Irish Names for Girls: The Complete List
Across 14 pages
of 14
Makena
Scottish, Meru, or Hawaiian
"son of Kenneth; happy one, gift"
Makena may be one of the names with the most diverse range of possible roots. It can be a spelling variation of the Scottish surname McKenna, or a name from the East African Meru community with a…
Meara
Irish
"pool, lake"
A name that has many close, more familiar relatives, like Mira and Myra.
Meriel
Variation of Muriel, Irish
"of the bright sea"
This pleasant modernization of a dated original is still rare but has real modern possibilities. Alternate versions include Merial and Meryl. Meriel was given to fewer than five baby girls in the US…
Merial
Irish
"of the bright sea"
Merial is a feminine name with complex historical roots. It may derive from the medieval name Muriel (meaning 'bright sea' from Celtic elements 'muir' meaning sea and 'el' meaning bright) with an…
Muriel
Irish
"of the bright sea, sea-bright"
Once a poetic Celtic name, that of the angel who governs the month of June, Muriel has for a time, become the mom or grandma of TV sitcoms. A Top 200 name from 1912 to 1933, Muriel might just be due…
Moira
Irish, variation of Mary
"bitter; beloved; drop of the sea"
Well-established Irish and Scottish name that has never really caught on across the pond. Remembered by an older generation as the beautiful red-haired ballerina in the film The Red Shoes , Moira…
Mona
Irish
"noble good"
Mona had more than a moment in the sun, peaking in 1950 at Number 230 but falling off the Top 1000 completely in the late 1980s. Its similarity to the word "moaner" undercuts the appeal of its…
Monca
Invented name or variation of Monica, Latin
"advisor"
The simplified spelling of Monica gives the name a modern, streamlined feel while maintaining the recognizable pronunciation. Monca's rarity makes it distinctive, appealing to parents seeking an…
Morrigan
Irish
"phantom queen"
The mythological Morrigan was the ancient goddess of war, often symbolized by a crow. Besides being a name, this is also used as a proper noun preceded by an article: the Morrigan, defined as a…
Morna
Irish and Scottish variation of Myrna
"festive; affection, endearment"
Poetic name that's terminally mournful, though its meaning is anything but. Myrna plays a powerful role in Irish legend.
Myrna
Irish
"festive; affection, endearment"
An anglicized spelling of Muirne, the name of the mother of Finn mac Cool in Irish legend, Myrna has a unique sound and two possible meanings, both of which are positive. Actress Myrna Loy was a…
Murielle
French variation of Muriel, Irish
"of the bright sea"
Murielle emerged as a distinctively French elaboration, adding the feminine '-elle' suffix to create a more melodious version of the classic name. Though less common in English-speaking countries,…
Muiriol
Muiriol is a feminine name of Celtic origin, specifically from Scotland and Ireland. It's a variant of Muireall or Muriel, derived from the Gaelic elements 'muir' meaning 'sea' and 'eall' meaning…
Muirgheal
Muirgheal is a feminine Irish Gaelic name with ancient Celtic roots. It combines the elements 'muir' meaning 'sea' and 'geal' meaning 'bright' or 'white,' creating the beautiful meaning 'bright sea'…
Neil
Irish
"cloud"
One of the boys' names that sounds fresher today for a girl. Second-best-spelling for boys, Neal, may work even better for girls.
Neila
Hebrew
"locking, closing"
This name of the final service on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is sometimes given symbolically to girls born on that day.
Nela
Variation of Nell or short form of Cornelia or any name ending in -nela
Nela is a pretty if slight name that ranks among the Top 1000 for girls in the UK. It is commonly used throughout Europe as a short form for any range of names ending in -nela including Cornelia and…
Neile
Neile is a feminine name with several possible origins. It may be a variant of Neil (Gaelic for 'champion' or 'cloud'), adapted with a feminine spelling. Alternatively, it could derive from Nelia or…
Nialla
Feminine form of Niall, Irish, Scottish
"cloud"
Rare and rhythmical with a familiar look about it, Nialla is a feminine form of masculine Niall. It may appeal to those wanting to honor a Neil, a Neal, or a Niall itself, or to those looking for…
Niall
Irish
"cloud"
While Niall -- pronounced as Neil or like the river Nile -- is conventionally a boys' name, it might theoretically work for girls.