Where's John gone and who's Iagan?
Iagan MacNeil
Senior level communications leader | Strategic Communications and Storytelling | Public Affairs Leader | Media and Crisis Management | Stakeholder Management
This week I’ve gone all Gaelic. Well, as a native Gaelic speaker, I’ve gone back to being Gaelic.
For professional purposes I’ve started using the name which I associate with most and which I have been called by family and friends all of my life.
From Monday my work email and signature has changed from John MacNeil to Iagan MacNeil and, so far, it’s gone smoothly. Almost all colleagues are repeatedly (and unnecessarily) saying my name just to practise the pronunciation.
I’ve brought a little bit Gaeldom to a small corner of London’s Tottenham Court Road.
Why now?
When I worked in the media in north Scotland I used Iagan all the time; as the image from my brief TV presenting career suggests. When I moved to Edinburgh I fell into the trap of reverting to my English name.
Therefore this has been something I’ve wanted to do for a long time but allowed procrastination and hesitation to get in the way of doing it. I’ve finally gone for it.
However, the main factor for doing it now is due to the culture of company I work for. I’ve thought about it before at previous jobs but working for Smart Energy GB and its positive attitude towards the individual has made it far simpler and an easier experience. It was obvious to do it now.
The response from all colleagues and our fantastic People Team was brilliant.
It is worth noting that I am making no political statement by using my Gaelic name. My Gaelic name and identity as a native Scottish Gaelic speaker pre-dates any political leanings I have developed.
This is also not about finding my identity. I’ve always had this identity. I’m simply using the name that means more to me and my family in a business environment in addition to my social environment.
Where did it come from?
Iagan isn’t a nickname. Its origins are thought to be ancient and has Scottish/Irish roots. Some websites suggest the name means ‘Little Fiery One’ or 'Fiery Warrior' – make of that what you will.
In the Southern Isles of the Outer Hebrides, where I am from, Iagan is commonly used as an alternative to Iain, which is the more recognised Gaelic translation of John.
Currently, my legal name is John (birth certificate, passport etc) but the person I am called after was my father’s cousin who died just before I was born. So, as tradition at the time dictated, I took his name to keep the name going.
Luckily he wasn’t called Moonstruck or Apple Cherry Blossom. That would make this a different story.
Although his name was also John he was known by all as Iagan which meant I was called that too - as was the person he was called after. I’ve inherited a name down the generations and I’m proud of that and want to show it off.
My (many) siblings, wider family and peers have been given names following the same tradition.
Has anything else changed?
No. I am still affable guy you’ve grown to know/I am still the grumpy guy you’ve grown to know*
What next?
I’m going legal. I’m going to get my name officially changed so that all my official documentation reflects the culture I identify with.
*Delete as applicable
Student at Texas A&M University
4 年Your profile came up in a google search. This is interesting. My son’s name is Iagan. We named him after his paternal great-grandfather who married an Irish lass and moved to America. We are American and our families are both of Irish and Scottish decent, so we thought that an ancient Irish family name was fitting. When Iagan was young he hated having a name that no one could pronounce and the other kids teased him about. He begged us to change his name to John so that he would fit in. He said that John was his favorite name and it felt like it should be his name. He is older now and appreciates his name and finds pride in correcting people’s pronunciation and explain to them it’s significance. Its ironic to learn that Iagan is a translation of John, I wonder if he felt that connection somehow.?
English Instructor/Folklorist/Writer/Blogger/Storyteller/Podcaster
6 年Does that mean that all your professional correspondence shall be in Gaidhlig from now on??
Dynamic HR Generalist | Champion of People | Passionate About Employee Engagement & Cultivating Positive Workplace Culture for Organisational Growth
6 年We ?? you Iagan
Translator, Proofreader, Writer, Language Development
6 年Math fhèin! Dh'atharraich mi litreachadh an t-sloinnidh agam dhan litreachadh Gàidhlig gu h-oifigeil 20 bliadhna air ais no mar sin.??
Private Secretary to the Lord Advocate
6 年Loving it, I’m happy for you!