Irish Gaelic Names for Boys
By Nameberry
Updated Tue Sep 24 2019
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- Donovan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"dark"Description:
One of the first of the appealing Irish surnames to take off in this country, this boys’ name has long outgrown its "Mellow Yellow" association, which came via the single from a sixties singer-songwriter named Donovan.
- Fionn
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"fair or white"Description:
Fionn, the modern Irish form of Finn, is more popular in Ireland these days than Finn, which is rising fast in the U.S. where Fionn is virtually unknown. That's probably a good thing, because few Americans would know that Fionn and Finn have the same root and are pronounced the same, like the fin of a fish. It's the namesake of a great hero from Irish mythology, Fionn MacCumhaill, who acquired divine wisdom by eating an enchanted salmon of knowledge.
- Cael
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"slender"Description:
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 and Kale (and Kyle and Cayden etcetera).
- Eoghan
Origin:
Irish GaelicMeaning:
"born of the yew tree"Description:
Pronounced like Owen, this was the name of several early Irish kings and saints, as well as a celebrated Ulster hero. Often spelled with two 'n's in Scotland, it has been Anglicized as Ewan, Ewen, Euan, Owen, Hugh, or Eugene.
- Oisín
Origin:
Irish GaelicMeaning:
"little deer"Description:
The name of the son of the legendary Finn McCool is often Anglicized to Ossian, but the original has recently been revived in Ireland and is currently among the most popular boys' names there.
- Somhairle
Description:
Somhairle is a rare masculine name with deep Gaelic roots, predominantly found in Scottish and Irish traditions. Pronounced roughly as 'SOR-la' or 'SORE-luh,' it represents the Gaelic form of the Norse name 'Sorley' or 'Somerled,' derived from 'sumarlidi' meaning 'summer traveler' or 'summer warrior.' The name carries historical significance, notably associated with Somhairle MacGillebride, a 12th-century Norse-Gaelic warlord who established the Lordship of the Isles in Scotland. Despite its rich heritage, Somhairle remains exceedingly uncommon outside Gaelic-speaking regions, largely due to its challenging pronunciation for non-Gaelic speakers. The name embodies Celtic cultural pride and connection to ancient traditions. For parents with Scottish or Irish heritage seeking an authentic cultural name with historical depth, Somhairle offers a powerful choice that honors ancestral roots while standing distinctively apart from more common Celtic names.
- Ruadhan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"red-haired"Description:
Ruadhan (sometimes spelt with a fada: Ruadhán) is a fashionable name in its native Ireland. Borne one of the Twelve Irish Apostles, it originated as a diminutive of Ruadh, meaning "red-haired". It has sometimes been Anglicized as Rowan.
- Guthrie
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"windy place"Description:
Guthrie, one of the most attractive Scottish names that's also a surname, has a particularly romantic, windswept aura, with a touch of the buckaroo thrown in.
- Aoibheann
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"beautiful sheen"Description:
Pronounced like the word "even," this was a common name among the ancient royal families of Ireland, and has now become popular again.
- Caolán
Origin:
Irish GaelicMeaning:
"slender lad"Description:
A Top 100 choice in Northern Ireland, Caolán shares many fashionable sounds with names like Cayden and Callan, but remains virtually unknown in the US.
- Éinri
Description:
Éinri is the Irish Gaelic form of Henry, a masculine name with Germanic origins meaning "home ruler" or "ruler of the household." The original Germanic name Heimirich combines the elements "heim" (home) and "ric" (ruler, power). In Ireland, Éinri has been used for centuries, often appearing in historical records of Gaelic families. While less common than the anglicized Henry in modern Ireland, Éinri represents a connection to Irish linguistic heritage and culture. The name has maintained a modest presence in Ireland but hasn't achieved widespread popularity internationally compared to other Irish names like Liam or Aidan.
- Ristéard
Description:
Ristéard is the traditional Irish Gaelic form of Richard, a masculine name with Germanic origins meaning 'strong ruler' or 'brave power.' The name combines the elements 'ric' (ruler, power) and 'hard' (brave, strong). The Irish spelling features the characteristic accent mark (fada) that changes the pronunciation and reflects Irish orthography. While uncommon outside of Ireland, Ristéard represents a connection to Irish cultural heritage and language preservation. The name carries the strength and leadership qualities associated with Richard but with a distinctive Celtic flavor. In Ireland, it might be used by families wishing to honor their linguistic traditions or ancestral roots. The English equivalent Richard has been consistently popular throughout history.
- Cianan
Origin:
Irish, diminutive of CianDescription:
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.
- Brick
Origin:
Word name, various originsDescription:
This is an Anglicized form of various names; the Irish Gaelic O Bruic; German, Bruck or Breck, meaning "swamp" or "wood"; Yiddish, Brik, "bridge"; and Slovenian, Bric, "dweller from a hilly place." Gosh, and we thought it was just a macho word name invented by Tennessee Williams for the hero of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
- Siofrai
Description:
Siofrai is a masculine Irish name that represents a traditional Gaelic heritage. A variant of Siofra (more commonly feminine in modern usage), it derives from the Irish word 'síofra' meaning 'elf,' 'changeling,' or 'sprite' in Irish folklore. The name captures the magical and mystical elements of Celtic mythology, evoking connections to the Otherworld and fairy folk of Irish legends. Siofrai remains relatively rare, primarily used by families with strong connections to Irish cultural traditions who wish to preserve authentic Gaelic naming patterns. The pronunciation (roughly SHEE-fra or SHEE-free) can pose challenges outside Ireland, but this rarity also adds to its distinctive appeal. The name carries an ethereal quality while maintaining masculine strength in its traditional context.
- Dainéal
Description:
Dainéal is a masculine name of Irish Gaelic origin, representing the Irish form of Daniel. The accent over the 'e' (fada) indicates emphasis and lengthens the vowel sound. The traditional biblical name Daniel means "God is my judge" in Hebrew, and this Irish variant carries the same meaning while honoring Irish linguistic heritage. While not among the most common Irish names internationally, Dainéal offers parents seeking authentic Irish names an option that connects to both biblical tradition and Celtic culture. The pronunciation (roughly dahn-YALE) differs notably from its English counterpart, giving the name a distinctive melodic quality. In Ireland, it represents a way to embrace traditional naming patterns while maintaining connections to wider biblical naming traditions.
- Dáithí
Origin:
Irish, GaelicMeaning:
"swiftness, nimbleness"Description:
An Irish mythology name belonging to a semi-legendary high king of Ireland, often equated with English David though not etymologically related.
- Simond
Description:
Simond is a masculine name of Germanic origin, representing a variant spelling of Simon. The traditional name Simon comes from the Hebrew name Shimon, meaning 'he has heard' or 'listening.' The added 'd' in Simond gives the name a slightly more formal or distinctive appearance. This variation was more common in medieval times, particularly in France and England, but remains quite rare today. Simond has never ranked among popular given names in modern records. The name carries the same dignified, biblical associations as Simon but with a unique twist. For parents seeking an alternative to the more common Simon or wishing to honor a Simon in the family while providing a slightly different name, Simond offers a subtle variation with the same fundamental pronunciation and heritage.
- Uaithne
Description:
Uaithne is a rare masculine name from Irish mythology, pronounced approximately as "OO-an-ya" or "WAHN-ya." In Irish legend, Uaithne was the name of the dagda's magical harp, which could produce music causing listeners to feel different emotions. The name has deep Celtic roots and maintains a strong connection to Irish cultural heritage and musical tradition. Extremely uncommon even in Ireland, Uaithne represents one of the more obscure choices from Irish mythology. Those who choose this name often have strong ties to Irish heritage or a particular interest in Celtic mythology. With its unusual pronunciation and spelling, Uaithne offers a distinctive choice that carries ancient mystical associations.
- Fingal
Origin:
GaelicMeaning:
"fair stranger"Description:
Originally a nickname for Viking invaders, it gained fresh impetus in the 18th century when James Macpherson made Fingal the central character in his Ossianic poems. An offbeat addition to the Fin- family of names.
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