Irish Names for Boys
Across 21 pages
of 21
Bearchán
Irish
"little spear"
This was a common name in early Ireland, borne by numerous saints, but pronunciation problems would make it prohibitive here.
Behan
Irish
"bee"
An Anglicized derivative of the Gaelic name Beatha, meaning "life," best known as the surname of Irish playwright Brendan Behan.
Benen
Irish
"mild"
This name of an ancient Irish saint -- a favorite disciple of Saint Patrick -- could be an option for parents in search of a more distinctive alternative to Brendan or Aidan.
Bolan
Irish
"little poet"
An Irish surname name with a combination of boldness and élan. Some might connect it to the founder of the group T. Rex -- Marc Bolan.
Boyne
Irish
"white cow"
The famous Battle of the Boyne, in Ireland, vanquished the Catholic king.
Boynton
Irish and English
"town near the Boyne"
That sound again.
Bradan
Irish
"salmon"
This now-popular name has spawned several different spellings. Many parents choose it solely for its style and sound, but we like the history behind this version: the bradan feasa is the "Salmon of…
Branagan
Irish
"little raven"
Bold Irish surname, full of energy and cheer.
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…
Brannon
Irish variation of Brennan
Occasionally used as an alternative to Brandon or Brennan.
Brennan
Irish
"descendent of the sad one"
Brennan is a winning Irish surname name, more modern than Brian or Brendan, more unusual than Conor and Aidan. The only possible problem with Brennan: people might think you're saying Brendan.…
Bray
Irish place-name, from French
"marsh"
Can't help thinking of a donkey.
Breccan
Irish
"freckled, speckled"
This Irish name of a saint from the Isle of Aran also appears in myth and fantasy fiction, giving it an intriguing, mystical air. Some modern parents are attempting to update the spelling, as in the…
Breácan
Breácan is a masculine Irish name pronounced approximately as "BRAY-uh-kun." It derives from the Irish word "breac," meaning "speckled" or "freckled." Historically, it may have been used as a…
Brendan
Irish
"prince"
According to Irish legend, Saint Brendan the Voyager was the first European to touch American soil, and his name has been established here for decades, peaking in the late 1990s. Brendan first…
Brogan
Irish
"small shoe"
Brogan is a cheerful Irish surname that would fit right in with the Logans and Br-starting names now trendy for boys. It's been on the pop list for the past three years, though it's sliding again.…
Brone
Irish
"sorrow"
An old saint's name that, even with the post-Aidan wave of Irish names, is a bit too close to crone.
Brosnan
Irish
"dweller near the Brosna River"
Actor Pierce made both his first and last name appealing.
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 Cale…
Cagney
Irish
"tribute"
Cagney is one of the spunkiest Irish surnames around, and could make a lively and fresher successor to the tired Casey. James Cagney will be remembered not only for his iconic gangster films, but…