Irish surnames have eclipsed traditional first names as baby names, especially for girls. Irish surnames such as Riley, Kennedy, and Finley are more popular baby names in the US today than traditional Irish names such as Bridget and Patrick.

Riley is the top Irish name of any kind of baby girls in the US today, with Ryan the top Irish surname used as a first name for boys. Along with Riley and Ryan, the other top Irish surname names used as first names in the US are Connor and Nolan for boys, Kennedy and Quinn for girls. 
One fresh factor in Irish surnames for babies: Names that start with Mac or O' are now fair game as first names. So if you want to name your baby O'Brien or McNamara, go right ahead. Here's a whole group of rollicking Irish surnames that work for both girls and boys....or you can use one from your own family background. 

To explore Irish name options beyond surnames, click here for our full list of <a href="https://nameberry.com/baby-names/168/Irish-To explore Irish name options beyond surname-names, click here for our full list of <a href="https://nameberry.com/baby-names/168/Irish-Names">Irish baby names</a>.

Irish Last Names (With Meanings and Popularity)

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

Meara

A merry surname cousin of Kerrigan, could make a lively choice for a happy little girl.

Merrigan

There are many dynamic three-syllable Irish surnames; this is one of the rarer two-syllable ones. Molloy is the title of a 1951 novel by Samuel Beckett, initially written in French. Another Beckett novel of naming interest is Malone Dies.

Molloy

Fresh choice in the vein of Carly and Harley.

Morley

Gently pleasant English family name long associated with 60-Minuteman Morley Safer. 

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 monster in female form.  

The meaning of Morrigan has been related to both terror and greatness.  While some relate the name to Morgan of the Arthurian legends, Morrigan and Morgan are actually unrelated.

Morrigan

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. Morrison is a related possibility, also with musical ties, to Irish singer-songwriter Van (born George Ivan).

Morrissey

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.
 Morrison is a related possibility, also with musical ties, to Irish singer-songwriter Van (born George Ivan).

Less appealing than some other Irish surnames, such as Malone and Sullivan, unless used as a tribute to jazz musician Gerry.  There could be some Mulligan stew teasing. 

Mulligan

Murray, you may be surprised to discover, is a Scottish surname name --that of an ancient noble clan--with a sea-swept meaning, and just could be in the next wave of reevaluated grandpa names. Currently Number 60 for baby boys born in its native Scotland; it was at its highest in the US in 1922, when it reached Number 208, but has been off the list since 1975. Could it be time for a comeback? TV Murrays have appeared on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Flight of the Conchords and Degrassi: The Next Gemeration.
 Lisa Kudrow used it as the middle name of her son Julian.

Murray

Possible Gaelic alternative to Kevin and Devon. 

Nevin

Irish surname that refers to High King Brian Boru, also spelled O'Brien.  Makes a fabulous first name.

O'brian

This kind of authentic Irish surname makes a memorable first name for either sex, following in the path of all the Mac and Mc names recently popular. 

O'brien

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'Bryan is a masculine surname-turned-first-name with Irish origins. It's derived from the Gaelic 'Ó Briain,' meaning 'descendant of Brian.' The original surname honors Brian Boru, a renowned High King of Ireland who ruled in the early 11th century. As a given name, O'Bryan represents a modern trend of using traditional surnames as distinctive first names. While not among the most common given names in the United States or other English-speaking countries, O'Bryan offers parents a way to honor Irish heritage while providing their son with a name that sounds strong and distinctive. The apostrophe and capital letter format maintain its clear connection to its surname origins.

O'bryan

One of the most usable of the fashionable O'Names.

O'callahan

To modernize and add some oomph to the dated CASEY, add an O'-and also honor the great Irish playwright Sean.

O'casey

Perfect name for the child of dog enthusiasts, and much more distinctive than the trendy Connor.

O'connor

Forget Donald.  Honor Grandpa Don with this new spin.

O'donnell

Donovan is on the rise, so why not this sequel?

O'donovan

 are common through the Western world, with Irish surnames widely used in the US, the UK, and Australia and New Zealand. The

are among the most popular last names in the United States.

The most common Irish last names in the US

 include exclusively Irish surnames like Murphy and Hughes, along with surnames that count Irish among multiple origins, such as Collins and Hughes. Other popular Irish surnames in the US include Kelly (and Kelley), Sullivan, Hayes, Murray, Kennedy, Riley, and O'Brien.

 have some crossover with the US, but generally feel more, well, Irish: Murphy, Kelly, Walsh, O'Connor, O'Sullivan, and Byrne are at the top of the list.

Irish last names have also become increasingly popular as first names, eclipsing traditional Irish first names, especially for girls. Irish last names such as Riley, Kennedy, and Finley are more popular baby names in the US today than traditional Irish names such as Bridget and Patrick.

 used as a first for baby girls in the US today, with Ryan the top Irish surname used as a first name for boys. Along with Riley and Ryan, the other 

 in the US are Connor and Nolan, with the 

 Kennedy and Quinn. Many of these surname names can be considered 

One fresh factor in Irish last names as first names: Names that start with Mac or O' are now fair game as first names. So if you want to name your baby O'Brien or McNamara, go right ahead. Here's a whole group of rollicking Irish surnames that work for both girls and boys....or you can use one from your own family background.

On Nameberry, the top Irish surnames used as first names include Finn, Ronan, Dylan, and Quinn.

Irish Last Names and surnames, with meanings and popularity, including Quinn, Kennedy, Nolan, used as first names for baby girls and baby boys, with top Irish last names and unique Irish surnames, including origins, meanings, and popularity. (Page 14)

400+ Irish Last Names (With Meanings and Popularity)

Meara

Merrigan

Molloy

Morley

Morley

Morrigan

Morrissey

Morrissey

Mulligan

Murray

Nevin

O'brian

O'brien

O'brien

O'bryan

O'callahan

O'casey

O'connor

O'donnell

O'donovan