Colman: Pronounced as it is written
County: Galway
Stemming from another popular Irish name, Colm, Colman means “little dove” — so perfect for any peaceful babe. Toward the end of her pregnancy in 559,
St. Colman of Kilmacduagh‘s mother, Queen Rhinagh, was thrown into the river with a heavy stone to weigh her down in order to kill the child, who was prophesied to be even greater than his father the king. God stepped in: the stone actually floated and brought the mother to safety. Colman was baptized in a well by two passing pilgrims who were healed of their own afflictions during the baptism. The well is still visited today as a place of pilgrimage. St. Colman went on to found a monastery in Kilmacduagh, Galway.