Edited by Azizi Powell
This is Part II of a two part series on famous Black people with an Irish first name and/or middle name. A few additional Irish names are given because of their popularity among African Americans.
Part II provides information about names beginning with M-Z.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/07/famous-black-people-with-irish-first.html for Part I . Part I provides information about names beginning with A-L.
DISCLAIMER:
This isn't meant to be a comprehensive listing of Irish names or of Black people with Irish names.
Some of these names have other etymologies besides their Irish origins/meanings.
Most of the people included in this list are African Americans. This post includes other Black people who are known in the United States because of their historical, cultural, professional, and/or political activities.
The content of this post is presented for etymological and cultural information.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
This is part of an ongoing pancocojams series on names and nicknames.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/02/famous-black-people-name-origins_26.html "Famous Black People Name Origins, Part I (A-L). The links to the other posts in that particular series are given in that post.
Other pancocojams posts on names and nicknames can be found by clicking the tabs that are given below.
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FAMOUS BLACK PEOPLE WITH IRISH FIRST OR MIDDLE NAMES (M-Z)
Note:
Information about the meaning of the Irish name is given before the information about the Black person with that name.
Some names on this list are also used as surnames (last names).
M
Morris
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morris_(surname)
"Morris is a surname of various origins though mostly of English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh origin. The name in some cases can be of German origin and even an Americanization of several Jewish surnames.[1]
...Morris (Ó Muiris in Irish) was introduced to Ireland by the Normans, along with the variant Fitzmaurice (Mac Muiris). A branch of these Morrises moved to Galway in 1485 and later became one of the Tribes of Galway. The name may also have been an abbreviation of Morrissey (Ó Muireasa), a branch of the Uí Fiachrach clan.
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Famous Black person with that name - Morris Day
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morris_Day
"Morris E. Day (born 1957) is an American musician, composer, and actor. He is best known as the lead singer of The Time."
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N
Nelson
From http://www.familyhistorymonthly.com/surnames/surname-detail/22
"Nelson... was first adopted through the straightforward patronymic method: son of Neil.
Name etymologists clash over whether Nelson is essentially an Irish or Anglo-Scandinavian name. If Nelson came from the Gaelic name Neal, it originated as a patronymic name in medieval times from the names: Nell, Niall or Neal.
Others contest that Scandinavians adopted the Gaelic name Niall in the form Njal or Nyall, and it was Norse settlers who introduced the name to northern England and East Anglia, rather than it being taken directly from Gaelic. It also took the form ‘Ni(h)el’, often Latinised as ‘Nigellus’ through an incorrect association with ‘Niger’, meaning black or dark."
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Famous Black person with this name - Nelson Mandela
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Mandela
"Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela... 18 July 1918 – 5 December 2013) was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician and philanthropist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was South Africa's first black chief executive, and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election."
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From https://www.nelsonmandela.org/content/page/names
"Nelson - This name was given to him on his first day at school by his teacher, Miss Mdingane. Giving African children English names was a custom among Africans in those days and was influenced by British colonials who could not easily, and often would not, pronounce African names. It is unclear why Miss Mdingane chose the name “Nelson” for Mr Mandela."
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P
Q
R
Rhiannon
From http://www.behindthename.com/name/rhiannon
...Meaning & History
"Probably derived from the old Celtic name Rigantona meaning "great queen". It is speculated that this was the name of an otherwise unattested Celtic goddess of fertility and the moon. The name Rhiannon appears later in Welsh legend in the Mabinogion, borne by the wife of Pwyll and the mother of Pryderi.
As an English name, it became popular due to the Fleetwood Mac song 'Rhiannon' (1976).
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Famous Black person with this name - Rhiannon Giddens
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhiannon_Giddens
"Rhiannon Giddens is an American musician. She is known as the lead singer, violinist, banjo player and a founding member of the Grammy-winning[1] country, blues and old-time music Carolina Chocolate Drops."
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Famous Black person with a variant form of this name - Rihanna [singer]
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rihanna
"Robyn Rihanna Fenty (born February 20, 1988), known professionally as Rihanna (/riˈænə/ ree-AN-ə),[5][6] is a Barbadian singer, actress, songwriter and fashion designer. …
Robyn Rihanna Fenty was born on February 20, 1988, in Saint Michael, Barbados. Her mother, Monica Braithwaite, is a retired accountant of Afro-Guyanese background, and her father, Ronald Fenty, is a warehouse supervisor of Barbadian and Irish descent."
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Rowan
From http://www.behindthename.com/name/rowan
"ROWAN
GENDER: Masculine & Feminine
USAGE: Irish, English (Modern)
PRONOUNCED: RO-ən (English)
Meaning & History
From an Irish surname, an Anglicized form of Ó Ruadháin meaning "descendent of RUADHÁN". This name can also be given in reference to the rowan tree."
**
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rowan_(name)
"Rowan is an Irish given name and surname. Variants of the name include Roan,[2] Ruadhán (Irish), Ruadh (Irish). The name comes from the Irish surname Ó Ruadháin.[1] It is also an Arabic feminine name referring to a river in Paradise"...
[Irish] Meaning - little red one*
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*"Little red one" probably referred to the person's hair.
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Famous Black person with this name - Rowan Corbett
From http://www.carolinachocolatedrops.com/band/about.html
[paraphrased] - Rowan Corbett is a new member of the band Carolina Chocolate Drops (beginning in 2014).
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S
Sean
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_(given_name)
Seán or Seaghán (in its pre-1950s Irish form) is an Irish language masculine given name.[1] It is an Irish borrowing of the Norman French Jehan (see Jean). Anglicisations of the name include Séan, Sean, Shane, Shayne, Shaine, Shon, Shaun, and Shawn. The name Shane comes from the Ulster English pronunciation of the name, whereas the names Shaun, Shawn, or Sean come from the way it is pronounced in Munster, Leinster, and Connacht.[2]...
Variant form(s)
Seaghán, Seón, Shaun, Shawn, Seann, Seaghán, Eóin, Shaine, Shayne, Shane, Shon, Shauen Shawnel, Shawnell...
Female version: Shawna, Shauna, Seána, Shonna Siobhán
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The French name "Jehan" (Jean) is a form of the name "John".
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_(given_name)
"John ... is a masculine given name in the English language. The name is derived from the Latin Ioannes and Iohannes, which are forms of the Greek name Iōannēs (Ἰωάννης), originally borne by Hellenized Jews transliterating the Hebrew name Yohanan (יוֹחָנָן), "Graced by God", or Yehohanan (יְהוֹחָנָן), "God is Gracious"."
**
From http://www.behindthename.com/name/sean
"Sean:
GENDER: Masculine
USAGE: Irish, English
PRONOUNCED: SHAWN
Meaning & History
Anglicized form of SEÁN
...VARIANTS: Seán, Shane (Irish), Shane, Shaun, Shawn, Shayne (English)
FEMININE FORMS: Shauna, Shawna, Seanna (English)
OTHER LANGUAGES: Deshaun, Deshawn, Keshaun, Keshawn, Rashaun, Rashawn (African American)..."
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A famous Black person with the name "Sean" - Sean Combs
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_Combs
"Sean John Combs (born November 4, 1969),[3] also known by his stage names Puff Daddy, Diddy, and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur."
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Another famous Black person with the name "Sean" - Sean Paul
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_Paul
"Sean Paul Ryan Francis Henriques[1] (born 9 January 1973),[2][3] known by his stage name Sean Paul, is a Jamaican dancehall rapper, musician, singer, producer and actor...
Sean Paul was born in Kingston, Jamaica to parents Garth and Frances, both of whom were talented athletes. His mother is a well-known painter.[4][5] His paternal grandfather had Sephardi Jewish ancestry, from a family that had emigrated from Portugal, and his paternal grandmother was Afro-Caribbean; his mother is of English and Chinese Jamaican descent.[6][7] "
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Here are three examples of the numerous Black variants of the name "Sean":
De'Shawn:
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Da'Shawn_Hand
"Da'Shawn Hand (born November 14, 1995[1]) is an American football defensive end for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Hand was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, fathered by Sharif Hand, who was a junior in high school when Da'Shawn was born.[2] Hand's uncle, Damone Boone, was a Parade All-American running back at West Springfield in Virginia in the mid-1990s.[3][4]" ...
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Desean:
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeSean_Jackson
"DeSean William Jackson (born December 1, 1986) is an American football wide receiver and return specialist for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of California, Berkeley, and was recognized as a consensus All-American. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft."
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Shontelle:
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shontelle
"Shontelle Layne (born 4 October 1985),[2] known professionally as Shontelle, is a Barbadian singer-songwriter. She released her debut album Shontelligence in November 2008. Her second album, No Gravity, was released in September 2010. Her singles, "T-Shirt", and "Impossible", achieved modest international success."
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An Irish variant of the male name "Sean" is found immediately below.
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Sioban
"Sioban" is an Irish feminine form of the name "Sean". From the online reading that I've done, variants of the Irish female name "Sioban" appear to be increasingly popular among African Americans and Jamaicans.
From http://www.babynamesofireland.com/irish-girl-names/irish-girl-names-o-z
"Siobhan
PRONOUCE: “shiv + awn”
ENGLISH: Shevaun, Shavon, Chevonne
DESCRIPTION: Siobhan is another Irish form of Joan meaning “God is gracious.” A popular name in Ireland where the anglicised versions are often used."
**
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siobh%C3%A1n
Siobhán (English pronunciation: /ʃɨˈvɔːn/ shi-VAWN; Irish pronunciation or is a feminine Irish name.
It is derived from the Anglo-Norman Jehane and Jehanne,[1][2] which were introduced into Ireland by the Anglo-Normans in the Middle Ages.[2] The name is thus a cognate of the English Joan,[1][3] and ultimately derived from the Latin Ioanna and Iohanna, which are in turn from the Greek Iōanna. This Greek name is a feminine form of the Greek Iōannēs,[3] which is in turn a shortened form of the Hebrew Johanan, meaning "God is gracious"...
"The Scottish Gaelic form of the name is Siubhan (which is usually Anglicised Judith).[4] Alternative spellings of Siobhán include: Siobhan, Siobhain, Siobhann, Siobhin, Siobhon, Siobahn, Shivon, Siavon, Siovhan, Shivaune, Shivaun, Shavon, Sioban, Siobain, Shivonne, Shvaugn, Shivaughn, Shivaughne, Shievonne, Shavaughn, Shavaughne, Shavaughan, Shavaugn, Shavaugne, Shavaun, Shavaune, Sheavaughn, Shevaun, Shevawn, Shavone, Shavonne, Shevonne, Chevonne, Chevone, Chivonne, Chevon and Shivan, and Chivoun and Ciobhinne and Shavorn."
-snip-
Here's an example of a prominent-if not famous-person with a variant form of the name "Sioban":
From http://theamerican.org/news/2013/11/21/ABOUT_1121130824.aspx
"Commissioner Mike Aresco has announced the hiring of Chevonne Mansfield as Director of Communications at the American Athletic Conference.
Mansfield will be involved with all aspects of the communications and media relations initiatives for the conference's 21 sports, with an emphasis on women's basketball and men's soccer. She will serve as the media coordinator for the American Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Championship and will be responsible for developing and implementing season-long communication plans in concert with the conference's overall strategic branding efforts."
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T
Tyrone
From http://www.ohbabynames.com/meaning/name/tyrone/1869#.VZlUdY3wtv4
"Tyrone is a name of Irish origin, from the Gaelic “Tír Eoghain” meaning "land of Eoghan". Many etymologists speculate that Eoghan comes from the Irish-Gaelic meaning “born of the yew tree”, while others assume it’s the Irish equivalent of the English Eugene, a name brought to England in the 11th century by way of the Norman-French from the Greek Eugenios (Ευγενιος) meaning “well born, noble”. According to Irish history, Eóghan mac Néill was the 5th century son of Niall of the Nine Hostages (one of the High Kings of Ireland). This clearly predates the presence of the Normans in Ireland, so we like to think the name does indeed mean “born of the yew tree.”
The yew tree was sacred to the ancient Celts and revered almost as highly as the oak. They believed the yew symbolized immortality and had certain mystical powers (which is why the ancient Celtic Druids used wood from the yew tree in the construction of their “magic” wands). Eóghan also became an Irish King in his own right and founded the “Tír Eoghain” (present day County Tyrone, Northern Ireland). Tír Eoghain would eventually be anglicized to Tirowen or Tyrowen which is how we arrived at Tyrone.
It was a relatively unknown name outside the Irish borders until a handsome Irish-American actor named Tyrone Power achieved fame in the gilded age of Hollywood (1930s-50s). Americans went gangbusters over this name starting in the late 1930s thanks to the matinee idol and romantic star of the silver screen. Later on the name was embraced among African-Americans who maintained its popularity in the 1970s. Today, sadly, Tyrone is largely a forgotten name. Although it still does remarkably well in New Zealand and Australia."
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This quote was reformatted for this post for reading clarity.
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A famous Black person with this name - Tyrone Davis
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyrone_Davis
Tyrone Davis (born Tyrone Fettson;[1] May 4, 1938 – February 9, 2005) was a leading American blues and soul singer with a distinctive style, recording a long list of hit records over a period of more than 20 years. He had three no. 1 hits on the Billboard R&B chart: "Can I Change My Mind" (1968), "Turn Back The Hands Of Time" (1970), and "Turning Point" (1975).
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For whatever reason/s, many Americans consider "Tyrone" to be a "Black" name. The belief that "Tyrone" is a "Black" name becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy in that a number of White people have a tendency to stop using names that they consider to be "Black" names, based on what they consider to be a certain level of Black use of those particular names.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/07/cultural-influences-on-perception-that.html "Cultural Influences On The Perception That "Tyrone" Is A "Black Name""
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This concludes Part II of this series.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Please add other examples of famous Black people with Irish names to this list.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Showing posts with label Irish names. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Irish names. Show all posts
Saturday, July 4, 2015
Famous Black People With Irish First Names, Part I (A-L)
Edited by Azizi Powell
This is Part I of a two part series on famous Black people with an Irish first name and/or middle name. A few additional Irish names are given because of their popularity among African Americans.
Part I provides information about names beginning with A-L.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/07/famous-black-people-with-irish-first_4.html for Part II of this series. Part II provides information about names beginning with M-Z.
DISCLAIMER:
This isn't meant to be a comprehensive listing of Irish names or of Black people with Irish names.
Some of these names have other etymologies besides their Irish origins/meanings.
Most of the people included in this list are African Americans. This post includes other Black people who are known in the United States because of their historical, cultural, professional, and/or political activities.
The content of this post is presented for etymological and cultural information.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
This is part of an ongoing pancocojams series on names and nicknames.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/02/famous-black-people-name-origins_26.html "Famous Black People Name Origins, Part I (A-L). The links to the other posts in that particular series are given in that post.
Other pancocojams posts on names and nicknames can be found by clicking the tabs that are given below.
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FAMOUS BLACK PEOPLE WITH IRISH FIRST OR MIDDLE NAMES (A-L)
Note:
Information about the meaning of the Irish name is given before the information about the Black person with that name.
Some names on this list are also used as surnames (last names).
A
Aidan
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aidan_(name)
"Aidan, Aiden, or Aedan are the primary anglicisations of the Irish given name Aodhán and the Scottish Gaelic given name Aodhàn.[1]
...The name is derived from the name Aodhán, which is a pet form of Aodh.[2] It can be used as a masculine or feminine given name. The personal name Aodh means "fiery" and/or "bringer of fire" and was the name of a Celtic sun god (see Aed).[3]
Formerly common only in Ireland and Scotland, the name and its variants have become popular in England, the United States, and Canada....
Its popularity is also reflected in the occurrence of similar-sounding names such as Braden, Caden, Hayden, and Jayden.[6]"
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I haven't found any online information about a famous Black person with this name. I added this name because of its growing popularity in the United States.
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B
Brian
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian
"Brian (sometimes spelled Bryan) is a male given name of Irish and Breton origin,[1] as well as a surname of Occitan origin.[2] It is common in the English-speaking world. It is possible that the name is derived from an Old Celtic word meaning "high" or "noble".[1] For example the element bre means "hill"; which could be transferred to mean "eminence" or "exalted one".[2]
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Famous Black person with this name - Brian Gumble
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryant_Gumbel
"Bryant Charles Gumbel (born September 29, 1948) is an American television journalist and sportscaster. He is best known for his 15 years as co-host of NBC's The Today Show."
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Brianna
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brianna
"Brianna, Breanna, Breanne, Brianne, Brina, and Bryanna. are feminine given names. Brianna is a feminine English language form of the masculine Irish language name Brian.[1] The name is a relatively modern one and was occasionally used in England from about the 16th century and on. In recent years, the name has become more and more popular (especially in the United States).[2]
Variant spellings of Brianna include: Bryanna,[3] Breanna (mainly in the United States),[1] Brianne, and Brina.[2] Breanne is variant form of Breanna.[4]"
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I haven't found any online information about a famous Black person with this name. I added this name because of its growing popularity in the United States among African Americans and other Americans.
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C
Ciara
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ciara_(given_name)
Ciara /ˈkɪərə/ is a popular Irish language female name and was tenth on the list of most popular names given to baby girls in Ireland in 2006. It is the feminine version of the name Ciarán, meaning "dark-haired" in Irish Gaelic, and was also the name of Saint Ciara, a seventh-century Irish saint venerated by the Roman Catholic Church. The name's spelling is often Anglicized as Keira, Kiera, Keara or Kira...
[Variants] Ceara, Ciera, Cer, Cera, Ciar, Ciora, Cyra, Chiara, Keara, Keira, Kiara, Kiera, Kira, Kyra, Sierra
Meaning: black, little dark one, dark haired
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Note: The name "Sierra" could also refer to the African desert.
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Famous Black person with this name - Ciara [singer]
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ciara
"Ciara Princess Harris (born October 25, 1985), known mononymously as Ciara (pronounced /siːˈɛrə/, see-ERR-ə),[1] is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, actress and fashion model. [She was] Born in Austin, Texas"...
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Notice Ciara's middle name. The name "Princess" is an example of a status name. Such status names are relatively common among African Americans. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/02/famous-black-people-name-origins.html for the examples of "Major" and "Prince".
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Cory
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cory
"As a given name Cory is used by both males and females. As a surname it has a number of possible derivations, including an Old Norse personal name Kori of uncertain meaning, which is found in Scandinavia and England.[1] As an Irish surname it comes from Ó Comhraidhe (descendant of Comhraidheh).[2]
Alternative spellings for Cory are Corey, Corrie, Curry (surname), Correy, Kory, Khouri, and Kori."
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A famous Black person with this name: Cory Booker
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cory_Booker
"Cory Anthony Booker (born April 27, 1969) is an American politician and the junior United States Senator from New Jersey, in office since 2013. Previously he served as Mayor of Newark from 2006 to 2013."
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D
DeSean
Information about and an example of this name and a few other variants of the name "Sean" can be found in Part II of this series.
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Desmond
From http://www.babynamesofireland.com/irish-boy-names/names-d-f
"Desmond
Meaning “one from Desmond,” Desmond being an area of South Munster, one of the four provinces of Ireland. Popular diminutives are Des and Dessie.*"
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*There are other etymologies for the name "Dessie". For example, "Dessie" is a major Ethiopian city. Its name is Amharic and means "my joy". http://www.wu.edu.et/dessie.php
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Famous Black person with this name - Desmond Tutu
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desmond_Tutu
"Desmond Mpilo Tutu (born 7 October 1931) is a South African social rights activist and retired Anglican bishop who rose to worldwide fame during the 1980s as an opponent of apartheid.
He was the first black Archbishop of Cape Town and bishop of the Church of the Province of Southern Africa (now the Anglican Church of Southern Africa)."
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F
G
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I
J
K
Kayla
From http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/0/Kayla
"Kayla \ka(y)-la\ as a girl's name is pronounced KAY-la. It is of Irish and Gaelic origin, and the meaning of Kayla is "slim and fair". From Caoilainn. Also used as a modern variant of Kayley and Katherine, or as a diminutive of Michaela. Also possibly from the Yiddish name Kelila, meaning "crown of laurel". Initial popularity of the name is due to the character named Kayla on the daytime TV drama "Days of Our Lives". See also Kaylee.
Variations
Kayla has 25 variant forms: Caela, Caihla, Caila, Cala, Calla, Cayla▼, Caylie, Kaala, Kaela▼, Kaelah, Kahla, Kaila▼, Kailagh, Kailah, Kalae, Kalah, Kalla, Kaylah▼, Kayle, Kaylha, Kaylie▲, Kaylin, Kaylla, Kaylyn▼ and Keyla.
For more information, see also related girl names Mckayla, Shayla, Tayla and Kay."
-snip-
The Irish etymology of the name "Kayla" is only one possible etymology for this name. I've not found any famous Black people with this name, but I've included it because "Kayla" (and the names "Shayla" and "Mckayla" are increasingly popular among African Americans. That said, I agree with those who think that McKayla is a modern form of the name "Michaela" and not as often a form of the name "Kayla". Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michaela for information about the name "Michaela".
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Keenan
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keenan
"Keenan (Cianán) is a male Irish name which means "ancient, distant". Keenan is an Anglicisation of the Irish name Cianán which is a diminutive of Cian. The Ó Cianáin clan (Keenan) were the traditional historians to the McGuire clan.
Recorded as O'Keenan and more usually Keenan, this is an Irish surname. Found mainly in the Ulster and northern counties of Fermanagh and Monaghan, it originates from the ancient pre 10th century Gaelic name O' Cianain meaning "The descendant of the faithful one" or similar.
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Famous Black person with this name - Keeman Ivory Wayans
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keenen_Ivory_Wayans
"Keenen Ivory Wayans, Sr. (born June 8, 1958) is an American actor, comedian, producer, director and writer, and a member of the Wayans Family of entertainers. He first came to prominence as the host and co-creator of the 1990-1994 Fox sketch comedy series In Living Color. He has produced, directed and/or written a large number of films, starting with Hollywood Shuffle, which he co-wrote, in 1987"
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Kelly
http://www.behindthename.com/name/kelly
"Kelly - Anglicized form of the Irish given name CEALLACH or the surname derived from it Ó Ceallaigh.
VARIANTS: Ceallach, Ceallagh (Irish), Kelleigh, Kelley, Kelli, Kellie (English)"
-snip-
Famous Black person with this name - Kelly Rowland
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelly_Rowland
"Kelendria Trene "Kelly" Rowland (born February 11, 1981)[1] is an American singer, songwriter, actress and television personality. Rowland rose to fame in the late 1990s as a member of Destiny's Child, one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time."
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Kerry
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerry_(name)
"Kerry (KER-ee) (alternatively "Kerri") is both a masculine and feminine English language given name of Gaelic (Irish) origin.
In its original form, Ciarraighe (Ciarraí), it denoted the people of Ciar (ciar-raighe). It was the name of the pre-Gaelic tribe who lived in the area of what is now County Kerry. However branches of the Ciarraighe were located all over Ireland:
**
http://www.babynamespedia.com/meaning/Kerry/f
"The meaning of Kerry is 'descendants of Ciar'. It is derived from the word ciar with the meaning 'black'*. It represents the transferred use of the geographic name as a given name."
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In the context of that Irish name, "black" probably referred to the color of the person's eyes and/or hair.
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Famous Black person with this name - Kerry Washington
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerry_Washington
"Kerry Marisa Washington[1] (born January 31, 1977)[2] is an American actress. Since 2012, Washington has gained wide public recognition for starring in the ABC drama Scandal, a Shonda Rhimes series in which she plays Olivia Pope, a crisis management expert to the President of the United States."
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Kevin
From http://www.behindthename.com/name/kevin
Kevin
GENDER: Masculine
Meaning & History
Anglicized form of the Irish name Caoimhín, derived from the older Irish Cóemgein, composed of the Old Irish elements cóem "kind, gentle, handsome" and gein "birth". Saint Caoimhín established a monastery in Glendalough, Ireland in the 6th century and is the patron saint of Dublin. It became popular in the English-speaking world outside of Ireland in the 20th century.
VARIANTS: Kevyn (English), Caoimhín, Cóemgein, Kevan (Irish)
DIMINUTIVE: Kev (English)"
**
From http://www.babynamesofireland.com/irish-boy-names/names-g-n
"[Kevin] Means “gentle child” or “well born.” St. Kevin founded a great monastery at Glendalough in County Wicklow in the seventh century... The name is still very popular in Ireland.
-snip-
I've not found a famous Black person with the name "Kevin". I added this name because of what I've noted is a rather common African American custom of naming male twins "Keith" and "Kevin". Kevin is derived from a Scottish place name that means ace name meaning "large woods, forest." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_(given_name)
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Liam
From http://www.babynamesofireland.com/irish-boy-names/names-g-n
"The Irish form of William, originally a German name will + helm”desire + helmet” and suggests “strong protector.” It is currently a very fashionable name in Ireland and across the world."
-snip-
I haven't found any online information about a famous Black person with this name. I added this name because of its growing popularity in the United States among African Americans and other Americans.
****
This concludes Part I of this series.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Please add other examples of famous Black people with Irish names to this list.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This is Part I of a two part series on famous Black people with an Irish first name and/or middle name. A few additional Irish names are given because of their popularity among African Americans.
Part I provides information about names beginning with A-L.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/07/famous-black-people-with-irish-first_4.html for Part II of this series. Part II provides information about names beginning with M-Z.
DISCLAIMER:
This isn't meant to be a comprehensive listing of Irish names or of Black people with Irish names.
Some of these names have other etymologies besides their Irish origins/meanings.
Most of the people included in this list are African Americans. This post includes other Black people who are known in the United States because of their historical, cultural, professional, and/or political activities.
The content of this post is presented for etymological and cultural information.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
This is part of an ongoing pancocojams series on names and nicknames.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/02/famous-black-people-name-origins_26.html "Famous Black People Name Origins, Part I (A-L). The links to the other posts in that particular series are given in that post.
Other pancocojams posts on names and nicknames can be found by clicking the tabs that are given below.
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FAMOUS BLACK PEOPLE WITH IRISH FIRST OR MIDDLE NAMES (A-L)
Note:
Information about the meaning of the Irish name is given before the information about the Black person with that name.
Some names on this list are also used as surnames (last names).
A
Aidan
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aidan_(name)
"Aidan, Aiden, or Aedan are the primary anglicisations of the Irish given name Aodhán and the Scottish Gaelic given name Aodhàn.[1]
...The name is derived from the name Aodhán, which is a pet form of Aodh.[2] It can be used as a masculine or feminine given name. The personal name Aodh means "fiery" and/or "bringer of fire" and was the name of a Celtic sun god (see Aed).[3]
Formerly common only in Ireland and Scotland, the name and its variants have become popular in England, the United States, and Canada....
Its popularity is also reflected in the occurrence of similar-sounding names such as Braden, Caden, Hayden, and Jayden.[6]"
-snip-
I haven't found any online information about a famous Black person with this name. I added this name because of its growing popularity in the United States.
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B
Brian
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian
"Brian (sometimes spelled Bryan) is a male given name of Irish and Breton origin,[1] as well as a surname of Occitan origin.[2] It is common in the English-speaking world. It is possible that the name is derived from an Old Celtic word meaning "high" or "noble".[1] For example the element bre means "hill"; which could be transferred to mean "eminence" or "exalted one".[2]
-snip-
Famous Black person with this name - Brian Gumble
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryant_Gumbel
"Bryant Charles Gumbel (born September 29, 1948) is an American television journalist and sportscaster. He is best known for his 15 years as co-host of NBC's The Today Show."
****
Brianna
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brianna
"Brianna, Breanna, Breanne, Brianne, Brina, and Bryanna. are feminine given names. Brianna is a feminine English language form of the masculine Irish language name Brian.[1] The name is a relatively modern one and was occasionally used in England from about the 16th century and on. In recent years, the name has become more and more popular (especially in the United States).[2]
Variant spellings of Brianna include: Bryanna,[3] Breanna (mainly in the United States),[1] Brianne, and Brina.[2] Breanne is variant form of Breanna.[4]"
-snip-
I haven't found any online information about a famous Black person with this name. I added this name because of its growing popularity in the United States among African Americans and other Americans.
****
C
Ciara
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ciara_(given_name)
Ciara /ˈkɪərə/ is a popular Irish language female name and was tenth on the list of most popular names given to baby girls in Ireland in 2006. It is the feminine version of the name Ciarán, meaning "dark-haired" in Irish Gaelic, and was also the name of Saint Ciara, a seventh-century Irish saint venerated by the Roman Catholic Church. The name's spelling is often Anglicized as Keira, Kiera, Keara or Kira...
[Variants] Ceara, Ciera, Cer, Cera, Ciar, Ciora, Cyra, Chiara, Keara, Keira, Kiara, Kiera, Kira, Kyra, Sierra
Meaning: black, little dark one, dark haired
-snip-
Note: The name "Sierra" could also refer to the African desert.
-snip-
Famous Black person with this name - Ciara [singer]
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ciara
"Ciara Princess Harris (born October 25, 1985), known mononymously as Ciara (pronounced /siːˈɛrə/, see-ERR-ə),[1] is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, actress and fashion model. [She was] Born in Austin, Texas"...
-snip-
Notice Ciara's middle name. The name "Princess" is an example of a status name. Such status names are relatively common among African Americans. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/02/famous-black-people-name-origins.html for the examples of "Major" and "Prince".
****
Cory
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cory
"As a given name Cory is used by both males and females. As a surname it has a number of possible derivations, including an Old Norse personal name Kori of uncertain meaning, which is found in Scandinavia and England.[1] As an Irish surname it comes from Ó Comhraidhe (descendant of Comhraidheh).[2]
Alternative spellings for Cory are Corey, Corrie, Curry (surname), Correy, Kory, Khouri, and Kori."
-snip-
A famous Black person with this name: Cory Booker
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cory_Booker
"Cory Anthony Booker (born April 27, 1969) is an American politician and the junior United States Senator from New Jersey, in office since 2013. Previously he served as Mayor of Newark from 2006 to 2013."
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D
DeSean
Information about and an example of this name and a few other variants of the name "Sean" can be found in Part II of this series.
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Desmond
From http://www.babynamesofireland.com/irish-boy-names/names-d-f
"Desmond
Meaning “one from Desmond,” Desmond being an area of South Munster, one of the four provinces of Ireland. Popular diminutives are Des and Dessie.*"
-snip-
*There are other etymologies for the name "Dessie". For example, "Dessie" is a major Ethiopian city. Its name is Amharic and means "my joy". http://www.wu.edu.et/dessie.php
-snip=
Famous Black person with this name - Desmond Tutu
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desmond_Tutu
"Desmond Mpilo Tutu (born 7 October 1931) is a South African social rights activist and retired Anglican bishop who rose to worldwide fame during the 1980s as an opponent of apartheid.
He was the first black Archbishop of Cape Town and bishop of the Church of the Province of Southern Africa (now the Anglican Church of Southern Africa)."
****
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
Kayla
From http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/0/Kayla
"Kayla \ka(y)-la\ as a girl's name is pronounced KAY-la. It is of Irish and Gaelic origin, and the meaning of Kayla is "slim and fair". From Caoilainn. Also used as a modern variant of Kayley and Katherine, or as a diminutive of Michaela. Also possibly from the Yiddish name Kelila, meaning "crown of laurel". Initial popularity of the name is due to the character named Kayla on the daytime TV drama "Days of Our Lives". See also Kaylee.
Variations
Kayla has 25 variant forms: Caela, Caihla, Caila, Cala, Calla, Cayla▼, Caylie, Kaala, Kaela▼, Kaelah, Kahla, Kaila▼, Kailagh, Kailah, Kalae, Kalah, Kalla, Kaylah▼, Kayle, Kaylha, Kaylie▲, Kaylin, Kaylla, Kaylyn▼ and Keyla.
For more information, see also related girl names Mckayla, Shayla, Tayla and Kay."
-snip-
The Irish etymology of the name "Kayla" is only one possible etymology for this name. I've not found any famous Black people with this name, but I've included it because "Kayla" (and the names "Shayla" and "Mckayla" are increasingly popular among African Americans. That said, I agree with those who think that McKayla is a modern form of the name "Michaela" and not as often a form of the name "Kayla". Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michaela for information about the name "Michaela".
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Keenan
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keenan
"Keenan (Cianán) is a male Irish name which means "ancient, distant". Keenan is an Anglicisation of the Irish name Cianán which is a diminutive of Cian. The Ó Cianáin clan (Keenan) were the traditional historians to the McGuire clan.
Recorded as O'Keenan and more usually Keenan, this is an Irish surname. Found mainly in the Ulster and northern counties of Fermanagh and Monaghan, it originates from the ancient pre 10th century Gaelic name O' Cianain meaning "The descendant of the faithful one" or similar.
-snip-
Famous Black person with this name - Keeman Ivory Wayans
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keenen_Ivory_Wayans
"Keenen Ivory Wayans, Sr. (born June 8, 1958) is an American actor, comedian, producer, director and writer, and a member of the Wayans Family of entertainers. He first came to prominence as the host and co-creator of the 1990-1994 Fox sketch comedy series In Living Color. He has produced, directed and/or written a large number of films, starting with Hollywood Shuffle, which he co-wrote, in 1987"
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Kelly
http://www.behindthename.com/name/kelly
"Kelly - Anglicized form of the Irish given name CEALLACH or the surname derived from it Ó Ceallaigh.
VARIANTS: Ceallach, Ceallagh (Irish), Kelleigh, Kelley, Kelli, Kellie (English)"
-snip-
Famous Black person with this name - Kelly Rowland
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelly_Rowland
"Kelendria Trene "Kelly" Rowland (born February 11, 1981)[1] is an American singer, songwriter, actress and television personality. Rowland rose to fame in the late 1990s as a member of Destiny's Child, one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time."
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Kerry
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerry_(name)
"Kerry (KER-ee) (alternatively "Kerri") is both a masculine and feminine English language given name of Gaelic (Irish) origin.
In its original form, Ciarraighe (Ciarraí), it denoted the people of Ciar (ciar-raighe). It was the name of the pre-Gaelic tribe who lived in the area of what is now County Kerry. However branches of the Ciarraighe were located all over Ireland:
**
http://www.babynamespedia.com/meaning/Kerry/f
"The meaning of Kerry is 'descendants of Ciar'. It is derived from the word ciar with the meaning 'black'*. It represents the transferred use of the geographic name as a given name."
-snip-
In the context of that Irish name, "black" probably referred to the color of the person's eyes and/or hair.
-snip-
Famous Black person with this name - Kerry Washington
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerry_Washington
"Kerry Marisa Washington[1] (born January 31, 1977)[2] is an American actress. Since 2012, Washington has gained wide public recognition for starring in the ABC drama Scandal, a Shonda Rhimes series in which she plays Olivia Pope, a crisis management expert to the President of the United States."
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Kevin
From http://www.behindthename.com/name/kevin
Kevin
GENDER: Masculine
Meaning & History
Anglicized form of the Irish name Caoimhín, derived from the older Irish Cóemgein, composed of the Old Irish elements cóem "kind, gentle, handsome" and gein "birth". Saint Caoimhín established a monastery in Glendalough, Ireland in the 6th century and is the patron saint of Dublin. It became popular in the English-speaking world outside of Ireland in the 20th century.
VARIANTS: Kevyn (English), Caoimhín, Cóemgein, Kevan (Irish)
DIMINUTIVE: Kev (English)"
**
From http://www.babynamesofireland.com/irish-boy-names/names-g-n
"[Kevin] Means “gentle child” or “well born.” St. Kevin founded a great monastery at Glendalough in County Wicklow in the seventh century... The name is still very popular in Ireland.
-snip-
I've not found a famous Black person with the name "Kevin". I added this name because of what I've noted is a rather common African American custom of naming male twins "Keith" and "Kevin". Kevin is derived from a Scottish place name that means ace name meaning "large woods, forest." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_(given_name)
****
Liam
From http://www.babynamesofireland.com/irish-boy-names/names-g-n
"The Irish form of William, originally a German name will + helm”desire + helmet” and suggests “strong protector.” It is currently a very fashionable name in Ireland and across the world."
-snip-
I haven't found any online information about a famous Black person with this name. I added this name because of its growing popularity in the United States among African Americans and other Americans.
****
This concludes Part I of this series.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Please add other examples of famous Black people with Irish names to this list.
Visitor comments are welcome.
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