Irish Names for Girls

Cliodhna and its simplified form Cliona are both well-used in modern Ireland though they are ancient mythological names.  The goddess Cliodhna left the Land of Promise with a mortal but was punished for her desertion by being swept to sea by a giant wave.

Cliodhna

Connelly is a rollicking and rare example of the popular surname genre that may work even better for girls. A huge update on Colleen.

Connelly

Also spelled Croía, this is an unusual name with a loving meaning that jumped into the limelight when an Irish martial artist Conor McGregor chose it for his daughter born 2019. Virtually unknown before, it's now among the most <a href="https://nameberry.com/popular-names/ireland">popular names in Ireland</a>.

Warning: Most English speakers would never guess the pronunciation KREE-uh, rhyming with Mia. It's a lovely name, but if you use it in the US or Canada or Australia or even the UK, be prepared for many people to say KROY-uh.

Croia

Fianna, a virtually unknown Irish name in the US, combines the best elements of Fiona and Brianna. In Irish and Scottish mythology, the Fianna were independent bands of warriors. It has ranked in Northern Ireland's Top 100 for girls several times over the past decade. The name also has potential political connotations: Fianna Fáil is a conservative Irish republican political party.

Fianna

Honoring a male relative. Be bold and go with Glenn. 

Glenna

Korey was never widely used for girls, while sisters Cory and Corey faded from the Top 1000 in the mid-90s though they hang on for boys. With the rise of the classic name Cora, derived from the Greek goddess name Kore, Korey may find new life as a nickname.

Korey

Officially a shortening of the traditional and tricky Gaelic Fionnghuala/Fionnuala, Nuala makes a lovely choice all on its own. Nuala is well-used in Ireland.

Nuala

A popular Irish name virtually unknown here, but one that feels like it could follow in the footsteps of Siobhan and Saoirse. It's pronounced SOR-ka, but with a little hiccup between the 'r' and the 'c' that's difficult for non-Gaelic speakers to reproduce. Spelled (and pronounced) Sorsha, she is a major character in the movie Willow.

Sorcha

Similar in style to Blakely, Blair, and Oakley, Blaney could be considered a nickname for Blane (meaning "yellow"), or an Irish surname and place name, referring to either the point or tip of a river (borrowed from the Welsj blaenau) to a village in Northern Ireland, whose name comes from Bléinigh meaning "creeks".
 More traditionally used in the last name spot (as in racing driver, Ryan Blaney), it has, very occasionally, been used as a given name too.

Blaney

Brighid is the original Gaelic form of the name of the mythological goddess of fire, poetry, and wisdom. More commonly found these days in any number of different guises: Bridget, Brigid, Brigitte et al. Whatever form it takes, Brighid is one of the most classic and enduring <a href="https://nameberry.com/baby-names/804/irish-names-for-girls">Irish names for girls</a>.

Brighid

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.

Eilis

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.
 
The name can be pronounced EN-ya, but ETH-na and EHT-na are also used.

Eithne

Long before the vogue of using Irish surnames for girls, writer Flannery O'Connor gave this one some visibility. It has a warm (flannelly) feel and the currently popular three-syllable ee-ending sound. 
Mary Flannery O'Connor was an important twentieth century regional writer whose work has been characterized as Southern Gothic, often featuring grotesque characters and concerned with questions of morality.

Flannery

A much prettier and feminine version of the boys name Ryan which is starting to be used for girls, while still retaining the Irish feel and the regal meaning.

Rion

The whole Talulla, Talullah, Tallulah, Talula thing is very confusing, but basically the versions that have one l first are Irish and those with two are Native American.  However you parse it, Talulla is an adorable name with ancient roots and a quirky, contemporary feel.

Talulla

A spelling variation of Adair, which may, as with Blaire, appeal to those who want to use it for girls. Derived from either Edgar ("wealthy spearman "), Darragh (or place name Adare), relating to oak trees, or from the Portuguese Ademar, ("wealth and fame"), in English it would be said as uh-DEHR, while in Portuguese, it would be a-du-EER.

Adaire

This Irish form of international favorite Cara is a new entry into Ireland's Top 100. But in the US last year, no babies were named Caragh. That final gh, though often silent in English as in might or weigh, would almost certainly prove confusing.

Caragh

Similar in sound to Paris, Carys, Felicity, and Fern; and similar in style to Blair, Sloane, and Finley, Ferris has a lot of potential. Derived from either the Gaelic Fergus meaning "strong man" or used as an English surname referring to someone who works with iron, Ferris is notably connected to the cult-classic 80s movie, Ferris Bueller's Day Off. The name is rare in general, though recent years have seen a slight revival in interest, with 10 girls (and 56 boys) given the name in the US.

Ferris

Is Keela distinct enough from Kayla to sound fresh and new? Maybe, though its similarity to the trendy cluster of names that also includes Kaylie and Kylie and Kelly may be enough to turn you off.  Keela, a relative of the less serious Keely and the male Keelan, is used in modern Ireland. 

Keela

The unusual and intriguing Tullia has been used since Roman times and may appeal to parents who like Tallulah, Julia, and Lillia but want something that's very rarely heard.
 
A feminine form the illustrious family name Tullius, as borne by philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero, the exact meaning of the name is unknown, though it is speculated it comes from Tullus which possibly means "one who supports". The aforementioned Cicero names his daughter Tullia, while other bearers include 16th century poet Tullia d'Aragona and journalist Tullia Zevi.
 
Tullia could be shortened to Tully, which is also an unrelated Irish surname meaning "flood."

Tullia

 in the US and other English-speaking countries. That may be because the Irish emigrated widely in the 19th and 20th centuries, seeking jobs and opportunities. 

Irish language baby names were forbidden under British rule, but were revived after the Irish fight for independence a century ago. Irish names that had been anglicized in previous generations were used again in their original form: Siobhan instead of Joan, Aine rather than Anne.

today are very different than they were a century ago. Irish surname-names are popular for baby girls in the US, including Riley, Kennedy, and Quinn.  

 other Irish girl names in the US Top 1000 include Nora, Reagan, Rowan, Finley, Cassidy, Sloane, and Teagan. 

 finding more widespread use include Saoirse, Una, and Teagan.


This list gathers our complete assortment of Irish names for girls, classic and modern, ordered according to their popularity on Nameberry.

Irish Names for Girls, with all the girl names of Irish origin on Nameberry, including popular Irish names for baby girls and unique Irish female names. (Page 9)

Irish Names for Girls: The Complete List