Updated October 2024
Across 3 pages
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Irish variation of Margaret, Greek
"pearl"
Common in its native habitat, and worth consideration by parents in search of an authentic Irish name, though a pronunciation challenge.
Variation of Muriel, Irish
"of the bright sea"
This pleasant modernization of a dated original is still rare but has real modern possibilities. Alternate versions include Merial and Meryl. Meriel was given to fewer than five baby girls in the US…
Irish
Merial is a feminine name with complex historical roots. It may derive from the medieval name Muriel (meaning 'bright sea' from Celtic elements 'muir' meaning sea and 'el' meaning bright) with an…
Invented name or variation of Monica, Latin
"advisor"
The simplified spelling of Monica gives the name a modern, streamlined feel while maintaining the recognizable pronunciation. Monca's rarity makes it distinctive, appealing to parents seeking an…
Irish and Scottish variation of Myrna
"festive; affection, endearment"
Poetic name that's terminally mournful, though its meaning is anything but. Myrna plays a powerful role in Irish legend.
An anglicized spelling of Muirne, the name of the mother of Finn mac Cool in Irish legend, Myrna has a unique sound and two possible meanings, both of which are positive. Actress Myrna Loy was a…
French variation of Muriel, Irish
Murielle emerged as a distinctively French elaboration, adding the feminine '-elle' suffix to create a more melodious version of the classic name. Though less common in English-speaking countries,…
Muiriol is a feminine name of Celtic origin, specifically from Scotland and Ireland. It's a variant of Muireall or Muriel, derived from the Gaelic elements 'muir' meaning 'sea' and 'eall' meaning…
Muirgheal is a feminine Irish Gaelic name with ancient Celtic roots. It combines the elements 'muir' meaning 'sea' and 'geal' meaning 'bright' or 'white,' creating the beautiful meaning 'bright sea'…
"little dog"
A jovial and jaunty Irish name, the title of a long-gone TV crime drama, this would make an appealing choice. Slight downside: Maddy is already a mega-popular nickname for Madeline/Madelyn and…
Irish, English
"intoxicating"
An Anglicized form of Medb borrowed by both Shakespeare and Percy Bysshe Shelley for the of queen of the fairies. Perfect if you want something both adventurous and simple - though you could use it…
Irish variation of Magnus
"greatest"
This is an old Irish name associated with such heroes as the seventeenth century chieftain, scholar and poet Manus O'Donnell. It is likely a variation of Magnus, itself derived from the Latin word…
"devotee of the church"
Too close to baloney.
"devotee of Maedoc"
One of the ultimate teasable names, an Irish saint's name now associated with the oversized comic-strip dog. Scottish adventurer Bear (born Edward) Grylls took up the challenge when he used it for…
Irish place-name
"yew-tree plain"
When ordering a baby name, hold the mayo.
Irish variation of Michael
This Gaelic version of the enduring Michael was chosen by Natasha Richardson and Liam Neeson for their first son.
"a venerable chieftain"
There are many dynamic three-syllable Irish surnames; this is one of the rarer two-syllable ones. Molloy is the title of a 1951 novel by Samuel Beckett, initially written in French. Another Beckett…
"sea taboo"
When British rocker Steven Patrick Morrissey decided to use his last name alone, it became a viable option for baby namers, a lot cooler than Morris or Maurice.