Somhairle

Hebrew

"told by God"

Somhairle Origin and Meaning

The name Somhairle is a boy's name of Irish, Irish Gaelic origin.

Somhairle is a rare masculine name with deep Gaelic roots, predominantly found in Scottish and Irish traditions. Pronounced roughly as 'SOR-la' or 'SORE-luh,' it represents the Gaelic form of the Norse name 'Sorley' or 'Somerled,' derived from 'sumarlidi' meaning 'summer traveler' or 'summer warrior.' The name carries historical significance, notably associated with Somhairle MacGillebride, a 12th-century Norse-Gaelic warlord who established the Lordship of the Isles in Scotland. Despite its rich heritage, Somhairle remains exceedingly uncommon outside Gaelic-speaking regions, largely due to its challenging pronunciation for non-Gaelic speakers. The name embodies Celtic cultural pride and connection to ancient traditions. For parents with Scottish or Irish heritage seeking an authentic cultural name with historical depth, Somhairle offers a powerful choice that honors ancestral roots while standing distinctively apart from more common Celtic names.

Famous People Named Somhairle

• Somhairle Mac Domhnaill (Sorley McDonnell) Irish art patron and soldier in the Thirty Years War

International Variations of the name Somhairle

• Sorley Anglicisation