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What is James in Irish?

Published in Irish Names 2 mins read

The Irish equivalent of the name James is Séamus.

Understanding Séamus

Séamus is a popular Goidelic male given name with deep historical roots. Its origin traces back to Hebrew, arriving in Irish via Latin. It is directly comparable to the name James, which itself is recognized as the English New Testament variant derived from the Hebrew name Jacob.

Pronunciation of Séamus

The Irish pronunciation of Séamus is typically rendered as [ˈʃeːmˠəsˠ]. This can be approximated for English speakers as "shay-mus," with the "shay" sound similar to "shake" and the "mus" sound similar to "moss."

Origin and Equivalents

The connection between James and Séamus highlights the linguistic evolution and shared heritage of names across different cultures. Here's a quick overview:

English Name Irish Equivalent Original Source Notes
James Séamus Hebrew (Jacob) English New Testament form of the name Jacob

This rich linguistic background connects a widely recognized English name to its distinctive and equally significant Irish counterpart.

To delve deeper into the name, you can explore its history and usage on reputable linguistic resources, such as the Séamus Wikipedia page.