ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 2881 http://www.s-gabriel.org/2881 ************************************ 30 Jun 2004 From: Aryanhwy merch Catmael Greetings from the Academy of S. Gabriel! You wanted to know if is an appropriate name for a woman living in Northern Ireland in the 10th century. , more accurately spelled , is the name of a legendary early Irish saint. This spelling, however, uses conventions characteristic of the 13th century and later; a spelling appropriate for your period is . However, we have not found any evidence that this name was used in your period, or even any evidence outside this legendary figure, and therefore recommend that you do not use it. [3] We can, however, suggest other names that are appropriate for your period (arranged from most common to least common): [4] Eithne Muirenn Du/nlaith Flann Ma/el Muire Ai/binn Taileflaith Anlaith Cainnech Catan Dianaim Dub Lemna Fedelm Li/gach Ma/el Etich Ma/el Fabaill Muirgel Sa/erlaith Selblaith Uallach If you are interested in the pronunciation of any of these names, please write us again and we'll be happy to help. The byname (more properly , was used to indicate that a woman was a member of the clan. Bynames indicating clan affiliation are first found in the 10th century, becoming common in the 11th century. [1] This spelling is appropriate for c.1200 on; in the 10th century, this would be spelled , and pronounced roughly \EEN-y@n EE ROO-@-dhree\, where \@\ is the sound of in or , and \dh\ is the sound of in . If you wanted your father's name to be , instead of being a member of the clan, then the proper byname for your period is . The masculine name is found in 785, 833, and 993, making it a fine choice for your father's name. [2] was pronounced roughly \EEN-y@n ROO-@-dhree\. We hope that this letter has been useful to you and that you won't hesitate to write us again if any part was unclear or if you have further questions. Research and commentary on this letter was provided by Tangwystyl verch Morgant Glasvryn, Talan Gwynek, Arval Benicoeur, Mari neyn Brian, and Juliana de Luna. For the Academy, -Aryanhwy merch Catmael, 30Jun04 -- References: [1] Krossa, Sharon L. (Effric neyn Kenyeoch vc Ralte), "Quick and Easy Gaelic Names (3rd Edition)" (WWW: Privately published, 22 Jun 2001) http://www.MedievalScotland.org/scotnames/quickgaelicbynames/ [2] Mari Elspeth nic Bryan, "Index of Names in Irish Annals: Masculine Given Names" (WWW: Academy of S. Gabriel, 2001-2002). http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/mari/AnnalsIndex/Masculine [3] O/ Corra/in, Donnchadh and Fidelma Maguire, _Irish Names_ (Dublin: The Lilliput Press, 1990). s.n. Ru/adnat [4] Mari Elspeth nic Bryan, "Index of Names in Irish Annals: Feminine Names" (WWW: Academy of S. Gabriel, 2000-2002). http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/mari/AnnalsIndex/Feminine/