Irish Names for Boys
Across 21 pages
of 21
Derry
Diminutive or Derek or Dermot or Irish place-name
"like an oak"
With the fashions for tree names, place names, and nickname names, Derry is a three-way winner. The unusual Irish Derry was given to zero babies of either gender in the US last year, but it's a merry…
Derrig
Derrig is a masculine name with Irish Gaelic origins, likely derived from the word "dearg" meaning "red." It may have originally been a nickname for someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion before…
Derrik
Derrik is a masculine name representing a spelling variation of Derek or Derrick. The name ultimately derives from the Old Germanic name Theodoric, meaning 'ruler of the people.' This particular…
Dermot
Irish, Anglicization of Diarmaid
"free from envy"
Dermot is an appealing, relatively undiscovered Irish mythological hero's name long popular in the Old Country, and imported into the American consciousness by actor Dermot Mulroney. We see it in the…
Cleary
Irish
"cleric"
This Irish surname-name certainly feels brighter and fresher than the English equivalent, Clark.
Devlin
Irish
"unlucky"
Devlin is an Irish name that's fresher and even more devilish than Devin. The earliest written record of this surname occurs in the thirteenth century, when an O'Devlin was appointed Bishop of Kells…
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…
Breasal
Irish
"strife"
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.
Clancy
Irish
"red-haired warrior"
Clancy, one of the original crossover Irish surname names, is as energetic and appealing as ever — full of moxie, more distinctive than Casey, and also one of the less obvious of the red-headed…
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…
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…
Parthalan
Irish variation of Bartholomew, Aramaic
"son of the furrow"
Pathalan is a rare Irish name derived from the somewhat-less-rare Bartholomew. Nearly 30 baby boys were named Bartholomew in the US last year, but none were named Parthalan.
Agaistin
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…
Amon
Hebrew, Arabic, Greek from Egyptian
"the hidden one; invisible"
In Egyptian mythology, Amon is a major god associated with creation and the air. He was later fused with the Sun god, Ra, and became Amun-Ra. In the US, Amon is occasionally used as a variation of…
Ciarán
Gaelic
"little black-haired one"
Long popular in Ireland and England, Ciarán is the name of Ireland's first-born saint and twenty-five other saints. While this is the authentic Irish spelling, it is more familiar in the US in the…
Ciar
Irish
"dark"
Now that the Irish Ciaran and Ciara -- aka Kieran and Kiera -- are becoming more popular beyond their native shores, the short and strong Ciar might find some favor. As of now, more than 160 baby…
Bray
Irish place-name, from French
"marsh"
Can't help thinking of a donkey.
Cianan
Irish, diminutive of Cian
This original spelling may present its challenges outside of Ireland, but it certainly has a more poetic look to it. Those daunted by the pronunciation obstacles may wish to consider Keenan.
Keenan
Irish
"ancient"
This name of three ancient saints, one Wayans brother, and an NFL wide receiver makes an energetic choice.
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.…