If you're itching to honor your splendid Irish heritage or looking for a meaningful Irish name, our list of the top 310 Irish baby names and their meanings will deliver all too well!
Get lost in the mystical realm of Irish legends and you'll find historical figures, mythical heroes, ethereal gods, and regal princesses. Their names echo the perpetual charm of the Emerald Isle.
Looking for a name potent with virility? Irish boy names, such as Cian and Oisin, draw from the deepest wells of Irish valor. They are true-blue totems of the strength of ancient warriors and Irish kings!
Seamlessly tied to the transfiguring and unfettered artistic genius of iconic Irish artists, names, like Oscar, Bram, Seamus, and Stella are beacons of creativity - a surefire way of honoring their timeless legacy!
Whatever your heart desires, we've got you covered!
In this article:
So, keep reading and immerse yourself in our unique kaleidoscope of the top 310 Irish baby names:
Irish names for girls:
Abigail – Delight/Joy of the father
Ailbhe - White, noble, bright, or rock
Ailís - Noble
Áine - Radiance, splendor, brightness or happiness
Aisling - Dream or Vision
Alannah - Little Child
Aoibheann - Of Radiant beauty
Aoife - Beautiful, Radiant
Ashling - Dream or Vision
Beibhinn - Melodious/Fair lady
Bevin - Fair lady
Bidelia - Exalted one or Strength
Blaithin - Little flower
Branna - Raven or Beauty with Hair as Dark as a Raven
Breena - Little raven or Raven-haired
Briana - High, noble, exalted
Bríd - The High One or Strength
Bridie - Exalted One, Fire Goddess or Strength, and Vigor
Bróna - Sorrow
Cadhla - Beautiful or Graceful
Cáit - Pure
Caitlín - Pure
Caitria - Pure
Caoimhe - Gentle, beautiful
Cara - Friend
Carleen - Little and womanly
Cassidie - Curly-haired
Cassidy - Curly-haired
Ceara - Sorrowful
Ciara - Black-haired one
Clíodhna - Shapely
Clodagh - Name of an Irish river
Clover - Clover plant
Colleen - Young girl
Conchobhar - Lover of hounds/canines
Corey – In or From the Hollow
Dáireann - Fruitful or Fertile
Darcy – Dark-haired or Descendant of The Dark
Deirdre - Sorrowful
Delaney – Dark Challenger
Dervla - Poet's Daughter
Devnet - Young Deer
Doireann - Sullen
Doreen - Brooding, Gilded, or Sullen
Dymphna - Fawn
Eabha - Life or Living
Éadaoin - Jealousy
Eavan - Fair
Edana - Fire
Eilinora - Shining light
Éilís - Noble
Eimear - Swift
Éireann - From Ireland
Eithne - Kernel or grain
Elva - Leader
Emer - Swift
Enya - Kernel
Erela – Angel and Messenger of God
Erin - Peace
Fainche - Raven
Fallon - Leadership
Fiadh - Untamed or Wild
Fidelma - Beauty
Finola - Fair shoulder
Fionnuala - Fair shoulder
Geraldine - Spear ruler
Gobinet - Smith
Gráinne - Grain or Love
Honora - Honor or Woman of Honor
Íde - Thirst
Imelda - Powerful fighter or universal battle
Iona - Purple jewel
Isolt - Fair lady
Ita - Thirst
Kathleen - Pure
Keelin - Slender
Keeva - Beautiful
Keira - Dark-haired
Kerri - Dark-haired
Kyna - Wise/Intelligent or Royal
Laoise - Radiant or Light
Liadán - Grey lady
Macha - Of the Plain
Mada - Powerful in battle
Maegan - Pearl
Maeleachlainn - Servant
Maeve - Intoxicating
Máire - Wished-for child
Mairead - Pearl
Mallaidh - Bitter
Malone - Servant of Saint John
Maura - Bitter
Mave - Joy
Méabh - Intoxicating
Meaghan - Pearl
Meara - Merry
Melvina - Armored chief
Moira - Bitter
Mona - Noble
Moreen - Great
Morgana - Sea-born or White sea
Morrigan - Phantom queen
Muire - Mary
Muireann - Long-haired
Muriel - Bright sea
Neala - Champion
Nessa - Rough
Niamh - Brightness
Nola - Famous
Nóra - Honor
Orfhlaith - Golden princess
Orla - Golden princess
Órlaith - Golden princess
Pádraigín - Noble
Pegeen - Pearl
Peig - Pearl
Reagan - King
Riley – Courageous or Valiant
Ríona - Queen
Róise - Rose
Róisin - Little rose
Róisín - Little rose
Rosaleen - Little rose
Rowan - Little red-haired one
Sadbh - Goodness
Saoirse - Freedom
Shannon - Wise River, Old River, or Possessor of Wisdom
Shayla - From the Fairy palace
Sheelagh - Blind
Sheena - God is gracious
Shivawn - God is gracious
Sibeal - Prophetess or God is my oath
Síle - Heaven or Blind
Siobhán - God's grace or God has been gracious
Síofra - Elf or challenging
Síomha - Good Peace
Siún - Peace
Sláine - Health
Sorcha - Bright or Shining
Sorley - Summer sailor/wanderer
Talulla - Princess of Abundance or Leaping Water
Tara – Hill or Star
Teagan - Little poet
Tierney - Lord or Master
Treasa - Strength or Power
Triona - Pure
Úna - One, only, or lamb
Don't miss our complete list of Irish girl names.
Irish boy names:
Adomnán - Little Adam
Aidan - Little fire
Ailbe - White
Ailín - Handsome
Aodh - Fire, fiery
Aodhán - Little fire
Art - Bear or champion
Bardán - "Lives near the Boar's Den" and "Little Poet" or "Songster."
Barry - Fair-haired
Beacán - Small, little one
Braden - Salmon
Brady - Descendant of Brádach, spirited, broad
Bran - Raven
Bréanainn - Little Raven and Sword or Prince
Brendan - Little Raven or Prince
Brian - High, noble
Brogan - Sturdy shoe or small shoe
Caden - Son of Caden or Little battle
Cael - Slender
Caelan - Powerful warrior or slender
Cahir - Battle man
Callum - Dove
Caolán - Little slender one
Carrick - Rock
Casey - Vigilant, watchful
Cass - Curly-headed
Cathal - Strong in battle
Cian - Ancient, enduring
Cianán - Ancient, enduring
Ciarán - Dark-haired
Cillian - Church, war, strife
Cináed - Born of fire
Clancy - Red warrior
Coilin - Young dove
Colm - Dove
Conall - Strong wolf
Conan - Little wolf
Conchobhar - Lover of hounds
Conor/Connor - Lover of hounds
Cormac - Son of the charioteer
Crevan - Fox
Dáire - Fertile, fruitful
Daire - Fruitful, fertile, or Oak Tree
Darragh/Dara - Oak Tree
Declan - Man of prayer
Dermot - Without envy
Desmond - South Munster
Devin - Poet
Diarmuid - Without envy
Dillon - Loyal, faithful
Domhnall - World ruler
Donal - World ruler
Donnacha - Dark-haired warrior
Donncadh - Brown-haired warrior
Donovan - Brown warrior
Doyle - Dark stranger
Driscoll - Interpreter
Dubhghall - Dark stranger
Eachann - Brown horse
Eamon - Guardian of riches
Ean - God is gracious
Eanna - Bird-like
Enda - Bird
Eoghan - Born of the yew tree or youth
Eunan - Little swift one
Fachtna - Malicious
Faelan - Little wolf
Faelan - Little wolf
Faolán - Little wolf
Faolan - Wolf
Fearghal - Man of valor
Fearghus - Vigor of a man
Feidhlim - Beauty, ever good
Felim - Good forever
Fergus - Strong man
Finn - Fair, white
Finnian - Fair, white
Fintan - White fire, white bull
Fionnbharr - Fair-haired
Fionntán - White, fair
Flann - Red, ruddy
Flannan - Little red one
Gallchobhar - Foreign help
Garvan - Rough
Gavin - White hawk
Gearóid - Spear ruler
Gilroy - Son of the Red-haired Servant
Glen - From the valley
Grady - Noble
Ian - God is gracious
Iarfhlaith - Lord of the West
Iollan - One who worships a different god
Jack - Healthy, strong, and full of vital energy. As the Irish version of John, it also carries the meaning "God is gracious."
James - Supplanter or Substitute
Kavan - Handsome
Keeffe - Gentle
Keegan - Little and fiery
Kennedy - Helmet-headed
Kian - Ancient
Killian - Little church
Lennon - Cloak or cape
Liam - Helmet of will or Guardian
Lochlann - Land of lakes (referring to Scandinavia)
Loman - Bare
Lorcan - Little fierce one
Lorcán - Little fierce one
Lugh - Light or shining - is also associated with being an Irish king or warrior.
Macdara - Son of oak
Madden - Little dog
Máel - Bald, prince
Maguire - Son of the beige one
Mahon - Bear
Malachy - My messenger
Manus - Great
Maolmhuire - Devotee of the Virgin Mary
Mathghamhain - Bear
Melvin - Armored chief
Micheál - Who is like God?
Muireadhach – Maritime
Muiris - Irish form of Maurice
Murphy - Sea warrior
Naoise - Mythical name
Neil - Champion
Niall - Cloud, champion
Nolan - Noble, famous
Nuallan - Famous, noble
Odhrán - Little pale green one, sallow
Óengus - One vigor or unique/one choice
Oisín - Little deer
Oran - Little pale one
Oscar - Deer-lover or friend of deer
Owen - Young warrior
Pádraic - Patrician or noble
Padraig - Noble
Paidín - Little patrician
Patrick - Nobleman
Phelan - Wolf
Quinn - Wise, intelligent
Raghnall - Wise and powerful
Redmond - Wise protector
Rian - Little king or simply "king"
Riordan - Royal poet or bard
Rónán - Little seal
Ruadh - Red-haired, red
Ruadhan - Red, red-haired
Ruaidhrí - Red-haired King
Séamus - Supplanter
Seán - God is gracious
Seosamh - He will add
Shea - Stately, dauntless
Sheridan - Wildman
Síthmaith - Good peace
Slaine - Health
Sorley - Summer sailor
Tadhg - Poet, storyteller
Teague - Poet or storyteller
Tierney - Lord, master, or "descendant of a lord"
Toirdhealbhach - "Like Thor" or "Thor-like"
Tomas - Twin
Turlough - Aid from Thor
Uaithne - Green or wood or pillar or harmony
Ultan - Man from Ulster
Whelan - Joyful
Don't miss our complete list of Irish boy names.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most beautiful Irish names?
There is so much potency in the beautiful meanings of Irish names that reflect the Irish amenities and the abundant beauty of their cultural heritage.
Some names are popularly considered beautiful due to their strong meanings and mellifluous sounds.
Some of them are:
Irish girl names:
Aoife - "Beautiful" or "radiant"
Caoimhe - "Gentleness" or "beauty"
Fiadh - "Wild" or "untamed"
Niamh - "Bright" or "radiant"
Saoirse - "Freedom" or "liberty"
Siobhán - "God is gracious"
Aisling - "Dream" or "vision"
Irish Boy names:
Cillian - "Church" or "monastery"
Eoin - "God is gracious"
Oisín - "Little deer"
What are unique Irish girl names?
Drawing their deep meanings from Irish folklore and mythology, and capturing the essence of the Emerald Isle, unique Irish names for girls testify to the country’s rich history.
We’ve compiled a list of 10 unique Irish girl names that are truly inspiring:
Unique Irish Girl Names:
Aisling: The name Aisling has its roots in Irish poetry and literature. It emerged as a poetic genre during the 17th and 18th centuries, known as "aislinge”.
Blathnaid: Blathnaid is an Irish name derived from the Irish word "bláth," meaning "flower." It has a long history in Ireland and is believed to have been in use since ancient times.
Caoimhe: Caoimhe is an Irish name that has been in use for centuries. It derives from the Irish word "caoimh" or "caomh," which means "gentle" or "kind."
Eabha: Eabha is the Irish form of the name Eve or Eva.
Fiadh: Fiadh is an Irish name that originates from the Irish word "fiadh" or "fia," meaning "wild" or "wilderness."
Laoise: Laoise is an Irish girl name with a rich history. It is derived from the Irish word "laoch," which means "hero" or "warrior." Laoise has been used as both a male and female name, and it connects to ancient Irish legends and mythology.
Niamh: Niamh is an ancient Irish name that can be traced back to Irish mythology. In Irish myths, Niamh was a princess of the Otherworld, known as Niamh Chinn Óir (Niamh of the Golden Hair).
Orlaith: Orlaith is an Irish name derived from the Gaelic word "órlaith," meaning "golden princess." It combines the elements "ór" (gold) and "laithe" (princess).
Róisín: Róisín is an Irish name meaning "little rose." It has a long history of usage in Ireland and is derived from the Irish word "rós" (rose).
Sadhbh: Sadhbh is an Irish name rooted in Irish mythology. In folklore, Sadhbh was a princess who was transformed into a deer by a druid's spell.
What is a classic Irish name?
In remembrance of Irish culture and mythology, classic Irish names have been enshrined in the memories of the Irish people, having been passed down through generations.
They remain popular choices in Ireland and are considered quintessentially Irish.
Some classic Irish names that are widely used today are the following:
Irish boy names:
Sean (SHAWN) - Meaning "God is gracious."
Patrick (PA-trik) - Meaning "noble" or "patrician."
Michael (MY-kul) - Meaning "who is like God."
Liam (LEE-um) - A shortened form of Uilliam.
Thomas (TOM-as) - Meaning "twin."
Irish girl names:
Mary (MAIR-ee) - Of Hebrew origin.
Bridget (BRIJ-it) - Associated with the Celtic goddess of fire, poetry, and wisdom.
Catherine (KATH-rin) - Of Greek origin.
Margaret (MAR-gret) - Meaning "pearl."
Elizabeth (i-LIZ-a-beth) - Meaning "my God is abundance" or "pledged to God."
What is the most Irish name ever?
It will be to such great avail that your child will have a name deeply rooted in Irish history!
Although there is an array of uniquely “Irish” names, one that often stands out as emblematic of Ireland is "Seán" (pronounced Shawn).
Invested with a mellow and lyrical touch, "Seán" is derived from the name John and means "God is gracious" or "Gift of God."
It remains timeless, and still a popular choice among parents. Its powerful meaning, intertwined with the deeply religious context that historically shaped Ireland, makes it stand out.
Final thoughts
Every detail matters when it comes to your baby, and that includes the name; after all, as the saying goes, straws show the way the wind blows!
Giving your child an Irish name could be the jumping-off place for a unique journey through life's highs and lows, under the watchful eyes of Irish Gods and heroes!
Seeking further inspiration? Just immerse yourself in our list of the best Irish baby boy names and their meanings and the top Irish baby girl names and their meanings.
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