Irish Names

Cathleen

Eilish is one of those Irish names that, thanks to a celebrity, has suddenly become much more familiar outside of Ireland. Irish-American singer Billie Eilish (Eilish is actually one of her middle names) introduced the wider world to this Irish name as actress Saoirse Ronan did with hers. 

Interestingly, Saoirse Ronan's character in Brooklyn, based on the novel by Colm Toibin, was named Eilis, pronounced AY-lish in the movie (although usually EYE-lish or EYE-leesh with the fada).

While the Anglicized version of Eilish or Eilís is usually given as Elizabeth, it is sometimes translated to Alice, which is closer to the AY-lish pronunciation.

Eilish

This Latinized form of a name that's well used in Italy and Spain is sometimes heard, oddly enough, in Ireland.

Alphonsus

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. 

Curran

An upscale surname with a nice modern design connection to the creators of the Eames chair and other midcentury furniture classics, Charles and Ray Eames.


Eames

This lilting Irish saint's name shone in neon lights on Broadway for the classical 1947 musical "Finian's Rainbow," later made into a film starring Fred Astaire as Finian McLonergan, and there was also a character on 
"General Hospital" named Finian O'Toole. With the growing popularity of Finn and Finlay/Finley--and boys' names ending in 'an'--Finian, which can also be spelled Finnian, seems like a sure-fire winner. 
 One of several early St. Finnians was a noted teacher and scholar.

Finian

Talullah or Talulla, the old Irish name of two early saints, is almost identical to the Native-American Tallulah. A modern hipster favorite, however it's spelled.

Talullah

Keir is a single-syllable name that packs a punch, but also has a endearing quality about it thanks to its similarity to the word care. Sometimes used as a short form of the more popular Kieran, it could be derived from the Irish ciar meaning "black, dark".
 
Alternatively, it may be viewed as a variation of the Scottish Kerr, itself from the Old Norse kjarr, linking it to thicket, marshland, and brushwood. Other sources identify it with keir, an Old Scots word referring to a fort.
 
Notable bearers include Keir Dullea, an American actor who starred in 2001: A Space Odyssey and Sir Keir Starmer, a British politician who was the head of the Labour Party between 2020 and 2026 and the Prime Minister of the UK between 2024 and 2026. 
 
The name ranked in the UK charts back in the 90s and 2000s, but fell out of the stats in 2024, coinciding with Starmer's election. In the US, it has been quietly used since the 1960s and saw a small spike in popularity between 1968 and 1972, around the time of Dullea's star role in 2001: A Space Odyssey. A more recent year saw it given to 7 boys, with Kieran or Kyaire being the preferred options.

Keir

A popular choice in Ireland, Clodagh was the name of a river and later a saint. The "cloddy" aspect of the name has prevented it from spreading beyond Ireland, but that could change with the rise of other Irish choices like Maeve and Orla.
 
The name was first used back in the 19th century, when it was chosen by the Marquess of Waterford, the County through which the river runs. The first bearer, Lady Clodagh Anson, a philanthropist and writer, also gave the name to her daughter, and hoped it would stay a rarity. 
 
It has gone on to rank in the Top 50 in Ireland and the Top 25 in Northern Ireland and in a recent year, ranked just outside the England and Wales Top 1000. Pronounced as KLAW-duh or KLO-duh depending on region, it shares similarities with Chloe, Clara, Cleo, and Clover.
 
While the exact meaning of the name is unknown, it has been suggested it means "stony river" or "muddy banks".
 
Famous namesakes are singer Clodagh Rodgers and chef Clodagh McKenna.

Clodagh

Conjures up pleasant images of lakes, but the pronunciation challenge makes the Anglicized Loughlin preferable. 

Lochlainn

A name that's on the rise for boys but rarely used -- though possible -- for girls. 

Grady

Kiernan Shipka, aka Sally Draper on Mad Men, brings this Irish surname into the girls' column. And, like Kieran and Tierney and Tiernan, it's one of the perfectly <a href="https://nameberry.com/unisex-names">unisex baby names</a>. Only 14 girls were named Kiernan in the US in a recent year...and three times as many boys. If you want to move beyond Riley and Kennedy to one of the more unusual surname-based <a href="https://nameberry.com/baby-names/804/irish-names-for-girls">Irish names for girls</a>, this may be a good choice.

Kiernan

The sweet and stylish Maeve, paired with that enduring -lynn suffix, in the style of Emberlynn, Jazlynn, and Kaylynn. It has a variety of meanings depending on which of Lynn you follow, but options include: "intoxicating beauty", "intoxicating lake", or "flexible, tender, and intoxicating".
 Alternative spelling Maevelyn is currently more popular (albeit only used quietly for now), and was given to 14 girls in a recent count. Maevelynn was used for 9 babies in the same year.

Maevelynn

Angus is the Anglicized spelling of the Scottish Gaelic name Aengus or Aonghus or Aonghas. Unless you have a cultural reason to choose one of the Gaelic variations, Angus is uncommon enough.

Aengus

The fashion for using surnames as firsts has extended beyond the familiar Morgan and Parker to choices such as Cohen and O'Brien to -- why not? -- this quintessentially Irish name with the friendly o ending.

Costello

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.

Aidan

This Anglicized spelling makes the pronunciation of Ailís or Aileas — the Irish and Scottish forms of Alice, respectively — slightly more obvious to English-speakers. Ailis or Aileas are more authentic spellings, but may be fighting a losing battle against the influence of Billie Eilish.

Ailish

How can a strong simple name like Cera remain so uncommon? Only five baby girls were named Cera in the US last year.

Cera is a respelling of Sera, which might be short for the angel name Seraphina or another spin on Sarah.

Saint Cera was a seventh century Irish abbyess.

Cera

Chrystal is a feminine name representing a variant spelling of Crystal, which derives from the Greek word "krystallos" meaning "ice" or "clear, transparent stone." This alternative spelling with "Ch" instead of "C" gives the name a slightly more elaborate appearance while maintaining the same melodic pronunciation. Chrystal reached modest popularity in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s but has since become less common. The name evokes qualities of clarity, purity, and natural beauty. Like its standard spelling counterpart, Chrystal suggests brilliance and a pristine quality, while the less conventional spelling adds a touch of distinctiveness to an otherwise familiar name.

Chrystal

Kermit was a Top 500 name until the 1960s, not coincidentally the decade in which Kermit the Frog made it a one-person (well, one-frog) name.
 
Derived from the Irish surname Mac Diamada, itself from the given name Diarmaid or Dermot, Kermit is a Manx form, meaning "without injunction" or "without envy".
 
 Historically, Kermit is known via Kermit Roosevelt, soldier and explorer son of President Theodore Roosevelt, while more recent bearers have been pilot and aviation enthusiast Kermit Weeks, basketball player Kermit Washington, and soccer player Kermit Erasmus.
 
Still, in the US, is it very much the frog's name and only used on a tiny handful of boys each year. But could it be revived? Fellow Sesame Street name Grover has seen a increased use in the US, while over in the UK, other once children's TV character names Ernie and Barney are being reconsidered.
 
Could Kermit 'Kit' sell the name? Time will tell, but for now, there is similar Kurtis and Irish Dermot.

Kermit

 are international stars, ranking near the top of popularity lists in Ireland and the US along with many other countries.

 in the US, standing at Number 1, and Riley is the

. Many new Irish baby names are replacing old standards like Kathleen and Patrick.

 include Kennedy, Quinn, Nora, and Maeve.

 include Finn, Ryan, all spellings of Aiden, Declan, and Rowan.

 we're hearing more of include Saoirse, as in actress Ronan; Niamh; and Una. 

 itself look rather different than they do in the US, though there are also several crossovers. Notably, not all of the top Irish baby names are actually Irish: at Number 1 currently are Jack and Sophie.

s in Ireland include the classic Hebrew James and Noah along with Irish names Cillian, Tadhg, and Liam. The 

 include only two Irish-language names, Éabha and Fiadh. Other popular girl names in Ireland are Grace, Emily, and Sophie.

 and Manx names. Along with Finn and Fiadh, other Irish Gaelic choices among the 

 include Eabha, Saoirse, and Aoife for girls; Darragh, Cillian, Oisin and Tadgh for boys.

Irish baby names enjoying international popularity

 include Liam, which ranks among the top names in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden and Norway as well as Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

 in the Netherlands while variation Fynn is on Germany’s most popular list, and Nora is the second most popular girls’ name in Norway.

 go far beyond the Old School Kevins and Kathleens. If you define unique baby names as 

 on what's conventionally considered a name, then these nontraditional Irish surname names and place names may be ones you want to consider for your daughter or son.

 that work for boys and girls include Bellamy, Brady, and Callahan.

 in the US and most places outside the Emerald Isle -- though some are among the Top 100 names in Ireland -- include Aoife, Cian, Oisin, and Tadgh. Correct Irish spelling and pronunciation can be challenging for non-native speakers.

 both classic and modern, for girls and for boys, here, ordered according to their current popularity on Nameberry.

Irish names with meaning and popularity including top Irish baby names and unique Irish names for girls and boys. (Page 18)

690+ Irish Names (With Meanings and Popularity)