The Scottish Gaelic and Irish Gaelic masculine given name Garaidh (Scottish Gaelic pronunciation: [ˈkaɾɪ]) is of uncertain derivation but as a name occurs frequently in Middle and Old Irish texts (in its Old Irish form Garaid), for example in the 13th century Acallam na Senórach: Donn mac Aeda, mheic Garaid, meic Morna 'Don son of Aodh, son of Garaidh, son of Morna'.
| Gender | Male |
|---|---|
| Origin | |
| Region of origin | Scotland, Ireland |
Garaidh is commonly rendered in English as Gary.[1] It is also commonly (esp. in Scotland) spelled Garry. However, the name Gary is of Germanic origin (from gar meaning 'spear').[2]
Although visually similar, most occurrences of -gar(r)y in place-names are unrelated to the name. In place-names, -gar(r)y is usually derived from one of the following elements:
- Old Norse gerði, originally meaning enclosure but later on land around a dwelling, pasture,[3] e.g. Geàrraidh na h-Aibhne Garynahine[4]
- a hydronymic element (usually a river name) e.g. Gleann Garadh/Gharadh Glen Garry, Inbhir Gharadh/Garraidh Invergarry
References
edit- ^ Patrick Hanks & Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of First Names, Oxford University Press (1990)
- ^ Kate Monk (1995-12-31). "Scotland". Tekeli.li. Retrieved 2013-10-28.
- ^ Cox, Richard The Gaelic Place-names of Carloway, Isle of Lewis Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies 2002 ISBN 1-85500-192-6
- ^ Cox, Richard The Settlement Names of Lewis Clann Tuirc 2022 ISBN 978-0-9562490-3-6