Irish Names

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

O'shea

Eireen is a feminine name representing a variant spelling of Irene, which derives from the Greek 'Eirene' meaning 'peace.' This alternative spelling preserves the traditional pronunciation while giving the name a distinctive, slightly Celtic appearance due to the 'ei' combination. Though much less common than the standard Irene, Eireen offers a fresh take on this classical name that has been used since ancient times. The name carries the beautiful connotation of peace and harmony across cultures. While traditional Irene has experienced fluctuations in popularity throughout the 20th century, Eireen remains rare, appealing to parents seeking a name with historical depth but an uncommon spelling.

Eireen

Because it's a generic (and often derogatory) term for an Irishman, Paddy fell out of use as a diminutive or given name, though actress Mare Winningham used it not long ago. 

Paddy

This form, common in Ireland, could create confusion. 

P'adraic

Parthalán

As seen on SNL, Pat is the ultimate <a href="https://nameberry.com/unisex-names"> androgynous name</a>. Stick with long form Patrick, and make sure everyone calls him Patrick.

Patsy has been rarely heard for half a century, for either gender, and we're not expecting that to change in the near future.. 

Patsy

Peadair is one way to reinvent a classic, though insisting on the authentic pronunciation could cause problems. 

Peadair

Julia Roberts's choice of Phinnaeus gives a boost to all Ph forms. Or should we say, phorms. 

Phinean

It may be a longshot – especially since it was given to less than 5 boys in the US in 2021 – but Piran could conceivably be a future Kieran, which is shaping up to being the next Kevin. Piran is the patron saint of miners and of Cornwall.


Piran

Name of both a goddess and a heroine in Irish mythology, it's popular in Ireland and possible here, especially in its Anglicized spelling, Grania. 

Gráinne

A really unusual choice that could be used to honor Grandpa Will. 

Quilliam

Grainne is the Irish form of the name often Anglicized as Grania. It was the name of the ancient grain goddess and also of the fiancee of mythological hero Finn McCool and lover of Dermot, who was a heroine of the seas. 

In the past, the name was anglicized as Grace, as in Grace O'Malley, Ireland's pirate queen. Grania is a phonetic spelling.

Grainne

Réamann is a masculine Irish name derived from the Old Norse name 'Hreiðmarr,' which entered Irish nomenclature during the Viking era. The name combines elements meaning 'counsel' or 'protection' and 'famous' or 'renowned.' In modern Irish usage, Réamann (sometimes anglicized as Raymond) maintains its cultural significance while being relatively uncommon. The accent over the 'e' (fada) indicates a longer vowel sound in Irish pronunciation. Though not among the most popular Irish names, Réamann represents a proud connection to Ireland's Norse-influenced heritage. It appeals to parents seeking a distinctive name with authentic Celtic roots and historical depth.

Réamann

In addition to being the appellation of an ancient grain goddess, this name was also borne by two mythic Irish figures, one of whom was betrothed to legendary chieftain Finn MacCool, the other the brave sixteenth century pirate Grainne Ni Mhaille&mdash; known in English as Grace O'Malley-- whose name passed into poetry as a symbol of Ireland. 

Grania is popular in Ireland and possible here, especially in this Anglicized spelling.

Grania

The Irish surname and sometime first name Redmond is derived from the German Raymond, which was imported to Ireland via Norman conqueror Raymond LeGros -- Raymond the Fat.

This name is pronounced like Raymond without the final d, rhyming with fellow Irish name Eamon.

Reamon

Raghnall is a masculine name of Scottish Gaelic origin, equivalent to the Norse name Rögnvaldr, which means 'ruler's advisor' or 'powerful ruler.' This traditional name has deep roots in Celtic and Viking heritage, particularly in the Hebrides and other Gaelic-speaking regions of Scotland. Historically borne by several Norse-Gael rulers and nobles, Raghnall carries strong associations with leadership and wisdom. The anglicized version Ronald is much more common in contemporary usage, making Raghnall a distinctive choice that strongly preserves its Celtic linguistic heritage. Parents might choose this name to honor Scottish ancestry or for its powerful meaning and distinctive sound that connects to ancient traditions.

Raghnall

Blathnaid is a feminine Irish name with ancient Celtic roots. Pronounced roughly as 'BLAW-nid' or 'BLAH-nid,' it derives from the Irish word 'bláth,' meaning 'flower' or 'blossom.' The name carries associations with beauty, blooming, and natural vitality. In Irish mythology, Blathnaid was a notable female figure, adding a layer of cultural significance to the name. While common in Ireland, Blathnaid remains relatively rare outside of Celtic regions, partly due to its pronunciation being challenging for non-Irish speakers. The name embodies a strong connection to Irish heritage and language, making it a choice that honors Gaelic traditions while offering a distinctive alternative to more widely used floral names.

Blathnaid

Riocard is the traditional Irish Gaelic form of the name Richard. Pronounced roughly as 'REE-uh-kard,' it derives from Germanic elements meaning 'powerful' and 'brave' or 'hardy.' This name reflects Ireland's rich naming traditions, preserving Celtic language forms even for names with Germanic origins. While uncommon in its traditional spelling outside of Irish-speaking communities, Riocard represents a connection to Irish heritage and language. The name has historical significance in medieval Ireland, though it's relatively rare in contemporary usage compared to the anglicized Richard. Parents choosing this spelling often have strong connections to Irish culture or a desire to honor their Celtic ancestry.

Riocard

Flanna is an uncommon name for a red-haired girl, not as familiar -- or some would say, as pretty -- as its nickname, Flannery. 

Flanna

 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 25)

690+ Irish Names (With Meanings and Popularity)