Irish Names for Boys
Across 21 pages
of 21
Foley
Irish
"plunderer"
There are many more appealing Irish surnames than Foley, and certainly more positive meanings. If Foley is a genuine family name, this would be all right in the middle.
Proinsias
Proinsias is a traditional Irish masculine name, the Gaelic form of Francis. It derives from the Latin 'Franciscus,' meaning 'Frenchman' or 'free one.' Pronounced approximately as 'PRIN-shish' or…
Gallagher
Irish
"descendant of foreign helper"
Gallagher is, like so many of its genre, friendly, open, and optimistic. Some might associate it with the fraternal members of the band Oasis, Noel and Liam Gallagher.
Galway
Place-name
Associated with the poet and novelist Galway Kinnell, this name of an Irish city, county, and bay would make an evocative choice. For further literary cred, writers Liam O'Flaherty and Frank Harris…
Galvin
Irish
"a sparrow"
More common as a surname, Galvin is a possible alternative to Gavin and Calvin.
Gandy
Irish surname, derivation unknown.
A dandy, bouncy family name with tap shoes, high hat, and cane. There are several theories of its derivation, including as a nickname from the word 'ganty,' for a person who commonly wore gloves, or…
Gannon
Irish
"fair-skinned, fair-haired"
The name of a historic Irish leader, Gannon has a solid, yet spirited feel. It was one of the fastest-rising names of 2014, but that trend didn't continue. One pop culture influence was the name of…
Garret
Irish variation of Gerard
"spear strength"
After being one of the hot upscale surnames of the nineties, Garrett has left the Top 100 and this streamlined spelling is dawdling near the bottom of the Top 1000.
Branigan
irish
"little raven"
Branigan, also spelled Branagan or Brannigan, is an Irish name full of energy and cheer. It was the title of a 1975 John Wayne movie, and Zapp Brannigan is the antihero of the animated sitcom…
Gearoid
Gearoid is a masculine Irish name, the Gaelic form of Gerard. It derives from Germanic elements meaning 'spear' (ger) and 'brave' or 'hardy' (hard), thus signifying 'brave with a spear' or 'strong…
Finbar
Irish
"fair-haired"
This is an ancient saints' name well used in Ireland but a rarity here and unlikely to ever reach the popularity of other Finn-ish names. St. Finbarr (the more common spelling) is the patron saint of…
Garvan
Irish
"rough little one"
Irish surname derived from the name Gairbhín, a diminutive of garbh , "rough". It's barely been used as a first name, but could be a similar-yet-different alternative to names like Nolan and Sullivan.
Gilibeirt
Gilibeirt is an unusual masculine name that appears to be a variant spelling or elaboration of Gilbert. The name Gilbert itself has Germanic origins, derived from elements meaning "bright pledge" or…
Gibbon
Gibbon is a masculine name of English origin, derived from the Norman personal name Giboin, which combines Germanic elements meaning 'gift' and 'friend.' The name also shares its form with the…
Gus
Diminutive of Augustus, Angus, Gustave, Augustin, Augusten, Augustine, August
Gus is a homey grandpa nickname name that can work as a short form for any of the above or stand on its own as a cutting-edge replacement for Max and Jake--though it was off the Top 1000 from 1978…
Gilmore
Irish and Scottish
"devoted to the Virgin Mary"
For better or worse, this name is still firmly attached to the TV series Gilmore Girls . It's one of a number of Scottish and Irish surname names beginning with Gil, meaning "servant". In this case,…
Gulliver
Irish
"glutton"
Gulliver is an obscure Gaelic surname known almost solely through its literary Travels until actor Gary Oldman used it for his son, instantly transforming it into a lively option. British actors…
Hagan
Irish
"little fire; young"
For fans of Hayden, Aiden, and Logan who are on the hunt for something familiar but unique, Hagan may be a possibility. It comes from the Irish surname Higgins, which itself derives from either Ó…
Egan
Variation of Aidan, Irish
"little fire"
Egan's likeness to the word eager gives this Irish surname a ready-to-please, effervescent energy, and it would make an appropriate substitute for the overused Aidan. This popular Irish surname…
Doyle
Irish
"black stranger"
An Irish surname possibility for those who like Daley, Royal, Dougal, and Dolan, though it may sound too much like doily to catch on for modern boys. Nevertheless, it was fairly well used in the 20th…