Was Christy Brown's given first name Christy or was that a nickname for something else?

Question

I am curious to know if Christy is, or was, a common boys name in Ireland.

Answer 1

It normally comes from Christopher - nicknames can be Chris or Christy

My friend is nicknamed Christy...well hes got a few nicknames

Answer 2

Christy is usually short for Christopher. Christy can be a name itself though.

Im not sure if Christy is Christy Brown's given nameor just what he was always known as but i wouldnt be surprised if the name on his bitrh cert said Christopher, it was commonly shortened to Christy especially in Dublin around that time, not so much now.

Answer 3

He was born with that name.

Answer 4

That was his given name I believe. I have never heard a longer version. As jk noted, it probably was a shortened version of Christopher. Saints names are always popular in Catholic countries.

Answer 5

His name was Christopher Browne, (with the E..its the Irish version of the name Brown) and as with most names in Ireland  its shortened to some degree, so its common to call men Christy, but not the women, we're shortened to Chris or Chrissie.  Another version of Christopher is Gitsie, this may be a Dublin thing and I have no idea where it started from.

The name was popular about 30 years ago, but its unusual to see people aged 30 or younger called Christy now.