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

Scottish variation of Evelyn

"desired; or water, island"

The Scottish Eileen was a midcentury 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. The unrelated but…

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…

Kirstie

Anglicization of Ciorstag, the Gaelic nickname for Christine, or short form of Kirsten

Actress Kirstie Alley popularized this short form that's been off the popularity register for a decade.

Catriona

Scottish form of Katherine, Greek

"pure"

This Katherine variation, used through Ireland and Scotland, is pronounced like Katrina. The name became popular after the Crusaders brought home stories about the colorful fourth century martyr,…

Eilonóra

Eilonóra is an elaborate variant of Eleanor, a name of Greek origin meaning 'bright, shining one' or 'light.' This ornate form incorporates accent marks and additional vowels, giving it an exotic,…

Ealanor

Ealanor appears to be a rare variant spelling of Eleanor, a name with ancient Greek origins via the Provençal name Aliénor. The traditional Eleanor derives from the Greek word 'helios' meaning 'sun'…

Floraigh

Floraigh is an uncommon feminine name with Celtic, particularly Irish, influences. It appears to be a creative variant of Flora, which derives from Latin meaning 'flower' or 'blossom,' combined with…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…