Garaidh

The Scottish Gaelic and Irish Gaelic masculine given name Garaidh (Scottish Gaelic pronunciation: [ˈkaɾɪ]) is of uncertain derivation but as a name occurs frequently in Middle and Old Irish texts (in its Old Irish form Garaid), for example in the 13th century Acallam na Senórach: Donn mac Aeda, mheic Garaid, meic Morna 'Donn son of Aodh, son of Garaidh, son of Morna'.

Garaidh is commonly rendered in English as Gary.^[1] It is also commonly (esp. in Scotland) spelled Garry. However, the name Gary is of Germanic origin (from gar meaning 'spear').^[2]

Although visually similar, most occurrences of -gar(r)y in place-names are unrelated to the name. In place-names, -gar(r)y is usually derived from one of the following elements:

• Old Norse gerði, originally meaning enclosure but later on land around a dwelling, pasture,^[3] e.g. Geàrraidh na h-Aibhne Garynahine^[4]
• a hydronymic element (usually a river name) e.g. Gleann Garadh/Gharadh Glen Garry, Inbhir Gharadh/Garraidh Invergarry

References