Irish Names for Boys (with Meanings and Popularity)
- Kerry
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"dark, dark-haired"Description:
An Irish county name almost exclusively used for girls now. Kerrigan would be a more modern and masculine choice.
- Darragh
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"oak tree"Description:
Also Anglicized as Dara and also spelled Daire in its native form, Darragh has an undeniably rugged appeal. It's used for both girls and boys in Ireland, but it's very popular in particular for boys.
- Finian
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"fair"Description:
This lilting Irish saint's name shone in neon lights on Broadway for the classical 1947 musical "Finian's Rainbow," later made into a film starring Fred Astaire as Finian McLonergan, and there was also a character on "General Hospital" named Finian O'Toole. With the growing popularity of Finn and Finlay/Finley--and boys' names ending in 'an'--Finian, which can also be spelled Finnian, seems like a sure-fire winner.
- Egan
Origin:
Variation of Aidan, IrishMeaning:
"little fire"Description:
Egan's likeness to the word eager gives this Irish surname a ready-to-please, effervescent energy, and it would make an appropriate substitute for the overused Aidan.
- Gallagher
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"descendant of foreign helper"Description:
Gallagher is, like so many of its genre, friendly, open, and optimistic. Some might associate it with the fraternal members of the band Oasis, Noel and Liam Gallagher.
- Malone
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"a devotee of Saint John"Description:
Classic Irish surname with a lot of character and some interesting associations: the title character of a Samuel Beckett novel and basketball great Karl Malone. Malone is a popular name for baby boys in France.
- Fynn
Origin:
Variation of FinnMeaning:
"bright, fair"Description:
Spelling variation more popular in Germany than the original, which is also well-used there.
- Brone
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"sorrow"Description:
An old saint's name that, even with the post-Aidan wave of Irish names, is a bit too close to crone.
- Pat
Origin:
Diminutive of PatrickMeaning:
"noble, patrician"Description:
As seen on SNL, Pat is the ultimate androgynous name. Stick with long form Patrick, and make sure everyone calls him Patrick.
- Piran
Origin:
CornishMeaning:
"little dark one"Description:
It may be a longshot – especially since it was given to less than 5 boys in the US in 2021 – but Piran could conceivably be a future Kieran, which is shaping up to being the next Kevin. Piran is the patron saint of miners and of Cornwall.
- Fitzgerald
Origin:
Irish and ScottishMeaning:
"son of Gerald"Description:
Made famous by F. Scott Fitzgerald and John Fitzgerald Kennedy; still works best as a middle name.
- Doran
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"stranger, exile"Description:
Strong but gentle Irish last-name-first. Could bring to mind long-running rock group Duran Duran.
- Cathal
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"battle rule"Description:
The name of an ancient Irish saint is in the contemporary Irish Top 50. While it's one of the rare Irish names for boys that hasn't immigrated to the U.S., it may follow brothers Aidan and Declan to our shores. The t is not pronounced.
- Devlin
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"unlucky"Description:
Devlin is an Irish name that's fresher and even more devilish than Devin.The earliest written record of this surname occurs in the thirteenth century, when an O'Devlin was appointed Bishop of Kells in 1211.
- Kiernan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"little dark one"Description:
Although this surname name is closely related to the more common Irish name Kieran, Kiernan is also a well used family name, tied to thirty-three ancient chieftains. It has on a few occasions been used for girls.
- Rogan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"redhead"Description:
Rogan makes a great, roguish alternative for the more popular Logan, Ronan and Rowan.
- Ciar
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"dark"Description:
Now that the Irish Ciaran and Ciara -- aka Kieran and Kiera -- are becoming more popular beyond their native shores, the short and strong Ciar might find some favor. As of now, more than 160 baby girls were named Ciara in the US last year, with half that many boys named Ciaran, but so far no baby boys named Ciar, though 17 were called Keir.
- Iarlaith
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"ruler, sovereign, lord"Description:
The name of a 6th saint from Galway whose monastery became a center of learning while he was there, Iarlaith is an undiscovered Irish gem. Undiscovered in the US, that is: Iarlaith is a Top 100 name in Ireland, given to around 55 boys in a recent year.
- Ailin
Description:
Ailin is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Irish tradition, it's derived from Ailín, a diminutive of Ailill, meaning 'elf' or 'noble.' In Chinese, Ailin (爱林) can mean 'love of forest.' The name also appears in Spanish-speaking countries, possibly derived from Eileen or as a variant of Alan. With its soft sounds and short length, Ailin has a gentle, contemporary feel despite its ancient roots. While traditionally more common for boys in its original cultures, the name has sometimes been used for girls in international contexts. Ailin remains relatively uncommon but offers a cross-cultural appeal with its melodic sound and meaningful heritage.
- Flannery
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"descendant of Flannghal"Description:
Flann variation that's most familiar as the name of writer Flannery O'Connor. It derives from the Irish surname Ó Flannghaile, meaning "descendant of Flannghal".
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