By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 35 pages
of 35
Irish variation of Edmund
This friendlier Celtic version of Edmund has an upbeat feel and a good chance of competing with Aidan and Damon sometime soon.
Irish variation of Owen
Popular in Ireland, as is the similarly difficult spelling EOGHAN, but over here, most would stick with Owen.
Irish
"little Adam"
Same problem as Eóin -- squared.
Earnan is a masculine name of Irish Gaelic origin, derived from the elements 'earn' (meaning iron) and a diminutive suffix, essentially meaning 'little iron one' or 'iron warrior.' This traditional…
"heart"
Euston is best known as a London railway station, which got its name from a stately home and village in the English county of Suffolk. Ultimately it is thought to mean "settlement of a person called…
"beautiful sheen"
Pronounced like the word "even," this was a common name among the ancient royal families of Ireland, and has now become popular again.
"malicious"
This name of four ancient saints is recommended neither for its sound nor its meaning.
"rustic"
Forever Dickens's con artist in Oliver Twist .
"courageous"
If you're looking for a pleasing namesake that's more modern than Darrell/Darryl, this would make an excellent choice. Farrell is an Anglicized form of the Irish Fergal, and was well used as a first…
"little raven"
Feeny and its alternative spelling Feeney have several origins in Irish. They are anglicised forms of the surnames Ó Fiannaidhe (descendant of Fiannaidhe, meaning warrior), and Ó Fidhne (descendant…
"man of valor"
Despite its virtuous meaning, Fergall - along with the more standard spellings Fergal, Ferghal and Fearghal - has never made it across the ocean. In the States, Fergall is a rare yet pronounceable…
"ruddy, red-haired"
Friendly, cheerful Irish name that originated as a nickname for a redhead. Potential problem: reminiscent of the Spanish custard.
"descendant of Flannghal"
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".
"exiled one"
Fogarty has the Old Fogey problem.
"plunderer"
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.
Proinsias is a traditional Irish masculine name, the Gaelic form of Francis. It derives from the Latin 'Franciscus,' meaning 'Frenchman' or 'free one.' Pronounced approximately as 'PRIN-shish' or…
"descendant of foreign helper"
Gallagher is, like so many of its genre, friendly, open, and optimistic. Some might associate it with the fraternal members of the band Oasis, Noel and Liam Gallagher.
Place-name
Associated with the poet and novelist Galway Kinnell, this name of an Irish city, county, and bay would make an evocative choice. For further literary cred, writers Liam O'Flaherty and Frank Harris…
Irish surname, derivation unknown.
A dandy, bouncy family name with tap shoes, high hat, and cane. There are several theories of its derivation, including as a nickname from the word 'ganty,' for a person who commonly wore gloves, or…
Gearoid is a masculine Irish name, the Gaelic form of Gerard. It derives from Germanic elements meaning 'spear' (ger) and 'brave' or 'hardy' (hard), thus signifying 'brave with a spear' or 'strong…
