Setanta: naming a child

AvonEnniskerry

So I'm not sure where to post this. I wanted to know what peoples thoughts were in naming a child Setanta.
Myself and my husband are clashing with the name, he loves it. I on the other hand am not keen.
Firstly our 2year old will just say Santa!
Genuine thoughts or experiences with the name please.

Oryx

Isnt it a sports channel?

Honestly, I dont like it. But its a personal thing.

Roselm

AvonEnniskerry wrote: »

So I'm not sure where to post this. I wanted to know what peoples thoughts were in naming a child Setanta.
Myself and my husband are clashing with the name, he loves it. I on the other hand am not keen.
Firstly our 2year old will just say Santa!
Genuine thoughts or experiences with the name please.

There's a "Baby names" thread under the "Pregnant" section of this (Parenting) forum.
Setanta, I kind of like the SOUND of it but I associate it with Setanta sports and also wonder if people would think it pretentious given its origins re Cuchulainn?

CaraMay

Depends on the surname too. All first names depend on a surname. I know a child called setantA and he's adorable so the name doesn't matter.

Piriz

i think if your both not in agreement then go back to the drawing board / internet

pwurple

I think it is one I would rule out because it has been unfortunately zapped by a brand name. Would he call the child Sky Sports Two?

eviltwin

The first thing I think of is the tv channel so that alone would be enough to put me off it.

XR3i

it's a nice name but inappropriate for a child

patsypantaloni

eviltwin wrote: »

The first thing I think of is the tv channel so that alone would be enough to put me off it.

Or Setanta Insurance which went broke last year leaving a lot of angry customers... OP might be useful to have that as another reason against the name (since you don't like it!) ;-)

Gaygooner

No. I wouldn't. Again would you call your child Skye?

XR3i

Gaygooner wrote: »

No. I wouldn't. Again would you call your child Skye?

at least the poor lad will be able to spell skye

Gaygooner

Setanta is easier to spell IMHO

Cortina_MK_IV

When I see baby name, child name, I wonder how many consider that that baby has to grow up. Our golden rule was will he/she like it. One baby (we deliberated over most) is 21 now and loves her name (so do the others). Choose your child's name well; they choose your nursing home.

exaisle

Cortina_MK_IV wrote: »

When I see baby name, child name, I wonder how many consider that that baby has to grow up. Our golden rule was will he/she like it. One baby (we deliberated over most) is 21 now and loves her name (so do the others). Choose your child's name well; they choose your nursing home.

Yes..I agree....remember that you're naming an adult....not just a child...

Gaygooner

That's why I dislike children given baby or pet names

Katie & Jack two very popular examples

What's wrong with Catherine & John and call them by the pet names???

frostyjacks

I like the name, but it's mythological, so I don't think it's appropriate for naming children unless you're fabulously wealthy. It would be like calling your kids Merlin or Odysseus.

Is Setanta coming out to play?


I wonder if Setanta is ready for this promotion?


Do you take this man Setanta to be your lawful wedded husband?



Well? Now what do you think?

XR3i

Deleted User wrote: »

Is Setanta coming out to play?


I wonder if Setanta is ready for this promotion?


Do you take this man Setanta to be your lawful wedded husband?



Well? Now what do you think?

good thinking, you could get royalties from setanta sports

Dyr

XR3i wrote: »

it's a nice name but inappropriate for a child

So he'll grow into it?

Weird

Pink One

I actually love it and I would associate it with the mythical legend and not the TV station. I used to teach a little boy called Setanta and it suited him so much but there were four brothers in his family and they all had strong Irish names. I do love it and associate it with strength and courage! I did love that little boy so maybe I'm bias too

testicle

If your surname is O'hAilpín or Sports then go for it.

LeinsterDub

AvonEnniskerry wrote: »

Firstly our 2year old will just say Santa!

As they'll be 2 forever and unable to pronounce words for the next 80 odd years . I'd base a life long decisions on what they can or can not pronounce at this given moment

AvonEnniskerry

Some great posts there. In fairness I'm all for unusual names... Though i just don't like Setanta for my child. My husband really wants it which is why I said I'd see what others thought. Hate old names (Agnes) on children and stupid names (Bunny) on adults.

testicle

frostyjacks wrote: »

I like the name, but it's mythological, so I don't think it's appropriate for naming children unless you're fabulously wealthy. It would be like calling your kids Merlin or Odysseus.

Maeve? Deirdre? Grainne? Fionn? etc etc. All mythological names...

XR3i

Gaygooner wrote: »

That's why I dislike children given baby or pet names

Katie & Jack two very popular examples

What's wrong with Catherine & John and call them by the pet names???

katie is a beautiful name, good suggestion

XR3i

testicle wrote: »

If your surname is O'hAilpín or Sports then go for it.

great hurling names

Greenmachine

When I saw the thread title without the context of the forum it was in, I though that they (the channel Setanta) had given out a childs name in some capacity without permission not a name, I have ever heard a person called by either.

Orion

Ok folks. No problem with opinions but leave the smart remarks at the door please.

Balmed Out

Actually really ike the name, always wandered why it's not more popular.

salmocab

Its not an awful name at all but its a bit of a mouthful if you have to shout it, what will it get shortened to as other kids won't call him by his full name for too long, Set?, Tanta?

I think it's a gorgeous strong Irish name.

Unfortunately though, as others have said, it's now a brand name and so I wouldn't choose it myself.

riffmongous

People will find a way to make fun of any name, and if setanta sports is the best they have to work with your kid will be fine, it might even be a positive when the children learn about cuchulainn imo.

BabysCoffee

It will probably travel better than most Irish names as it is pronounced as it is spelt. I always feel sorry for the Niamhs & Sineads who emigrate and have to search for work with the mad unpronounceable names on their CV

Balmed Out

Setanta tv isn't a reason to drop the name. Ten years time it mightent even be around. Dave tv hardly affects all the Dave's out there.
From an early age every child in Ireland hears the story and associates setanta as a name.

As for names being hard to pronounce abroad, I have one and its always been an icebreaker.

mordeith

Apparently Eir have bought Setanta Sports so they'll probably change the name.

georgewickstaff

Some people probably like Frodo, Gandalf or Darth Vader too. Doesn't mean you should call a poor unfortunate child by that name. It's quite simple, you both have to agree on the name and you have already posted twice that you don't like it. Get a cat, dog or Goldfish and call it Setanta?

screamer

I understand the history of this name but sorry it's a God awful affliction to give a child. TBH I always think it's a very pretentious name. Use it as a 2nd name of you must but as a first name it's a no from me.

ectoraige

I love the name Setanta, and Eir is buying Setanta Sports so don't worry about that, unless you were considering Eir as a middle name.

Casm85

At the end of the day it has to be your choice. It's a nice strong name but I definitely associate it with the tv channel but that's not to say you still will in years to come.

Cork sportsperson named Setanta so before the TV station it was well known down here. Wouldn't think it overly remarkable really, I'd sooner be called Setanta than Noah for example but wouldn't really fancy it.

As mentioned by afew, if you both aren't 100% happy than move on to more ideas.

Ursus Horribilis

I don't like it either. It's a good name for an Irish Wolfhound or Red Setter though. Anyway if you don't like the name that should be the end of the matter.

Moonbeam

I like it but my husband did not.

irish_goat

Awful name, would get serious jip because of the sports channel.

Sunny Dayz

I think when you are choosing your child's name it has to be something you are both unanimous about. If even one of you isn't sure (I'm guessing you aren't) then don't go for it. Once you decide on your child's name, you can't go back on it so you both have to be 100% behind it.


Personally I love Irish names, my own son has one. I do like the name Setanta and I think if the sports channel wasn't so prominent it would be seen by more people as being more favourable. But aside from that the name does lend itself to being mis-spelt and mis-pronounced.

SarahMollie

I kept horses when i was younger and there was a beautiful Irish Sports Horse called Setanta at my stables - as a name for a large animal, I think its really strong.

As for on a child, i think it would be character building

A slightly unusual name is no harm. For example I spent much of my youth complaining to my parents that my name was too common, and could they not have been a bit more original. When I started college, there were 6 girls in my class (of 41, about half of which were male) with the same name, and it was extremely annoying and confusing.

However, I think you should hold out for a name you can both agree on without reservation.

byhookorbycrook

Yup, we had a Setanta horse too. Magnificent animal. I'm from Cork so am used to Setanta as a child's name, but don't know if I'd name a child it.

afkasurfjunkie

Amanda Brunker has a Setanta. That was enough to put me off.

tinkerbell

No no and no. It's an awful name.

Novella

I think it's a beautiful name.

Qualitymark

I like it. Would you pronounce it with a sh or an s sound - I've heard both?

As for it being "unusual", I've worked in one single office with an Éibhear, an Eimear, a couple of Endas (male and female), a Macdara, a Séadhna…

lazygal

tinkerbell wrote: »

No no and no. It's an awful name.

Ah come on. There's people reading this who might have the name. I personally don't like Irish names (even though I have one myself) and would never pick one for my children. But its more of a concern that one of the parents doesn't like it than a stranger not liking it.

As an aside, I never heard of the name until someone I know called one of their children Setanta, even though I remember doing the myths and legends stuff in school.