While Corrigan is a widely-used Irish surname, a Corrigan or Korrigan is a fairy or sprite-like creature in Breton folklore. The Cornish word korrik means gnome. These creatures can be good or evil, male or female, but the important thing in Nameberry terms is that we love their name!

A name that has many close, more familiar relatives, like Mira and Myra.

From the Irish surname Ó Buadhachanáin, which has at its core buadhach, "victorious". It has appeared in the US charts since 2014, probably in honor of the disco music pioneer Hamilton Bohannon, who was often known simply by his surname. This name therefore ticks several style boxes: an Irish surname, a music legend, and a cool "Bo" sound, with Bo as a possible nickname.

Variation of Cluny best only if you're a major George fan. And even then, better go with George, Georgia, or Georgiana.

New Presidential name, if you're ready to move beyond Lincoln and Jefferson. At the turn of the last century, during the original McKinley's heyday, as a first name it almost reached the Top 100.

Though we usually think a name's image in contemporary culture supersedes its ancient meaning, this is a case where the definition could undermine a child's self-esteem.

The great sax player John Coltrane could be a cool naming inspiration for a jazz fan. Plus, it gives you stylish nickname Colt, if you didn't love Colton or Colter.

A long shot, but it could join the crop of dashing Irish surname names.

An Irish surname possibility for those who like Daley, Royal, Dougal, and Dolan, though it may sound too much like doily to catch on for modern boys. Nevertheless, it was fairly well used in the 20th century, popular in the 30s, 40s, and 50s when it reached the Top 200 at one point.

Keefe is an energetic Irish surname occasionally used as a first. Only caveat: Will people think your little Keefe is a Keith with enunciation problems?

This name was consistently in the boys' Top 200 until WW2. It's a name with so many dimensions to it: the hyper-masculine meaning, the surname-as-firstname trendiness, and the softer sound and connotation since homophone Carol was favoured in the 1940s and '50s for daughters. We think it's time for a resurgence of Carrolls amongst the boys.

This Irish surname-name certainly feels brighter and fresher than the English equivalent, Clark.

O'ryan is a contemporary masculine name that represents a creative respelling of Orion, the mighty hunter from Greek mythology who was transformed into a constellation. The apostrophe adds a distinctive element that may be influenced by Irish surname patterns (O'Brien, O'Connor). This spelling variant emerged primarily in the United States in recent decades as parents sought unique ways to present familiar names. While maintaining the powerful mythological associations of Orion, O'ryan offers a fresh look and potentially creates a more intuitive pronunciation guide. The name appeals to parents drawn to celestial themes with a modern twist.

Anglicized form of Irish Ó Cearmada, which is reminiscent of other jaunty Irish surnames like Cassidy and Connolly.

An Irish last-name-first-name that could make a child feel distinctive, while still having the regular guy nickname of Quinn. Christine Taylor and Ben Stiller spelled their son's name Quinlin.

Energetic Connelly variation that works better for girls than for boys.

When British rocker Steven Patrick Morrissey decided to use his last name alone, it became a viable option for baby namers, a lot cooler than Morris or Maurice, with the nice three-syllable lilt of of such other Irish surnames as Finnegan and Flanagan. It can also be spelled Morrisey.

A rare floral name for boys, this Scottish name is used to refer to white and golden wildflowers, usually daisies. Possibly borrowed from the Old Norse gollinn or inspired by the Old English golde "marigold", this name appears very occasionally as a given name, but more frequently as a surname.

Kiernan Shipka, aka Sally Draper on Mad Men, brings this Irish surname into the girls' column. And, like Kieran and Tierney and Tiernan, it's one of the perfectly unisex baby names. Only 14 girls were named Kiernan in the US in a recent year...and three times as many boys. If you want to move beyond Riley and Kennedy to one of the more unusual surname-based Irish names for girls, this may be a good choice.

This genial Irish surname feels much more current than Donald.