690+ Irish Names (With Meanings and Popularity)
- Cliona
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"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.
- Brady
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"one with broad eyes"Description:
Has the energetic-Irish-slightly-boyish image that many modern parents love.
- Neil
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"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.
- Carey
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"dark, black"Description:
Carey is a surname name that works equally well on babies of all genders: Jazz great Carey Bell and motorcross champion Carey Hart are just two examples of how handsome this name can be for a boy. Also spelled as Cary (as in Old-Hollywood actor, Cary Grant), it was popular for boys in the 50s and remained in the US charts from the 1880s to the 1990s.
- Duane
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"swarthy"Description:
An old Irish surname that was big in the 1960s, but would be an unexpected choice for a child now.
- Caledon
Origin:
Irish place-name from CaledoniaMeaning:
"hard or rocky land"Description:
Caledon, the name of the arrogant Billy Zane character in "Titanic," is an Irish place-name related to Caledonia, the Latin word for Scotland thought to be derived from the ancient Celtic word for "hard." Cal is a wonderful nickname, and Caledon an inventive way to get there.
- Bedelia
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"strength or exalted one"Description:
This fanciful Irish extension of Bridget is known here through the wacky Amelia Bedelia books for kids -- an association your child may or may not like.
- Meara
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"pool, lake"Description:
A name that has many close, more familiar relatives, like Mira and Myra.
- Tullia
Origin:
Feminine from of Tullius, RomanMeaning:
"meaning unknown"Description:
The unusual and intriguing Tullia has been used since Roman times and may appeal to parents who like Tallulah, Julia, and Lillia but want something that's very rarely heard.
- Kady
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"first"Description:
Kady, though it has an authentic Irish meaning, may also be a variation of Katy short form of Kadence, or combination of initials K. and D. Though Kady is more distinctive, everyone will just hear it as Katy.
- Devin
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"poet"Description:
Used far more for boys with this spelling, but still has a nice impish Irish feel for a girl.
- Tierney
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"descendant of a lord"Description:
Tierney is a Celtic surname with a definite Irish twinkle, a name just waiting to be discovered. Though now sometimes used for girls (in the US, not Ireland), as in jazz singer Tierney Sutton, it still has plenty of masculine punch.
- Aralt
Description:
Aralt is a masculine name of Germanic origin. It's a variant of the name Arnold, which is derived from the elements 'arn' meaning 'eagle' and 'wald' meaning 'ruler' or 'power.' This gives Aralt the meaning of 'eagle ruler' or 'strong as an eagle.' The name is relatively uncommon in modern usage, particularly outside Germanic-speaking regions. In medieval times, names with strong animal associations like the eagle were valued for the qualities they represented - strength, vision, and freedom. Aralt has remained a rare choice for parents, maintaining its distinctive character rather than achieving widespread popularity.
- Kennon
Origin:
Scottish and IrishMeaning:
"ancient"Description:
This is one of several similar sounding Gaelic surname names that would make perfectly acceptable choices--others are Kennan, Keenan and Kenyon. Another possible meaning is "descendant of the fair ones," referring to the Norse invaders.
- Noreen
Origin:
English, diminutive of NoraDescription:
Noreen's in limbo, especially now that Nora has made a comeback.
- Connolly
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"love, friendship"Description:
Energetic Connelly variation that works better for girls than for boys.
- Flannery
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"descendant of Flannghal"Description:
Flann variation that's most familiar as the name of writer Flannery O'Connor. It derives from the Irish surname Ó Flannghaile, meaning "descendant of Flannghal".
- Foley
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"plunderer"Description:
There are many more appealing Irish surnames than Foley, and certainly more positive meanings. If Foley is a genuine family name, this would be all right in the middle.
- Maurya
Origin:
Irish variation of Maura or MaryMeaning:
"bitter"Description:
Unusual Mary variety with literary underpinnings, most famously as a character in J.M. Synge's Riders to the Sea. You may have to do constant explaining of the spelling and pronunciation, but if you're looking for a distinctive and attractive form of Mary, you've found it.
- Roan
Origin:
Variation of Rowan, Irish and Scottish, Frisian, English word nameMeaning:
"little redhead; rowan tree; raven; animal with a coat of two interspersed colors"Description:
Historically more popular for boys and generally less familiar than its sound-alike Rowan, Roan is a name with multiple meanings, origins, and pronunciations. Given to less than 10 girls back in 2023, time will tell if singer-songwriter Chappell Roan has brought the name more exposure.
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