The Baby Name Wizard

Reader Contributions

Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Lorcan!

Comments and insights on the name Lorcan: | Edit

Sean and Emma were the most popular babies' names registered in Ireland in 2003, the second year in a row that they have been top. There were 928 boys named Sean in 2004, 93 more than the second most popular name, Jack. There were 787 girls named Emma, 213 more than the second most popular name, Katie.

Exactly the same boys' names have been in the top five since 1999, with only their order changing from year to year.

There were seven first time entries to the top 100 for boys: Charles, Christian, Hugh, Noah, Odhran, Rian and Tomas. Also, Lorcan and Owen returned to the top 100 after a year's absence. The highest new entry was Noah, which rose from 213th place in 1999 and 132nd last year to reach 79th place. The names rising the most places were Odhran (up 56 places to 100) and Noah (up 53 places to 79).

Personal experiences with the name Lorcan: | Edit

It is my first name, I was named after St. Lorcán Úa Túathaill. I really like my name but I find not many people outside of Ireland have heard of the name nor know how to spell or pronounce it. I only met another man with the name Lorcan for the first time when I was 20 years old even though I had heard of it before, plus people were always telling me they knew of another boy or man with the name. I also have another friend named Lorcan, plus there is the name of a group on the Facebook website called "My name is Lorcan...no Lor-can...NO LOR-CAN, oh forget it!" dedicated to boys and men named Lorcan!

Nicknames for Lorcan: | Edit

Labhrás,Lanty,Larry,Laurence, Lawrence, Lasse, Lorenzo, Lory, Lorccán, Lorcon.

Meanings and history of the name Lorcan: | Edit

Means "silent" or "fierce" and was probably used as a nickname for a "brave warrior." Sometimes equated with Laurence, Lorcan is a name in its own right. One Lorcan was the grandfather of Brian Boru, two kings of Leinster bore the name and St. Lorcan O'Tuathail, better known as St. Laurence O'Toole, was an influential bishop of Dublin and an important mediator between the Norman invaders and the Irish in the twelth century.
The name is growing in popularity again in Ireland.

Famous real-life people named Lorcan: | Edit

St. Lorcán Úa Túathaill (1120-1180), Archbishop & patron saint of the Diocese of Dublin known for his work with the poor, died at Eu, Normandy, France
Lorccán, grandfather of King Brian Ború
Lorcan Cranitch, Irish actor
Lorcan O'Toole, Irish-American actor & son of actor Peter O'Toole
Lorcan O'Herlihy, Irish-American Architect responsible for several projects including the award winning Hybrid Building in Seaside, Florida, which received a National Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects
Lorcan Roche, Irish author & playwright (The Companion, The Old Fella, Him & Her)
Lorcan Wyer, Irish Horse Jockey, First winner: Champion Prince at Navan in July, 1984; First winner in Britain: Omerta in National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham on March 12, 1986.
Lorcan Murray, Irish radio presenter
Larkin Malloy, actor.

Lorcan in song, story & screen: | Edit

Lorcan Foley was a fictional character in the Irish RTÉ soap opera Fair City, portrayed by Killian O'Sullivan (1999-2006).
Lorcan is the name of a character in the 2008 film "Summer Of The Flying Saucer" played by Dan Colley.
Lorcan is the name of a character in the 1951 film "Talk Of A Million" played by Alfie Bass.
Lorcan Barnes was a character who appeared in one episode of the USA TV series "JAG" in 1995, he was played by Harry Von Gorkum.
Dr. Lorcan O'Brien is a character in the Irish RTÉ TV series "The Clinic", he is played by Mark Dymond.
Fr. Lorcan O'Carroll is a character in Annie Mc.Cartney's novel "Desire Lines".
Lorcan Larkin is a character in Marian Keyes' novel "Last Chance Saloon".
Lorcan Furey is a character in Justin Somper's novel "Vampirates:Demons Of The ocean".
Lorcan is Luna Lovegood's son after the Harry Potter novels have ended.