Gaelic Names for Boys

Callen

Gaelic

"rock"

Callen is a unisex Gaelic name growing in popularity here. Its newfound trendiness is possibly related to the Chris O'Donnell character on "NCIS: Los Angeles", known only as G. Callen. Jazz musician…

Cael

Irish

"slender"

Cael is the name of the angel of the zodiac sign of Cancer and also of a warrior of Irish mythology. Its ascendance to the Top 1000 over the past decade probably has to do with its similarity to…

Eoin

Irish, variation of John

"God is gracious"

Though Eoin is a Gaelic form of John, its Anglicized pronunciation links it directly to Owen. Eoin is currently a Top 30 name in Ireland. Other variations: Ewan, Ewen, Evan and Eoghan (pronounced as…

Eamonn

Eamonn is the Irish form of Edmund, derived from the Old English elements 'ead' meaning wealth or fortune and 'mund' meaning protection. Traditionally used in Ireland, Eamonn gained popularity…

Eoghan

Irish Gaelic

"born of the yew tree"

Pronounced like Owen, this was the name of several early Irish kings and saints, as well as a celebrated Ulster hero. Often spelled with two 'n's in Scotland, it has been Anglicized as Ewan, Ewen,…

Iain

Gaelic variation of John

"God is gracious"

Iain, this authentic Gaelic form of John, has been well used in Scotland since the early twentieth century, used concurrently with the shortened Ian spelling, but is rarely seen in the US. Iain…

Branton

English

"sword or fire town"

Branton may be more unusual than Brandon but it will forever be confused with that name.

Tearlach

Tearlach is a masculine name of Scottish Gaelic origin, traditionally pronounced 'CHAR-lach.' It's the Scottish Gaelic form of Charles, ultimately derived from Germanic roots meaning 'free man' or…

Ciarán

Gaelic

"little black-haired one"

Long popular in Ireland and England, Ciarán is the name of Ireland's first-born saint and twenty-five other saints. While this is the authentic Irish spelling, it is more familiar in the US in the…

Domhnall

Gaelic form of Donald

Star Wars and Harry Potter actor Domhnall Gleeson put this Irish and Scottish name on the international map. Sometimes Anglicized as Donal, its pronunciation is close to Donald without the final d.

Foghlaidh

Foghlaidh is a masculine Irish Gaelic name with ancient Celtic roots. Pronounced approximately as 'FOW-lee' or 'FOY-la,' this distinctive name derives from the Irish word 'foghlaí' meaning…

Galyn

Galyn is a masculine name with Celtic roots, derived from elements meaning 'calm' or 'tranquil.' It may also be related to the Welsh name Galen, which comes from the Greek word meaning 'healer.'…

Gabhan

Gabhan is a traditional Irish masculine name with Gaelic origins, pronounced approximately as 'GAV-awn' or 'GOW-an.' The name derives from the Gaelic word 'gabha' meaning 'smith' or 'blacksmith,'…

Labhcás

Labhcás is a masculine name of Irish Gaelic origin, representing the Irish form of 'Lucas' or 'Luke.' In Irish, the name is pronounced approximately as 'LOW-kass' or 'LAW-kass.' Like many…

Maitias

Maitias is a masculine name with Gaelic roots, considered a variant of Matthias or Matías. The name ultimately derives from the Hebrew name 'Mattityahu,' meaning 'gift of God.' While the standard…

Màmus

Màmus is a rare masculine name with obscure origins, possibly derived from regional variations of ancient Gaelic or Latin roots. The unusual spelling with the accent mark (à) suggests Celtic or…

Munga

Munga is a masculine name with roots in several African cultures, particularly in Kenya among the Kikuyu people. The name generally relates to concepts of leadership, strength, or ancestral…

Osheen

Anglicized variation of Gaelic Oisin

This Anglicized spelling adds a bit of a, well, sheen to the very popular Irish name Oisín.

Pádraig

Gaelic variation of Patrick

Once considered too sacred to give to children in Ireland, it is now among the most common names there, along with variants including Pauric and Padraic. Basketball great Patrick Ewing used it for…

Saidhbhin

Saidhbhin is a rare masculine variation of the Irish name Sadhbh (pronounced 'sive'). It derives from Old Irish and is believed to mean 'sweet' or 'goodness.' The name carries deep Celtic roots and…