690+ Irish Names (With Meanings and Popularity)

  1. Banning
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "small, fair one"
    • Description:

      If you like the Irish surname feel, there are loads of more congenial options.
  2. Mirren
    • Origin:

      Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
    • Description:

      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 derivative of the name Marion, from Mary.
  3. Reilly
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "courageous"
    • Description:

      Riley is the spelling of this lively Irish name most often picked for girls, but this version is occasionally used.
  4. 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.
  5. Aidan
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "little and fiery"
    • Description:

      Aidan is an ancient Irish saint's name with a fire meaning that's mega popular for boys, most often spelled as Aiden. The name is occasionally used for girls, sometimes as Aidyn or Ayden, as well. Aidan was the name of a famous seventh-century Irish saint, and is related to the Irish word for fire.
  6. Rion
    • Origin:

      from the Irish word for Queen
    • Description:

      A much prettier and feminine version of the boys name Ryan which is starting to be used for girls, while still retaining the Irish feel and the regal meaning.
  7. Hobart
    • Origin:

      English and Dutch variation of Hubert
    • Description:

      More user-friendly than the original.
  8. Dervla
    • Origin:

      Anglicized form of Irish Dearbhla or Deirbhile
    • Meaning:

      "daughter of the poet"
    • Description:

      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.
  9. Conroy
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "hound (or wolf) of the plain"
    • Description:

      Conroy is one Con name that feels a bit dated, though perhaps it's so far out it's coming in? Worth consideration if you like Connor but feel it's too widely used.
  10. Keeley
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "slender"
    • Description:

      Keeley is well-used in modern Ireland, also found as Keely and Keela. The boys' form is Keelan. Largely unknown in the US, this could make an interesting update for Kelly or Kaylie or Kylie. A famous bearer is actress Keeley Hawes.
  11. Callaghan
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "lover of churches"
    • Description:

      A classic Irish "top-o'-the-mornin' surname with a lot of rhythm and pizzazz.
  12. Kassidy
    • Origin:

      Variation of Cassidy
    • Description:

      Like Cassidy, Kassidy peaked near the turn of the millennium and has lost ground in recent years.
  13. Keely
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "slender"
    • Description:

      Keely is well-used in modern Ireland, also found as Keeley and Keela. The boys' form is Keelan. Largely unknown in the US, this could make an interesting update for Kelly or Kaylie or Kylie -- though it might ultimately prove to close to one of those trendy names.
  14. Coltrane
    • Origin:

      Irish surname
    • Meaning:

      "descendant of Coltarán"
    • Description:

      The great sax player John Coltrane could be a cool naming inspiration for a jazz fan.
  15. Finella
    • Origin:

      Scottish variation of Finola
    • Meaning:

      "white shoulder"
    • Description:

      Finella and cousin Fenella, which are found most often in Scotland, would make pleasing imports.
  16. Doran
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "stranger, exile"
    • Description:

      Strong but gentle Irish last-name-first. Could bring to mind long-running rock group Duran Duran.
  17. Arlise
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "pledge"
    • Description:

      This feminine form of Arliss, is familiar via the recent HBO series. But why not just use Arliss?
  18. Maire
    • Origin:

      Finnish, Irish variation of Mary
    • Meaning:

      "sweet; drop of the sea, bitter"
    • Description:

      Both Maire and Mare have begun making inroads with parents seeking novel yet authentic ways of honoring an ancestral Mary. The Finnish variation derives from the word mairea, meaning "sweet."
  19. Riona
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "queenly"
    • Description:

      We'd opt for Fiona.
  20. Beacan
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "tiny one"
    • Description:

      An attractive ancient Irish saint's name that conjures up a beacon of light, this Irish name for boys is well-used in Ireland but rarely heard in the US.