Irish Names for Boys
Across 21 pages
of 21
Carlow
Irish place-name
"four-part lake"
Gives Carlo a place-name/surname spin.
Carney
Irish
"victory"
This name is a fabulous option for parents looking for a victorious name but who find Victor just a little too obvious. This name can also be spelled Kearney.
Banan
Irish
"white"
Unusual and attractive entry to the growing Irish name canon.
Carlus
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,…
Cathal
Irish
"battle rule"
The name of an ancient Irish saint is in the contemporary Irish Top 50. While it's one of the rare Irish names for boys that hasn't immigrated to the U.S., it may follow brothers Aidan and Declan to…
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.
Carey
Irish
"dark, black"
Carey is a surname name that works equally well on babies of all genders: Jazz great Carey Bell and motorcross champion Carey Hart are just two examples of how handsome this name can be for a boy.…
Carbry
Irish
"charioteer"
A name scattered throughout Irish mythology with an intriguing sound, Carbry is one of the rare Irish names for boys virtually unknown in the US. Bry is the obvious, but lovely nickname option.
Bard
English, Gaelic
"minstrel, poet"
A literary word name, now synonymous with Shakespeare, Bard also refers more generally to a poet, particularly one who recited epics and traditional poems out loud. Similar in sound to Bernard,…
Artur
Portuguese, Polish, Estonian, Armenian variation of Arthur, Celtic
"bear"
The Arthur variation preferred in Portugal and across much of Eastern Europe. It’s a truly international name, and one that would be easy to wear in the US as well.
Callister
Variation of Irish surname MacCallister
"son of Alister"
Can be used either with or without the addition of Mac.
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.
Callaghan
Irish
"lover of churches"
A classic Irish "top-o'-the-mornin' surname with a lot of rhythm and pizzazz.
Calhoun
Irish
"from the narrow forest"
A beaming, friendly Irish last-name-first-name waiting to be discovered, though anyone into American history might associate it with John C. Calhoun, a 19th century statesman who defended slavery.…
Barr
Irish diminutive of Finbar
Barr fits alongside other short and snappy surname-names like Fyfe, Blair and Dawe. They're off the beaten track but instantly familiar.
Cailean
Irish
"pup, cub"
This is the original Gaelic spelling of the Anglicized Colin -- more authentic, yes, but could make your American child's life unnecessarily complicated.
Behan
Irish
"bee"
An Anglicized derivative of the Gaelic name Beatha, meaning "life," best known as the surname of Irish playwright Brendan Behan.
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…
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…
Bearchán
Irish
"little spear"
This was a common name in early Ireland, borne by numerous saints, but pronunciation problems would make it prohibitive here.