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Fingal

Gender: Masculine
Language: Irish Gaelic
Etymology:
Fingal is the Anglicized form of Fionnghall, an Irish Gaelic name meaning “Fair Complexioned Stranger,” from “fionn” (fair) and “gal” (stranger).

History:
Fingal was originally a descriptive nickname, one given by the native Irish to Norwegian Viking invaders, who were said to be fairer than the Danish Vikings (who were “Dougals”). It was introduced to the English speaking world by James Macpherson (1736-1796), who popularized many old Irish legends. In his books, he used the name “Fingal” to render the Gaelic hero Fionn MacCumhail.

Pronunciation: finn-gall.

Alternates: Fingall, Fionnghall.

Famous Bearers:
Artists and Authors:
Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde (1854-1900)
Irish writer.

Fictional Characters:
Fingal
A hero of James Macpherson’s tales.


Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
less than 0.004 % named Fingal

Popularity of Fingal:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-2000: N/A

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