These are names from the British languages of Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, Scotland and Brittany. I’ve called the list “British-ish” because many of the names have been Anglicised or are otherwise “inspired” by these languages rather than being strictly authentic. If you’re thinking there are many names missing, they could well turn up on other lists … Pronunciations and origins to the best of my knowledge.
GIRLS
Aneira (Welsh)
Aoife (EEF-ya – Irish)
Ashleen (variant modern Irish)
Bree (Anglicised Irish)
Bridget (Anglicised Irish)
Cailin (ka-LEEN – faux-Irish)
Carys (modern Welsh)
Ciara (KEE-ruh – Irish)
Eilish (EE-leesh – Anglicised Irish)
Fianna (fee-ANN-uh – Irish)
Isibeal (ISH-ih-bale – Irish)
Maela (MAH-el-uh – Breton)
Niamh (NEEV – Irish)
Nimueh (NIM-oo-ay – variant mythological Welsh)
Rhiannon (mythological Welsh)
Saoirse (SEER-sha – modern Irish)
Seren (modern Welsh)
Shayla (faux-Irish)
Sian (SHAHN – Welsh)
Sinead (SHIN-ayd – Irish)
Siobhan (SHIV-on – Irish)
Tegan (modern Welsh)
BOYS
Braith (Welsh?)
Brendan (Latinised Irish)
Bryn (Welsh)
Cadel (Welsh)
Caelan (KAY-len – Anglicised Irish)
Cian (KEEN – Irish)
Cillian (KIL-ee-an – Irish)
Denzel (variant Cornish?)
Duncan (Scottish)
Eamon (AY-mon – Irish)
Eoghan (O-in – Scottish/Irish)
Ewan (Anglicised Scottish/Irish)
Fergus (Anglicised Scottish/Irish)
Finlay (Anglicised Scottish/Irish)
Fionn (FIN – Irish)
Griffin (Latinised Welsh)
Ian (Scottish)
Jock (Scottish)
Kormak (variant Scottish/Irish)
Lorcan (Irish)
Malachy (MAL-uh-kee – Irish)
Morgan (Anglicised Welsh)
Neil (Irish/Scottish)
Oistin (OHS-teen – Irish)
Ronan (Irish)
Ruairidh (RAWR-ee – Irish)
Seirian (modern Welsh)
Shea (SHAY – Anglicised Irish)
Talisyn (variant mythological Welsh)
Taryn (variant modern Welsh?)
Tighe (TYGE – Irish)
I have a cousin named Teagan, and I do love Shea.
I love this list!
Thanks – I’m afraid that although voting has closed, the galleries are still open, and I have continued to add to it!
We have a contest that is similar here. The GAP baby/toddler/kids competition.
I usually end up knowing two or three children in the competition so I scroll through the names. Most of them are top 100 or creatively spelled names, but occasionally there is an awesomely named child!
We have Gap Baby too – I think it’s on in a couple of months or so. More names then, I expect!
Great list! As a Siobhán, I do feel compelled to correct your pronunciation of my name, however! 🙂 It’s actually Shiv-on, not Shiv-awn. Often when you tell an Irish person that your name is Siobhán, they will joke ‘Quick, Siobhán your knickers – your mother is coming!’, as in ‘Shove on your knickers…’ etc. In Australia, I’ve found most people say Shiv-awn, but that pronunciation drives me nuts, and it’s not the way it’s pronounced in Ireland.
Well, I have changed it, but as they are Australian parents, I bet they do pronounce their daughter’s name shuh-VAWN!!! 🙂
I’m sure you’re right! I’m Australian, and usually get the Shuh-vawn, or Shu-vawwwn pronunciation, but having also lived in Ireland for five years, which confirmed that the way I’ve always said my name is correct, I always feel compelled to correct people! 🙂
The only siobhan I know pronounces it shiv-on and goes by Shibby
Niamh is so common I know 2 though 1 is spelt Neve
Ooh can’t promise you won’t see common names on the lists … I’m sure you will see many familiar names.