Irish Names that Start With A
By Nameberry
Updated Tue Oct 01 2024
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- Alan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"handsome, cheerful"Description:
In its three most popular spellings -- Alan along with Allen and Allan -- this midcentury favorite has tended to skew older. It was a Top 100 name from 1938 to 1971, peaking at Number 40 in 1951. Alan has had leading roles on recent TV, in shows like Two and a Half Men, 24 and Boston Legal.
- Aiden
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"little and fiery"Description:
Aiden in all its spelling variations is the Anglicized version of the Irish Aodhán, which was originally a pet form of the Irish name Aodh (pronounced 'ee'), who was the old Celtic god of the sun and fire. St. Aidan was a famous seventh century Irish saint, noted for his kindness and generosity and for spreading Christianity.
- Alana
Origin:
Feminization of Alan, Irish; variation of Ilana, Hebrew; Gaelic; HawaiianMeaning:
"handsome, rock; oak tree; child; awakening"Description:
Alana, in all its various spellings, was at one time reserved for daughters of dads named Alan, but is now much more widespread. It came into prominence via model/actress/celeb spouse Alana Hamilton Stewart.
- Aidan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"little and fiery"Description:
Aidan was originally a pet form of the Irish name Aodh (pronounced 'ee'), the name of the old Celtic god of the sun and fire. The name was borne by numerous early Irish saints, one of whom was noted for his kindness and generosity.
- Ailbhe
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"world, light, white; rock"Description:
Ailbhe is a unisex Irish name that has appeared throughout Irish history, borne by a 6th-century (male) saint, and by a female warrior of Fianna, a legendary group of women warriors, led by Fionn MacCumhaill. Today, the name is predominantly used for girls, likely because it sounds similar to Alma, Ava, and Alba.
- Ayden
Origin:
Variation of AidanMeaning:
"little and fiery"Description:
Aidan in all its many splendored varieties, particularly Aiden, had a spectacular rise up the list, and the phonetic Ayden came along for the ride. It is also used in Turkey.
- Aileen
Origin:
Irish variation of HelenMeaning:
"bright, shining light"Description:
Irish Aileen and Scottish Eileen may be pronounced the same way or Aileen can be pronounced with a long a at the beginning. While neither is particularly stylish, Aileen is slightly more popular and has reversed its downward slide to inch upward in the past few years, perhaps thanks to its stylish A beginning. Nicknames for Aileen include Isla, Ayla, Lee and Lena.
- Aisling
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"dream, vision"Description:
Aisling is currently a very popular Irish name for girls. Pronounced variously as ASH-ling, ASH-lin or ash-LEEN, it was part of the revival of authentic Irish names in the twentieth century, and is now being sparingly used by U.S. parents in place of the dated Ashley--though often spelled phonetically as Ashlyn or Ashlynn.
- Aine
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"brightness, splendor"Description:
More commonly seen here as Anya, this traditional yet unique Irish name belonged to the queen of the Munster fairies and is sprinkled throughout Irish folklore as an early Celtic goddess of summer and prosperity. One of the most popular baby names in Ireland, Aine's spelling and pronunciation might seem simple but could prove confusing in the U.S.
- Arlen
Origin:
English surnameMeaning:
"hare land"Description:
Arlen is a surname long used as a first name: It ranked on the US Top 1000 from the late 1920s until the late 1960s. Originally, Arlen was a variation of Harlan which came from Harland, a place-name which means "hare land" – a place with lots of rabbits.
- Ailin
Description:
Ailin is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Irish tradition, it's derived from Ailín, a diminutive of Ailill, meaning 'elf' or 'noble.' In Chinese, Ailin (爱林) can mean 'love of forest.' The name also appears in Spanish-speaking countries, possibly derived from Eileen or as a variant of Alan. With its soft sounds and short length, Ailin has a gentle, contemporary feel despite its ancient roots. While traditionally more common for boys in its original cultures, the name has sometimes been used for girls in international contexts. Ailin remains relatively uncommon but offers a cross-cultural appeal with its melodic sound and meaningful heritage.
- Alaina
Origin:
Variation of Alana or ElenaMeaning:
"little rock, child; shining torch"Description:
Alaina, part Alana and part Elena and maybe also a little bit Elaine, is one of the many feminine forms of Alan (or its French form Alain) that have grown in popularity over recent decades, surpassing the male original. Not quite fashionable but also not quite un, Alaina is a choice that may feel more distinctive than it really is.
- Ashlyn
Origin:
Variation of Aislinn, IrishMeaning:
"dream"Description:
Though it relates to the Irish original, Ashlyn and its next most popular form, Ashlynn, owe more of their popularity as baby names in the US to the megastar Ashley, though all three have been dropping on the charts lately.
- Alva
Origin:
English form of Irish Ailbhe, Swedish and Norwegian feminine form of AlfMeaning:
"white; elf"Description:
While the male Alva or Alvah relates directly to the minor Biblical character, the female version is more likely an Anglicized form of the Irish name Ailbhe, or a feminine form the name Alf (and Alf- beginning names), popular in its native Sweden and Norway. Best known as Thomas Edison's middle name, Alva has true unisex roots.
- Aislinn
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"dream"Description:
Old Irish name that's taken off in its Anglicized forms, mainly Ashlyn or Ashlynn. Nonetheless, this more traditional version debuted in the US Top 1000 in 2015.
- Aiden
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"little and fiery"Description:
Aiden/Aidan is just beginning to wander into the girls' side of the name popularity list, but it's so huge for boys in all its spellings that it will be a long time before it can be called a unisex name.
- Allan
Origin:
Spelling variation of AlanMeaning:
"handsome, cheerful"Description:
This extra-L variation of Alan isn't quite as popular in the US as the original. Both spellings remain popular in Ireland and England.
- Alphonsus
Origin:
Latin form of AlfonsoMeaning:
"noble and ready"Description:
This Latinized form of a name that's well used in Italy and Spain is sometimes heard, oddly enough, in Ireland.
- Aoibheann
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"beautiful sheen"Description:
Pronounced like the word "even," this was a common name among the ancient royal families of Ireland, and has now become popular again.
- Aithne
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"fire"Description:
This soundalike for the famous volcano, Mount Etna, is a fiery Irish choice that could be perfect for a red-haired baby girl.
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