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Lorcan

st laurence lorcan o toole baby name 

Lorcan is an Irish Gaelic name meaning "little fierce one" or just "fierce," that comes with an equally rare, and very magical, nickname - Lore. Depending on your accent or what region or country you're from, Lorcan may be pronounced LOR-kan, the second syllable as in "can do," or LOR-kuhn, the second syllable as in "country." There is a possibility the name originated as a nickname for people who were brave warriors.

Lorcan mac Lachtna was the grandfather of Brian Boru, the last high king of Ireland. Brian was a national hero, while Lorcan was the first of his tribe to become king of Dál Cais. Lorcan's son Cineadh of Munster was known for improving the geneology of the kings of Munster. 

Saint Lorcan (Anglicized as Saint Laurence) O'Toole, Archbishop of Dublin during the time of the Norman Invasion. He is patron saint of Dublin. Coincidentally (or maybe not), Irish born actor Peter O'Toole named his son Lorcan.

A few Irish kings also had this name. Two were kings of Leinster, one of Uí Fhiachrach Aidhne (Hy Fiachrach), a kingdom in what is now south Galway.

 In 2011, six boys were given this name, which is about average. It has only appeared in government records in the U.S. since 1997, and the most it was given was twelve times in a year.
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  1. UnknownMarch 4, 2013 at 2:43 AM

    Lorcan is one of my top 3 favourite boys names :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Once Upon a Time Baby NamesMarch 7, 2013 at 2:06 AM

    You have good taste! I'd love to know what the other two are!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Waltzing More Than MatildaMarch 9, 2013 at 2:46 AM

    One of my favourites too - and so suitable for Australia, where Lachlan, Liam and Luca are on the Top 100.

    ReplyDelete

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