Gaelic Names

Fiona

Scottish

"white, fair"

Fiona entered the American consciousness with the opening of the 1954 Broadway musical Brigadoon , but didn't come onto the U.S. popularity list until 1990. Fiona is the best known of a group of…

Eileen

Anglicization of Eibhlín, Irish, German

"desired; or water, island"

The Gaelic Eileen was a mid-century darling that was on a long downward slide for decades. And then, in 2012, it took an unexpected pivot and has been inching upward in the US, perhaps inspired by…

Nola

Gaelic

"white shoulder"

Nola, a name with a sleek, enigmatic quality, was used for the much-pursued heroine of Spike Lee's 1986 breakout film, She's Gotta Have It , and again by Woody Allen in Match Point . It's a short…

Alannah

Gaelic

"child"

This form of Alannah was derived directly from the Gaelic term a leanbh , meaning "child." Though not as popular as the more traditional Alana spelling, it has consistently charted in the US since…

Ailen

Gaelic, Spanish, Mapuche

"handsome; ember, clear, laughter"

Ailen is a name of several possible origins, one of them being a variation of the Gaelic Eibhlín, or the English variation Eileen, notably used among Spanish speakers. The name had a significant rise…

Caoimhe

Irish, Scottish

"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. Even in its native…

Mirren

Scottish

"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"

Mirren is a lively and attractive Scottish name, popular in its native country but best known outside Scotland as the surname of the English actor Dame Helen Mirren. It is thought to be a Scottish…

Caitriona

Gaelic variation of Catherine

"pure"

Both Caitriona and Catriona are commonly heard in Scotland and Ireland. The name was brought to Ireland by the Anglo-Normans, and is the source of nicknames Cait, Caitin, Caitlin and Triona. Actress…

Madhbh

Madhbh is an uncommon feminine name of Irish Gaelic origin, an alternative spelling of the more familiar Maeve (Méabh). The traditional name carries rich Celtic heritage, associated with the…

Medbh

Medbh is an ancient Irish feminine name, an alternative spelling of the more commonly seen Maeve. Derived from the Old Irish name Medb, meaning 'intoxicating' or 'she who intoxicates,' it carries…

Eilonóra

Eilonóra is an elaborate variant of Eleanor, a name of Greek origin meaning 'bright, shining one' or 'light.' This ornate form incorporates accent marks and additional vowels, giving it an exotic,…

Maebh

Maebh is an ancient feminine Irish name pronounced similar to 'Maeve.' It derives from the legendary queen Medb of Connacht in Irish mythology, whose name means 'she who intoxicates' or 'the cause of…

Kirstie

Anglicization of Ciorstag, the Gaelic nickname for Christine, or short form of Kirsten

Actress Kirstie Alley popularized this short form that's been off the popularity register for a decade.

Bevin

Irish Gaelic

"fair lady, white lady"

The traditional Irish girl's name Bevin – an Anglicization of Bébhinn – is rarely heard outside the Emerald Isle, but could make an fresh and fashionable namesake for an Aunt Beverly.