Irish Babies

Family is very important in Ireland, so having a baby is seen as a blessing. When Irish families are expecting there is a lot that goes into selecting a name.  Each name has a different meaning and picking the right one is important! Many of the names have religious significance or can be traced back to saints. Here are some examples of traditional Irish names and their meaning.

Names for Boys

Brandan- derived from St. Brandan (c. 484-577), an Irish preacher and abbot.

Egan- ‘little fire.’ Egan O'Rahilly was an Irish language poet in the seventeenth century.

Heiro- 'holy'. The name is derived from St. Heiro, who was in Irish martyr.

Ronan- 'little seal'. Comes from St. Ronan of Well, who was deceived by his wife into killing his sons.

Names for Girls

Alma- 'all good'. It is traced to the Latin almus, 'loving' or 'good'

Irene- 'peace'.

Juno- ‘young’. She was the queen of the Roman gods.

Niamh- 'bright'. In Irish mythology Niamh is a princess of the Land of Promise.

 

For more names for your Irish bundle of joy

It is also tradition to bless newborns, and continue to do so as as they grow up. They are very popular because they are seen as a way to help children pray.  Once children are old enough they learn blessings and prayers so parents nad grandparents say them to children when they are young to teach them.



Irish Baby Blessing

"A new born babe,
rings light to the cottage,
warmth to the heart & joy to the soul,
for wealth is family
- family is wealth"


Blessing for Children

O Thou, to whom to love and be are one,
hear my faith-cry for them who are more
thine than mine.
Give each of them what is best for each.
I cannot tell what it is.
But Thou knowest.
I only ask Thou love them and keep them
With the loving and keeping Thou didst
Show to Mary's Son and Thine.

May Saint Patrick guard you wherever you go
and guide you in whatever you do-
and may his protection be a
blessing to you always.




References

1-2-3 Irish Gifts Jewelry and Clothing. 2002. “Irish Blessing- Irish Baby Blessings and Irish Wedding Blessings.” Retrieved April 26, 2006 (http://www.123irish-gifts-jewelry-clothing.com/irish-blessing.asp).

Berger, Elaine. “Irish Blessings.” Retrieved April 24, 2006 (http://homepages.tesco.net/~derek.berger/holidays/irishblessings.html).

Irelandseye. “The Guide to Irish Names.” 2005. Retrieved April 24, 2006 (http://www.irelandseye.com/irish/traditional/names/index.shtm).