| Name |
Meaning |
Name of Fame |
Jack
|
Jack was originally a nickname for John or anglicisation of the Irish Gaelic Sean but is now established as a name in its own right. The name has become particulalrly common in the UK as the most popular boy's name in England and Wales every year from 1995 to 2005. Famous name: screen star Jack Nicholson. |
|
James
Seamus |
Hebrew: ‘Follower’. Meaning uncertain though ultimately it is derived as a form of the Hebrew name Jacob. A truly noble name which has been widely used in Ireland for centuries. Found in both its Irish and English forms but of course Seamus is the best name in Ireland since there is no such thing as a boring Seamus! Pet forms are Jim, Jimmy Jamie and Jemser. Famous literary names author James Augustine Aloysius Joyce (1882-1941) and poet Seamus Heaney. |
|
Jamie
|
Originally a pet form of James, Hebrew ‘Follower’, which has which has become especially popular in Scotland. Now is established in Ireland as a name in its own right. Famous name: jazz singer and musician Jamie Cullum. |
|
Jason
|
Greek: 'Healer'. Thought to derive originally form Joshua which itself is a form of Jesus. In classical legend the leader of the Argonauts who went in search of the golden fleece. Nowadays is becoming increasingly fashionable widespread. Pet name Jay. Famous name: screen star Jason Bateman. |
|
Jasper
|
Persian: 'Treasurer'. The name Jasper is traditionally one of the three kings or wise men who are also known as the three Magi who travelled to see the newborn Jesus in the stable. The name has also been given to a gemstone. Leading British fashion designer Jasper Conran. |
|
Jeffrey
|
Germanic: ‘Peace Territory’. A name which was brought across to Ireland by the Anglo Normans and was taken up by the nobility. The name is thought to consist of the two Germanic words gawia "territory" and frid ‘peace’. The first element may also be gisil "hostage" or god "god" as in Godfrey. Perhaps two or more names have merged. Pet name Jeff. Famous names: 14th-century poet Geoffrey Chaucer, writer of 'The Canterbury Tales'. Presnet day screen actor Jeffrey Jones and folk music fiddler Jeffrey Jones. |
|
Jeremiah
|
Hebrew: 'May God Exalt'. The name of one of the Old Testament prophets and author of the Book of Jeremiah and Book of Lamentations. Also used in Ireland to anglicise Dermot however it is not so well known in modern times. Famous name: Texan cowboy poet Jeremiah Johnson. |
|
Jeremy
|
The English form of Jeremiah which has sometimes been used in Ireland. The name of one of the Old Testament prophets and author of the Book of Jeremiah and Book of Lamentations. Also used as a form of Dermot employed by the O'Kanes and O'Mulans. This name is a half-way point between Iarom and its anglicisation, Jeremiah. Famous names: Motocross Champion Jeremy McGrath and screen actor Jeremy Irons. |
|
Jerome
Iarom |
Greek: ‘Holy Sacred’. Originally derived form the Greek name Gerome, a name which has been found in Ireland since the middle ages. Commemorates St Jerome who undertook the Vulgate Latin translation of the New Testament in 404 The true Irish forms are Cirine and Iarom, but Jerome has also been used in Ireland as an anglicisation of Dermot. Famous name: English humorous writer and author of ‘Three Men In A Boat’ Jerome K. Jerome. |
|
John
Sean |
Hebrew: 'God Has Favoured'. In its English or Irish forms is permanently at the top of the popularity stakes for Irish men down through the centuries. Irish form are Eoin, Sean, Seon, Shaun, Shawn. Pet name Jack
Famous names: Beatle singer songwriter John Lennon and American President John F. Kennedy. |
|
