225+ Irish Boy Names (with Meanings and Popularity)

Runyon is an Irish surname with considerable flair; some will connect it with Guys and Dolls writer Damon Runyon.

With Galway and Ireland in play as names (not to mention Shannon and Kerry), there's no reason this one can't work, too.

The Irish boys' name Colum, rarely heard in the U. S., makes an interesting alternative to Colin.

Julia Roberts's choice of Phinnaeus gives a boost to all Ph forms. Or should we say, phorms.

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.

Patsy has been rarely heard for half a century, for either gender, and we're not expecting that to change in the near future..

An Anglicized derivative of the Gaelic name Beatha, meaning "life," best known as the surname of Irish playwright Brendan Behan.

This name of an ancient Irish saint -- a favorite disciple of Saint Patrick -- could be an option for parents in search of a more distinctive alternative to Brendan or Aidan.

Actor Pierce made both his first and last name appealing.

A name scattered throughout Irish mythology with an intriguing sound, Carbry is one of the rare Irish names for boys virtually unknown in the US. Bry is the obvious, but lovely nickname option.

Friendly, cheerful Irish name that originated as a nickname for a redhead. Potential problem: reminiscent of the Spanish custard.

You might want to honor premier U.S. architect Frank Gehry--even though he was born Ephraim Goldberg. Gehry, pronounced like the more common surname Geary, may be a spin on the name Gary, which means spear, or derive from the Middle English word geary, which means fickle.

A spelling that would definitely attract a lot of attention -- and a certain amount of confusion as well.

An attractive ancient Irish saint's name that conjures up a beacon of light, this Irish name for boys is well-used in Ireland but rarely heard in the US.

Fresh choice that could pick up where Dylan and Logan left off.

Associated with the poet and novelist Galway Kinnell, this name of an Irish city, county, and bay would make an evocative choice. For further literary cred, writers Liam O'Flaherty and Frank Harris both hail from Galway.

Undiscovered Irish surname with a lot more bounce and masculine dash than Shannon.

Has a decidedly Roman Catholic feel, thanks to the bishop.

With the fashions for tree names, place names, and nickname names, Derry is a three-way winner.

The Irish surname and sometime first name Redmond is derived from the German Raymond, which was imported to Ireland via Norman conqueror Raymond LeGros -- Raymond the Fat.