Caomháin

Caomháin is an Irish-language given name that has also appeared as a surname in Ireland. It is primarily masculine and occurs in Gaelic contexts as well as in Anglicized forms, including Caomhán and Caomháin. The name appears in historical Irish records and continues to be used by some speakers of Irish and members of the Irish diaspora.

Etymology and related forms: Caomháin derives from the Gaelic root caomh-, meaning gentle, kind, or beloved, with the diminutive suffix -án. As such, Caomháin can be understood as conveying endearment or a sense of gentleness. It is closely related to Caoimhín, the Irish form of Kevin, which shares the same root. Spelling variants reflect differences in orthography and pronunciation within Irish.

Usage and notes: Today, Caomháin is less common than Caoimhín but is still attested in historical documents, genealogies, and some contemporary name choices. The form may appear with or without diacritical marks depending on the source, and in some cases, the name has been adopted as a surname descended from an ancestral given name.

See also: Caoimhín; other Irish names based on the caomh- root.