Gaelic Names for Girls

Fiona

Scottish

"white, fair"

Fiona entered the American consciousness with the opening of the 1954 Broadway musical Brigadoon , but didn't come onto the U.S. popularity list until 1990. Fiona is the best known of a group of…

Eileen

Anglicization of Eibhlín, Irish, German

"desired; or water, island"

The Gaelic Eileen was a mid-century darling that was on a long downward slide for decades. And then, in 2012, it took an unexpected pivot and has been inching upward in the US, perhaps inspired by…

Nola

Gaelic

"white shoulder"

Nola, a name with a sleek, enigmatic quality, was used for the much-pursued heroine of Spike Lee's 1986 breakout film, She's Gotta Have It , and again by Woody Allen in Match Point . It's a short…

Alannah

Gaelic

"child"

This form of Alannah was derived directly from the Gaelic term a leanbh , meaning "child." Though not as popular as the more traditional Alana spelling, it has consistently charted in the US since…

Ailen

Gaelic, Spanish, Mapuche

"handsome; ember, clear, laughter"

Ailen is a name of several possible origins, one of them being a variation of the Gaelic Eibhlín, or the English variation Eileen, notably used among Spanish speakers. The name had a significant rise…

Caoimhe

Irish, Scottish

"beautiful"

Caoimhe, pronounced (more properly) kwee-va or kee-va, is a pretty and distinctive Gaelic name but one that could well lead to no end of confusion outside the Irish community. Even in its native…

Mirren

Scottish

"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"

Mirren is a lively and attractive Scottish name, popular in its native country but best known outside Scotland as the surname of the English actor Dame Helen Mirren. It is thought to be a Scottish…

Caitriona

Gaelic variation of Catherine

"pure"

Both Caitriona and Catriona are commonly heard in Scotland and Ireland. The name was brought to Ireland by the Anglo-Normans, and is the source of nicknames Cait, Caitin, Caitlin and Triona. Actress…

Maebh

Maebh is an ancient feminine Irish name pronounced similar to 'Maeve.' It derives from the legendary queen Medb of Connacht in Irish mythology, whose name means 'she who intoxicates' or 'the cause of…

Abboid

Abboid is an unusual feminine name with uncertain origins, possibly a modern invention or a very rare variant of names like Abigail or Abbey with the addition of a creative suffix. The '-oid' ending…

Madhbh

Madhbh is an uncommon feminine name of Irish Gaelic origin, an alternative spelling of the more familiar Maeve (Méabh). The traditional name carries rich Celtic heritage, associated with the…

Meadhbh

Meadhbh is a feminine Irish name pronounced approximately as "Mayv" or "Maeve." It's the original Gaelic spelling of the more commonly seen Maeve. The name derives from the legendary warrior queen…

Meibh

Variation of Medb or Maeve, Irish

"she who intoxicates"

A variation of Maeve or Medb, Meibh is an alternative spelling of the mythological Irish name, associated with a warrior queen. Actress Meibh Campbell is one notable bearer.

Réamonnie

Réamonnie is a distinctive feminine name with French and Irish influences. It appears to be a creative, modern construction possibly derived from the Irish name Réamonn (Raymond) with a feminine…

Rút

Rút is the Hungarian and Icelandic form of the biblical name Ruth, which derives from Hebrew and means 'friend' or 'companion.' In the Bible, Ruth is known for her loyalty and devotion, giving the…

Teamhair

Teamhair is a feminine Irish name with deep historical and cultural significance. Pronounced approximately as 'CHOW-er' or 'T'YOWER,' this name derives from Teamhair na Rí, the Irish name for the…

Ferelith

Scottish

"true sovereignty"

Ferelith is an unusual yet deeply-rooted Scottish girl's name, also found in ancient Ireland and drawn from the Gaelic Forbhlaith or Forbflaith. While it went through a period of dormancy after the…

Mirin

Irish and Scottish, meaning unknown

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,…

Medbh

Medbh is an ancient Irish feminine name, an alternative spelling of the more commonly seen Maeve. Derived from the Old Irish name Medb, meaning 'intoxicating' or 'she who intoxicates,' it carries…

Bannerjee

Sanskrit

"venerable teacher"

Bannerjee is a feminine name of Indian origin, specifically Bengali. It's a variant spelling of 'Banerjee' or 'Bandyopadhyay,' which is actually a Brahmin surname from the Bengal region of India. The…