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 don’t see my name. It’s Lisa is there a translation for it, or is it the same
How about Elaine?
mine is michealin
Verónica cómo se dice en Gaélico?? Porfavor.. Gracias!!
No Paula
what is Suzanne
Susaidh
Timothy/ TIM????
Is there a Virginia and or Ginger in Gaelic?
Tìm is a gaelic word meaning Time. I have heard people use their name Tim as is without changing.
How do you pronounce the translation for Melissa?
That’s what I was wondering, too.
Go to translate Google.com. Copy and paste the name. There should be an audio symbol near the bottom. Hope it works.
Go to translate Google.com. Copy and paste the name. There should be an audio symbol near the bottom. Hope it works.
How about Bonnie?
My name is never found anywhere. “Clarissa”
I feel your pain.
I don’t see Eleanor….
my names Sebria any thoughts? I have a Scottish ancestors
Our daughter’s “Janel”, which is Gaelic (original spelling) meaning, “darling”. Do you know if this is Scottish Gaelic, and is this correct?
Ryan
Reese
Dona (“Donna”)
*if you had a “John IV” (hubby/Dad is John III), is (or was) there a way to determine who you were speaking of (referencing)?
Thank you – so very interesting!
You have meghan, but not meagan (pronounced meeagan)
I don’t think there will be much of a difference when it comes to Gaelic but I will ask when I get a chance!
Thanks for reading.
Gaelic uses a naming convention whereby you tag on the name and gender relationship to express lineage. Sìne Nic Nìll Mhic’ is Jane, Daughter of Neil. Patronimics. We traditionally kept our family tree many centuries back in this manner, stringing the names along.
Is there a Gaelic version of Regina?
I know the Gaelic spelling of my name. It’s right there on the airport: SIONNA. Not Sianan. Nice try.
Well, it’s possible Àdhamh was using a different Scottish Gaelic dialect for his translation. You are welcome to use whichever you choose. 😊
I think my name Keith says it already. 🙂
Indeed your name is gaelic, however there is no K in the Gaelic Alphabet so to make it gaelic change the K to Ceith 🙂 we use S for soft C sounds. C in gaelic is like the C in Can.
Yeah! I’m on the list now! Thanks!
Reblogged this on History's Untold Treasures and commented:
H/T Great Scot!
Would it be possible for you to please add a pronunciation key for Vivian? That’s my new baby’s name and I’d love to use the Gaidhlig name as well as we have a little Celtic ancestory. Thank you so much!
As if you aren’t already busy enough? 😉
My name is never listed anywhere.
Does Judy (or Judith) have a Garlic equivalent? Also Kyle. And Reid
Ummm…typo…not garlic!,,…Gaelic!
How about CRYSTAL? My name is never anywhere either! 🙂
What would be the Gaelic for my name, Daralee? Have some Scottish ancestry, and also some Irish. Thanks!
My name is Dolores or Dee if that’s better since my name may not exist since it’s italian
Your name is Spanish 😛
Really? No Bonnie??
Very cool! Wish my name was listed 😦 Hard having a more unusual name!
I woud be surprised to find a translation for my name – Tasia (tah-see-ah). this blog is a wonderful find!
So happy you like it!
Pingback: So what is your ‘Official Outlander name’ in Gàidhlig? | Tartan Rush
Is there a translation for Caroline? Thank you.
No Wendy 😕
I have a list of names to get. I’ll make sure Wendy is on it!
What about Phoebe!!!
Does Dawn have a translation at all?
Shame that my name is too weird for these kind of things. However, does the Jasmine flower have a Gaelic name? *crossing fingers*😊
Jasmine is Iasman in Gàidhlig.
You can listen to an audio file of the pronunciation on the LearnGaelic website – http://learngaelic.net/dictionary/index.jsp?abairt=jasmine&slang=en&wholeword=false
Hope that helps 🙂
i believe it is seasmain i looked it up as wanted to tell my eldest niece what it was because jasmine is her name as well !
Hi I don’t find my name, have an unusual name, Petra . 😞
my name is Gemma
Still no translation in Gaelic for Daralee. With my Scot, Irish, Swedish, and german heritage, I doubt I’ll ever find my name.
Pingback: 422. Gàidhlig in Outlander | ancroiait
Pingback: Revised and Improved – So what is your ‘Official Outlander name’ in Gàidhlig? | sassenachspeaks
What a fun way to survive Droughtlander and help preserve an incredible living part of Scottish history! I am really enjoying following your blog!
Sassenachspeaks.wordpress.com
I have never seen my name here nor in any store that has things already personalized. My name is Daralee Davon Donathan.
The last name is Greek….no need to translate. Would love to know the translation for Judith. Ceud taing.
Heh, I almost never find my name in any lists but I still had a little hope. Ah, well. How about Gwen?
Rose is Ròs in Gàidhlig.
You can find an audio file of the pronunciation on the following link –
http://learngaelic.net/dictionary/index.jsp?abairt=rose&slang=en&wholeword=false
Hope that helps 🙂
Is there a translation for Judith. Thank you. Àdhamh!!!
My name is never listed anywhere, so I have chosen”Seilean” which is the name that comes close to my nickname, “B”
My name isn’t there either. Can you translate what Simone is please? Thank you
Nice to see Anne and Linda on the list. Still waiting for Carmen, Colette, Dauphne, Dawn, Donna and Paula, if you get the chance. Thanks!
i am such a wordpress virgin..not a monk..haha..i couldnt see your comments section elswhere..so heres my question for you Mandy..
Jaimie is often heard saying what sounds like..”sho” or “sure” in the gaelic. eg..when Clair finds the changeling..he suggests after their tender conversation that they head off and get back to Leoch..but he says “sho” doe it mean Ok, alright, lets go?? Thank you dear girl!
“Seo” means “there”.
Ack…typo. It means ‘here’
What about Donna? Please. Love your blog!
How about Brandy?
Is there a Gaelic form for Marlene or Madeleine?
What about Winona?
How about Lorraine? My Scottish Nan was Ruby Scott.
Halo, Nansaidh how is it pronounced?