Two unusual Irish names are on the list of the rarest baby names used by American parents… do you know someone with this name?
The world’s largest baby name website, Nameberry, has shared the list of unique names used by less than 25 US-based parents in 2021.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, CEO Pamela Redmond said: “It’s hard for parents to agree on a name because a name says a lot about your personal and family identity.
“A name signals your feelings about your family, your cultural heritage, your style, your desire to fit in or stand out in society.
“And a name is a one-time decision that lasts your child’s lifetime – at least unless they decide to change it!”
Two Irish names – Loracan and Rafferty – appear on the list of rarest names:
lorcan
According to Nameberry, only 13 baby boys were given this name by American parents in 2021.
This name can mean “silent” or “fierce”. Lorcan was the name of Brian Boru’s grandfather as well as two kings of Leinster. It was probably used as a nickname for a “brave warrior”.
Rafferty
Nameberry says only 18 baby boys were given that name in 2021 by American parents.
A classic Irish name meaning “flood, abundance, prosperity”, was used by Jude Law and Sadie Frost for their son Rafferty Law, now a model musician, in 1996.
Raff and Rafe can be used as nicknames – much easier to spell than the original form of the name: O’Raighbheartaigh.
Other names on the top ten list include Hester, Romilly, Bee, Grover and Ottilie.
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