Note that I have reworked this list and added additional names. First, the list is now alphabetized by English name which I hope will make it much easier to use. I have also come across a list of name translations from a book circa the early 1900’s thanks to KristenK! These names have been added to the list but I don’t have pronunciations for them.
Welcome to the Clan!
Àdhamh Ó Broin (@an_comhghallach), Gàidhlig ambassador extraordinaire and tutor to the Outlander cast and crew, invites you to find your name below and then use your imagination to hear him (or Sam if you prefer) saying the following in his best ‘How to Speak Outlander’ voice:
“Say it with me, __insert your Gàidhlig name here__ . You now have your own official OUTLANDER name! Latha math leibh!”
If there is no pronunciation guide given, then it is pronounced the same as English or I don’t have a pronunciation for the name yet. Also, keep in mind that because some of our more modern names don’t truly exist in Gàidhlig, what is given here is an approximation using the equivalent Gàidhlig spelling for the English sounds.
Abigail – Abagail /AHbagle/ ‘gle’ like in waggle
Adam – Àdhamh /AHgiv/
Adeline – Àdailin /AHdaleen/
Adriana – Driàna /DreeAHna/
Agnes – Una
Alana – Alàna / /
Albert – Ailbert
Alice – Ailis
Alexander – Alasdair
Alison – Àlasan / ALison
Allan – Ailean
Amber – Òmarag /AWmarak/
Amelia – Aimili
Andrea – Aindréa / /
Andrew – Anndra /ANdra/ or Aindrea
Angel, Angela – Aingeal /ENyal/
Angelica – Aingealag
Angus – Aonghas
Ann – Àine / /
Anna – Anna /anna/
Annabella – Anabladh, Barabel
Archibald – Gilleasbuig
Arthur – Artair
Aulay – Amhladh
Barbara – Barabal /BArable/ like “arable” with a B at the start
Bartholomew – Parlan
Beatrice – Beitiris
Benjamin – Beathan
Bernard – Bearnard
Beth, Sophia, Becky, Rebecca – Beathag /BAYhak/
Betsy, Betty – Beitidh
Brenda – Breannda / /
Bridget – Bride
Callista – Cailìosta / /
Callie – Càlaidh / /
Camille – Caimìl / /
Candy – Milsean / Meelshawn/
Carrie – Carraigh / /
Catherine, Katrina, Kathie – Caitrìona/ kaTREEna
Cecilia – Sileas
Charles – Teàrlach
Charmain – Teàrmag /CHARmak/
Cheri – Seirì / /
Cheryl – Teàrlaid /TCHARlatch (‘tch’ like ‘latch’) /
Chiandra – Siàndra / /
Christine, Christina, Kristen – Cairistìona! /karisTCHEEona/
Christopher – Gillecriosd
Cindy, Cynthia – Sundaidh /sindie/
Clara, Claire – Sorcha
Claudia, Claudine – Clòdain
Colin – Cailean
Coll – Colla
Conall – Connull
Connie – Cònaidh / /
Cornelia – Còrnala / /
Daniel – Daniel
David – Dàibhidh /divey/
Deborah, Debra – Deabra /Jebra/
Denise – Dionas” /JEEniss/, Daonas /DÖniss/, Nìseag /NEEshuk/ (Gaelicisation)
Dermid – Diarmad
Diana – Diana /JEEana/
Donald – Dòmhnull
Dorothy – Diorbhàil, Diorbhor-gail
Duncan – Donnchadh
Edward – Eideard
Effie, Euphemia – Aoirig, Eighrig
Eileen – Eilean /AILan/ (island) but sounds a bit like “Allan”
Elizabeth – Ealasaid/YELLasatch
Ellen – Eilidh
Emily – Aimil
Emma – Èama/ EMa
Erica – Eirce /AIRke/
Evander – Iamhair, Iomhar
Eve – Eubh
Ewen – Eòbhann, Eoghan
Farquhar – Fearchar
Fergus – Fearghas
Fernanda – Fearnànda/ /
Fingal – Fionn
Finlay – Fionnla, Fionnlagh
Fiona – Fionnghal /FYUnagal/
Flora – Fionnaghal, Floràidh
Frances – Frangag
Francesca – Frànca /franka/
Franis, Frank – Frang
Gail – Géil / /
Geneva – Aiteil” /ATCHel/
Geoffrey – Goiridh
George – Seòras, Deòrsa
Gilbert – Gilleabart, Gillebride
Gilchrist – Gillecriosd
Gillian, Jillian – Dìlean /JEElin
Gillies – Gillies
Gina – Dìona /Gina/
Ginger – Ruadh /rua/ – Ginger (red/ginger haired)
Godfrey – Goraidh, Guaidhre
Grace – Giorsal
Gregor – Griogair
Hannah – Una
Harold – Harailt
Heather – Fhraoich /ruich/
Hector – Eachunn
Helen – Eilidh /AYlie
Henrietta, Harriet – Eiric
Henry – Eanruig
Hugh – Aoidh, Uisdean, Huisdean
Ingrid – Íongraid / /
Iris – Seilaas /SHAYliss/
Isabel, Isabella – Iseabail/EESHAHbal/
Ivana, Evonne, Yvonne, Joan – Seònag /SHAWnak/
James – Seumas
Jamie – ‘Seumag’ /shaymak/ or Seumaidh /shaymie (female)
Jane, Jean – Sìne /sheene/ last ‘e’ like ‘e’ in ‘the’
Jeanie – Sìneag /SHEEnak/
Jennifer, Janet – Seònaid/SHAWnatch
Jessie – Sesi
Joan – Seònag /SHAWnak/
Johann, Judith – Siubhan
John – Iain, Eoin
Joseph – Seòsaidh
Julia -Sileas
Joy – Aoibh /öiv/
Joyce – Deòidhs / / (approximation)
Karen – Càirean, Càran / / (approximation)
Kate – Ceit
Katerin – Cheiteirin/ CHAYtcherin (‘ch’ like ‘loch’, ‘tch’ like ‘latch’)/
Kathleen – Caitlin /CATCHlin/
Kelly – Cealaigh /Kelly/
Kim – Ceam /Kim/
Kimberly – Bearlaigh /berley/
Kenneth – Coinneach
Lachlan – Lachunn, Lachlann
Laura, Lorna, Lauren – Latharna /LA-arna/ from Lorne
Laura, Laurie – Labhraidh /lowrie/ – Alternate for Laura, Laurie
Laurence, Lawrence – Labhruinn
Leslie – Leaslaidh /leslie/
Lewis, Louis – Luthais
Lilias – Lilias
Linda – Teile /chai-le like ‘chai’ of chair with Fre. “le”/ From Gae 4 Linden Tree
Lilly – Lilidh /lilly/
Louisa,Louise, Lucy – Liùsadh
Ludovic – Maldònuich
Luke – Lùcais
Mabel – Moibeal
Magnus – Manus
Malcolm – Calum
Mandy – Màndaidh/MANday/
Margaret – Mairghread, Peigi
Margery – Marcail
Marion – Muireall
Marisa – Mairìosa
Marjory – Marsali
Martha – Màrta, Moireach /MAWruch/
Martin – Màrtainn
Mary, Maria, Marie – Mairi/MAAri/
Matthew – Mata
Maureen – Màirin /MArin/ (Maureen is an Anglicisation of an Irish Gaelic name: “Moirín)
Maurice – Maolmuire
Meghan – Màiread! /MYrit –
Melanie – Mèalanaidh / /
Melinda – Meilìonda
Melissa – Meilìosa/
Michael – Mìcheal /MEEchle/ the ‘le’ in the pronounciation like ‘le’ in “tickle”
Michelle – Micheáilin / /
Mindy – Mìondaidh /MEANday/
Misty – Ceathag /KAYak/
Monica – Mònag /MAWnak/
Murdoch – Muireach, Murchadh
Muriel – Muireall
Myles – Maol-Moire
Nan – Nàn a-Mhàin /nan aVAN/ lit. just/only Nan!
Nancy – Nansaidh / /
Neil – Niall
Nicholas – Neacaill /NYECHkal/
Nicol – Neacail
Ninian – Ringean
Norman – Tormoid, Tormod
Oliver – Olaghair
Owen – Aoghann
Pamela – Pàmala /PAMala
Patricia – Pàdrais /PAHdrish
Patrick – Pàdruig, Pàruig
Paul – Pàl /PAL/
Penny – Peanaidh /Penny/
Peter – Pcasdair
Philip – Philip
Poolak – Pulag/ Poolak/
Rachel, Raquel – Raonaild /RUEnatch/ ‘ao’ like ‘oue’ in “ouef” and “bouef”, French
Ranald – Raonull
Reagan – Reagan /RAYgin/
Richard – Ruiseart
Rita – Rìota /Rita
Robert – Raibeart, Rob
Rochelle – Ròisin /ROsheen/
Roderick – Ruairidh
Ronald – Raonull
Rory – Ruairidh
Roy – Ruadh
Sally – Morag, Sàlaidh
Samantha – Samànta / /
Samuel – Samuel, Somhhairlè
Sandra – Sandra / /
Sandy (male) – Sandaidh, Alasdair / /
Sandy (female) – Sàndag / /
Sarah – Morag /MOErak/
Shannon – Sianan / /
Sharon – Siàran /sharon/
Shawna, Shaune – Siàna / /
Sheila – Sìle /SHEEle/
Sheilean – Seilean //SHAYlin/ – Sheilean (Irish for Deborah, means bee)
Shirlene – Sirlìon / /
Simon – Sim, Sime
Stephanie – Steaphanaidh /stefanee/
Stacy – Stéasaigh /stchaysie/
Stephen, Steven – Steaphan, Steafan/stefan/
Sue, Susie, Susan – Siùsaidh/shooosie/
Tammy – Tamaidh / /
Tania, Tanya – Tàinia /Tania/
Teresa, Theresa – Tairìosa
Thomas – Tòmas, Tàmhas
Tracey – Tréasaidh
Victor – Buaidhear” /BOOYer/
Victoria – Tóraidh /tori/
Vivian – Bibhian / BV’in/
Walter – Bhaltair
Wanda – Uànda! /wanda/
William – Uilleam
Winifred – Una
I think mine is Eilidh – Elaine is a form of Ellen or Helen.
Yes. You would be Eilidh!
I havent seen mine,its Annie..but its probably the same?? Can you help?? Thank you 🙂
Hi.Just found this blog. Have never joined one before. No conversion for my name or me sisters Kim, Terri, April that I can find. Help, plz. Love what I am reading.
After all, Angels are in every language!
Absolutely!
Is there a translation for Kim? Thanks!
I have been afraid to ask Adhamh to translate mine, for fear of being a Broch. lol.
Pretty sure it’s not broch since that means tower! Allt seams to be the Gàidhlig word for brook but it’s masculine not feminine.Will ask Àdhamh when I get a chance.
thanks Mandy!
What a fun list! My mother’s legal name is Frances but her father unofficially renamed her Sally when she was placed in his arms and so she can now choose between Frangag or Morag too. Thank you!
Is there a translation for Genevieve?
I’ve not seen one yet. I’ll add it to the list though if I can find one.
Isn’t Genevieve a French form of Jennifer? Then you’d be Seonaid.
Sounds plausible to me!
Thanks for your hard work could you please add Melinda/Meilionda/MailEENda
No Ashley? That’s a first. Sad day!
I’ll add it to our list. It’s by no means complete!
Here’s my twitter conversation with Àdhamh Ó Broin: http://mistykruger.tumblr.com/post/94566530915/twitter-chat-with-the-wonderful-adhamh-o-broin
I *think* we settled on
Misty: “Ceathag” /KAYak/ (like “Mórag” or “Seònag”)
Eileen: “Eilean” /AILan/ (island) but sounds a bit like “Allan”
Together, it’s Eilean a’ Cheò /AILan in KHeeoh/ Island of Mist, one of Skye’s nicknames! hehe
Thanks!
Oh, whoops! I didn’t think I got logged in correctly, so I re-posted. Just delete the duplicate, please!
Wondered about Maureen.
My name is Rowan which I thought was Irish Gaelic. Is there a Scottish translation?
Rowan is already Gàidhlig I believe. I just need to check the spelling.
What about Dawn? There must be a word for that…
My real name is Diane and for once in my life I wish it was Diana! As I said Twitter, do you think I would be allowed to cheat? LOL!
Absolutely! Diana and Diane I’m sure would be the same in Gàidhlig.
Well then sign me up! 🙂
What does the translation for Diana mean?
It’s more of a Gaelicization, so I don’t think it has a meaning.
Thank you! I wonder how it sounds. I doubt I would able to say it.
so far you dont have a translation for Carol, but l see my middle name is there..Elizabeth – Ealasaid/YELLasatch..
How does Sara become Morag?
Is Breanda suppose to be Brenda?
Yes! Just fixed the typo.
My name is Raelynn. Would this translate?
The first time I’ve ever seen my name on something (try finding it on key chains in tourist shops) and it’s awesome 🙂 Síne.
I do find it interesting that Joan/Ivana are different as they, like Jean, come from the same root: the feminine of “John”. Of course, “Jean” is John in French, so maybe that’s why… regardless, I like my Gàidhlig name way more than the anglicized version 😉
Thank you for putting
Candy/Milsean on the list!
Would that be the same for Candace? Candace is an Ethiopian queen mentioned in the Bible.
I think it would be the same.
Please add “Donna” I’ve seen at least 3 people ask about it on twitter, it’s sort of derived from “donn” brown-haired, or so my grandda said; however my father said I was named such as a female form of his Anglicised name Donald. Grandda called me “Donna Ruadh” for my red-brown hair. 🙂
How about Canice? St. Canice was with St. Patrick when they drove the “snakes” from Ireland. at least that is my understanding. I’m of thick Irish decent, but sometimes, when the Guinness flows, stories do also! thanks, Canice from Alaska
My name is Brynne – It’s welsh for ‘hill’. I assume it would remain the same and not translate?
Probably.
So wondering about Hillary – it’s rooted in Greek and means “laughter” (as in hilarious I suppose)… TIA
Does ‘Amanda’ translate?
We don’t have one currently but you’re welcome to borrow Màndaidh. 😉
2 of our daughters have celtic names but I don’t know if they’d be the same in Gaelic…… Addison and Kinley. I’ve been super curious but also super shy about wanting to ask!
Monica, They aren’t names I’ve seen translated before, but I’ll see what I can find.
Mandy
Much appreciated!!
How about Colly? It’s supposedly Irish, (and not an abbreviation of Colleen either).
If Victoria is Tóraidh /tori/
What would Victor be?
I asked and while this is no specific equivalent, I’ve been told Buaidhear /BOOYer/ would work.
Thanks for asking!
Thank you for answering. Maybe ypu could help me out with the pronunciation of me user name.
Laochri, it is a mash up of laoch/Warrior and righ/King(but I shortened righ to ri) I have been pronouncing it Lay-ock-ree.
It’s a little different than that. 🙂 Here is a sound file for laoch. The righ part is good. It sounds like ‘ree.’
Cool, Thanks!
John – Sean
Shawn, Shaun – Sean
As a Sean, I’m a little confused why “Sandra-Sandra” is here but my name isn’t. Is this not right?
It just happens to have not been requested before. 😊 It’s not an exhaustive list by any means.
My name is Karen which is Danish for Katherine. Which is Caitriona.
What would my name be? Deana and it’s pronounced like Dean with an short ‘a’ at the end.
Would Jackie be the female version of John or James. I was supposed to be a John Joseph if a boy and would have been called Jack, so would that make me Iona? or Iana? or would it be a form of Seumus
No Caroline or Carol?
Not yet but I’ll add it to my list to try and get!
What about Jonquil? It’s a flower like a daffodil what would be that in Gaelic?😀
Is there a translation for Valerie?
I could find neither my first or middle name on your list.
First: Oda
Middle: Leo
I am of Scot/Irish/Cherokee and German (Franken) heritage.
Any assistance, gladly appreciated.
Thank you
I have a long list for which I’m working on getting translations! I’ll add yours to it. Thanks for reading! Mandy
Thank you
I have always know kelly to be gaelic I just never knew how to pronounce it in gaelic.
Glad you liked it!
So would Carol be the same as Carrie in Gaelic? thanks for doing this.
I think it probably would be very similar, if not exactly the same.
Seeing as my name is Irish in origin I would imagine it is the same eh … Colleen Casey
My name is Àntanàil. Or at least it’s the closest approximation that Àdhamh came up with. Etruscan names are a wee bit harder.
I see Julia, but what about Julie…or in my case, Julee? 🙂
Is there a translation for Irene. Which is my middle name. My first is a typical Norwegian name I don’t think there is a name for. But I can ask. Is there one for Silje?
I’ll add Irene to the list of those I’m trying to get from Adhamh. It’s harder with the non-English names unless you can give me a meaning for it.
Is there any translation for Kimberley?
My name is Tara, and as far as I know this name is Irish. I sort of expected to see it in the list, given the many names shared in the British Isles. I’d love to know what the translation would be, if you’d like to add it to the list. 🙂
Do you happen to know what Marianne would be in Gaidhlig?
Well, Mary is Mairi and Anne is Àine, so I would say Mairiàine or something similar.
I have a list of names from my “Teach Yourself Gaelic” textbook (copyright 1993/2003). Is there an email to which I could send the list?
How about Lynne?
I am making bookmarks for friends with their Gaelic or Gaelicized name on them. I’m looking for help Gaelicizing Carmen, Colette, Dauphne, Dawn, Donna, Paige and Paula – I’ve seen Paul as Pòl, but I have never seen it with an ‘a’ on the end to feminize it, so I’m not sure what to do! Your help would be much appreciated!
I will see what I can do!
Thanks so much!
Can you find out about the name Jolene? Thanks!!!
My name is Leticia, which Herself used as a character’s name. I don’t really think it’s likely to translate to Gaelic, but it would be pretty cool if it did. 🙂
My name is never ever there… Aida… not on name plates in Disneyland or anything
My name is Manuela, the female for of Manuel. Just wondering if there is a Gaelic name?
I know you have a ton of requests for names so I was wondering if I could add my name to the list? Kirsten
Thank you.