Irish Gaelic Names for Girls
By Nameberry
Updated Thu Feb 06 2025
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The terms Irish and Gaelic are used interchangeably though not always accurately. Irish is a language all its own, while Gaelic is the Scottish language. But there are similarities and many of the Irish Gaelic Names for Girls here are also on the list of Irish names for girls.
Here, our full roster of Irish Gaelic girl names. The top names below rank among the current US Top 1000 Baby Names and are ordered by popularity. Unique names rank below the Top 1000 and are listed alphabetically.
Here, our full roster of Irish Gaelic girl names. The top names below rank among the current US Top 1000 Baby Names and are ordered by popularity. Unique names rank below the Top 1000 and are listed alphabetically.
- Niamh
Origin:
Irish GaelicMeaning:
"bright"Description:
Niamh, derived from the Old Irish Niam, is an ancient Irish name that was originally a term for a goddess. In Irish myth, one who bore it was Niamh of the Golden Hair, daughter of the sea god, who falls in love with Finn's son Oisin and takes him to the Land of Promise, where they stayed for three hundred years. Niamh can be Anglicized as Neve, Nieve, or Neave.
- Aoife
Origin:
Irish GaelicMeaning:
"beautiful, radiant"Description:
Aoife, pronounced EE-fa, is derived from the Irish word aoibh, meaning "beauty." Aoife was borne by several different heroines of ancient Irish legend. In one tale, she was the fiercest woman warrior in the world and enemy of her twin sister, Scathach.
- Caoimhe
Origin:
Irish, ScottishMeaning:
"beautiful"Description:
Caoimhe, pronounced (more properly) kwee-va or kee-va, is a pretty and distinctive Gaelic name but one that could well lead to no end of confusion outside the Irish community. Even in its native habitat, it is sometimes spelled Keeva.
- Ferelith
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"true sovereignty"Description:
Ferelith is an unusual yet deeply-rooted Scottish girl's name, also found in ancient Ireland and drawn from the Gaelic Forbhlaith or Forbflaith. While it went through a period of dormancy after the Middle Ages, there are some modern women named Ferelith, including actress Ferelith Young and Princess of Denmark Anne Ferelith Fenella Bowes-Lyon.
- Roisin
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"little rose"Description:
No, the pronunciation--ro-SHEEN--isn't immediately obvious to the non-Gaelic viewer, but the sound of this shiny Irish version of Rose is pretty enough to make it worth considering. Very popular in its native Ireland, it's one of many Irish girl names finding a wider audience. Earlier generations Anglicized at as Rosaleen, but we stay stick to the original.
- Ailbhe
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"noble, bright"Description:
While Irish Gaelic spellings add intrigue to a name, they'll prove endlessly confusing. Ailbhe is pronounced like the less intriguing but infinitely simpler Alva.
- Orlaith
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"golden princess"Description:
In early, pre-Norman Ireland, this name was borne by both a sister and a niece of high king Brian Boru. Now, the English form Orla is more commonly used.
- Laoise
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"light"Description:
Pronounced lee-sha, Laoise is the feminine form of the Irish mythological names Lugh and Lugus, which means light. Lugus was the Celtic god of commerce and craftsmanship, the equivalent of the Roman Mercury, thought to inspire the later Irish hero Lugh. Laoise is among the Top 100 Irish names for girls, but Americans will definitely have pronunciation issues.
- Sinead
Origin:
Irish form of JanetMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
One of the best known of the Irish girls' names, thanks to singer Sinead O'Connor. Though it's still in the Irish Top 100, it's no longer quite as fashionable in Ireland as Aoife or Aisling. But by now everyone in the Western World knows it's pronounced shin-aid and so would have no trouble fitting in on an American playground.
- Emer
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"swift"Description:
Popular name in Ireland -- it's pronounced ee-mer -- from the legendary wife of Cuchulainn who was supposed to possess the six gifts of womanhood: beauty, voice, speech, wisdom, chastity, and of course, needlework. Is found in the poetry of Yeats.
- Aoibh
Origin:
Celtic, Short Form Of aoibheannMeaning:
"beautiful, radiant"Description:
One of many Irish names that, despite pronunciation challenge, are beginning to be taken into consideration here as authentic Celtic versions of familiar English names.
- Bevin
Origin:
Irish GaelicMeaning:
"fair lady, white lady"Description:
The traditional Irish girl's name Bevin – an Anglicization of Bébhinn – is rarely heard outside the Emerald Isle, but could make an fresh and fashionable namesake for an Aunt Beverly.
- Róisín
Origin:
Irish Gaelic, diminutive of RÓIsMeaning:
"rose"Description:
An authentic choice for your little Irish Rose, chosen by singer Sinead O'Connor for her daughter.
- Nainsí
Description:
Nainsí is the Irish Gaelic form of Nancy, showcasing the distinctive spelling conventions of the Irish language. The original name Nancy developed as a medieval diminutive of Anne, which comes from the Hebrew Hannah meaning 'grace.' In Irish form, Nainsí maintains the same pronunciation as Nancy while connecting the bearer to Irish linguistic heritage. The name represents the beautiful adaptation of imported names into traditional Irish spelling patterns, a process that helped preserve cultural identity through centuries of external influence. Though not among the most common Irish names today, Nainsí might appeal to families with Irish roots seeking to honor their heritage while using a name that remains recognizable across cultures.
- Séarlait
Description:
Séarlait is a feminine Irish Gaelic name, functioning as the Irish equivalent of Charlotte or Scarlett. The name ultimately derives from Germanic origins meaning 'free man' or 'strong,' coming through French influences. The distinctive spelling reflects Irish orthography, with the acute accent (fada) over the 'e' indicating pronunciation emphasis. While relatively uncommon even in Ireland, Séarlait represents the preservation of traditional Irish naming patterns amid cultural revitalization efforts. The name carries a poetic, melodic quality when spoken in Irish, though non-Irish speakers may find the spelling challenging. For families with Irish heritage, Séarlait offers a genuine connection to linguistic traditions while maintaining links to the more familiar Charlotte. Its usage remains limited but meaningful within Irish-speaking communities.
- Ruairí
Description:
Ruairí is traditionally a masculine Irish name, though it's listed here as feminine. In Irish tradition, it's spelled Ruairí or Ruaidhrí and pronounced roughly as 'ROO-ree.' The name derives from the Gaelic elements 'ruadh' meaning 'red' and 'rí' meaning 'king,' thus translating to 'red king' or 'red-haired king.' It has been borne by several Irish kings and notables throughout history. While primarily used for boys in Ireland and Scottish Gaelic regions, some names cross gender boundaries in modern usage. The name carries a strong Celtic heritage and conveys strength and nobility. The fada (accent) over the final 'i' indicates a long vowel sound in Irish pronunciation, distinguishing it from anglicized versions like Rory.
- Síle
Origin:
Irish GaelicMeaning:
"blind"Description:
The Irish Gaelic form of Cecilia, which is the origin of the Anglicized version Sheila, which subsequently became very popular across the English-speaking world.
- Aobh
Origin:
Irish GaelicMeaning:
"beauty, radiance"Description:
Also spelled Aoibh, this rare Irish Gaelic name is pronounced just like Eve.
- Sina
Origin:
Samoan, English, German, Swedish, Norwegian, DanishMeaning:
"gray or white haired; god is gracious; new victory"Description:
Short, sweet, and perhaps misleadingly simple, Sina is in fact a multicultural choice with a wide range of origins. In Samoan mythology, Sina is used for a number of figures, and notably appears in the creation story of the coconut tree, Sina and the Eel. In this case, the name means "white or gray haired" and appears in the Disney movie Moana.
- Siobhán
Origin:
Irish GaelicMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
Lovely Irish name which has inspired many Anglicized variations, but using the original form preserves the integrity of one of the most beautiful Gaelic girls' names.