Barach

Interesting. As it's St. Patrick's Day, the President has been touting his Irish heritage (through his mother's bloodline). He stated that his first name is an old Celtic name. (I must say, I winced slightly when he said that with a soft C.)

I decided to look it up:

Borach, Barach, Borrach [cf. OIr. borrach, proud, pretentious person]. Character in the Deirdre story not named in the medieval text Longas mac nUislenn [Exile of the Sons of Uisnech]. On Conchobar's urging he prepares a feast which detains Fergus, who was to be Deirdre and Noíse's surety for a safe return to Emain Macha; when Fergus is delayed, Noíse is killed. Many modern retellers of the story have given the character much colour; James Stephens, Deirdre (London, 1923) makes him a shark-catcher.

I wonder if his mother was aware of the actual etymology of the name or if she just borrowed the name from the old story.

(no subject)

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