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ArchivesUse of Erin as a male name
I am a male Erin, born in the 1980s in the US. The name is consistently listed as a feminine name, although the birth stats do show some usage for boys through the 1970s onwards.
Does anyone know much about the usage for boys? Is it a mistaken spelling of the name Aaron like some people say, or is there an actual more direct reason tied to the spelling of Erin itself. Personally I see them as two completely different names with different histories and roots.
Does anyone know much about the usage for boys? Is it a mistaken spelling of the name Aaron like some people say, or is there an actual more direct reason tied to the spelling of Erin itself. Personally I see them as two completely different names with different histories and roots.
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Replies
i have a friend named Erin and she's female! she was born 2007
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My son’s name is Erin. He too was born in the 80’s. You’re not alone.
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I named my second son Erin in 1978,then in 1998he named his son Erin also. I am so glad to hear that I am not alone.
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ERIN is the Anglicized form of EIREANN. Wikipedia < https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diminutive#Irish > reports that -an is not only a diminutive suffix, it is used as a feminine suffix, as well.
Removed from its source etymology (in America), it no longer conveys that femininity to non-native hearers AND it is a homophone for AARON, a traditionally masculine name.
Removed from its source etymology (in America), it no longer conveys that femininity to non-native hearers AND it is a homophone for AARON, a traditionally masculine name.
This message was edited 9/3/2015, 5:32 PM
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In areas where Aaron is NOT a homophone of Erin (e.g. the Northeast, as well as the non-American English-speaking world) there may be some other explanation for Erin's use on a boy, but in the majority of the US, they do sound identical, so I don't think you need to look much farther than that. People hear Aaron and Erin as the same sounds, and unless they are familiar with and care about either the biblical character or the country, they may see them as equally valid alternative spellings. It would be about like choosing Shawn over Sean.
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