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.