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Irish Names for Boys

  1. O'donovan

    • Origin:

      Irish, 'son of the dark one"

    • Description:

      Donovan is on the rise, so why not this sequel?
  2. Donough

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "brown chieftain"

    • Description:

      Barely-used Irish surname that's more streamlined than popular Donovan.
  3. Gibbon

    • Description:

      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 primate species, creating an unexpected nature association. As a first name, Gibbon is exceedingly rare, making it an extremely distinctive choice. Historically, it has been more common as a surname, notably borne by Edward Gibbon, the celebrated 18th-century historian who wrote 'The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.' The name has an intellectual, scholarly association while maintaining a slightly unconventional sound. Parents choosing Gibbon for their son might appreciate its uniqueness and historical connections.

  4. O'donnell

    • Origin:

      irish

    • Meaning:

      "son of the brave one"

    • Description:

      Forget Donald. Honor Grandpa Don with this new spin.
  5. Carlus

    • Description:

      Carlus is a masculine variant of the name Carlos, which itself derives from the Germanic name Karl, meaning 'free man' or 'manly.' This less common spelling variation maintains the strong, traditional essence of the original while offering a slightly distinctive flair. Though not widely used in English-speaking countries, Carlus has appeared occasionally throughout history, particularly in Latin-influenced contexts. The name carries a dignified quality while being slightly unconventional compared to more common variants like Charles or Carlos. Carlus might appeal to parents seeking a classic-sounding name with a unique twist.
  6. Barnaib

    • Description:

      Barnaib is the Scottish Gaelic form of Barnabas, a name with ancient Biblical roots. In the New Testament, Barnabas was an early Christian disciple whose name is interpreted as 'son of encouragement' or 'son of consolation.' The Gaelic version maintains this meaningful heritage while connecting specifically to Scottish linguistic traditions. Pronounced roughly as 'BAR-neeb,' the name has a distinctive sound uncommon outside Scotland and Gaelic-speaking communities. While rare in contemporary usage, Barnaib represents a cultural alternative for families with Scottish heritage seeking authentic Gaelic names. The combination of Biblical significance and Celtic linguistic character gives Barnaib unique cross-cultural appeal.
  7. O'grady

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "son of the noble one"

    • Description:

      Like the other O' names, this is a wonderful way to pass down a family name.
  8. Oengus

    • Origin:

      Irish mythology name, variation of Angus

    • Meaning:

      "one choice"

    • Description:

      Oengus is the old Irish form of the name most commonly found in the modern world as Angus, typically Scottish.
      In Irish mythology, Oengus is the god of youth, love, and poetry.
  9. Sheron

    • Description:

      Sheron is predominantly a masculine name, though it can be used for either gender depending on cultural context. It appears to be a variant spelling of Sharon, which derives from the Hebrew word for a fertile coastal plain in Israel. The alternative spelling gives the name a distinctive quality while maintaining the melodious sound of the original. As a male name, Sheron has gained limited usage across different cultures, particularly in parts of the Caribbean and South Asia. The name carries biblical connotations of fertility and beauty associated with the Sharon plain mentioned in the Song of Solomon. Unlike the feminine Sharon which saw peak popularity in mid-20th century America, Sheron as a masculine name remains relatively uncommon.
  10. Unfrai

    • Description:

      Unfrai is an exceptionally rare masculine name with possible Germanic or Old English origins. It may be a variant spelling of Humphrey (from Germanic 'hun' meaning bear cub and 'frid' meaning peace) or could have evolved from another ancient name construction. The unusual spelling pattern makes it difficult to trace with certainty. Unfrai has virtually no recorded modern usage in mainstream naming databases, placing it among the most obscure name options available. The name has an ancient, somewhat mysterious quality with its uncommon letter combination and structure. The pronunciation is not immediately intuitive to English speakers, which may contribute to its rarity. For parents seeking an extremely distinctive name with potential historical connections, Unfrai offers near-guaranteed uniqueness.

  11. Barr

    • Origin:

      Irish diminutive of Finbar

    • Description:

      Barr fits alongside other short and snappy surname-names like Fyfe, Blair and Dawe. They're off the beaten track but instantly familiar.
  12. Eóin

    • Origin:

      Irish variation of Owen

    • Description:

      Popular in Ireland, as is the similarly difficult spelling EOGHAN, but over here, most would stick with Owen.
  13. Fagin

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "rustic"

    • Description:

      Forever Dickens's con artist in Oliver Twist.
  14. Cleary

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "cleric"

    • Description:

      This Irish surname-name certainly feels brighter and fresher than the English equivalent, Clark.
  15. Eachtar

    • Description:

      Eachtar is an uncommon masculine name with Gaelic origins, primarily found in Irish and Scottish traditions. The name derives from ancient Celtic languages, where it was associated with horsemen or cavalry warriors—'each' meaning 'horse' in Old Irish. In Celtic mythology, horses held significant symbolic value, representing freedom, nobility, and power. Eachtar would thus carry connotations of these qualities. The name has remained exceedingly rare in modern usage, preserving its distinctive character and ancient heritage. Even within Celtic regions, Eachtar is considered an uncommon choice, making it particularly unique in international contexts. For parents seeking a name with authentic Celtic roots and historical depth, Eachtar offers a rare option with strong symbolic associations.

  16. Fergall

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "man of valor"

    • Description:

      Despite its virtuous meaning, Fergall - along with the more standard spellings Fergal, Ferghal and Fearghal - has never made it across the ocean. In the States, Fergall is a rare yet pronounceable name with strong ties to Ireland. In its native land, it's been worn for over a thousand years by everyone from chieftains to poets to sportsmen, and still appears steadily in birth records.
  17. Agaistin

    • Description:

      Agaistin appears to be a rare variant or alternative spelling of the name Augustine or Agustin. The traditional name Augustine derives from Latin 'augustus,' meaning 'great,' 'venerable,' or 'majestic.' This uncommon spelling variation might have emerged through regional pronunciation differences or as a deliberate modification to create a distinctive name. While extremely rare in documented usage, it follows the pattern of name variations that developed across different linguistic regions and cultural traditions. The uncommon spelling gives this classic name a unique quality while maintaining connections to the rich historical tradition of Augustine, which has been used since Roman times and was popularized by several important religious figures, including Saint Augustine of Hippo, an influential Christian theologian and philosopher.
  18. Breasal

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "strife"

    • Description:

      Breasal is one native Irish name virtually never used in the US. It's better known via its surname form, Breslin, as in classic New York columnist Jimmy.
  19. Dahy

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "quick-footed"

    • Description:

      A long shot, but it could join the crop of dashing Irish surname names.
  20. Gearoid

    • Description:

      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 spear-carrier.' Pronounced roughly as 'GAR-ohd' in Irish, this name has deep roots in Irish history and culture. It was borne by notable figures including Gearóid Óg FitzGerald, the 9th Earl of Kildare. While common in Ireland, particularly among families honoring their Gaelic heritage, Gearoid remains rare internationally. The name reflects Ireland's linguistic traditions and continues to be chosen by parents seeking to connect their children with authentic Irish cultural roots.