mind that I shared that for your consideration. Here are my thoughts on your list.
Boys:
[name]Colm[/name] - I see the appeal but I think this will be lost in the sea of little Coles right now. No one will know how to spell this right. [name]Colin[/name] and [name]Malcolm[/name] are two similar names I’d recommend. [name]Malcolm[/name] nickname [name]Colm[/name] is cool. Maybe [name]Callum[/name].
[name]Desmond[/name] ([name]Des[/name]) - I [name]LOVE[/name] this. I think this is a great pick, it may be the most wearable of the boys’ names here. First of all and most importantly, I just think it’s a great name. Second of all, although it’s Irish in roots, it’s associated with people from diverse ethnicities - [name]Desmond[/name] Dekker, [name]Desmond[/name] Tutu, [name]Desi[/name] (sp?) on I [name]Love[/name] [name]Lucy[/name] (not actually sure he was a [name]Desmond[/name]? but still). I hope it’s not insensitive for me to kind of like that for your family. I think it’s cool : D.
[name]Bram[/name] - I really like [name]Bram[/name]. This is a good pick. I do kind of mildly prefer [name]Abram[/name] or [name]Abraham[/name] nn [name]Bram[/name], but it’s not huge.
[name]Indigo[/name] - hmm. This is cool but a lot of name for a kid to pull off. I also think it’s mildly unclear if it’s a boy or girl name. I’d love it as a middle though. [name]Desmond[/name] [name]Indigo[/name] is just incredibly handsome.
[name]Rocket[/name] - no. Sorry, but no. Too weird, the spaceship one, and also, it’s a vegetable. [name]Rocco[/name], while it wouldn’t be my top pick, is similar and I’d recommend that over this, with nn [name]Rocket[/name] if you want (or, I think [name]Rocket[/name] could just be a really fun high-energy nickname regardless of first name).
[name]Moses[/name] - I have mixed feelings. I like the sound. I love the pp’s comment on the connection to adoption. It’s a name with great history. Still, I mainly think of old men, and of [name]Gwyneth[/name] Paltrow’s baby. If it’s your favorite, certainly use it, if it’s not, maybe something else.
[name]Jago[/name] - I [name]ADORE[/name] this name : D. However, again, it strikes me as on the “a lot to pull off” side. I do think it’s ultimately wearable, though, and I’d love to see it used. I love the idea of [name]James[/name] nickname [name]Jago[/name].
[name]Bodhi[/name] - I don’t see the appeal to be honest - it feels trendy, hard to spell…I don’t think actual Buddhists and Hindus use this name, it feels like an odd cultural thing going on, to me. [name]Do[/name] you like [name]Brody[/name]?
[name]Bardo[/name] - no. This makes me think immediately of [name]Brigitte[/name] [name]Bardot[/name], which is unfortunate for a boy. Also, kind of makes me think of [name]Marlon[/name] [name]Brando[/name], who is awesome but kind of tragic. However, I think [name]Bard[/name] could be really cool, especially as a middle name.
[name]Django[/name] - it’s hip, but no one will know how to spell it usually, and it makes me think of [name]Django[/name] Rinehart who was sort of a tragic figure. I also think people would mis-hear this a lot. [name]Jago[/name]'s similar and much preferable I think.
[name]Oz[/name] - I adore this as a nickname but it is not enough name for me. [name]Oscar[/name], [name]Osborne[/name], [name]Austin[/name], there are plenty of ways to get to it.
[name]Barnaby[/name] - I [name]LOVE[/name] this name, it strikes me as somewhat hard to wear (mainly because of the chance of [name]Barney[/name] nicknames?), but not awfully so. I think [name]Barnaby[/name] with a D middle name ([name]Desmond[/name]) would be a cool way to a [name]Bard[/name] or even [name]Bardo[/name] nickname.
[name]Brogan[/name] - It’s OK. It makes me think of brogue…and [name]Logan[/name]. I think people will probably hear [name]Logan[/name]. Seems to be setting him up for the nickname “bro”, which is not the worst thing but maybe not ideal.
[name]Do[/name] you like: [name]Donovan[/name], [name]Milo[/name], [name]Brody[/name]?
Girls:
[name]Fionnuala[/name] ([name]Ula[/name]) - Gorgeous name that I love. It is a handful to spell but if you’re OK with that, OK. I do think [name]Fiona[/name] is more wearable if you’ll consider it.
[name]Saoirse[/name] - I love this name, again the spelling however and also I know it has a lot of political connotations in [name]Ireland[/name], I mean that’s fine, just be sure you’re aware of it before you go with it. I think [name]Fiona[/name] [name]Saoirse[/name] is just a gorgeous combo…[name]Fionnuala[/name] [name]Saoirse[/name] too.
[name]Maeve[/name] - I really love [name]Maeve[/name] and think it’s a solid pick. I think it’s an especially nice touch since you’ll probably learn more in [name]May[/name]? I trust you know the meaning that’s often given for it (“intoxicating”) and are OK with that as it’s a little odd. I wouldn’t mind at all, but I know some people have commented on that.
[name]Lola[/name] - adore [name]Lola[/name]. Great option.
[name]Tallulah[/name] ([name]Lulu[/name]) - Normally a bit much for me (although it’s gorgeous), but here again there’s something similar with [name]Desmond[/name] - the name has Irish, African American, Native American [name]Indian[/name], and alternative/pop culture ([name]Tori[/name] [name]Amos[/name]) associations, I think again that’s kind of cool. And I love the nickname [name]Lulu[/name] and also [name]Lula[/name] if you like that (since you like [name]Lola[/name]). I know I’ve seen on some boards some spellings are “more Irish”, if that matters to you. I think this is the most common spelling here, I do think the name has mild spelling issues but not so strongly.
[name]Brigid[/name] - I love this name too, if you’ll consider [name]Bridget[/name] I think it will save her a lot of spelling woes, but if you want [name]Brigid[/name] that’s perfectly reasonable.
[name]Lux[/name] - sorry, this name feels a bit too much to me.
[name]Jemima[/name] - I adore this name. In the US it still strikes me as hard to pull off though - I just think “like the syrup?” will be a comment that will get annoying. If you want to, good for you, this name needs to get used here as it’s gorgeous, but honestly I’m just a little wary of it here even though I love it. Maybe try it out on people and see if you get that reaction, I might be wrong.
[name]Gypsy[/name] - I agree with pp, this is too much.
[name]Hero[/name] - also too much. Seems masculine, makes me think of sandwiches and heroin. I know it has mythological and Shakespearean roots that are great, but please consider it more for a middle. I read a thread on here where someone used it for a daughter and got so tired of all the comments on the masculine sound, sandwiches, and heroin. See, I would never say those non-Shakespearean associations to a parent, but plenty of people are not so tactful apparently.
[name]Delilah[/name] - I love its sound, but am not personally fully over the bad girl associations (and I’m sure I’m not alone). But, if you are over it, it’s a very nice name and clearly most people are over it as it’s rising in popularity. [name]Lila[/name] is solid too.
[name]Dylan[/name] - this is the only male / uni name you’re suggesting for girls, so I’d encourage you to think if you really like it that strongly since it’s not your clear style. I think this would be great on a boy for you. It’s a perfectly nice name for a girl, but be prepared that people may read her name and expect to meet an Irish-looking boy or man. Nothing wrong with going against people’s expectations that much if you want to, and are also prepared to raise her to understand it, but it might also be a lot of work if this isn’t your very favorite name.
[name]Do[/name] you like [name]Imogen[/name] or [name]Cordelia[/name]? Shakespearean like [name]Hero[/name] with some Gaelic connections but also other connections, and lovely.
All best and good luck!
