Irish Names

Tongue twister of a name common in Ireland in both its Gaelic and its Anglicized forms. American or British parents looking for an Irish name that's still largely unknown in the outside world might consider this.

Eire was a mythological goddess who named Ireland after herself. Rarely used today, even in Eire.

The double 'e' gives this Celtic surname a genial sound. It derives from an old Irish name — Suibhne (SHEEV-ne) that was borne by several early saints and kings, including, unfortunately, one known as Mad Sweeney who spent his life living in trees and composing nature poetry. Another possible drawback is the association with Sweeney Todd, the bloodthirsty butcher of Sondheim stage-musical fame.

Technically a pet form of Brigid and very commonly heard in Ireland, but pronunciation problems complicate Bride as a name choice in America.

Name of a fertility goddess said to confer luck on its bearer, though to avoid confusion you may want to use the phonetic spelling Anya or Enya.

Cait, pronounced like more popular sister Kate, is the form used when shortening Caitlin or any of the other Irish and Gaelic Cait-starting variations of Catherine.

Authentic Irish choice, easy to spell, tricky to pronounce.

Breccan may be the original saints' name, but in the modern U.S., the spelling Brecken is the most popular form, followed by Breckin. A winner by any spelling.

We'd opt for Fiona.

This genial Irish surname feels much more current than Donald.

Although Maguire is such a prominent Irish surname —it ranks in the Top 40 in the Emerald Isle —this lively and cheerful family name has rarely been used as a first, unlike more familiar examples like Ryan, Riley and Reagan. The powerful and distinguished Maguire clan was known for their courage, leadership and resilience. The name's many notable associations include the unionizing Pennsylvania coal miners known as the Molly Maguires, actor Tobey Maguire and Dixie Chick Martie Maguire. Other spellings are McGuire and McGwire; two other handsome Irish surnames to consider are Malone and Magee.

This is an old Irish name associated with such heroes as the seventeenth century chieftain, scholar and poet Manus O'Donnell. In this country, though, parents would not find Manus as pleasing or impressive as Magnus.

After being one of the hot upscale surnames of the nineties, Garrett has left the Top 100 and this streamlined spelling is dawdling near the bottom of the Top 1000.

One of the jauntiest o' the O' names, the birth name of actor/ rapper Ice Cube.

Actor Pierce made both his first and last name appealing.

One of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland, St. Ruadan was a follower of St. Finian and founded an abbey in Tipperary. Other versions include Ruadhain or Ruadhan.

Lochlann is a masculine name of Gaelic origin with deep roots in Irish and Scottish history. Traditionally, it referred to Scandinavia or Norway, literally meaning "land of the lochs" or "land of lakes," and was used to describe Viking invaders. Over time, it evolved into a personal name. In Irish mythology, Lochlann appears as the name of a distant northern realm. The name carries connotations of strength, adventure, and a connection to both Celtic and Norse heritage. While not extremely common, Lochlann has seen modest usage in Ireland and Scotland, appealing to parents seeking a name with authentic Gaelic roots and historical significance that connects to the rich cultural interchange between Celtic and Norse traditions.

Loman is one of those rare names that is at once simple and very unusual, with fewer than five baby boys given the name in the US in the most recent year.

Irish town names are now fair game -- as are most other places with connections to Ireland -- but are much better suited to boys.

Aiden/Aidan is just beginning to wander into the girls' side of the name popularity list, but it's so huge for boys in all its spellings that it will be a long time before it can be called a unisex name.