A Manx name for your baby

Under a joint initiative, Manx National Heritage (MNH) and the Department of Health and Social Security (DHSS) have produced an informative booklet, which will be offered to prospective parents to encourage them to consider giving their baby a traditional Manx first name. The booklet contains boy and girl names of Manx origin and aims to further encourage the use of Manx first names and increase awareness of the less common but just as attractive Manx names.

In recent years there has been an increase in the use of Manx names but often prospective parents were only aware of the more common names. The booklet includes the more popular names, for example Juan (well born) for a boy and Breeshey (shining) for a girl and less commonly used names for example Fintan (a little fair one) for a boy and Blaa (flower) for a girl.

DHSS Minister Stephen Rodan said, “I am delighted to announce this excellent initiative which supports the promotion of the Manx language and culture and is a good example of Government working together to improve public information.”

The name guide was produced in 2003 by the Manx National Heritage Library and as Librarian Archivist Roger Sims commented, “Since it first appeared on the Manx National Heritage website and in hard copy the booklet of male and female Manx First Names has proved very popular and has encouraged many prospective parents both on and off the Island to choose traditional Manx first names for their children. All the names listed were carefully selected by Manx National Heritage staff and it is very gratifying to see that the booklet is not only being well used but is helping to promote this important aspect of our national identity internationally also. Manx National Heritage are delighted that the Isle of Man Department of Health and Social Security is to make the booklet available at the Jane Crookall Maternity Unit, GP surgeries and at neonatal units throughout the Island”. Copies will also be available at Parentcraft classes, Neonatal units at Noble’s Hospital and from the MNH website. The booklet is available in large print and audiotape formats on request.

All the names cited are acceptable for the purposes of modern day civil registration both on and off the Isle of Man.