P W Joyce, in The Origin and History of Irish Names of Places (McGlashan & Gill, 1875), which until recent times was the definitive authority, seems to imply that Ath-cliath (subsequently Baile-atha-cliath) predated Duibh-linn and did indeed refer initially to a foot-crossing on the Liffey "where Whitworth bridge now stands."

He notes that Duibh-linn was translated into Latin as nigra therma (black pool) in the Life of St Kevin, and that this pronunciation (Duvlin or Divlin in English) continued "until comparatively recent times." It appeared in old English writings and on Danish coins as Dyflin and Divlin. The inference is that the name Dublin had its origins in Ireland and in Gaelic rather than in Scandinavia.