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- Aoife (ee-fa) This name means beautiful, radiant or joyful, and likely derives from the Gaelic word ‘aoibh’ meaning ‘beauty’ or ‘pleasure.’ In Irish mythology, Aoife is known as the greatest woman warrior in the world.
- Caoimhe (kwee-va or kee-va) From the Gaelic word "caomh," this name means gentle, beautiful or precious.
- Saoirse (ser-sha) This name means "freedom" or "liberty." It has strong patriotic overtones and has only been in use since the 1920s.
- Ciara (kee-ra) The feminine form of Ciaran, this name comes from the Gaelic word "ciar," which means dark. It implies dark features, like hair or eyes.
Learn the pronunciation, origin and meaning of traditional Irish names in Gaelic, such as Abbán, Ailbhe, Bríd and more. Find out the approximate pronunciation, other forms and other meanings of these names from saints, history and myth.
NameApprox. PronounciationOther Forms*MeaningAbbán (m)OB awnAbban, Abánlittle abbotÁdhamhnán (m)AH yum nawnEunanthe timorous oneAibhne (m)EV nyehEveny; Avenymeaning is unknownAilbhe (m/f)AL vyehAlvy; AilbeEither from ail, "rock," albho, "white" ...List of Irish-language given names. This list of Irish-language given names shows Irish language given names, their anglicisations and/or English language equivalents. Not all Irish given names have English equivalents, though most names have an anglicised form. Some Irish names have false cognates, i.e. names that look similar but are not ...
- Ireland Before You Die’s Top Facts About Gaelic and Irish First Names
- Top 100 Irish First Names: A-Z
- Top 100 Irish First Names: B-C
- Top 100 Irish First Names: C
- Top 100 Irish First Names: C-D
- Top 100 Irish First Names: D-E
- Top 100 Irish First Names: E-F
- Top 100 Irish First Names: F-M
- Top 100 Irish First Names: N-P
- Top 100 Irish First Names: P-S
The Irish diaspora has led to Gaelic and Irish namesbecoming popular throughout the world.In many English-speaking countries (including Irelanditself), Gaelic and Irish names are often anglicised.There is overlap between Irish names and Scottish names owing to the similarity in the languages and the Plantation of Ulster.1. Aine – Aine in English
Aine is a beautiful Gaelic name, which means ‘radiance’, ‘splendour’, or ‘brilliance’. Some famous people called Aine are Irish radio broadcaster Áine Lawlor, actress Aine Ni Mhuiri, and Irish football player Áine O’Gorman. RELATED READ: The Ireland Before You Die list of beautiful Irish names beginning with ‘A’.
2. Aisling – Ashling in English
The stunning Irish girl name Aislingis pronounced exactly the same in English despite the variation in spelling. Its whimsical sound links to the poetic genre of Irish language poetry of the 17th and 18th century. Thus, it is no surprise that it means ‘dream’ or ‘vision’. Still, Aisling only came into use as a first name in the 20th century. One of the most famous people to go by the name Aisling is comedian and actress Aisling Bea.
3. Aodh – Hugh in English
Aodh, which translates as Hugh in English, is a popular boy name in Ireland. Its strong meaning, ‘fire’, means its a name to be proud of. The most well-known Irish Hughs or Aodhs are the Earl of Tyrone Hugh O’Neill and Red Hugh, or Aodh Ruadh O’Donnell, the Earl of Tyrconnell.
11. Brian – Brian in English, Brian Boru was a former High King of Ireland
This Gaelic name has no direct translation in English but is one of the most popular Irish first names globally. The meaning of this name is ‘high’, ‘noble’, and ‘strong’. Brian May, guitarist for the rock band Queen, is one of the most famous people with the name Brian. This name may be most well-known in Ireland from Brian Boru, a former High King of Ireland. This name reached its peak in popularity during the 1970s.
12. Brigid – Bridget in English
The Irish girl name Brigid varies slightly in its spelling when translated to English to become the popular name Bridget. Meaning ‘exalted one’, this is one of the cutest Gaelic baby names and a great name to call your baby girl. Brigid of Kildare is one of Ireland’s patron saints alongside Saint Patrick and Saint Columba. This name reached its peak popularity in 1965.
13. Bronagh – Bronagh in English
This beautiful Gaelic girl name is one of the most popular throughout Ireland and globally. However, its meaning is not so cheery as it actually means ‘sad’ or ‘sorrowful’. Northern Irish actress Bronagh Waugh is one of the most well-known people with the name Bronagh. Bronagh reached its peak popularity in 2004.
21. Cathal – Cathal in English
Cathalis a popular Irish boy name that means ‘strong in battle’. The perfect name for a baby boy! Irish revolutionary and republican politician Cathal Brugha is the most well-known person with this name. The name Cathal reached its peak popularity in 1998.
22. Cian – Kian in English
Cian, or Kian in English, is a popular boy name, which means ‘ancient’ or ‘enduring’. Pop singer Cian Morrin is the most well-known person with this name. This is one of the most popular baby names in Ireland and it reached its peak popularity in 2006.
23. Ciara – Kiera or Keara in English
Ciara, meaning ‘dark’, is a beautiful Irish girls name and the Gaelic form of the English Kiera or Keara. R&B singer Ciara is the most famous person with this name. This name reached its peak popularity in 2005.
31. Conal – Conal in English
Conal is a popular Irish boy name, which means ‘strong wolf’. Irish comedian Conal Gallen is one of the most well-known people by this name. This name reached its peak popularity in 2016 and has maintained this steady peak in popularity ever since.
32. Conan – Conan in English
Similarly to Conal, this Irish boy name Conan means ‘hound’, ‘wolf’, or ‘swift-footed warrior’. The most famous person with this name is American talk-show host Conan O’Brien. This name reached its peak popularity in 1976.
33. Conchúr – Conor in English
Conchúr is the Irish form of Conor in English, has a similar meaning to both Conal and Conan. Conchúr means ‘lover of hounds’ or ‘high desire’. The Irish name of Irish professional mixed martial artist and boxer Conor McGregor is Conchúr Antóin Mac Gréagóir. As one of the most popular modern Gaelic baby names, this name has reached its peak popularity in recent years.
41. Dearbhla – Dervla in English
Dearbhlais a very popular girl name in Ireland. ‘Dearbh’ means ‘truth’ and ‘ail’ means ‘loveliness or desire’, so the name implies ‘true desire’. Irish actress Dearbhla Molloy is the most well-known person with this name. This name reached its peak popularity in 1999 and 2006.
42. Deirbhile – Dervla in English
Deirbhile, which also translates as Dervla in English, means ‘daughter of a poet’. Sixth-century anchoress and founder of Inis Cethig, Saint Dearbhile, is the most prominent person with this name. This name reached its peak in popularity in 1991 and 1992.
43. Diarmuid – Dermot in English
Diarmuid is the Irish form of Dermot in English, means ‘without enemy’. It is a very popular name in Ireland. Demigod of Irish mythology Diarmuid Ua Duibhne is the most prominent person with this name. It is one of the most popular Celtic names in Ireland today.
51. Eireann – Erin in English
Eireann translates as Erin in English and means ‘Ireland’. American legal clerk Erin Brockovich is the most famous person with the name Erin.
52. Eithne – Enya in English
Eithne, or Enyain English, is a popular Irish girl name, which means ‘kernel of the nut or seed’. Irish singer Enya’s birth name was Eithne Pádraigín Ní Bhraonáin. This name reached its peak popularity in 2002.
53. Eoin – John in English
Eoin translates as John in English and means ‘young’. Irish scholar Eoin MacNeill and author Eoin Colfer are two of the most well-known people with the name Eoin.
61. Fionnuala – Finola in English
Fionnuala is a popular Irish girl name that translates as Finola in English and means ‘fair shoulder’. Famous Fionnualas include Irish actress Fionnuala Flanagan and Irish Olympic runner Fionnuala McCormack. This name reached its peak popularity in 2010.
62. Flaithrí – No translation in English
Flaithrí is a beautiful Irish name that has no English translation. It means ‘king of princes’. Irish singer and harpist Fláithrí Ó Corcrán is the most well-known person with this name.
63. Garbháin – Garvin in English
Garvin is the English equivalent of the Gaelic name Garbháin, which means ‘little rough one’. The most famous person with this name is the seventh-century Saint Garbháin.
71. Naomh – Neeve in English
Naomh, or Neeve in English, is a beautiful Irish girl name, which means ‘holy’ or ‘saint’. Saint Brigit would be Naomh Bríd or Naomh Bríde, and there are many GAA clubs across Ireland with Naomh in their name.
72. Naomhán – Nyvian in English
The beautiful Irish name Naomhán translates as Nyvian in English. It means ‘little saint’. There are no famous people with the name Naomhán.
73. Nessa – Nessa in English
Nessa is a beautiful Gaelic name, which is the same in English. It means ‘rough’ or ‘not gentle’. The most well-known person with the name Nessa is Tik Tok star Nessa Barrett.
81. Rian – Ryan in English
Rian is a popular boys name in Ireland, which translates as the popular name Ryan in English. It means ‘little king’ or ‘kingly’. American film director, screen writer, and producer Rian Johnson is the most famous person with this name.
82. Rionach – Riona in English
Rionach is a beautiful Gaelic girl name meaning ‘Queenly’. It translates into English as Riona. In Irish legend, Rionach was the wife of Niall of the Nine Hostages.
83. Roisín – Roisin in English
Roisinis one of the most popular Irish girl names, and it means ‘little rose’. Irish singer-songwriter Róisín Murphy is one of the most famous people with this name.
- Aoife. Irish Gaelic. Meaning: "beautiful, radiant" Aoife, pronounced EE-fa, is derived from the Irish word aoibh, meaning "beauty." Aoife was borne by several different heroines of ancient Irish legend.
- Niamh. Irish Gaelic. Meaning: "bright" Niamh, derived from the Old Irish Niam, is an ancient Irish name that was originally a term for a goddess.
- Caoimhe. Irish, Scottish. Meaning: "beautiful" Caoimhe, pronounced (more properly) kwee-va or kee-va, is a pretty and distinctive Gaelic name but one that could well lead to no end of confusion outside the Irish community.
- Cael. Irish. Meaning: "slender" Cael is the name of the angel of the zodiac sign of Cancer and also of a warrior of Irish mythology. Its ascendance to the Top 1000 over the past decade probably has to do with its similarity to Cale and Kale (and Kyle and Cayden etcetera).
Irish names are used on the island of Ireland as well as elsewhere in the Western World as a result of the Irish diaspora. See also about Irish names. More Filters. Prev Page 1 2 Next Page . Ádhamh m Irish. Irish form of Adam. Africa 2 f Irish (Rare) Anglicized form of Aifric. Aidan m Irish, English (Modern) Anglicized form of Aodhán.
Feb 12, 2024 · Irish language names are a subset of Gaelic Names, which also include Scottish names and Manx names. Along with Finn and Fiadh, other Irish Gaelic choices among the popular names in Ireland include Eabha, Saoirse, and Aoife for girls; Darragh, Cillian, Oisin and Tadgh for boys.
