Irish Names that Start With E
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- Eamon
Origin:
Irish variation of EdmundMeaning:
"wealthy protector"Description:
Eamon is one of the traditional Irish names that has not yet emigrated to the US. This Irish name pronounced ay-mon was popularized by early president of the independent republic Eamon de Valera (birth name George), who was born in the United States to an Irish mother and a Cuban father. Eamon definitely has possibilities as a successor to the epidemically popular Aidan/Aiden.
- Enya
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"fire"Description:
This phonetic Anglicization of the Irish name Eithne was made familiar by the single-named Irish singer and composer. St. Eithne was the daughter of a king and an early Irish convert to Christianity.
- Erin
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"from the island to the west"Description:
First-wave Irish name and place name—the poetic name for Ireland—now supplanted by newer alternatives such as Maeve and Delaney.
- Elva
Origin:
Icelandic and Danish form of Alf, anglicized form of Ailbhe, IrishMeaning:
"bright, light, white; elf"Description:
Elva is a multicultural choice, being both an anglicization of the Irish Ailbhe and an feminine form of the name Alf, meaning "elf". Popular in the US at the beginning of the 20th century, it remaining in the charts until the '70s, but it has not been given since. The alternative form Alva has faired slightly better, while in Ireland, Ailbhe remains the preferred spelling. Nevertheless, Elva combines the sounds of Elsa, Ella, Eva, and Ever and may also appeal to those expecting a baby at Christmas.
- Eilish
Origin:
Anglicized variation of Eilis, Irish form of Hebrew ElizabethMeaning:
"pledged to God"Description:
Eilish is one of those Irish names that, thanks to a celebrity, has suddenly become much more familiar to English speakers. Irish-American singer Billie Eilish (Eilish is actually one of her middle names) introduced the wider world to this Irish name as actress Saoirse Ronan did with hers.
- Eames
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"son of the uncle"Description:
An upscale surname with a nice modern design connection to the creators of the Eames chair and other midcentury furniture classics, Charles and Ray Eames.
- Ennis
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"from the island"Description:
An appealing Irish placename with a unisex feel, Ennis would be a fresh alternative to Dennis and Ellis. It's little-used for boys and even rarer for girls, but since Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons used it for their son, it could be one to watch.
- Eabha
Origin:
Irish form of EveMeaning:
"life"Description:
Eabha, along with Aoife and Aoibhe and even the Anglo Ava, are all Eve sisters or soundalikes in the Irish Top 100. Outside of Ireland, though, this Gaelic spelling would prove difficult. Confusingly for English speakers, this name beginning with E is pronounced as Ava, while the A-beginning Aoibhe is like Eva.
- Eithne
Origin:
GaelicMeaning:
"nut kernel"Description:
Pretty and soulful name of a goddess from Irish mythology and several Irish saints. Singer Enya, born Eithne Ní Bhraonáin, has made the Anglicized spelling familiar. Eithne comes from the vocabulary word "kernel", which was used as a term of praise in old bardic poetry.
- 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.
- Egan
Origin:
Variation of Aidan, IrishMeaning:
"little fire"Description:
Egan's likeness to the word eager gives this Irish surname a ready-to-please, effervescent energy, and it would make an appropriate substitute for the overused Aidan.
- 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.
- Eilis
Origin:
Irish variation of ElizabethMeaning:
"pledged to God"Description:
Familiar in the US thanks to the lovely movie Brooklyn, based on the Colm Toibin novel of the same name. Popular in medieval times, it is still used in Ireland (properly spelt with a fada: Eilís) could make an alternative to the super-popular Isla. Eilish and Eibhlis are alternate forms.
- Eibhlin
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"shining, brilliant"Description:
Irish Gaelic form of Evelyn or Aveline, more authentically spelled Eibhlín.
- Edan
Origin:
Irish and HebrewMeaning:
"little fire; era"Description:
This cross-cultural name is a spelling variant of two different popular names: the Irish Aidan and the Hebrew Idan. While Idan is a Top 100 choice in Israel, Aidan - and Aiden - in a number of English speaking countries. Pleasingly simple and concise, Edan may however be mistaken for Eden.
- Eachna
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"horse"Description:
Eachna is the name of an Irish goddess renowned for her beauty, brains and stylishness; in early legend, a Connacht princess named Eachna was deemed to be one of the loveliest and cleverest women int he world.
- Etain
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"jealousy"Description:
The Etain (or more properly Étaín) of Irish mythology was a beautiful fairy turned into a fly (or in some versions, a butterfly), by a jealous queen. The insect Étaín fell into a glass of milk and was swallowed by yet another queen, then reborn as a beautiful maiden. Its pronunciation is similar to the number eighteen.
- Evin
Description:
Evin is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Irish, it derives from 'Eimhin,' meaning 'swift' or 'prompt,' while in Turkish, it means 'related to home' or 'one who shelters.' The Kurdish version carries the meaning 'evening' or 'sunset.' This multicultural background makes Evin an appealing choice for families with diverse heritage. The name has remained consistently uncommon yet recognized across various cultures. Its short, clear pronunciation makes it accessible while still distinctive. Evin offers a modern feel with ancient roots, balancing uniqueness with simplicity. The name has seen modest usage in the United States and greater recognition in Ireland, Turkey, and Kurdish regions.
- Eavan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"beautiful sheen"Description:
Anglicized spelling of the difficult-to-decipher Gaelic Aoibheann, the name of several Irish princesses, this name rhymes with Steven. Eavan Boland is a distinguished Irish poet who teaches at Stanford University.
- Eireen
Description:
Eireen is a feminine name representing a variant spelling of Irene, which derives from the Greek 'Eirene' meaning 'peace.' This alternative spelling preserves the traditional pronunciation while giving the name a distinctive, slightly Celtic appearance due to the 'ei' combination. Though much less common than the standard Irene, Eireen offers a fresh take on this classical name that has been used since ancient times. The name carries the beautiful connotation of peace and harmony across cultures. While traditional Irene has experienced fluctuations in popularity throughout the 20th century, Eireen remains rare, appealing to parents seeking a name with historical depth but an uncommon spelling.