Irish Names that Start With D
- Dervla
Origin:
Anglicized form of Irish Dearbhla or DeirbhileMeaning:
"daughter of the poet"Description:
Tongue twister of a name common in Ireland in both its Gaelic and its Anglicized forms. American or British parents looking for an Irish name that's still largely unknown in the outside world might consider this.
- Dillon
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"loyal"Description:
With both the Dillon and Dylan spellings, usage of this gender-neutral names runs about ten to one boys to girls. But Dylan is used about 20 times as often as Dillon for both genders. Which might be a vote in favor of Dillon, though for better or worse, this spellings distances the name from singer Bob and poet Thomas.
- Dara
Origin:
Irish, Persian, Punjabi, KhmerMeaning:
"oak tree, fruitful; wealthy; leader; star"Description:
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 Top 100 along with variations Daire and Darragh.
- Donal
Origin:
Scottish variation of DonaldMeaning:
"proud chief"Description:
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.
- Derry
Origin:
Diminutive or Derek or Dermot or Irish place-nameMeaning:
"like an oak"Description:
With the fashions for tree names, place names, and nickname names, Derry is a three-way winner.
- Daire
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"oak tree"Description:
Daire, along with brother names Dara and Darragh, is among the Top 100 boys' names in Ireland today. An ancient name with an inspirational meaning, pronunciation could prove confusing to Americans.
- Doran
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"stranger, exile"Description:
Strong but gentle Irish last-name-first. Could bring to mind long-running rock group Duran Duran.
- Darragh
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"oak tree"Description:
A very popular name for boys in Ireland that's well-used throughout the British Isles, Darragh is also occasionally used for girls and certainly sounds feminine or at least unisex to the American ear. Simplified form Dara pushes it further toward the girls' side.
- Doyle
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"black stranger"Description:
An Irish surname possibility for those who like Daley, Royal, Dougal, and Dolan, though it may sound too much like doily to catch on for modern boys. Nevertheless, it was fairly well used in the 20th century, popular in the 30s, 40s, and 50s when it reached the Top 200 at one point.
- Dublin
Origin:
Irish place-nameDescription:
With Galway and Ireland in play as names (not to mention Shannon and Kerry), there's no reason this one can't work, too.
- Duff
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"swarthy"Description:
This somewhat boisterous Celtic name would be at home in a noisy pub or out walking on the moors. In Scotland, it was originally a nickname for someone with dark hair or a swarthy complexion.
- Diarmaid
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"free man"Description:
This authentic form of the name of an Irish mythological hero with the power to make women fall instantly in love with him would work far better here as the Anglicized Dermot.
- Darren
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"little great one"Description:
Once-popular boys' name works better now for girls, as a kind of Dara/Karen blend.
- Delaney
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"dark river"Description:
Cheerful but laidback, surname-style Delaney is derived from the Old Irish name Dubhshláine and has become a familiar choice for girls in recent decades. Nevertheless, it has also been used for boys since the early 1900s and was equally - though rarely - given to both, right up until the 1990s.
- Daman
Description:
Daman is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Indian traditions, it derives from Sanskrit meaning 'string' or 'rope,' symbolizing binding strength. It also appears in Greek mythology connected to Damon, a figure representing loyalty and friendship. Some may see it as a variation of Damian, which has Greek origins meaning 'to tame' or 'subdue.' Daman has a strong, concise sound that travels well across cultures. The name's relative simplicity and international character make it appealing to parents seeking a name that feels both distinctive and accessible. Its cross-cultural nature allows it to carry different meaningful associations depending on one's heritage.
- Dearbhla
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"daughter of the poet"Description:
Dearbhla along with its Anglicized form Dervla are both well-used in modern Ireland. There was a medieval Saint Dearbhla. The spelling Deirbhile is also used.
- Duane
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"swarthy"Description:
An old Irish surname that was big in the 1960s, but would be an unexpected choice for a child now.
- Dáivi
Description:
Dáivi is a masculine name of Sámi origin (indigenous people of northern Scandinavia), representing a form of David. The accent over the 'a' indicates specific pronunciation patterns in the Sámi language. Like its Hebrew root, it carries meanings associated with 'beloved' or 'cherished.' Unlike the internationally common David, Dáivi remains culturally specific to Sámi communities in regions of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. The name reflects the preservation of indigenous identity within Nordic cultures and represents cultural pride for many Sámi families. Its distinctive pronunciation and spelling maintain cultural heritage while connecting to the worldwide David tradition. For those with Sámi ancestry, choosing Dáivi honors traditional naming practices while offering a unique identity in global contexts.
- Dow
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"dark-haired"Description:
Compact, to-the-point surname name. Bear in mind the stock-market association - it may be a bit much with the last name Jones.
- Donnan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"small brown-haired child"Description:
This Irish saint's name makes an attractive alternative for Dylan or Donald.
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