Popular Irish Baby Names for Boys and Girls With Meanings

Choosing the right name for your newborn is one of the most exciting yet confusing decisions that need some research on its origin and awareness of the naming trends. Although globalization and digitization have brought us closer as a society, a specific naming tradition is unique to a country. The linguistic influence of neighboring countries or the migration of people of different nationalities can have a lasting impact on common names. Hence, although some Irish names have non-Irish origins, the most popular ones are a potpourri of traditional names that are generally used throughout the English-speaking world. Here are some fun facts on unique names for Irish boys and girls that can help parents select a suitable baby name for their bundle of joy.

Naming Tradition in Irish Culture

Ireland is the Emerald Isle known for its fascinating history, ancient legends, and beautiful landscape. While English is most widely used in Ireland, Gaelic or Celtic names or place names are also commonly used in Irish culture. Until the late 19th century, Irish parents used the traditional naming pattern. Usually, the first name is composed of the father’s name in the genitive case and the paternal grandfather’s name in the genitive that has been most prevalent in Gaeltacht or Irish-speaking areas of the world. However, these given names are not used for official purposes. Often a standard Irish name is inspired by a nickname or influenced by English. These anglicized names have several variations, or some of them are used for both genders. The Irish naming system is particularly useful for identifying individuals who reside in the same region or share a common surname without being closely related.

Popular Irish Baby Names for Boys 

Irish baby boy names are evergreen as they belong to saints, writers, scholars, or characters from classic literature, movies, and the music world. Here is a list of names from Ireland that can help you decide on a name for your little champ.

1. Aydn 

This name of Scottish, Gaelic, or Celtic origin means ‘fiery.’

2. Al 

This name of Gaelic, Scottish, Old German, and French origin means’ little rock.’

3. Baire 

Baire means ‘fair-headed’ in Gaelic.

4. Braidon 

This name of Irish, Gaelic, Scottish, and English origin means ‘Salmon; broad valley or hillside; descendant of Bradán.’

5. Bryen

This name of Irish, Celtic, and English origin means ‘noble’ or ‘strong.’

6. Dairmit 

This name of Celtic origin means ‘Free of envy.’

7. Danny 

This diminutive of Daniel is a Hebrew name that means ‘God is my judge.’

8. Daryn 

This name of English or Welsh origin means ‘Great,’ or ‘oaktree.’                                       

9. Dall 

This Irish boy’s name means ‘wise.’

10. Eadbhard 

This traditional Irish name means “blessed guardian.”

11. Eddie 

This Irish name is a variant of Ted, a diminutive of Theodore or Edward, and means “gift of god; rich guard.”

12. Evyn 

This variation of Evan means’ youth’ or ‘young warrior’ in Gaelic and Welsh.

13. Fergie 

This Irish name of Gaelic or Scottish origin means ‘strong’ or ‘manly.’

14. Finian 

This name of Gaelic or Old Norse origin means ‘small blond soldier’ or ‘wanderer.’ Also means fair.

15. Fyon 

Fyon means “fair-headed,” “white,” “clear,” “small blonde soldier,” and “handsome.” Fionn MacCool was the protagonist in Irish folklore and mythology.

16. Garitt 

This Irish name of Germanic origin means ‘Rules by the spear,’ ‘brave,’ or ‘strong.’

17. Isaac 

This Biblical name of Hebrew origin means ‘laughter.’

18. Jarlath 

This name means “Tributary lord.”

19. Josiah 

This Irish name of Hebrew origin comes from Yehoshua and means ‘the Lord is my Salvation.’

20. Kregg 

This Scottish or Welsh name means ‘rock.’

21. Logen 

A variation of Logan, Logen means ‘small hollow’ as per its Scottish origin.

22. Paidi 

This male name of Irish origin means ‘Nobleman.’

23. Peadar 

Peader is a traditional name that means ‘rock.’

24. Synan 

A variation of Senan, this Irish boy’s name means ‘old’ or ‘wise.’

25. Zeus 

This name means king of gods, leader

Popular Irish Baby Names for Girls

Irish names for baby girls can represent a story. They can belong to Pirate queens, actresses, or have unusual spellings. Here is a comprehensive list of cute names in Irish with relevant meanings that can be used for naming your little angel.

1. Anya

This variation of the popular Irish baby name Aine means “brightness, splendor.” 

2. Ava 

Ava means ‘birdlike’ or ‘lively’ in Germanic.

3. Cassidie

This name of Gaelic origin means’ clever’ or ‘having curly hair.’

4. Colene

Colene means ‘a young girl’ in Gaelic.

5. Deirdrah

This Irish name means ‘sorrowful,’ ‘broken-hearted,’ or ‘fear.’

6. Delainie

This Gaelic name means ‘Child of dark defiance.’

7. Duibheasa 

Dating back to the 14th or 15th century, this Irish name means ‘dark beauty.’

8. Ella 

Ella means ‘Goddess’ in Germanic.

9. Erun 

This name of Gaelic or Celtic origin means ‘peace’ or ‘Ireland.’

10. Foinah 

This name of Irish, Gaelic, Scottish, and English origin means ‘fair’ or ‘vine.’

11. Gronya 

This Irish name means ‘Love’ or ‘grain or crop.’

12. Kathi 

Kathi means ‘pure’ in Old French or Greek.

13. Karra 

This name of Latin, Italian, and Greek origin means ‘friend’ or ‘beloved.’

14. Keva 

This one-of-a-kind Irish name means “beautiful,” “precious,” “gentle,” “graceful,” and “beloved.”

15. Kivah 

This name of Irish, Gaelic, Scottish, and Celtic origin means ‘charming.’

16. Kaitlan 

This name means “pure.”

17. Maiv 

This name of Celtic, Greek, Latin origin means intoxicating’.

18. Mia

This multicultural name of Italian, Scandinavian origin means “mine or bitter.”

19. Neve 

This ancient Irish name is a variation of Niamh and means “bright.” It has legendary associations as she was the daughter of a sea god.

20. Quinne 

This name of Gaelic or Scottish origin means ‘wisdom’ or ‘intelligence.’

21. Rhiana

Pronounced as “ree-uhn,” Rhiana is the female variation of the male version Rian which means ‘little king.’

22. Siobhan 

Siobhan is an Irish name that means ‘God is gracious’

23. Sophia

This Latin name means ‘wisdom.’

24. Sheehan 

This name means “peaceful one.” 

25. Teigen

Teigen means ‘a poet’ in Gaelic.

Gender Neutral Irish Baby Names 

Unisex Irish names have gained international recognition and popularity throughout the world.

Here is an all-inclusive list of beautiful names in Irish with meanings that can be referred to for choosing a name for your baby irrespective of gender.

1. Ais

Ais means “vision”, “dream”, and “prosperous”.

2. Banba 

Banba is the name of a patron goddess of Ireland as per Irish mythology. She protected the land from invaders.

3. Brogan

This unisex trendy Irish name of Gaelic origin means ‘small shoe.’

4. Callin 

This gender-neutral Irish name means ‘slender’ or ‘thin.’

5. Coffey 

The name of Irish origin means ‘Victorious.’ It comes from the Irish surname Gaelic “Ó Cobhthaigh.”

6. Conlethe

This Irish gender-neutral name means ‘Chaste’ or ‘Fire.’ It comes from an old Irish name Conláed, meaning “chaste fire.” Saint Conláed was a 5th-century bishop of Kildare.

7. Dodo 

This Irish unisex name means ‘remarkable gift of God’ and is commonly used among Christians.

8. Dublin

Dublin is composed of the Irish elements dubh, meaning “dark,” and lind, “pool.” It is a city name and used as a given name for Irish girls and boys.

9. Ea 

Ea is a traditional Irish name that means ‘fire.’ This short name can also mean ‘life’ or ‘independence.’ Ea was the Akkadian god of wisdom as per ancient Irish mythology.

10. Etain

This pretty name from Irish folklore means ‘jealousy.’

11. Ilene

This name is the variant of Eileen, which also means ‘beautiful bird.’

12. Iseult

Iseult is a name that belonged to a mythological Irish princess. It means ‘one who is gazed upon.’

13. Kacev

It means ‘eagle-eyed.’

14. Kyna 

This Irish gender-neutral name means ‘intelligent.’

15. Lean 

This diminutive of Eileanoir means’ light-hearted’ or ‘shining light.’

16. Mirin 

Mirin was an Irish saint of the 6th century who emigrated to Scotland. This name of Hebrew origin means ‘bitterness.’

17. Murtagh 

This Anglicized form of Ó Muircheartaigh means ‘descendant of Muircheartach’ or a ‘navigator.’

18. Mab

It means joyous.

19. Nollaig

This Irish unisex name means ‘born on Christmas.’

20. Rionnach

It means “queenly.”

21. Ruari

This unusual baby name means ‘red-headed king.’

22. Shea 

This traditional Irish surname means “admirable.” Shea and its variant spellings include Shai and Shay.

23. Sibeal 

This Irish variant of Elizabeth has Hebrew origin means ‘God is my oath.’

24. Una 

This ancient name comes from the Irish word ” lamb.”

25. Yseult 

This Irish name means ‘fair’ or ‘light-skinned.’

Parents who admire the Irish language and its vibrant culture can choose an Irish name to honor their ancestral heritage. However, irrespective of your lineage or where you stay, you can still gift your child an elegant Irish name that would surely make your child stand out in the crowd and earn respect for its meaning.