Irish names hold a rich history rooted in Gaelic tradition. They often carry deep meanings, connecting to Ireland’s landscape, mythology, and Christian influences. Surnames typically originated from a person’s profession, physical appearance, or ancestral lineage, while first names often honored saints or reflected natural elements like rivers, hills, or animals. Famous Irish names, like O’Connor or Kelly, spread worldwide through the Irish diaspora, influencing cultures globally.
Their fame also stems from renowned figures in Irish history, literature, and music, such as Brian Boru, James Joyce, and Enya. Today, Irish names continue to evoke pride and heritage for people of Irish descent worldwide.
20 Irish Names For Boys With Meanings
Here are 20 Irish names for boys with meanings:
Sean – Meaning “God is gracious.”
Finn – Signifying “fair” or “white.”
Cian – Translating to “ancient” or “enduring.”
Declan – Referring to “man of prayer” or “full of goodness.”
Liam – Derived from “William,” meaning “strong-willed warrior.”
Conor – Representing “lover of hounds” or “wolf lover.”
Eoin – Irish form of “John,” meaning “God is gracious.”
Cillian – Signifying “church” or “monastery.”
Rory – Referring to “red king” or “red-haired one.”
Padraig – Derived from “Patrick,” meaning “noble” or “patrician.”
Oisin – Signifying “little deer” or “fawn.”
Darragh – Meaning “oak tree” or “mighty.”
Tadhg – Representing “poet” or “philosopher.”
Cormac – Referring to “charioteer” or “son of deftness.”
Fionn – Signifying “fair-haired” or “white.”
Eoghan – Derived from “Eugene,” meaning “well-born” or “noble.”
Fiachra – Referring to “raven” or “crow.”
Niall – Meaning “champion” or “cloud.”
Aidan – Signifying “little fire” or “fiery one.”
Oscar – Derived from “os” (deer) and “cara” (friend), meaning “deer lover” or “friend of deer.”
20 Irish Names For Girls With Meanings
Here are 20 Irish names for girls, along with their meanings:
Aoife – Meaning “beautiful” or “radiant.”
Caoimhe – Signifying “gentle” or “graceful.”
Saoirse – Representing “freedom” or “liberty.”
Ciara refers to “dark-haired” or “black.”
Niamh – Meaning “bright” or “radiant.”
Roisin – Signifying “little rose.”
Orla – Representing “golden princess” or “golden lady.”
Fiona – Referring to “fair” or “white.”
Siobhan – Meaning “God is gracious.”
Maeve – Signifying “intoxicating” or “she who intoxicates.”
Aisling – Referring to “dream” or “vision.”
Eimear – Meaning “swift” or “fast.”
Grainne – Signifying “grain” or “kernel.”
Aoibhinn – Referring to “pleasant” or “beautiful.”
Sinead – Meaning “God is gracious.”
Deirdre – Signifying “sorrowful” or “broken-hearted.”
Clodagh – Referring to “river” or “washing.”
Aine – Meaning “radiance” or “splendor.”
Mairead – Signifying “pearl.”
Caitlin – Referring to “pure” or “chaste.”
| We also have a list of Native American Female Names so you can enjoy with a variety of names while choosing one for your baby. |
20 Irish Names For Unisex With Meanings
Here are 20 Irish unisex names with their meanings:
Riley – Meaning “courageous” or “valiant.”
Quinn – Signifying “wise” or “intelligent.”
Rowan – Representing “little redhead” or “red-haired one.”
Sage – Referring to “wise” or “sage-like.”
Darcy – Meaning “dark” or “dark-haired.”
Finley – Signifying “fair-haired hero” or “fair warrior.”
Morgan – Representing “sea-born” or “bright sea.”
Casey – Referring to “vigilant” or “watchful.”
Avery – Meaning “ruler of the elves” or “wise.”
Keegan – Signifying “small and fiery” or “son of Egan.”
Shannon – Representing “wise river” or “ancient river.”
Reagan – Referring to “little ruler” or “descendant of Riagan.”
Teagan – Meaning “poet” or “beautiful.”
Devon – Signifying “defender” or “poet.”
Blair – Representing “field” or “plain.”
Casey – Referring to “brave” or “vigilant.”
Dara – Meaning “oak tree” or “wise.”
Finlay – Signifying “fair-haired hero” or “fair warrior.”
Kerry – Representing “dark” or “dark-haired.”
Rory – Referring to “red king” or “red-haired one.”
100 Irish First Names
Liam, Aoife, Conor, Ciara, Sean, Niamh, Cian, Saoirse, Oisín, Siobhan, Fionn, Aisling, Darragh, Grainne, Eoin, Aoibhín, Padraig, Roisin, Ciaran, Sinead, Orla, Declan, Aoibheann, Cathal, Eimear, Lorcan, Clodagh, Ruairí, Aine, Tadhg, Síle, Colm, Eabha, Niall, Maeve, Odhrán, Dearbháil, Dáire, Bronagh, Cormac, Ailbhe, Ruán, Bláthnaid, Cathán, Úna, Eilís, Daireann, Rónán, Aoibhe, Orlagh, Fionnuala, Donnacha, Maebh, Cillian, Sadhbh, Eoghan, Áine, Turlough, Éabha, Caoimhe, Odran, Éamon, Eithne, Cathaoir, Meabh, Ronin, Emer, Donagh, Siún, Cillian, Síofra, Ruairi, Fiadh, Orlaith, Malachy, Nuala, Tiarnán, Aodh, Caoilfhionn, Éabhnat, Fearghal, Gráinne, Padraic, Seamus, Deirdre, Aodhán, Aislinn, Méabh, Eibhlín, Darragh, Turlough, Síle, Diarmaid, Conall, and Colleen.
20 Traditional Irish Names With Meanings
Here are 10 traditional Irish names for boys and 10 for girls, along with their meanings and a brief explanation of their traditional significance:
Boys:
Cormac – Meaning “charioteer” or “son of defilement.” Cormac Mac Airt was a legendary High King of Ireland known for his wisdom and fair rule.
Fionn – Meaning “fair” or “white.” Fionn Mac Cumhaill (Finn McCool) is a legendary Irish hero known for his bravery and wisdom.
Oisín – Meaning “little deer” or “fawn.” Oisín was a warrior and poet in Irish mythology, the son of Fionn Mac Cumhaill.
Tadhg – Derived from the Irish word “tadhg” meaning “poet” or “philosopher.” It’s a name with strong literary associations in Irish culture.
Eoghan – Meaning “born of the yew tree.” It’s a name with ancient Gaelic origins, often associated with nobility and warriors.
Cian – Meaning “ancient” or “enduring.” Cian was the father of the legendary hero Lugh in Irish mythology.
Ciarán – Meaning “little dark one” or “black-haired.” Saint Ciarán of Clonmacnoise was one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland, known for his piety and missionary work.
Dara – Meaning “oak tree.” In Irish mythology, the oak tree symbolizes strength and wisdom, making Dara a traditional and meaningful name.
Ruairí – Meaning “red king” or “red-haired one.” It’s a name with strong historical and mythological associations in Ireland.
Padraig – The Irish form of Patrick, meaning “noble” or “patrician.” Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, making Padraig a deeply traditional and revered name.
Girls:
Aoife – Derived from the Gaelic word “aoibh” meaning “beauty” or “radiance.” Aoife was a legendary warrior woman in Irish mythology, known for her bravery and skill in battle.
Saoirse – Meaning “freedom” or “liberty.” Saoirse reflects the spirit of independence and resilience cherished in Irish culture.
Ciara – Meaning “dark-haired” or “black.” Saint Ciara of Kilkeary was an Irish saint known for her piety and dedication to serving others.
Gráinne – Meaning “grain” or “love.” Gráinne was a central figure in Irish mythology, known for her beauty and independence.
Niamh – Pronounced “NEEV,” meaning “brightness” or “radiance.” Niamh was a goddess in Irish mythology, associated with beauty and youth.
Maeve – Derived from the Gaelic word “medb” meaning “intoxicating.” Queen Maeve of Connacht was a legendary queen in Irish mythology known for her strength and power.
Síofra – Meaning “elf” or “fairy.” It’s a name with mystical and enchanting connotations in Irish folklore.
Aoibhinn – Derived from the Gaelic word “aoibh” meaning “beauty” or “radiance.” It’s a name often associated with grace and elegance.
Roisin – Meaning “little rose.” Roisin is a traditional Irish name with floral imagery, symbolizing beauty and femininity.
Caoimhe – Derived from the Gaelic word “caoimh” meaning “gentle” or “beautiful.” Caoimhe is a name often associated with kindness and grace in Irish culture.
30 Old Irish Names 1800s With Meanings
Here are 30 old Irish vintage names from the 1800s along with their meanings:
Boys:
Fergus – Meaning “man of vigor” or “strength.”
Dermot – Derived from “Diarmait,” meaning “without enemy” or “free from envy.”
Cathal – Meaning “battle rule” or “strong in battle.”
Conall – Meaning “strong wolf” or “mighty as a wolf.”
Cormac – Meaning “charioteer” or “son of defilement.”
Donal – Derived from “Domhnall,” meaning “ruler of the world.”
Eamon – Derived from “Éamonn,” meaning “wealthy protector” or “guardian of riches.”
Finnegan – Meaning “fair” or “white.”
Maeve – Derived from “Medb,” meaning “intoxicating” or “intoxicating one.”
Oisin – Meaning “little deer” or “fawn.”
Girls:
Bridget – Derived from “Brighid,” meaning “exalted one” or “strength.”
Caitriona – Derived from “Caitríona,” the Irish form of Catherine, meaning “pure” or “clear.”
Eileen – Derived from “Eibhlín,” meaning “light” or “bright.”
Grainne – Meaning “grain” or “love.”
Kathleen – Derived from “Caitlín,” the Irish form of Katherine, meaning “pure” or “clear.”
Maura – Derived from “Máire,” the Irish form of Mary, meaning “bitter” or “sorrowful.”
Nora – Derived from “Nóra,” meaning “honor” or “light.”
Orla – Meaning “golden princess” or “golden sovereign.”
Roisin – Meaning “little rose.”
Siobhan – Derived from “Síne,” meaning “God is gracious” or “gift of God.”
Here are some unisex Irish names that have been used from ancient times through the 1800s:
Aidan/Aiden – Meaning “little fire” or “fiery one.”
Rowan – Derived from the Gaelic word “ruadh,” meaning “red,” often associated with the rowan tree.
Casey – Meaning “brave” or “vigilant.”
Riley – Derived from the Old Irish surname “Ó Raghallaigh,” meaning “descendant of Raghnall,” or “valiant.”
Shannon – Derived from the River Shannon, the longest river in Ireland, possibly meaning “old river” or “ancient river.”
Quinn – Derived from the Gaelic word “cuinn,” meaning “wisdom” or “intelligence.”
Keegan – Meaning “small and fiery” or “son of Aodhagáin.”
Darcy – Meaning “dark one” or “descendant of the dark-haired one.”
Murphy – Derived from the Gaelic surname “Ó Murchadha,” meaning “sea warrior” or “hound of the sea.”
Delaney – Derived from the Gaelic surname “Ó Dubhshláine,” meaning “descendant of the dark challenger” or “dark hero.”
Winding Up
With a rich history steeped in Gaelic tradition, these names hold deep meanings, often inspired by Ireland’s landscape, mythology, and saints. From timeless classics to modern favorites, each name carries a unique story, reflecting the pride and heritage of Ireland.