Tadhg
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Tadhg is an Irish name that was very common in the past, especially in the 17th century, but had become extremely rare by the 20th century. Tadhg is most common in south-west Ireland, particularly in County Cork and County Kerry.
The name has enjoyed a surge in popularity recently, becoming the 69th most common name for baby boys in 2005 according to the Central Statistics Office in Ireland.
[edit] Pronunciation
Tadhg is from the Irish language. The adh is dipthtong that is pronounced like the i in the English word Tiger. In fact, the name itself is pronounced as if pronouncing Tiger and dropping the er.
[edit] Spelling
There was originally no "h" in the Irish language, it was added to fit the modern Roman alphabet. Tadhg was originally spelled as "Tadg" in the Irish Uncial alphabet with a dot over the "d" to indicate it is lenited. "Tadg" is often correctly seen as a spelling for "Tadhg" and has been popularly anglicized as "Tighe".
[edit] Meaning
The commonly accepted meaning of Tadhg is poet. There is an alternative view that the "poet" interpretation is wrong and the name actually means 'badger'.
Under British Rule in Ireland, many Irish names and place-names were given English meanings. Tadhg is often thought to be the Irish equivalent of the English name Timothy, though the two names are completely unrelated.
[edit] Usage
Though 'Tadhg' has become common once more in the Republic of Ireland, it is used as a derogatory term by Unionists for Nationalists/Republicans in Northern Ireland, though the mis-spelling "Taig" and mis-pronunciation "Teague" (to rhyme with "league") has become so common as to render it separate in meaning from the original name.
