Celtic Baby Names: Traditional Names from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany, Cornwall & the Isle of Man [Paperback]

Judy Sierra (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1997

Authoritative, useful, and fun to browse, Celtic Baby Names offers 1200 traditional first names from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany, Cornwall, and the Isle of Mane. These names are drawn from the six Celtic languages, along with pronunciations, etymologies, and information about famous people of history and legend who have borne them. This is the only book of its kind, and the only American publication offering a wide selection of names in Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, Cornish, Manx and Breton. Genuine Celtic names will prove to be of interest to expectant parents, of course, but also to anyone gathering information about the names of relatives and friends, to those seeking new names for themselves, and to authors looking for meaningful and melodious names for literary characters as well. Browse the pages of Celtic Baby Names for names that are unique, authentic, and brimming with historical and mythical associations.

From the reviews:
"This guide is highly recommended."
Midwest Book Review

"Sierra provides an excellent introduction to each of the six Celtic languages that helps give an understanding of the cultural and religious background of the names. A useful contribution is the inclusion of pronunciation, a definite advantage ove many baby name books."
--ARBA-American Reference Books Annual

Recommended by Choice Reviews, American Library Association
Choice

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Authoritative, useful, and fun to browse, Celtic Baby Names offers 1200 traditional first names from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany, Cornwall, and the Isle of Mane. These names are drawn from the six Celtic languages, along with pronunciations, etymologies, and information about famous people of history and legend who have borne them. This is the only book of its kind, and the only American publication offering a wide selection of names in Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, Cornish, Manx and Breton. Genuine Celtic names will prove to be of interest to expectant parents, of course, but also to anyone gathering information about the names of relatives and friends, to those seeking new names for themselves, and to authors looking for meaningful and melodious names for literary characters as well. Browse the pages of Celtic Baby Names for names that are unique, authentic, and brimming with historical and mythical associations. Highly recommended! -- Midwest Book Review

Product Details

• Paperback: 121 pages
• Publisher: Folkprint; 1 edition (July 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0963608959
• ISBN-13: 978-0963608956
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #677,435 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I grew up in a very creative, book-loving family. My father was a photographer, and my mother was a librarian. They read to me constantly, especially poetry. When I was seven, they built me a puppet theater and I gave my first performance, "The Three Wishes." In college I studied literature, and afterwards I became a children's librarian. A few years later, I set out on my own as a puppeteer, quickly joining forces with another puppet artist, who became my husband. We studied traditional puppetry in Indonesia, and traveled all over the U.S. as teachers and artists-in-residence. About twenty years ago, I combined what I had learned as an avid reader and writer, as a librarian and children's entertainer, and began writing books for children. All of my books are meant to be read aloud and dramatized. To learn more about how each of my books came to be, please visit my web site: http://www.judysierra.net.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A really excellent resource, February 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Celtic Baby Names: Traditional Names from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany, Cornwall & the Isle of Man (Paperback)

This book is a treasure trove of relevant info in an easy to use format. It is divided into regions (e.g. Ireland, Scotland...) and includes a brief history of each Celtic region and its language/naming practices. Within those sections, names are listed alphabetically. The author includes the history, meaning, gender, and the very necessary pronunciation(s) of the names, and tells readers all the various spellings and their implications (e.g. Old Irish spelling, modern Irish, or anglicized). It is definitely the best resource of Celtic names that I have yet seen, and I heartily recommend it.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent source for Celt names, March 4, 2003

By 

Deborah MacGillivray "Author," (US & UK) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Celtic Baby Names: Traditional Names from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany, Cornwall & the Isle of Man (Paperback)

Wonderful assortment of names (not definitive and maybe difference of opinion on some)> Not divided into male and female names, but then these days with a penchant for giving male names to females maybe I am being picky.

It gives the meaning of the names,drawn from Celt Languages of Scots Gaelic, Welsh, Manx, Beton and Cornish - 1200 traditional first names from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany, Cornwall, and the Isle of Mane, with the pronunciations, and interesting tidbits about people that had the name. The only US book with names offering this wide of a selection. Since many people have trouble with pronouncing these names, the pronunciations guide is every helpful.

Of special interested to writers looking for Celt derivative characters for their books.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting reading, but not very complete, December 8, 2000

By 

Julie Fuller - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Celtic Baby Names: Traditional Names from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany, Cornwall & the Isle of Man (Paperback)

This book is remarkably short. If you are looking for a Celtic name for a baby, okay, this book is probably good. But if you are an author looking for an authentic Welsh or Breton (or whatever) name, this book is not nearly thourough enough. The pronounciation key is helpful -- although I am not sure it is entirely correct -- and the fact that she gives the linguistic meaning of the name, not the assumed meaning (e.g. "Dalwen" would mean, in welsh, "dal" (forehead) + "wen" (shining), not "brilliant" or whatnot.) But in the Breton names, she gives French spelling if she thinks it looks better, and in all languages she only includes the few that she likes herself, with whatever spellings she wants. The history of the names and the language information is very useful, though.

I don't regret the money I paid for this book, but it could be better. If you are an author, or don't care about pronounciation, Sherrilyn Kenyon's book _Character Naming Sourcebook_ (also on Amazon) is better.