Irish Names

Layden and its little brother Leyden are both used quietly in the US. Layden was given to about 20 baby boys last year, while Leyden was used for five. 

Both names are more commonly found as surnames and owe their lives as first names to the trend for the popular Aiden or Ayden enhanced with different first letters: Cayden, Brayden, Zayden etc. But Layden and Leyden are Anglicizations of the old Irish Gaelic name Loideain and may be considered its relatives.

Leyden Lewis is a prominent interior designer.

Laydon

An Old Gaelic word used poetically to mean "the first light after dawn", more literally, Luisne means "glow". Pronounced LOOSH-nuh or LUUSH-nuh (LUUSH- to rhyme with push, LOOSH- like loose with a sh sound at the end), depending on where you are in Ireland, it has been used very occasionally since 2010. 

Luisne

Best associated with singer Kylie, Minogue may appeal in the same way as Winslet, Aniston, Bowie, and Mercury: a celeb surnames with stylish sounds. Nicknames Minnie and Moe may make it feel more usable too. 
 
An Anglicization of the Irish surname, Ó Muineog, it literally means "descendant of Muineog", though it may be interpreted as "descendant of the monk", when considering the meaning of Muineog.

Minogue

Solemn yet hopeful, Morrow doubles up as a surname-style choice and as a word name. Sharing sounds with Marlowe, Milo, and Morris, it has been used occasionally since the 20th century.
 
As a surname, Morrow comes from McMorrow, itself an Anglicization of the Irish McMurchadha, literally meaning "decedent of Murchadha", Murchadha being a given name meaning "sea battle".
 
 As a word, it's used to refer to the morning, the following day, or to the near future, meaning Morrow might just work as an optimistic choice, for those looking always forward. It is worth noting, however, that it may remind people of the melancholy rhyming word, Sorrow, or the look-a-like marrow (as in, bone marrow). You could always try Mauro instead.

Morrow

A multicultural choice with a distinctive sound, Moya may appeal as a unique alternative to Maia/Maya or Mia. Given to a handful of girls each year in the US, it is more commonly heard in the UK or in Ethiopia. 
 
From its Irish roots, Moya is a variation of Máire (and in turn, of Maria and Mary too), giving it the meanings "beloved", "bitter", or "drop in the sea" due to the cloudy origins of the classic name. 
 
As an African name, it is used in a variety of languages including Zulo, Sotho, Lala, and Tsonga, though it ultimately stems from Proto-Bantu mʊ̀jòjà meaning "life, spirit". More broadly, it is used to mean "wind", though the root remains the same. 
 
From its Spanish roots, it is predominantly used as a surname or place name, however, it likely derives from the Latin name Modius or Modianus, ultimately meaning "measure". As such, Moya can mean "estate of measure".
 
The name has been borne by singer Moya Brennan, producer and entrepreneur Moya Doherty, actress Moya O'Sullivan, and scholar, activist, and writer, Moya Bailey (who coined the term misogynoir).

Moya

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.



Aibhilin

Now used as a unisex name, Naoise was originally a masculine name. It belonged to a handsome young warrior in Irish legend, lover of the tragic Deirdre, who killed herself after Naoise was murdered by the jealous king Conchobhar. 
31 boys and 37 girls were called Naoise in a recent year in Ireland.

Naoise

Although it is now a unisex name in Ireland, Naoise is originally a masculine name. It belonged to a handsome young warrior in Irish legend, lover of the tragic Deirdre, who killed herself after Naoise was murdered by the jealous king Conchobhar. 
 
Despite its tragic origins, Naoise makes an attractive choice, and while some may be thrown by the spelling, with the increased visibility of Saoirse, its not too hard to learn. It was chosen for 31 boys and 39 girls in a recent year in Ireland. 
 
Author Naoise Dolan is a notable bearer.

An Irish name with a sweet, saintly and virtuous meaning, Naomhán is Anglicized as Nevan. It would be pronounced NEEV-awn.

Naomhán

Spelled this way, Adine could be a relative of either the Irish Aideen, which means jealousy, or the Arabic Adina, meaning slender.  We'll go with the slender.

Adine

Also spelled Nemaine, Neman or Nemhain, Nemain derives from Irish mythology, given to the fairy spirit of havoc of war. She is possibly an aspect of the trio of goddesses known as the Morrígan.
 
Originating from the elements nemi, nem, or neimi, the name means "dose of poison", "venomous", or simply "poison" which certainly gives it a dark edge. Other theories suggest it could mean "wrath" or "frenzy", or, even "heaven, sanctuary" from the element neimed.

Nemain

Considered an Irish variation of the French Noel and as the Irish name for the month of December, Nollaig is a relatively modern creation, used as a unisex name since the 20th century. Given to 3 girls in Ireland in a recent year, it is notably borne by fiddle player Nollaig Casey and footballer Nollaig Cleary.

Nollaig

Borrowed from the Irish word for "new" and "modern", Nua could make a novel alternative to Nova or Neo, or to the similar sounding Noa and Nora. In Ireland, its pronunciation varies regionally, with noo-uh, noo, and noh in use, though English speakers are likely to choose the two-syllable option. 
 
Beyond its Irish roots, Nua is an Ogoni name used in Nigeria where it means "second born", and also a Vietnamese name, where it may mean "female, woman", "flower bud", or "half". In Portuguese, however, it relates to the word for "nude, naked" which might be something to bear in mind when choosing the name.

Succinct and rare, this punchy two letter Irish name may be said as OG (almost like the sound at the beginning of ogre) or like OHG (like the sound as the end of dog) depending on where in Ireland someone is from. Meaning "young", "youth", or "warrior", it was chosen by influencer Niamh de Brún for her son's middle name in 2025. It is often used in conjunction with another name, for example Sean Óg or Aonghus Óg, in a similar way that "Junior" or "Jr" are used in English. 

The Irish name Óg is usually used in conjunction with another name, such as Sean Óg, giving it the meaning "young Sean". As such, you could compare it to the English "Junior". And, like with Junior, it offers a boy more nickname potential, especially if he shares his first name with a family member. Ógie is one such short form, and may appeal as an off-beat alternative to Ozzie or Auggie. 

Ógie

This ultra-rare spelling of Oona was chosen by actress Amber Heard for her daughter, born in 2021.

Oonagh

A name possibly derived from Etain, an ancient Irish sun and horse goddess whose name is still used.  Adina is a related choice.

Aideen

Rare but occasionally used in Ireland, Pilib is a variation of the classic Phillip. It has appeared throughout Irish history and was notably borne by a 14th century king of the (historical) Kingdom of East Breifne.


Pilib

A writerly choice, Quill first entered the US stats for boys back in 2013 and for girls in 2017. It has since been used sporadically and quietly as a girl name, fitting in with choices such as Poet, Story, Sonnet, and Fable. 
 
Along with being a word name, Quill may also be considered a variation of the Irish Quillan ("lion cub") or the Latin Aquila ("eagle").

Quill

A modern Irish word name that has been appearing (albeit very quietly) in the Irish charts since the 2010s, Realta has the celestial meaning of "star". Pronounced as RAYL-tuh in some parts of Ireland and as REHL-tuh in others, it may also be spelled as Réalta.



Realta

 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 35)

690+ Irish Names (With Meanings and Popularity)