Nameberry
Irish Baby Names for Girls and Boys, With Meanings and Popularity
Irish names have been widely-used in the US since the era of the large waves of Irish immigration in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Irish names that came over with those immigrants -- Kathleen and Bridget, Patrick and Kevin -- have given way to a new generation of Irish baby names rising in popularity not only in the US but internationally too.
Jump to:
Top Irish Names in the US
The top Irish baby names in the US are led by Liam, the Irish short form of William that dominates the US popularity list for boys and also ranks highly in many other countries throughout the English-speaking world, Europe, and even Latin and South America. For girls, Irish surnames used as first names and names from Irish mythology dominate. Fun fact: #11 on both the girls' and boys' Irish Top 100 is Rory.
Top Irish Girl Names in the US
Top Irish Boy Names in the US
Top Irish Names in Ireland
Not all the top names in Ireland are Irish. Irish parents, like many internationally, are naming their babies Lily and Olivia, Noah and James. But when they do use Irish names, they're often different from the ones commonly found in North America. Irish names popular in Ireland include the following.
Top Irish Girl Names in Ireland
Top Irish Boy Names in Ireland
More Irish Names for Girls
Other Irish names for girls used in the US and other English-speaking countries along with Ireland itself include the following.
More Irish Names for Boys
Other Irish boy names used in the US, in Ireland, and internationally include the following.
Browse Irish Names by Letter
Gender-Neutral Irish Names
Many of the Irish names trending in the US and internationally are Irish surname names or place-names that can be used for any gender baby. Here are some unisex Irish names.
Unique Irish Baby Names
Rare, uncommon, and unique Irish names include Irish forms of international classic names, names from Irish legend and mythology, and Irish surnames and place-names used as first names.
Unique Irish Names for Girls
Unique Irish Names for Boys
Lists of Irish Names
Survey these lists of Irish names for more name ideas.
Irish Last Names
Irish last names are so widely used as first names these days that the line between the two is completely porous. That means you can repurpose an Irish surname from your family tree into a name for your son or daughter, including the names that start with Mc or O'. Here are some more Irish surnames used as first names in the US.
Read About Irish Names
We've written frequently about Irish names from every angle. Here are some of our most popular pieces if you want to do a deep dive into the world of Irish baby names.
Irish Baby Names: Rare in the US
Uncommon Irish names on this side of the ocean.
New Irish Names Go Global
Irish names getting more popular outside of Ireland, thanks to celebrities and other cultural Irish influences.
Irish Place Names from Avoca to Valentia
Irish place-names that can be adapted to baby names.
Talk Irish Names
Our warm and friendly community talks about everything name-related, including of course Irish names. Talk about Irish name ideas for your baby, Irish names you love, Irish names you're curious about, and your own Irish name. Some discussions you can join:
Irish Names Pronunciation Guide
Irish name spellings and pronunciations are difficult for English speakers to parse.
Some Anglophone parents deal with this by using Anglicized spellings of Irish names, while others resign themselves to explaining spellings and pronunciations in order to preserve the authenticity of the language and name origin.
Here's a quick guide to how some common Irish letter combinations sound in English:
bh, mh = v
dh, gh = usually silent
th = h or silent
ch = k
fh = silent
s before e or i = sh
c = k
g = hard g as in girl
ao = ee or ay
á, é, í, ó, ú = long vowels
Individual names include pronunciations, so click through to name pages for clarity on any pronunciatios that are unclear. Here are some of the most common Irish names and their correct pronunciations.
Irish Girl Name Pronunciations
Aoife = EE-fa
Aisling = ASH-ling
Caitríona = kah-TREE-na
Caoimhe = KWEE-va
Ciara = KEER-a
Clodagh = KLOH -da
Gráinne = GRAWN-ya
Mairéad = my-RAYD
Méabh = MAYV (anglicized as Maeve)
Muireann = MWIR-in
Niamh = NEEV
Órlaith = OR-la (anglicized as Orla)
Róisín = roh-SHEEN
Saoirse = SEER-sha
Sinéad = shi-NAYD
Siobhán = shi-VAWN
Sorcha = SOR-uh-kha
Irish Boy Name Pronunciations
Aodhán = AY-dawn (anglicized as Aidan or Aiden)
Cathal = KA-hul
Ciam = KEE-an
Ciarán = KEER-awn (anglicized as Kieran)
Cillian = KILL-ee-an (anglicized as Killian_
Colm = KOL-um
Darragh = DAR-a
Diarmuid = DEER-mid (anglized as Dermot)
Dónal = DOH-nul
Éamonn = AY-mun
Eoin = OH-in (anglized as Owen)
Fionn = FYUN
Oisín = UH-sheen
Pádraig = PAW-drig
Ruairí = ROOR-ee (anglized as Rory)
Tadhg = TIEG (like the first syllable of tiger)
Irish Name Generator
Answer some simple Irish name-related questions -- soda bread or Irish coffee? story-telling or step-dancing? -- and get a new Irish name for yourself or a fresh Irish name for your baby.
All the Irish Names
Want to see all 700 of the Irish baby names on Nameberry? Here's our complete list of Irish names of all types in our database.