i am irish and would like to get my last name tatooed on my back in irish- my last name is kennedy -if anyone could help i would greatly appreciate it!!!
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thank you so much

O' Cinnéide

Bhuel... I can give it a shot, but there are some pitfalls you consider before committing this to your skin.

1. As I understand it, the name "Rebecca" has never really been translated to Irish. However, I have heard Ríobhca mentioned now and again as an equivalent.

2. Last names can also be tricky. Sometimes multiple surnames in Irish have ended up being the same surname in Irish. I picked one that I know is anglicised as "Kennedy".

Anyway, here you go...

Ríobhca Ó Cinnéide

You should wait for other input, especially since you want to commit this to yourself.

- Bradford

Whoops, I missed the part where you only wanted the last name. Sorry. At least my surname guess matched Anthony's .

- Bradford

Isn't "Ó" for males only, guys? Females have "Uí" or smth different still. Correct me if I am mistaken.

If Kennedy is your maiden name then it would be


Ní Chinnéide

If it is a married name, then

Uí Chinnéide

You're of course right, Rómán. Beginner's mistake on my part!

- Bradford

Séamus Ó Sé
Máire Ní Shé

Teach Shéamus Uí Shé


Sin an méid atá agam!

DON'T DO IT!!!!!! Rebecca, they last forever and ever.

So do all names have either Ní or Uí? My name is Jim Sherlock. Would it be Séamus Ó Scúrlóg?

There's also Mac, Nic and Mhic (if thats how you spell them), isn't there?

All Biblical names have an Irish language equivalent even if they are not in common use. We have been christianised (to some extent!!) for almost 1600 years. The modern Bible has "Ribeacá". I wouldn't be too keen on that version myself.

Ó is commonest, with the feminine form being Ní
Mac is frequent, with the feminine form being Nic

Most native Irish surnames would use either Ó or Mac; however, some old Norman names do not. And the Irish for Walsh/Welsh is Breatnach, for example.

I'm not sure about Sherlock.

AN SLOINNTEOIR GAEILGE gives Sherlock as Scorlóg, without a prefix. McLysaght may have another version.

how is Mary written in Irish?
Or my mother's name: McMullen?

Máire = Mary

Mac Maoláin = McMullan

thanks!

Mary McMullan = Máire Nic Maoláin


Ó Sé, Ní Shé

Mac Maoláin, Nic Maoláin

Or you could get the tatoo "Ugly Head" which I understand is what "Kennedy" means. Although most Kennedys prefer to state that it means "Ugly helmet." I can see why. Have fun!

Dan

Will someone please translate the following in gaelic for a dear Irish friend?

Father Patrick O'Donoghue

Thank you .

An tAthair Pádraig Ó Donnchadha (modern spelling - Ó Donnchú)

derived from the personal name Donnchadh, possibly "brown warrior"