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690+ Irish Names (With Meanings and Popularity)

  1. Éire

    • Origin:

      Irish place-name

    • Description:

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

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "brilliance, wit"

    • Description:

      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.
  3. Darby

    • Origin:

      Norse

    • Meaning:

      "from the deer estate"

    • Description:

      Spirited and bubbly, but handsome and preppy too, Darby is a surname style choice that fits in well with the likes of Alby and Lennox.
  4. Sadbh

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "sweet; goodly"

    • Description:

      Sadbh is the modern Irish form of the more streamlined but equally confusing Sadb or Sadhbh: these names are pronounced to rhyme with five. In Irish mythology Sadb or Sadbh or Sadhbh, a goddess lover of Finn McCool's, was turned into a deer only to vanish and (somewhere in there) give birth to Oisin.
  5. Aibhilin

    • Origin:

      Irish variation of Evelyn

    • Meaning:

      "desired; or water, island"

    • Description:

      Also spelled Aibhilín, this spelling variation of Evelyn or the related Aveline might appeal to those who prefer the Irish form. Little Aibhilins might have to explain how to pronounce their name outside of Ireland, but some may feel that it's worth it to choose a unique option.
  6. Rylee

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Riley, Irish

    • Meaning:

      "courageous"

    • Description:

      The -ee suffix is decisively feminine, so it's no surprise that male usage of this name lags behind female usage.
  7. Hagan

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "little fire"

    • Description:

      A little further down the road paved by Aidan and Logan.
  8. Keelin

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "slender and fair"

    • Description:

      Keelin is a form of Keelan, the Anglicized phonetic form of Caelan or Caoilinn, said to be a unisex name but in practice used almost exclusively for boys. Girls would more often be called Keela, Keeley, or Keely.
  9. Callaghan

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "lover of churches"

    • Description:

      A classic Irish "top-o'-the-mornin' surname with a lot of rhythm and pizzazz.
  10. Eavan

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "beautiful sheen"

    • Description:

      Anglicized spelling of the difficult-to-decipher Gaelic Aoibheann, the name of several Irish princesses, this name rhymes with Steven. Eavan Boland is a distinguished Irish poet who teaches at Stanford University.
  11. Bronagh

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "sorrow"

    • Description:

      Bronagh, along with Anglicized form Brona, is a popular name in Ireland. It's the name of a sixth century mystic as well as a modern television character on Penny Dreadful.
  12. Lynch

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "mariner"

    • Description:

      One Irish surname that will never make it as a first.
  13. Cashel

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "castle, stone fort"

    • Description:

      Cashel is one of the many appealing Irish names that have not yet emigrated to the US. Cashel was chosen by actor Daniel Day-Lewis and his writer-director wife Rebecca Miller for their son.
  14. Peig

    • Description:

      Peig is a traditional Irish feminine name, functioning as a diminutive form of Margaret. The name Margaret itself derives from Greek 'margarites' meaning 'pearl'. Peig gained notability in Ireland through the famous Irish language author Peig Sayers (1873-1958), whose autobiography became required reading in Irish schools. The name is pronounced somewhat like 'peg' but with a slightly softer sound in traditional Irish pronunciation. Despite its historical significance in Ireland, Peig remains quite uncommon, even within Ireland itself, having declined in usage since the mid-20th century. The name carries associations with traditional Irish heritage, resilience, and the preservation of Gaelic culture. Its short, distinctive sound contrasts with the trend toward longer, more elaborate names, giving it a simple, straightforward charm.

  15. Neil

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "cloud"

    • Description:

      One of the boys' names that sounds fresher today for a girl. Second-best-spelling for boys, Neal, may work even better for girls.
  16. Renny

    • Origin:

      Anglicized variation of Irish Raithnait

    • Meaning:

      "little prosperous one"

    • Description:

      Used primarily for girls in Ireland, but sounds unisex to us.
  17. Duana

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "song"

    • Description:

      Name your daughter Duana after a Duane relative if you like, but please pronounce it doo-ahn-a and not doo-wain-a.
  18. Ailin

    • Description:

      Ailin is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Irish tradition, it's derived from Ailín, a diminutive of Ailill, meaning 'elf' or 'noble.' In Chinese, Ailin (爱林) can mean 'love of forest.' The name also appears in Spanish-speaking countries, possibly derived from Eileen or as a variant of Alan. With its soft sounds and short length, Ailin has a gentle, contemporary feel despite its ancient roots. While traditionally more common for boys in its original cultures, the name has sometimes been used for girls in international contexts. Ailin remains relatively uncommon but offers a cross-cultural appeal with its melodic sound and meaningful heritage.

  19. Cliona

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "shapely"

    • Description:

      Attached in Irish mythology to a Cliona who was, among other things, an inspirer of poets. Cliona is well-used in modern Ireland, along with Irish form Cliodhna, though it's largely unknown in the rest of the world.
  20. Lughaidh

    • Description:

      Lughaidh is an ancient Irish masculine name derived from the Celtic god Lugh, a deity associated with skill, crafts, and light in Irish mythology. Pronounced approximately as 'LOO-ee' or 'LOO-ay,' the name has deep historical roots in Irish culture, appearing in numerous ancient texts and legends. Lughaidh was borne by several high kings and notable figures in Irish history. While challenging for non-Irish speakers to pronounce, this name carries substantial cultural significance and connects a child to Ireland's rich mythological heritage. Though rare even in modern Ireland, Lughaidh represents an authentic option for parents seeking a name with genuine Gaelic origins and historical depth.