Irish Names that Start With O
By Nameberry
Updated Tue Oct 01 2024
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- Oscar
Origin:
English or IrishMeaning:
"God spear, or deer-lover or champion warrior"Description:
Oscar is one of the most stylish Old Man Names of our era. While it's softened slightly in popularity over the past 20 years, that may be considered a very good thing.
- Orla
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"golden princess"Description:
Orla is an Irish name closely associated with the high king Brian Boru, as it was the name of his sister, daughter and niece. It was very popular in the Middle Ages – the fourth most popular name in twelfth century Ireland – and has become popular again in Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales today. In Irish, the name is commonly spelled Orlaith or Orlagh.
- Oran
Origin:
Hebrew, Irish, ScottishMeaning:
"light, song, little green one"Description:
A calm and gentle multicultural choice. Oran is popular in Ireland, where its Gaelic form is Odhrán, meaning "little green one". In Scottish Gaelic, the name means "song", and in Hebrew, it's a combination of Or "light" + Ran "singing".
- Oona
Origin:
Irish, variation of UnaMeaning:
"lamb"Description:
Oona is a name made famous by Eugene O'Neill's daughter, who became Charlie Chaplin's wife. One of the original Oona's granddaughters was named after her, and is now an actress famous in her own right for playing Talisa of Volantis in HBO's "Game of Thrones." The double-o beginning gives their name a lot of oomph.
- Oisin
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"little deer"Description:
Oisin is one of the most popular Irish baby names in its native land, though largely unknown in the US. The original Oisin was the mythological son of Finn McCool and Sadb, the goddess who was changed into a deer. A legendary war hero and poet, Oisin had a name that is also reminiscent in sound of the ocean. Pronounced correctly, this name has an attractive sheen.
- Orin
Origin:
Variation of Oren or Oran, Hebrew, Irish, ScottishMeaning:
"laurel, light, song, little green one"Description:
Orin is one of a variety of similarly-spelled names that have a soft and sensitive image. The Orrin spelling has been known nationally via Republican Senator Hatch.
- Odhran
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"little pale green one"Description:
Odhran, Anglicized as Oran, was the name of an ancient saint. Today, Odhran is among the Top 100 Irish names for boys in Ireland.
- O'brien
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"descendant of Brian"Description:
The use of O-prefixes could create the next wave of Irish-inflected names, offering an innovative way of honoring a relative with the old-fashioned moniker Brian. On Downton Abbey, the surname O'Brien was heard so often, it began to seem like a first.
- O'shea
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"hawklike, stately"Description:
One of the jauntiest o' the O' names, the birth name of actor/ rapper Ice Cube.
- Orna
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"little pale green one"Description:
This Irish saint's name sounds like a lopped-off Lorna.
- O'neal
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"from the chief's line"Description:
Perfect as an updated namesake for Great-Uncle Neal (or Neil).
- O'connor
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"son of the hound lover"Description:
Perfect name for the child of dog enthusiasts, and much more distinctive than the trendy Connor.
- O'keefe
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"son of the kind one"Description:
Most parents interested in this name would be honoring either an ancestor or painter Georgia O'Keeffe.
- O'hara
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"son of Eaghra"Description:
The O'Haras are descended from Eaghra -- pronounced and phonetically spelled Ara -- the lord of Luighne, the modern Leyney in County Sligo. As a name, this makes a satisfying new twist on Harry, and may remind people of the poet Frank O'Hara or the movie and novel, Gone with the Wind.
- O'sullivan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"son of the black-eyed one"Description:
Sullivan has made itself into a first name and O'Sullivan may well follow suit.
- Oengus
Origin:
Irish mythology name, variation of AngusMeaning:
"one choice"Description:
Oengus is the old Irish form of the name most commonly found in the modern world as Angus, typically Scottish.
In Irish mythology, Oengus is the god of youth, love, and poetry.
- O'brian
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"descendant of Brian"Description:
Irish surname that refers to High King Brian Boru, also spelled O'Brien. Makes a fabulous first name.
- O'donovan
Origin:
Irish, 'son of the dark one"Description:
Donovan is on the rise, so why not this sequel?
- Oilibhear
Description:
Oilibhear is a masculine Irish name representing the Gaelic form of Oliver. The name Oliver itself derives from Old French 'Olivier,' possibly connected to the Latin 'olivarius' meaning 'olive tree planter.' In Irish tradition, Oilibhear carries the same dignified qualities as Oliver while connecting more deeply to Gaelic heritage. The pronunciation is approximately 'IL-i-var,' though regional variations exist. This name exemplifies traditional Irish naming patterns where consonants are softened and additional vowels are incorporated. Though rare outside Ireland, Oilibhear offers a meaningful choice for families wishing to honor Irish ancestry. The name carries associations of peace (through the olive branch symbolism) while maintaining a strong, distinctive sound characteristic of Celtic names.
- O'grady
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"son of the noble one"Description:
Like the other O' names, this is a wonderful way to pass down a family name.