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Scottish Gaelic Names: Boys Ainmean Fireann

Absolute Beginners (A1) - Useful Words (20 words)

Gaelic names are becoming really popular in Scotland. Here is a small selection of popular Gaelic names. Don’t be disheartened if your name is not on this list. Try the LearnGaelic dictionary for a fuller list. Ann an Alba an-diugh, bidh daoine a’ toirt spèis do dh’ainmean Gàidhlig. Is e seo cuid dhiubh. Na gabh dragh mur eil an t-ainm a th’ ort an seo. Feuch am Faclair LearnGaelic airson tuilleadh.

Tha Fichead Facal ag obrachadh leis an fhaclair. Tagh facal sam bith san colbh Gàidhlig agus fosglaidh am faclair ann an taba ùr agus bidh gnè an fhacail ann.Twenty Words is integrated with the dictionary. Choose any word in the Gaelic column and the dictionary will open and you will see the gender of the Gaelic word.

Name Ainm  
Alan Ailean <))
Malcolm Calum <))
David Daibhidh <))
Donald Dòmhnall <))
Jack Seoc <))
James Seumas <))
John Iain <))
Derek Ruairidh <))
Robert Raibeart <))
Andrew Anndra <))
William Uilleam <))
Norman Tormod <))
Patrick Pàdraig <))
Colin Cailean <))
Kenneth Coinneach <))
Murdoch/Murdo Murchadh <))
Finlay Fionnlagh <))
Hugh Uisdean <))
Neil Niall <))
Angus Aonghas <))

The vocative case is used in Gaelic when a person is being addressed by their name. This case changes some names so that Dòmhnall (Donald), becomes "A Dhòmhnaill" - note that an ‘h’ is added and the name is slenderised, that is to say an ‘i’ is added.

‘Màiri’ becomes ‘a Mhàiri’, but it does not need to have an ‘i’ added! Names like Eilidh, or Una, which start with vowels do not change.
Bidh daoine a’ cleachdadh an tuiseal gairmeach nuair a tha iad a bruidhinn ri cuideigin agus ga ainmeachadh. Tha an tuiseal seo ag atharrachadh "Dòmhnall" gu "A Dhòmhnaill". Tha an t-ainm air a shèimheachadh.

Tha ‘Màiri’ ag atharrachadh gu ‘A Mhàiri’. Chan eil ainmean mar ‘Eilidh’ no Ùna ag atharrachadh.

Barrachd fiosrachaidh air a’ chuspair seo Further resources on this subject

Girls’ names Ainmean boireann
We have a list of girls’ names too. Tha liosta againne de dh’ainmean boireann cuideachd.
Surnames Sloinnidhean
We have a list of surnames too. Tha liosta againne de na h-ainmean seo cuideachd.
Speaking our Language Speaking our Language
Check out Episode 7 of Speaking our Language. This episode talks about children. Learn how to count people and give orders. Thoir sùil air Prògram 7 de Speaking our Language. Tha am prògram seo a’ bruidhinn mu chloinn. Ionnsaich mu chunntadh dhaoine agus òrduighean.
Little by little Beag air Bheag
Learn more phrases and orders with Unit 5 of Little by Little which is based on talking about your family. Ionnsaich barrachd abairtean agus òrdughan le Aonad 9 de Bheag air Bheag a tha stèidhichte air a bhith bruidhinn mu do theaghlach.
Beginners’ Course Cùrsa Tòiseachaidh
Learn who is in your family with Lesson 41 of the Beginners’ Course. Ionnsaich cò tha anns an teaghlach agad le leasan 41 den Chùrsa Thòiseachaidh.