A reader named Jamie writes:
Cian Joseph is two years old, and will be welcoming a little brother in May. My husband is Irish, and so we’re sticking with names from that region. We know the middle name will be James, but we’re hitting a road block on first names. So far the only name we both like is Declan, but our super-Irish last name includes 2 K-sounds and ends in -lin. They sound a little funny together.
My first thoughts were Desmond and Diarmaid (Dermot), which are both similar to Declan. There’s also a saint named Donnan. Speaking of saints, how about:
Brendan Brogan Eoghan Ernan Faolan | Fergus Fintan Flannan Finnian Garbhan | Grellan Loman Manchan Mel Murtagh | Odhran Ronan Ruadhan Senan Ultan |
Most of the above are spelled other ways as well, which is convenient (as some versions are easier to pronounce in English, while others are closer to the original Irish).
Historical Irish kings had names like Niall (Neil), Domnall (Donald) and Ruaidri (Rory).
Looking to surnames, there are options like Brady, Grady, Murphy and Nolan.
Do you think any of the above sound particularly good with James? What other names would you suggest?
Update, 6/07: Scroll down to the last comment to find out which name Jamie chose…