Manx National Heritage Library
The chief aim of this information sheet is to encourage prospective parents to consider traditional Manx names and therefore all the names cited are acceptable for the purposes of modern day civil registration both on and off the Isle of Man.
Female First Names
| Name | Meaning | Name | Meaning |
| Aalid, Aelid | beauty | Johnet | feminine of John |
| Aalin | beautiful | Jonee, Joney, Jony | grace |
| Aaue | Eva | Lilee | lily |
| Aileen, Eil[l]een, Elena | sunlight | Lora | sufficient |
| Aimel | beloved | Lula, Lulach | shining |
| Ainle | angel | Malane | magnificent [Madeline] |
| Ailstreena | feminine of Alister | Manana | feminine of Mannanan |
| Andreca | feminine of Andrew | Margaid | a pearl |
| Aufrica, Effrica, Aurick | a maid from Africa | Mariot, Marion, Moreen, Mariod | little Mary |
| Bahey | flower | Meave | a fairy queen |
| Blaa, Blae | flower | Moirrey, Voirrey | bitter [Mary] |
| Brede, Breeshey, Bridget | shining [Bridget] | Mona | the Isle of Man |
| Caly | female servant [saint’s] | Moreen | little Mary |
| Cara | a songster | Mureal | sea bright |
| Carola | noble spirited | Nan, Nancy | gracious |
| Catreena, Catreeney | pure [Catherine] | Nessa, Nessy | secret |
| Cissolt | little Cecilia | Onnee | grace [Annie] |
| Creena | wise | Onnor, Onora, Nora | honourable |
| Cristeena | of Christ | Paaie | Peggy |
| Doona | dark maiden | Ranhilda | God’s fight |
| Ealee, Ealish | noble | Rein[a] | a queen |
| Ealisaid | god’s oath | Renny | a fern |
| Eunys | joy | Roseen | little rose |
| Feena | Feena fair maiden | Sheela | form of Cecilia |
| Fenella, Fin[g]ola | fair shoulder | Sorcha | bright |
| Fritha | peace | Tosha | the first |
| Grayse | grace | Una | a lamb |
| Greeba | place name | Ursula | little wolf |
| Iney, Ina | a daughter | Vorana | great |
| Jinn, Joan, Joney, Joannia | grace | Ysbal, Isbal | form of Isabel |
Male First Names
| Name | Meaning | Name | Meaning |
| Aedan | little fire | Gilno, Dilno | saint’s servant |
| Aleyn, Aland | famed ruler | Gilrea | servant of the King |
| Alister | defending men | Godred, Gorry, Orry | God’s peace |
| Andreays | a man [Andrew] | Hugh, Hugo | studious |
| Asmund | gift of the gods | Illiam | defending men |
| Austeyn | venerable | Jamys, Hamish | beguiling |
| Bertram, Bertrem | bright raven | Jole | Yule |
| Brendan | dark person | Juan, Yuan | well born |
| Cairbe, Carbry | virtuous love | Kerron, Kieran | grey, dark |
| Carmac, Cormac | a charioteer | Laurys | crowned with laurel [Laurence] |
| Colby | place name | Marcus, Markys | a hammer |
| Colum | a dove | Martyn | martial: saint’s name |
| Colyn | a whelp | Mayl | like God [Michael] |
| Conylt, Conal | love | Mian | good [Matthew] |
| Cristen | belonging to Christ | Nele, Niall | champion |
| Dermot, Germot, Diarmid | God reverencing | Olaf, Olave | of the gods |
| Dolyn, Dollin, Dolen | variation of Donald [world ruler] | Oshin | little fawn |
| Doncan, Donachan | brown warrior | Padeen | little Patrick |
| Doolish, Douglas | place name | Paric[k], Peric[k] | a patrician, noble |
| Eamon | happy peace | Payl | form of Paul |
| Edard | happy keeper | Peddyr | a rock |
| Eoin, Ean, Ewan, Yvon | well born | Ramsey | place name |
| Faragher | supreme choice | Robart | form of Robert |
| Fergus | great dear one, super choice | Robyn | little Robert |
| Finbar | wave crest | Ronan | God ruler |
| Finlo, Fynlo | fair Scandinavian | Rory | fame ruler |
| Fintan | a little fair one | Sharry | God’s peace |
| Flaxney | not known | Sigurd | victorious one |
| Fynn | fair | Stoill | with a will |
| Gavan, Gawain | a smith | Thomase | a twin, form of Thomas |
These names have been selected by MNH staff from two publications.
- Cubbon, William - Christian Names of the Isle of Man [1923]
- Kneen, J.J. - Manx Personal Names [1937]
The Manx National Heritage Library holds a wealth of various and extensive source material. Staff at the library and throughout Manx National Heritage, are always pleased to hear from anyone with an interest in Manx history.
RS 02.2008
| Manx National Heritage | |
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| Address: | Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3LY |
| Telephone: | + 44 (0) 1624 648000 |
| Fax: | + 44 (0) 1624 648001 |
| Email Address: | library@mnh.gov.im |
| Web Site | www.gov.im/mnh |
Opening times: Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm Closed Sunday and for one week in January
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