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HelpRëgan?
Someone posted this name a while back for a little girl and I can't get my mind off it. It's a Celtic name meaning "regal and royal" for a girl and "little king" when used for a boy. What do you think? I think it's just lovely, especially with the umlaut above the "e."
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I love it for either sex. If I didn't already have a male cousin named Reagan, I'd consider using it. I know there are bad assosiations but that doesn't bother me. I say it as ray-gan though.
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It's okay, but I don't like the umlaut. And I usually think of the girl from The Exorcist.
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Well, I don't know about what everyone else is posting- where I come from, most people would pronounce Regan as RAY-gun, not REE-un. It doesn't mean "regal and royal" OR "little king", but I see everyone else has already told you that. It's always more fun for sites to give meanings for every name, even though a lot of them are of unknown meaning. Makes the expectant parents think the name is more solid, I guess.
I myself prefer the RAY-gun pronunciation, BTW. It has nothing to do with Ronald Reagan, I just like the sound of it.
I myself prefer the RAY-gun pronunciation, BTW. It has nothing to do with Ronald Reagan, I just like the sound of it.
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I think the "little king" hypothesis (which Norah posted below) could have some sort of merit, but the connection may still be tenuous:
rí = king
beag = small, little
rí + beag = Riagáin = anglicized Regan?
Alternatively, we may just be making etymological connections where there aren't actually any. And I don't know enough about Irish to tell.
rí = king
beag = small, little
rí + beag = Riagáin = anglicized Regan?
Alternatively, we may just be making etymological connections where there aren't actually any. And I don't know enough about Irish to tell.
This message was edited 6/24/2011, 12:41 PM
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I would bet the meaning all the other sites came up with was based on Shakespeare's usage of it.
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Having never read 'King Lear', I couldn't tell you. It's frustrating how they feed people the wrong information, though. All it does is lead to confusing discussions on other sites like this one.
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Here's another site claiming it came from Riagan
Calling it royal, regal, descendant of Riagan:
http://www.ourbabynamer.com/meaning-of-Regan.html
And another that says it means nobility:
http://www.cutebabyname.com/regan.html
And another calling it little ruler or little king:
http://www.huggies.co.nz/baby-names/unisex/r/regan
And another saying that it means royal, regal, and king's heir:
http://www.babynology.com/otherorigins-regan-f13.html
I guess it's hard to believe every other site out there is wrong and this site is the only one correct, even though people on this site also posted in the comments section saying it means these things.
Calling it royal, regal, descendant of Riagan:
http://www.ourbabynamer.com/meaning-of-Regan.html
And another that says it means nobility:
http://www.cutebabyname.com/regan.html
And another calling it little ruler or little king:
http://www.huggies.co.nz/baby-names/unisex/r/regan
And another saying that it means royal, regal, and king's heir:
http://www.babynology.com/otherorigins-regan-f13.html
I guess it's hard to believe every other site out there is wrong and this site is the only one correct, even though people on this site also posted in the comments section saying it means these things.
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They're all correct, in a way. The word that is at the center of Ríagán is "rí," which in Irish Gaelic, means "king." -án, is a common diminutive ending (kind of like -ie and -y are in English [Kate/Katie John/Johnny]. So, "little king" is the most accurate. "royal; regal" is just extrapolating ideas based on "king." None of these definitions are exactly totally wrong, you just have to take them with a grain of salt; they're exaggerated and have implied meanings that may or may not be accurate.
However, scholars also disagree on the root word of "riagan," it could be from another word altogether, one meaning "vehement; furious."
A good name site will usually have a sentence or two about a name, not just list a meaning.
However, scholars also disagree on the root word of "riagan," it could be from another word altogether, one meaning "vehement; furious."
A good name site will usually have a sentence or two about a name, not just list a meaning.
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One thing you have to remember is the fact that these other sites are BABY name sites. This one isn't- sure, we have expectant parents come here, but first and foremost it's an etymology site. Baby name sites are going to tell people every name has a meaning because people want that for their kids; no one really wants to hear, "We don't know what this name means, but it *might* have something to do with X, which is a similar name, but not the one you're lookin' for. Sorry!" That is why all these sites run with the meaning of similar sounding names (Ryan, Regina) and NOT with the name in question. Am I making any sense?
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Brilliant!
I think you hit the nail on the head with this one.
I think you hit the nail on the head with this one.
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Exactly!
Also, there are very few sources of information that people ultimately use. Most sites just use the incorrect info from other incorrect sites or books.
Also, there are very few sources of information that people ultimately use. Most sites just use the incorrect info from other incorrect sites or books.
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Yup, it makes sense.
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I think people are just running with the "king" connection.
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But again, how do you know that's not true? I'm not being flip. I'm genuinely curious to know why every other site out there is discounted in its meaning when all of them have the same meaning listed? I could see if there were 25 different meanings or something, but all the other sites agree. How do we know they're all wrong?
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I think it may be because all the other sites copied their information from an incorrect source in the first place.
BtN says "possibly of Celtic Origin". Are there any words similar to Regan in any of the Celtic languages, or words that could construct Regan? Secondly, is there any usage before King Lear?
BtN says "possibly of Celtic Origin". Are there any words similar to Regan in any of the Celtic languages, or words that could construct Regan? Secondly, is there any usage before King Lear?
This message was edited 6/24/2011, 12:00 PM
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I haven't found any usage prior to King Lear, but I don't know how to research that specifically. Don't know of any other words similar to Regan in Celtic languages.
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lol
No, it perhaps means "impulsive" (from Riagan), but the meaning is unknown. You are thinking of Ryan, which means little king. Also ... "pretending" that Regan isn't a Shakespearean character? Well, I guess it's true that Ronald Rëgan is way cooler than Shakespeare. Or the Rëgan from The Exorcist.
No, it perhaps means "impulsive" (from Riagan), but the meaning is unknown. You are thinking of Ryan, which means little king. Also ... "pretending" that Regan isn't a Shakespearean character? Well, I guess it's true that Ronald Rëgan is way cooler than Shakespeare. Or the Rëgan from The Exorcist.
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No, according to all the baby name sites I've seen (including the one on here), it says that Regan means little king for a boy and regal and royal for a girl. Ronald Reagan had an "a" in it. I was just kidding about the Shakespeare thing. I said it because Regan was one of the bratty daughters. I wish she was the good daughter. Then I'd be thrilled to say I got the name from Shakespeare.
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the meaning still doesn't change just because it's on a girl.
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I'm just telling you what I've read on baby name sites.
http://www.babynames.com/name/REGAN
http://www.babynames.com/name/REGAN
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Ah, pooh. That site's like a supermarket baby name book, chock full of whimsical, poetic meanings that women like to read. It says Chloe means "verdant and blooming" - it actually means "green shoot" from the Greek khloe. It says Charlotte means "free"! You can't believe every site you read. The best one online is this one.
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According to this site, Regan has an unknown meaning.
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and that is correct. it's not fun, but it's honest.
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How do you know it's correct though? Every other site that has it listed has the same meaning for it
??
??
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I never looked up Regina. Once again, I'm just repeating what I've read on many other sites. In the comments section on this site, people gave that meaning as well. I don't know, I guess when you read something enough, you believe it's true since there's no way to know for sure. I mean, if Shakespeare was the first to use it for King Lear's daughter, I can see where sites would get "royal" as a meaning for a little girl.
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Well, the comments sections on this site aren't always right, either. I go by the official site meaning of a name, and ignore the comments. We always have people wander over here and say whatever THEY think is right, but that doesn't make it so.
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But how would one know which sites are correct? I must have looked at two dozen sites ALL saying the exact same thing on the main site. But for some reason, everyone but me knows that all those sites are wrong. I don't get how you guys know that.
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Because BtN cites their sources, and most names list an etymology (or historical usage) instead of concocting half-baked "meanings". Look at today's name of the day, Donald: "from the Gaelic name Domhnall which means "ruler of the world", composed of the old Celtic elements dumno "world" and val "rule". Also, there's a source page on here that cites the sources for names.
The only "inaccuracies" I've seen on BtN have to do with usage. I remember Pie said that a few of Welsh names on here aren't actually used as names in Wales (even if the meaning is correct).
BtN isn't perfect but it's definitely a cut above the majority of other sites and supermarket books out there.
The only "inaccuracies" I've seen on BtN have to do with usage. I remember Pie said that a few of Welsh names on here aren't actually used as names in Wales (even if the meaning is correct).
BtN isn't perfect but it's definitely a cut above the majority of other sites and supermarket books out there.
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All that makes sense and I'm not saying that BtN is wrong. I'm just saying they're saying that the name is of "unknown" origin. But how do we know it's really unknown? BtN just hasn't found sources for it yet. If BtN had another meaning for it, I'd be inclined to go with that, but when they say "unknown" I think that just means that BtN people haven't found a meaning that they can prove, not that there isn't a meaning.
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You're right, it is likely that the root of Regan, whatever it is, did have some meaning at one point, but we just can't figure that out yet. That is why the meaning is "unknown". It's not saying the name means nothing or that it was made up nonsense.
The name Anthony also has an unknown meaning in that way. We know it's from an Etruscan name, but since the Romans were fond of obliterating any traces of previous cultures, it is hard to find out any more than that. The Celts were not big into keeping written records either, so we've had to piece things together from evidence gathered over time. Like, we know what their word "rí" meant, so maybe it's related to that. Something kingy. But until we find a rock or papyrus or whatever that spells it out for some scholar somewhere, we just don't know. So it is "unknown".
The name Anthony also has an unknown meaning in that way. We know it's from an Etruscan name, but since the Romans were fond of obliterating any traces of previous cultures, it is hard to find out any more than that. The Celts were not big into keeping written records either, so we've had to piece things together from evidence gathered over time. Like, we know what their word "rí" meant, so maybe it's related to that. Something kingy. But until we find a rock or papyrus or whatever that spells it out for some scholar somewhere, we just don't know. So it is "unknown".
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Aaarrrghh!
Babynames.com really really sucks when it comes to meanings. A fun site, but not good at all for research. In fact, most sites stink when it comes to etymology. This is one of my pet peeves:
I even have a rant about it here:
http://www.namenerds.com/uucn/advice/namebook.html
BtN is one of the only sites i trust!
Babynames.com really really sucks when it comes to meanings. A fun site, but not good at all for research. In fact, most sites stink when it comes to etymology. This is one of my pet peeves:
I even have a rant about it here:
http://www.namenerds.com/uucn/advice/namebook.html
BtN is one of the only sites i trust!
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That was fantastic!
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Looks like a great site. But it doesn't have the name Regan on there, unfortunately.
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derp
missed the point entirely good job
try reading the actual article
missed the point entirely good job
try reading the actual article
This message was edited 6/24/2011, 1:38 PM
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Um, I did read it. I get what the author is saying, but considering that's a baby name site and the author is telling us that baby books make up meanings for baby names, I assumed that the names on that site had meanings that were cited from sources. I then looked up their name list and didn't find one for the name I was interested in. Or should I have assumed the author of the site would publish meanings without sources right after an article on the index bashing that practice?
Try not being so rude if you choose to reply.
Try not being so rude if you choose to reply.
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Norah Namenerd, who is posting in this thread, is the author of that post. In the post in which she provided that link, she also says "BtN is one of the only sites i trust!"
Look up Regan on BTN. See meaning. Understand the other sites are wrong, because THAT IS WHAT HER ARTICLE IS TELLING YOU, WITH ACCURACY. End.
And I will reply as I see fit, guest.
Look up Regan on BTN. See meaning. Understand the other sites are wrong, because THAT IS WHAT HER ARTICLE IS TELLING YOU, WITH ACCURACY. End.
And I will reply as I see fit, guest.
This message was edited 6/24/2011, 11:12 PM
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Climb down off your perch, Oh Holy One. You don't intimidate me. Everyone else on this thread has managed to be civil, including the poster to whom you're referring. Give it a shot and maybe I'll give what you say the tiniest amount of credence. Until then, don't tell me what is "the end" and quit the inane "the sites are wrong because she's telling you they are" nonsense. I'm a free-thinking adult and don't need others telling me what is and isn't right.
Now, THE END! Geez, take a chill pill.
Now, THE END! Geez, take a chill pill.
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It's not really a baby name site, it's a site about names.
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whoa.
OK, as a name nerd, I have to freak out here and be annoying. First of all, the umlaut on the "e" is weird. It's not used in any languages I know of except Albanian. When used in names like Zoë, it's to make it so the E is pronounced when normally it would be silent.
Regan is an anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Riagáin, which does stem from the word "rí" meaning "king" and a diminutive ending.
As a first name, Shakespeare was the first to use it; who knows what he based it on.
Thus said, I like the sound (REE-gan, not so fond of RAY-gan). I probably wouldn't use it, but it does have a nice cadence, and I did like "The Exorcist."
OK, as a name nerd, I have to freak out here and be annoying. First of all, the umlaut on the "e" is weird. It's not used in any languages I know of except Albanian. When used in names like Zoë, it's to make it so the E is pronounced when normally it would be silent.
Regan is an anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Riagáin, which does stem from the word "rí" meaning "king" and a diminutive ending.
As a first name, Shakespeare was the first to use it; who knows what he based it on.
Thus said, I like the sound (REE-gan, not so fond of RAY-gan). I probably wouldn't use it, but it does have a nice cadence, and I did like "The Exorcist."
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The girl who had the name had the umlaut on it, so that's where I got it. I was told it was to make the long "e" sound and thought it gave it more class than just Regan, but your point is taken. I don't like RAY-gan either. REE-gan sounds classy to me. Maybe because I like the sound of the word "regal," but you can't call a kid regal and expect them not to be teased. lol
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I don't know about that-- I've been nerding out over the top 7000 names given in the USA last year-- there were 5 Regals, which seem almost "normal" compared to the 9 Royaltys, 13 Majestys, 6 Majestics, and 8 Kingdoms!
I guess if I really wanted to emphasize the long "e" part, I'd spell it Reegan or something. That doesn't look to bad, actually. For some reason I like it better than Meegan.
I guess if I really wanted to emphasize the long "e" part, I'd spell it Reegan or something. That doesn't look to bad, actually. For some reason I like it better than Meegan.
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LOL, I had no idea people named their kids Regal. I like it, but I'd still be afraid of using it for fear the kid would hate it. I still like Regan better than Reegan. It looks better on paper. But I'd hate for it to be pronounced RAY-gan. I never realized how close to Megan Regan is so I can easily see people pronouncing it like that.
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LOL, that just looks sillly! I stil like Rëgan, but I guess I'm the only one
Thinking about Reegan.
Thinking about Reegan.
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hahahah! Why not go all the way, with Rëgän!
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That is bad ass!
Chlöë
I am extra-badass now
Chlöë
I am extra-badass now
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Ha ha "Rock Dots"
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Well, from what I read about an umlaut, it just means that the sound of the vowel is different from what you'd expect. In Chloe, the "e" makes a sound. In Regan, the "e" is a long "eee" as opposed to the sound "eh" or "a" sound.
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Since Regan has no other pesky vowels near the e, such clarification is not needed and is only for decoration or "coolness" - like rock dots.
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Not understanding. If it makes people pronounce it with a long "e" as opposed to "eh" like they would Megan, what's wrong with it?
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But, Regan is conventionally pronounced REE-gan, not RAY-gan. If you just spell it Regan, I think most people will say REE-gan. Like in the Exorcist. Regan "RAY-gan" is the unconventional way. A lot of people pronounce Megan as MEE-gan, too. The conventional pronunciation of Megan where I live is MEG-an, like "beggin'" not like MAY-gan. I can hardly imagine anyone assuming Regan is "REG-an."
I'm inclined to pronounce Rëgan as "RAY-gan" because the mark seems to be telling me it is pronounced differently from what is normal. YMMV
Anyway, Rëgan seems to be inspired by names like Chloë and Brontë, but it ends up looking pretty airheaded, because the mark in those names is there to tell you that the ë is pronounced as a separate syllable, not to tell you that it's EE instead of AY. =\
I'm inclined to pronounce Rëgan as "RAY-gan" because the mark seems to be telling me it is pronounced differently from what is normal. YMMV
Anyway, Rëgan seems to be inspired by names like Chloë and Brontë, but it ends up looking pretty airheaded, because the mark in those names is there to tell you that the ë is pronounced as a separate syllable, not to tell you that it's EE instead of AY. =\
This message was edited 6/24/2011, 11:24 AM
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Perhaps it's true that RAY-gan is the unconventional way to say it, but from my reading on the name, there are a lot of people who spell it Regan, but pronounce it RAY-gan and a lot who assume it's spelled like Ronald Re(a)gan's name and that it's a tribute to him so they pronounce it accordingly.
I guess Reegan is the safest way to go about spelling/pronunciation.
I guess Reegan is the safest way to go about spelling/pronunciation.
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It's a trema, not an umlaut
The diacritic that looks like two little two dots are called a trema, not an umlaut. An umlaut is a specific usage of the trema, best known for its use in Germany. A trema mark can also be a diaeresis, which indicates that two letters are to be read separately. "Chloë" would be using a diaeresis.
Letters with tremas are also their own letters in some other languages (like in Finnish).
The diacritic that looks like two little two dots are called a trema, not an umlaut. An umlaut is a specific usage of the trema, best known for its use in Germany. A trema mark can also be a diaeresis, which indicates that two letters are to be read separately. "Chloë" would be using a diaeresis.
Letters with tremas are also their own letters in some other languages (like in Finnish).
This message was edited 6/24/2011, 11:18 AM
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So when is an umlaut used?
?
?
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Here are some audio samples
Audio for German umlauts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTzZn6j0A4Y
Laconic: an umlaut marks a change in the sound of the original letter.
I don't speak German, though -- maybe a speaker here would like to go into detail?
Another video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIbVxr6YgB0
Audio for German umlauts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTzZn6j0A4Y
Laconic: an umlaut marks a change in the sound of the original letter.
I don't speak German, though -- maybe a speaker here would like to go into detail?
Another video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIbVxr6YgB0
This message was edited 6/24/2011, 11:27 AM
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That's very interesting. Thank you. It didn't include the letter "e", so I wonder if umlauts just aren't used for "e" in general.
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That's because German doesn't have an ë. It's not an umlaut.
It's used in other languages, though. Wiki is pretty clear on it's usage: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%8B
It's used in other languages, though. Wiki is pretty clear on it's usage: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%8B
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Thanks! That clears it up!
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That link says Wiki doesn't have an article about it.
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You have to add a second ) to the URL. Or click on the first suggestion that page gives.
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then google umlaut
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I did. lol. I thought based on what I read that it was used to denote a different pronunciation of the vowel, but someone explained that was wrong so I was asking for clarification.
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Forgot to say it's pronounced Ree-gan. It was the name of Shakespeare's daughter in King Lear, but I'll pretend that isn't true lol
:-)
:-)
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