Hi Swistle!
We are expecting our fourth child, a boy, the first week in October. We currently have two girls (Teresa Brigid and Nora Merian) and one boy (Finn Ricker). My name is Tara and my husband is Marcus, goes by Marc. Our last name is Mulligan but with an i instead of a u. This is most likely our last child.
We are having the hardest time naming this baby! I’ve never made it this far in a pregnancy without a clear finalist before. I have many boy names that I love but each of them has some issue holding me back from using them.
I’m hoping you can either help me realize some of my hang ups are not a big deal or help us brainstorm some great names that we might not have thought of yet.
Middle name will be an honor name, preferably Paul, Marcus or David.
Here are our favorites:
Cormac – I love this name but worry that he will spend his life with people hearing his name as Cor MacMulligan. My husband doesn’t think this is a big deal. Am I over thinking this one? Is this an issue that will bug him his whole life or just be a minor inconvenience? Possibly I can get over this issue but would like some outside opinions on it.
Eamon – We both like this one but my husband is a bit worried that it will be difficult for people to pronounce. It feels easily pronounceable to me, but that might just be because I grew up knowing how to say it.
Cashel – We both like this one, but I don’t love the nickname Cash.
Nolan – Is this too similar to Nora?
Clive – This is a recent addition to the list. I like that it is one syllable like Finn.
Hugh – Does this one “fit” with the names of our other children?
Can you help us out? Any other suggestions that might be “the one”?
Thank you so much!
I will give my opinions on the various issues, and then the commenters can do the same. (Commenters: feel free to comment on just one or some of the issues, if you prefer.)
1. Cormac Mulligan / Cor MacMulligan. I think this one is fine. “Cor” isn’t a familiar name on its own; I think you’ll easily adjust to putting a tiny pause between the two names; and there are no upsetting or distressing results if the names DO blend.
I notice that Cormac shares a major sound with Nora. I think this would be all right (this is the sort of thing that I think matters less as the sibling group gets larger), but it’s the sort of thing I like to think about ahead of time.
2. Difficulty of pronouncing Eamon. I know how to say it, but I had to learn it. I remember practicing it, I think while reading a Maeve Binchy novel. I think that this is a good era to be born with a potentially-difficult-to-pronounce name: people are more accustomed to needing to do so.
One slight concern is that both Finn and Eamon are a little rhymey with your surname. My thought process went like this: “Eamon is a little rhymey with the surname. Oh, but Finn is too, so they’re okay with that. But TWO names that are a little rhymey may draw more attention to it.”
3. Cashel / Cash. This is also a good era to have a name you don’t want nicknamed. However, that involves the cooperation of the child himself. So here is where I draw my own line, with nicknames: Do I actively dislike the nickname, so that I wince at the thought of the child growing up and deciding to use it? Then the name is probably not a good fit. Do I instead just prefer the nickname not be used, but I feel que sera sera at the thought of it ending up being what my child is called? Then it may be well worth the risk.
I also take into account the likelihood of the particular nickname being used. That is, if the name is Isabella, I think Izzy and Bella are more likely than if the parent is concerned about Zabby or Ella. With Cashel/Cash, the nickname Cash feels instinctive and almost irresistibly cool, like Dash for Dashiell; I immediately picture all his high school friends calling him that.
And finally, I take into account (as far as it is possible to do so) the idea that my own feelings may change. We’ve had just enough parents here saying things such as “I NEVER wanted her called Izzy, but she is TOTALLY an Izzy!” that it has drawn my attention to this interesting phenomenon.
4. Nolan / Nora. Visually, the two names seem quite similar to me. When I say them aloud, they don’t seem too similar at all: the only similarity is that they begin with the same letter and have two syllables. I think this is a small issue, definitely worth dismissing if you are able to do so and if the name Nolan is the right one.
Nolan, like Eamon and Finn, is a little rhymey with the surname.
6. Hugh. I don’t see any reason it doesn’t fit with the others. I also like Hugo.
5. Clive. I deliberately switched #5 and #6, because Clive is the name that would make me wonder if it were a good fit with the others. Teresa, Nora, and Finn are all familiar names; Clive is much less familiar to me.
The name Theresa/Teresa is not currently common (both spellings appear to be on the verge of leaving the Social Security Administration’s Top 1000). But because it was so widely used in recent years (Theresa was Top 100 from 1941 until 1977; Teresa was Top 100 from 1948 until 1981), it’s a name most people are familiar with. Nora is currently popular, at #49 in 2014 (and that doesn’t take into account the Eleanors going by Nora). Finn is currently rising in popularity, moving from #835 in 2000 to #234 in 2015 (again, this doesn’t take into account the boys using it as a nickname for Finnegan, Finley, Phineas, Griffin, etc.).
But the name Clive hasn’t been in the Top 1000 at all, not since 1900 when the online Social Security records begin. It was given to only 77 new baby boys in 2014. For comparison, 1,567 new baby boys were named Finn that same year, and 4,708 new baby girls were named Nora.
To be fair, the name Hugh is also uncommon. But 251 new baby boys were given the name in 2014, and it’s been in the Top 1000 continuously since the Social Security records start in 1900. Its highest popularity in the data base was in 1900, when it was at #88, which makes me think it’s ready for a comeback soon. And it helps that I happen to know a child named Hugh; I admit that before meeting him, I would have thought of it as a more surprising choice.
And Clive, though not currently very common, is RISING in usage; here are the number of baby boys given the name, looking at every 5 years starting in 1964:
1964: 17
1969: 7
1974: 10
1979: 13
1984: 18
1989: 11
1994: 16
1999: 17
2004: 20
2009: 56
2014: 77
I think you have a lot of good candidates to choose from, so I’m reluctant to add to the list. But here are the names I thought of while writing the post:
Casey
Corbin (a little rhymey with the surname and with Finn)
Declan (a little rhymey with surname)
Emmett
Hugo
Ian (a little rhymey with surname)
Lyle
Niall
Reid
Wesley
Name update:
Hi Swistle,
Thank you so much for your response and all the reader responses, they were so helpful! At the last minute my husband changed his mind about the name Conor, which I’ve loved since I was young and still wanted to use despite the popularity it has seen. I thought he had totally vetoed it, so didn’t include it in my list of names when I emailed you. Conor Davin was born October 3, 2015. A few days later we found out he had a Congenital Heart Defect and he had heart surgery at 5 days old, but is doing so awesome now. Life has finally calmed down enough for me to remember to send a naming update!
I like your list and I think of the issues you cite, the nickname Cash is the only one that’s likely to be an issue. My favorites are Cormac and Eamon.
From Swistle’s suggestions I like Declan, Ian, & Niall best.
I am partial to either Cormac or Eamon. I love them both. My brother’s name is Eamonn (two n’s) and has had very few issues with incorrect pronunciations. (He is in his late 20’s). I also love Cormac. We would have considered this for our own sons but our last name is McCormick. I agree with Swistle that the first name and your surname don’t necessarily run together.
Cormac- I actually think the potential issue lies in nicknaming him Mac. MacMulligan could run together. I think calling him by his full name saves it. Either way, I think the smoothing is a valid concern but not a deal breaker in my mind.
Eamon – I love this! It’s a gem!
Hugh – I love this one too, I think its fits GREAT with your other children’s names
I rarely comment, but Swistle brought up an issue that came up when we were searching for a boy name for our second child. My name is an honor name (after my great-grandmother Christina) and I love that association. However, I have never, ever been called Christina except if I was in big trouble with my parents! I have always gone by a nickname and I didn’t want that for my own children. My daughter’s name is common and doesn’t have a natural nickname but it was so much harder for a boy name. Trying to settle on a boy name we love that didn’t have a nickname was really hard so I had to settle for one that had a nickname I didn’t totally hate. The name wouldn’t work for you (Griffin), but I decided I could live with Griff or Finn if that happened some day. He is exclusively called Griffin by us, but some teachers and friends call him Griff. It makes me cringe, but he doesn’t mind being called either.
It seems that many people in America try to find nicknames for little boys with longer names so Cash from Cashel is a real possibility and if you hate Cash, you should take it off the list.
Love Eamon from your list!
What about Connor or Sean?
All the best!
Logan?
Oh your naming style is right up my alley! This is such a fun post =)
Okay, so Cormac: I agree with jordan’s point that if Cormac uses Mac as a nickname, that sounds a bit odd when paired with your last name. If Mac Mulligan would bug you, then you may want to go with another name. I do LOVE Cormac Mulligan, but as another poster pointed out, you can only control what you call your child, not other people.
With Eamon, I think it’s lovely and I haven’t heard of too many people mispronouncing it. I think it’s a pleasant surprise of a name.
Nolan Mulligan is a bit matchy for me, both on paper and when you say it out loud. I personally don’t love that Nolan and Nora are so similar too. As much as I love the name Nolan, I would consider another name.
Clive is so awesome. I am grinning just typing about it. It is just so cute and unexpected, but not unfamiliar at all. I think it pairs wonderfully with Finn and the sibset Teresa, Nora, Finn, and Clive gives me heart eyes.
Cashel and Hugh are nice names, but I’m way more excited about the other ones mentioned. Please let us know what you decide!
Eamon all the way.
If not, Hugh or Declan.
(We have similar naming styles: daughter Brigid and another with Teresa as middle and Nora is my fave but can’t use b/c family name)
I love Hugh! Hugo could be a nickname for Hugh, or the whole name if you’d rather.
I’m familiar with Clive and think it fits nicely.
I like Clive and Hugh because they are both one syllable like Finn.
I also like Swistle suggestions of: Hugo, Ian, Lyle, Reid, Wesley
I think a short name would work best so style wise I feel like Cormac and Eamon and Cashel are the names that don’t fit with Finn in particular.
To me, the slight rhymes are a non-issue. I notice the Irish, not the rhymes. So I was all for Cormac -until the other commenter pointed out the obvious nickname. Mac Mulligan definitely sounds like a surname, and I think it is likely to be used at some point, on a sports field for instance. So that brings me to Eamon. Yeah, some will stumble (I am an old, and believe it or not, Aidan used to have the same problem) but not for long, and probably not as many as you think.
I’m a nn kind of person, so imlove Cashel as well. And Hugh. Clive skews more British than Irish to me, fwiw.
Clive, Hugh and Eamon are my favorites!
I love these names and don’t think you can go wrong with any of them – plus they don’t have natural nicknames if that’s something that appeals.
Love Cormac, Clive, and Hugo. I looked up how to pronounce Eamon, since I wasn’t sure, but my guess was correct, for whatever that’s worth!
I had to look it up as well. :) My assumption was correct (long a initial sound), but since I have never seen this name before, I was second-guessing myself.
My vote goes to Cormac or Eamon! I don’t think Cormac Mulligan runs together. As Swistle pointed out, Cor isn’t a familiar name so I highly doubt people would mistake him for Cor MacMulligan. I love Eamon for you as well. Seamus and Sean aren’t a problem for most people, and I don’t think Eamon is any harder.
Love Hugh! I think it goes well with all 3 of your middle names. It also fits perfectly with your sibling set.
Hugh Paul M*lligan
Hugh David M*lligan
Hugh Marcus M*lligan
Wesley is also a great choice!
Wesley Marcus M*lligan
Wesley Paul M*lligan
Wesley David M*lligan
Nolan is a great name, but I do see the concern with being a bit too similar to Nora.
The first suggestion I though of was Corbin! alas Swistle has beat me to it.
The other (maybe too out there) suggestion I had was Seamus.
Hm. I think I like Hugh the best with the sibset.
Good luck!
I’m going to be the curmudgeon all up in here and say that I don’t care for Eamon, likely because I have no idea how to pronounce it. EE-mon? AY-mon? I would have guessed EE-mon, but YouTube tells me I would be wrong.
From your list, I feel like Hugh is actually the name that fits best with your other children. Hugh, Teresa, Nora, and Finn are all instantly recognizable as first names in the U.S. whereas some of the other names on your list are much less common. (Nolan is great too, although I agree that it’s too close to Nora.)
Other boy names I like for you: Seamus, Owen, Patrick, Hugo, Rory, Jonah, Connor, Malcolm, Graham, and Felix.
I like them all! Not sure you can go wrong with your list of possibilities.
You have some great ideas. Love Cormac. These are a few others that came to mind:
Asher
Beckett
Clark
Declan
Emmett
1 & 2 I agree with Swistle about Cormac. For names that feel similar, I’ll suggest Declan, Lochlan, Ian, Ewan & Ethan.
3. I also agree with Swistle about Cashel/Cash. Dashiel/Dash is a great alternative. Or perhaps something like Cole or Coleman with Cole as a nickname.
4. Personally, I feel like Nolan is too close to use with Nora.
5. & 6. I like both Clive & Hugh. I agree Hugh seems like a better fit than Clive. Perhaps Miles or Rhys?
Lots of good ideas, really cannot go wrong. I love Hugh and Eamon, & would add Ross to the list. I also like the suggestion of Rhys. My hands down favorite is Hugh.
I gave my son a name whose nickname I HATED! My husband — who is Michael and NEVER goes by Mike — said that if I stuck to my guns, my son would be known by his full name. Well….nope. The hated nickname started almost as soon as my son started 1st grade. Shorter to write, shorter to say. It used to really make the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Now, that my son is 20, less so. But I had no control over it and I still am not happy about it. Some of his friends humor me and use his full name in my presence, but always with a wink because they know (and I know) they are doing it for my benefit.
More suggestions!
Patrick
Pierce
Darcy
Brendan/Brandon
Cian
Kieran
Colin
Ronan
I love Cian, but if she’s worried about Eamonn, Cian is probably a nonstarter. (Hard C for those wondering)
I think the Cormac concern is a non-issue.
Nolan, however, is unusable.
I like the above suggestions of Graham and Owen. And I’d add: Liam and Oran. Oh wait, not Oran with Nora.
Clive made me smile, so I’m going to encourage you to use it. It sounds great with Finn.
Love that you’re into Irish names! I think Cormac, Eamon, or Cashel would be excellent choices, but Cormac would probably be the least “problematic” of your choices (even though I wouldn’t consider pronunciation of Eamon and Cash as a nn for Cashel as major problems).
I wonder if you’ve already considered Seamus, or if you might like Ross or Connell. I know a little boy named Connell (mom’s maiden name is O’Connell), and I think it’s got a lot of Irish charm.
I think you should name him Fergus because I adore that name so, so, so, so much. Since you are obviously doing the Irish thing, your child could rock Fergus. (I never could get my hubby on board with that name–despite his Scottish heritage and our many redheaded children.)
I absolutely love Nolan, so I’m sorry to say I think it’s unusable. Nora and Nolan both look very alike and sound very similar. Half of their names would be the exact same syllable, and I already find myself confusing them and saying Nola and Noran. I think you’d weary of it and they would too.
But, in my family, my mom and aunt’s names rhyme. It’d be like if they were named Carrie and Mary. They looked different on paper, so my grandma didn’t realize they rhymed. Don’t ask me how that happened!! They are always called the wrong name. Add my name to the mix (which is not actually Eva), and it gets even worse. We’re all called the wrong name, and it’s just something we laugh about and it’s part of our family.
Do you like Dash (or Dashiell)? I do like Cormac, but if he gets called just Mac, that sounds a bit weird with your surname. Do you like Devon? I love that Devon Mulligan! Teresa, Nora, Finn and Devon. Or Jack? James? Oooh, Calvin is one of my favorites. Calvin Mulligan. Malcolm also comes to mind.
Declan, Ian and Wesley are my favorites from Swistle’s suggestions.
Cormac, Eamon and Hugh all sound so nice to me with your other children’s names. A few other names came to mind as I read your letter (some of them repeats of Swistle’s list, so just take that as a vote in favour). :)
Ronan
Ian
Evan
Owen
Colin
Rory
Connor
Simon
Giles
Lucan (a tiny bit like Nolan, but further from Nora)
Kellan
Stellan
I’d avoid Cashel if you hate Cash – it’s not uncommon for parents to cast around for a longer name to accommodate a nickname they like, and most of the discussions I’ve come across surrounding Cash are of the ‘I want Cash as a nickname but need a long birth certificate name!’ type. People might assume you deliberately named your son Cashel in order for him to go by Cash, and even if you manage to make it clear to everyone your son encounters that that’s not the case (which seems like a lot of work!), some people are bound to persist in calling him Cash. Save yourself the frustration and go with one of your other excellent picks! All the best to you, please keep us posted!
Love Eamon, Ian, and Rhys! To me, Cormac does seem to run into the surname unless you leave a deliberate pause. I also think Nolan seems quite similar to Nora. Would you like Colton (nn Cole or Colt), Colby, Grady, Grant, or Jude?
IMO, all of the names can work, and I love the names of your other children. My absolute favorite is Clive. Though it’s less popular, it’s completely recognizable (Clive Owen probably makes it so), easy to spell like the others, lovely sounding, and I really like that it’s similar to Finn in having only one syllable. I also love that then each of your children would have a different main vowel sound.
Hugh is my second favorite – I think it fits in nicely with the style of the others and also has a different vowel sound.
Cormac is my least favorite, but that’s just a matter of personal taste and my weird brain (I always think of the McCormick spice company for some reason), and not because it has any actual problems.
Hugh and Clive are the most complementary with your surname. The other choices all sound slightly off or confusing, especially Cormac M(u)lligan and Eamon M(u)lligan. Try saying both with the surname, out loud, several times over. It’s a bit troublesome! Mostly because of the repeating “m” sounds so close to the beginning of the surname. Which is sad, because both Cormac and Eamon are fantastic names.
This is a great list: http://www.babynamesofireland.com/irish-boy-names Ronan and Niall jump out of me as great options.
Good luck! please update us!
Wells
Brooks
Easton
Connor
Niall
Cedric
Dashiell / Dash
I think you have a lot of great options. One note–I don’t think the issue with Cormac is a big one. After all, the most famous Cormac I can think of–Cormac McCarthy–has the same issue and I think it’s a wonderful, distinguished choice!
He’s the most famous Cormac I think of, too, and I think his name sounds great– so I tried to figure out why I don’t think Cormac M(u)lligan is as pleasing to the ear. I think it comes down to rhythm and stress.
Cormac McCarthy = COR-mack mack-CAR-thee. It’s actually quite rhythmic and though repetitive, it’s in a poetic way. It flows, and it’s clear which is the first and which is the last name.
Cormac Mulligan = COR-mack MULL-i-gan. This is much more staccato, and the ‘mack’ easily hitches itself onto the Mulligan, because the non-stressed mack/stressed MULL follows the traditional pattern for mac-surnames (mack-KEN-zie, mac-ELL-wee, mac-CAR-thee, mac-MILL-an, etc.)
I babysit for a family that has a Cormac and Eamon and I know another Cormac. I have heard Cormac pronounced 2 different ways, though. Are you going for Cor-mack or Cor-mick?
I would choose Eamon or Cormac. Though there may be pronunciation issues at first, once someone learns how to say either name, it will not be a problem.
I love Hugh the best out of your choices with the sibling names. It also works with all your middle name picks.
I love Declan Paul !!! Strong sounding name. Fits nicely with the siblings.
I have an almost 6 year old Cashel who is very occasionally called Cash, but usually pretty insistent that people use his full name – and we haven’t had any issues or push-back with that at all. Just my experience with the name, so far. :)
I love your style, and think you probably can’t go wrong with any of your top choices!
It’s exciting to see my name in this sib set (Teresa), where it feels fresh and fun. I have never loved it particularly, but somehow it sounds better on your daughter than on me! :)
I like Clive and Hugh best from your options, but they all seem good. Great names all around in this family.
My thought at looking at your three kids’ names is that Teresa’s name is a bit of an outlier compared to the other two, since those both feel very current to me and Teresa has been decreasing in popularity for decades. I think a less-commonly used name like Hugh or Clive balances that a bit. I love those two from our lost and would be charmed to meet a little baby Hugh or Clive!