By Pamela Redmond · Updated October 2026
Across 42 pages
of 42
Irish word name
"star"
Also written as Realta, this rare Irish name joins the glowing list of names that mean "star". Given to a small handful of girls in Ireland since the 2010s, it may be pronounced as RAYL-tuh in some…
Irish
"little star"
Also appearing in the charts as Realtin, Reailtin, Réaltan, and Réiltín, this distinctive Irish name combines the word réalta with a diminutive suffix, giving it the sparkly meaning of "little star".…
Derived from the Irish réalta meaning "star", combined with a diminutive suffix, Réiltín is a glowing, modern choice in Ireland. Given to eight girls in a recent year (which placed it in the Top 500…
"queenly, royal; interest"
Not to be confused with the Riadh, a variation of the (masculine) Arabic name Riad, Ríadh is punchy yet regal Irish name, possibly derived from rígain meaning "queen". Other sources however suggest…
Scottish Gaelic
"noble"
This attractive and unique Scottish form of Alice can also be found in the spelling Aileas. Like Alice, it ultimately derives from the Germanic name Adalheidis. Spelt with the fada, Ailís, it's Irish…
"free princess"
Less known internationally than Saoirse and Orla, but equally appealing, Saorla is also spelled Saorlaith or Saorfhlaith. It combines the elements soer and flaith giving it the meaning "free ruler,…
Saoirse meets Orla (or Orlaith), Saorla blends with elements soer and flaith giving it the meaning "free ruler, free princess". It ranked in the Irish Top 100 back in the early 2020s, but is rare…
Modern form of Senán or elaboration of Sean, Irish
"little old one; God is gracious"
Seanan might be considered an Anglicized form of Seanán, itself a modern form of Senán, an Old Irish name meaning "little old one", giving it a wise and ancient feel. The name of a 6th century saint…
"little old one"
A Top 100 choice in Ireland and Northern Ireland, Senán was the name of a famed 6th-century monk and saint, known for founding a monastery on Inis Cathaigh and, according to legend, for banishing a…
"forest, of the woods; noble woman"
A rare Irish name with a whispery and poetic sound, Sílbhe might be considered a blend of the Irish elements síl meaning "seed, descendant" and bé meaning "lady", lending it the meaning "noble woman"…
Irish, Gaelic
"good peace"
A pretty Irish name with a wonderful meaning, currently of the rise alongside Síofra. Derived from the older name Síthmaith, it comes from the elements maith meaning "good" and síd meaning either…
Irish variation of Susan or John
"lily; God is gracious"
This Irish name can be used as a variant of Susan, or as a form of Siobhan, itself a feminine form of John. Once rare but more recently appearing in the Top 150 in Ireland, the name pronunciation…
Diminutive of Sullivan, Irish surname
"black-eyed one"
An alternative spelling to Sully, Sullie is a diminutive to the cool surname Sullivan, though it is considerably rarer, only ever appearing in the US stats in 1919, for girls!
Sullivan has been on the rise in recent years, predominantly for boys, but also for a growing number of girls: more than 100 in a recent year. Short form Sully has also begun to see occasional usage,…
"dweller near the Brosna River"
Actor Pierce made both his first and last name appealing.
English, Irish
"from Verly, France; descendent of the sharp eyed one"
Vaughn meets Charlie in this rare surname-style name, which, despite its fashionable sounds, has never made it to the US charts. Capturing that ar sound of Arlo, Marlow, and Harvey, the ley of…
"sorrow"
An old saint's name that, even with the post-Aidan wave of Irish names, is a bit too close to crone.
"tribute"
Cagney is one of the spunkiest Irish surnames around, and could make a lively and fresher successor to the tired Casey. James Cagney will be remembered not only for his iconic gangster films, but…
"pup, cub"
This is the original Gaelic spelling of the Anglicized Colin -- more authentic, yes, but could make your American child's life unnecessarily complicated.
Breácan is a masculine Irish name pronounced approximately as "BRAY-uh-kun." It derives from the Irish word "breac," meaning "speckled" or "freckled." Historically, it may have been used as a…
