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225+ Irish Boy Names (with Meanings and Popularity)

  1. Gannon

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "fair-skinned, fair-haired"

    • Description:

      The name of a historic Irish leader, Gannon has a solid, yet spirited feel. It was one of the fastest-rising names of 2014, but that trend didn't continue. One pop culture influence was the name of Teen Mom 3 son Gannon Dewayne McKee.
  2. Lucan

    • Origin:

      Irish variation of Luke

    • Description:

      Lucan is a rarely heard Irish name, a Luke form with the trendy an ending.
  3. Tierney

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "descendant of a lord"

    • Description:

      Tierney is a Celtic surname with a definite Irish twinkle, a name just waiting to be discovered. Though now sometimes used for girls (in the US, not Ireland), as in jazz singer Tierney Sutton, it still has plenty of masculine punch.
  4. Eoin

    • Origin:

      Irish, variation of John

    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"

    • Description:

      Though Eoin is a Gaelic form of John, its Anglicized pronunciation links it directly to Owen. Eoin is currently a Top 30 name in Ireland. Other variations: Ewan, Ewen, Evan and Eoghan (pronounced as Owen but also translated as Eugene).
  5. Flannery

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "descendant of Flannghal"

    • Description:

      Flann variation that's most familiar as the name of writer Flannery O'Connor. It derives from the Irish surname Ó Flannghaile, meaning "descendant of Flannghal".
  6. Phelan

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "wolf"

    • Description:

      Phelan, pronounced FAY-lan or FEE-lan, is an appealing Irish surname name, with a rich history in Irish myth and religious and secular life. One bearer was a fiercely loyal follower of the legendary warrior Finn MacCool, another was a missionary saint.
  7. Tyrone

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "land of Owen"

    • Description:

      Immigrated into American pop culture in the person of 1940s superstar Tyrone Power, Jr. It has been on a steady decline since the 1970s.
  8. Curran

    • Origin:

      Irish surname from O Corrain

    • Meaning:

      "descendant of Curran"

    • Description:

      Curran is a common surname in Ireland, but unusual even there as a first. With its savory feel, calling to mind curry and currants, Curran can make for an attractive update on Colin or Connor.
  9. Calihan

    • Description:

      Calihan is a modern masculine name with Irish and Gaelic roots. It likely derives from the surname Callahan (from Irish 'Ó Ceallacháin'), meaning 'descendant of Ceallachán,' where Ceallachán referred to someone who was 'strife-loving' or 'contentious.' As a first name, Calihan represents the growing trend of transforming traditional surnames into given names. With its strong sound and Celtic heritage, Calihan offers a distinctive choice while maintaining a familiar ring. The name remains relatively uncommon, giving it a contemporary feel while honoring Irish ancestry. Parents might be drawn to Calihan for its masculine sound, easy nickname options (Cal or Cali), and its balance of uniqueness and pronounceability.

  10. Shannon

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "old and wise"

    • Description:

      The name of the longest river in the British Isles rose to the US Top 25 for girls in the 1970s and the Top 100 for boys, but has fallen off the Top 1000 for both genders. At the latest count, the name Shannon was given to about 200 babies in the US, about a third of those boys. As a favorite Irish name, Shannon has now been supplanted by newcomers such as Saoirse and Seanan.
  11. Conway

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "hound of the plain"

    • Description:

      Historically tied to country music legend Conway Twitty, it’s now gaining traction alongside names like Connor, Colton, and Corbin. Growing in usage along with other surnames as first names, Conway stands out as a fresh, yet familiar, choice.
  12. Gulliver

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "glutton"

    • Description:

      Gulliver is an obscure Gaelic surname known almost solely through its literary Travels until actor Gary Oldman used it for his son, instantly transforming it into a lively option. British actors Damian Lewis, of Homeland, and Helen McCrory also have a son named Gulliver.
  13. Devlin

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "unlucky"

    • Description:

      Devlin is an Irish name that's fresher and even more devilish than Devin.

      The earliest written record of this surname occurs in the thirteenth century, when an O'Devlin was appointed Bishop of Kells in 1211.

  14. Reagan

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "little king"

    • Description:

      Inextricably tied to the former president, Reagan is a handsome surname name with a cool, current sound. Gender-neutral nickname Ray/Rae is also very on-trend right now.
  15. Farrell

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "courageous"

    • Description:

      If you're looking for a pleasing namesake that's more modern than Darrell/Darryl, this would make an excellent choice. Farrell is an Anglicized form of the Irish Fergal, and was well used as a first name into the nineteenth century, before it faded to mostly surname use.
  16. Duane

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "swarthy"

    • Description:

      An old Irish surname that was big in the 1960s, but would be an unexpected choice for a child now.
  17. Larkin

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "rough, fierce"

    • Description:

      The additional syllable makes Lark a masculine surname name, borne by poet Philip Larkin.
  18. Rogan

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "redhead"

    • Description:

      Rogan makes a great, roguish alternative for the more popular Logan, Ronan and Rowan.
  19. Doyle

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "black stranger"

    • Description:

      Dark horse Irish surname.
  20. Colm

    • Origin:

      Irish variation of Latin Columba

    • Meaning:

      "dove"

    • Description:

      Colm is a popular Irish name for boys that could immigrate, especially with its peaceful meaning. Colm Toibin is a contemporary Irish novelist and critic, author of The Master and Brooklyn; Colm Meaney is an Irish actor. Pronunciation is two syllables instead of one, like Colin with an 'm' at the end. Colm is related to Columba, Colom, Colum, Callum, and Malcolm.