Irish Names

Even though the pronunciation of Ceara and the more usual Ciara is KEER-a, most Americans would tend to mispronounce this spelling variation as Sierra. 

Ceara

Saint Bronach or Bronagh was a female mystic and a sixth century follower of Saint Patrick.  Today, the name is most often heard in the modern form of Brona.  Bronagh was a character in the Irish animated film Song of the Sea.

Brónach

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.

Cliona

This Irish Gaelic name would be more accessible in other cultures in its modern Dervla form.

Dearbhail

The 6th century Irish saint Mirin emigrated to Scotland and now is the patron saint of both the Glasgow suburb of Paisley and the game of football.  Mirren is one modern spelling; the Cornish Merryn, best known as the name of the seacoast town St. Merryn, is also related.  The name is usually used for girls. 

Mirin

Caiside is a feminine name with Gaelic origins, derived from elements meaning 'curly-haired' or possibly 'clever' or 'ingenious.' This uncommon name carries melodic Irish heritage and has connections to the Irish surname Cassidy, though with a more distinctive spelling that emphasizes its traditional roots. The name combines ancient Celtic linguistic elements with a modern, approachable sound. While relatively rare in usage, Caiside appeals to parents drawn to names with authentic Celtic connections and unique character. Its pronunciation (typically KAH-shee-deh or KAY-side) may vary based on regional preferences, adding to its versatility. The name offers the charm of Irish heritage with a feminine quality that feels both historic and contemporary, making it an appealing choice for parents seeking a name with cultural depth and individuality.

Caiside

Muirgen in Irish mythology was turned into a mermaid and then brought back to land after 300 years and transformed back into a woman -- which must have been quite a shock.  Muirgen's original name was Liban.  Muirgen may also be spelled Muireann or Muirenn.

Muirgen

Magee became one of the first gender-bending Irish surname names so popular today thanks to New York television newswoman Magee Hickey. In case you don't know, the g is hard, as in Maggie, but with the opposite emphasis.


Magee

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.

Sadbh

Aoibhinn and its twin name Aoibheann may be popular in Ireland but most English-speakers would find the spelling baffling and the pronunciation impossible to divine.  It's ee-van, or se-vin, fitting with the Irish popularity of many names -- Aoife, Eabha, Ava -- with this similar sound.

Aoibhinn

An ancient Aoibheann was the mother of Saint Enda, and Aoibheann remains popular in Ireland today, sometimes with its Anglicized spelling Eavan.

Aoibheann

Aoibhe may be considered a form of either Aoife -- beauty in Irish -- or Eve, which means life. Either way, this popular <a href="https://nameberry.com/baby-names/804/irish-names-for-girls">Irish name for girls</a> is pronounced as Eva though outside of Ireland few would guess that. Leave Aoibhe to the Gaelic speakers.

Aoibhe

Male name from Irish mythology makes stylish-sounding choice for girls. 

Carbry

Carra is a feminine name with varied origins. It may be an alternate spelling of Cara, derived from the Italian word for 'dear' or 'beloved,' or from the Irish name Ciara, meaning 'dark-haired.' Some sources also connect it to Latin 'carus' (precious). As a less common variant, Carra offers uniqueness while maintaining the melodic quality of more familiar forms. The name has remained relatively uncommon in popularity rankings but appeals to parents seeking a distinctive yet accessible name with a gentle sound. Its simple two-syllable structure makes it easy to pronounce across cultures while still feeling somewhat distinctive.

Carra

A unisex name in the same vein as Casey, Cassidy, and Kelly, Carey and its alternative spelling Cary were familiar choices for boys in the first half of the 20th-century, and became popular in the 50s and 60s. By the 70s however, things had shifted: Carey was more popular for girls, reaching number #304 at its 1975 peak when it was given to nearly 760 girls.
 
Usually considered an anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Ciardha, the name ultimately comes from ciar meaning "black". It is possible however that it may be used as a variant of the Welsh Carew ("fort on the hill!); a twist on the Irish mac Fiachra ("son of Fiachra, son of the crow"); a name from the Byronic root karɨd ("to love); or an anglicized for of the German Gehring ("spear"). 
Notably borne by actress Carey Mulligan, Carey, like the similar sounding Kerry and Carrie, have fallen out of style in recent years, given to just five girls in 2024 for example.

Carey

One of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland, St. Ruadan was a follower of St. Finian and founded an abbey in Tipperary. Other versions include Ruadhain or Ruadhan.

Ruadan

The popular Irish name Muireann comes from a mythical mermaid who was tranformed into a woman by a saint.  Pronunciation is like the surname of the actress Helen Mirren, but with the spin of a w sound after the initial M.

Muireann

Variously spelled Covy and Covey, this is a surname derived from the first name Cobthach.  Like cousins Coby and Cody, it has an energetic nickname feel.

Covy

The Etain (or more properly Étaín) of Irish mythology was a beautiful fairy turned into a fly (or in some versions, a butterfly), by a jealous queen. The insect Étaín fell into a glass of milk and was swallowed by yet another queen, then reborn as a beautiful maiden. Its pronunciation is similar to the number eighteen.

Etain

Dacey is a delicate and lacy Irish name with real possibilities. 

Dacey

 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 30)

690+ Irish Names (With Meanings and Popularity)