| Name |
Meaning |
Name of Fame |
Randal
Raghnal |
Anglo-Saxon: 'Shield Wolf'. The anglicised version of the Irish name Raghnall, a name identified as the Irish form of Reginald. Famous name: American pro-life activist Randall Terry, historian and author Raghnall O Floinn and Investment banker Raghnall Craighead. |
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Randolph
Rannulbh |
Anglo-Saxon: 'Shield Wolf'. Also has the variant Ranulph In Ireland is used as a version of the Frankish name Randulf. Famous name: Sir Ranulph Fiennes the British Explorere who is the third cousin of screen actors Joseph and Ralph Fiennes as well as being a distant cousin of Britain's royal family. Despite having almost no acting experience he was placed on the shortlist as a possible replacement for Sean Connery in the role of James Bond. |
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Redmond
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The Irish form of Raymond, which has survived as distinct name tradition in some families. A spelling variant, Redmund, also survives. The name was given prominence in the twentieth century after John Redmond (1856-1918) an Irish politician. John Edward Redmond was the leader of the Irish Parlaimentary Party from 1900 until his death in 1918 aslo Irish accordion wizard John Redmond. |
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Reginald
Raghnalf |
Germanic: 'Power Might'. A name brought to Ireland by the Norsemen through the name Rognvaldr, and by the Normans through the equivalent form Ragenald. The name also exists in a Middle English form Reynold. Famous names: best-selling author Reginald Hill and actor Reginald James. |
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Renan
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Gaelic: 'Little Seal'. French variant of Ronan recorded in Canada. A delightfully apt name for a wee boy increasingly popular in the Celtic nations as the story of St Ronans travels become better known. In Irish legend Ronan, king of Leinster, was deceived by his second wife into killing his first son. St Ronan's Well (1823) was the title of a novel by Sir Waiter Scott. Famous name: Canadian political academic Renan Levine and Irish singer songwriter Ronan Keating. |
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Richard
Risteard |
Germanic: 'Ruler Hard'. A name popularised in medieval England by its association with kings. Became established and widespread in Ireland subsequently and remains popular name today. Famous names: Irish essayist Richard Steele (1672-1729), playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751-1816). In modern times celebrated singer songwriter and guitarist and member of the band Fairport Convention Richard Thompson and perhaps Ireland’s most famous ‘Richard’, movie star and sometime singer Richard Harris (1930-2002). |
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Rickard
Riocard |
A variant of Richard found in Ireland possibly derived form the Old German Ricohard. Famous name, in the 18th century Riocard Bairéad was a famous poet from Belmullet in Co Mayo. He was known as ’file Iorras’. Three of his most famous poems were ’Eoghan Coir’, ' Preab San Ol’ and ‘Tarraing Na Móna’. The name is sparsely used in Ireland today. Famous names: Irish essayist Richard Steele (1672-1729), playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751-1816) In modern times celebrated singer songwriter and guitarist and member of the band Fairport Convention Richard Thompson and perhaps Ireland’s most famous ‘Richard’, movie star and sometime singer Richard Harris (1930-2002). |
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Ringan
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The form of Ninian, a name which is traditionally carried in Scotland commemorating the missionary St Ninian (died c. 432), the earliest known bishop to have visited Scotland wher he established the ‘Candida Casa’ or ‘White Church’ at Whithorn. Neither his place and date of birth, nor his early life, are known with any certainty. Famous name: film director Ringan Ledwidge. |
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Robert
Roibeard |
Germanic: 'Fame Bright'. A consistently popular name down through the ages. Roibeard, Ribeart, Ribirt and Riobart are all Irish language forms of this name which also exists as Robert in French and as Ruprecht in German. The now separate name Robin in Irish Roibin, originally derived as a pet form of Robert. Rupert is another form which now exists in its own right. Famous names: Irish patriot Robert Emmet (1778-1893), US Senator Robert Francis "Bobby" Kennedy (1925-1968) and his son Robert F Kennedy Junior (born 1954). |
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Robuck
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A hybrid pet name for Robert associated with the Galway family. Roibeard, Ribeart, Ribirt and Riobart are all Irish language forms of this name which also exists as Robert in French and as Ruprecht in German. The now separate name Robin in Irish Roibin, originally derived as a pet form of Robert. Rupert is another form which now exists in its own right. Famous names: Irish patriot Robert Emmet (1778-1893), US Senator Robert Francis "Bobby" Kennedy (1925-1968) and his son Robert F Kennedy Junior (born 1954). |
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