Irish Names that Start With D
Across 4 pages
of 4
The names
Donal
Scottish variation of Donald
"proud chief"
Donal is, yes, just Donald with the final d cut off, but that somehow gives it a jauntier, fresher feel. Donal Logue is a Canadian actor and Donal Skehan is an Irish cookbook author.
Deirdre
Irish
"sorrowful"
Sadly, this strong Celtic name often has "of the sorrows" attached to it because of the tragic character in Irish legend. Also a bit drab when compared with newer Irish imports.
Doherty
Irish
"not loving"
Surname that could have pronunciation problems -- it's Dorrity -- as well as having an off-putting meaning.
Dolan
Irish
"black-haired"
Fresh choice that could pick up where Dylan and Logan left off.
Donahue
Irish
"dark fighter"
This genial Irish surname feels much more current than Donald.
Donall
Donall is a masculine name of Irish Gaelic origin, representing a variant spelling of Dónall or Domhnall, which ultimately derives from the elements 'dubno' meaning 'world' and 'val' meaning 'rule'…
Donnan
Irish
"small brown-haired child"
This Irish saint's name makes an attractive alternative for Dylan or Donald.
Donnelly
Irish
"dark, brave one"
Donnelly is among the more appealing Irish surname names, less well used than Donovan. Related options include the place name Donegal and the mythological god name Donegan.
Donough
Irish
"brown chieftain"
Barely-used Irish surname that's more streamlined than popular Donovan.
Dooley
Irish
"dark hero"
A common Irish surname that's seldom heard as a first name, but has an appealing meaning.
Doran
Irish
"stranger, exile"
Strong but gentle Irish last-name-first. Could bring to mind long-running rock group Duran Duran.
Drennon
Irish
"son of Draighnean"
Brennan alternative.
Duald
Irish
"dark, darkness"
Obscure and quirky, but not without some appeal.
Dublin
Irish place-name
With Galway and Ireland in play as names (not to mention Shannon and Kerry), there's no reason this one can't work, too.
Dugan
Irish
"swarthy"
Dugan is an open, friendly, and cheery Irish surname that would be suited to a dark-haired boy.
Dunbar
Irish
"castle headland"
Clear and strong, if a little heavy.
Duryea
Irish
"from the stream"
Irish name with an intriguing lilt.
Darragh
Irish
"oak tree"
Also Anglicized as Dara and also spelled Daire in its native form, Darragh has an undeniably rugged appeal. It's used for both girls and boys in Ireland, but it's very popular in particular for boys.
Dearbhail
Irish
"true desire"
This Irish Gaelic name would be more accessible in other cultures in its modern Dervla form.
Dara
Irish, Persian, Punjabi, Khmer
"oak tree, fruitful; wealthy; leader; star"
Though Dara in the U.S. would be considered mainly a girls' name – the most recent count is 10 times as many girls given the name last year than boys – it's a boys' name in Ireland, where it's in the…

