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225+ Irish Boy Names (with Meanings and Popularity)

  1. Collins

    • Origin:

      Surname derived from Nicholas or Colin

    • Description:

      Though Collins makes the Top 1000 for girls, it sounds strong and handsome for boys too, kind of like the newly-stylish Brooks. The final s updates it from the 80s-ish Colin or the Twilightish Cullen. Might make an innovative honorific for a grandpa Nick.
  2. Amon

    • Origin:

      Hebrew, Arabic, Greek from Egyptian

    • Meaning:

      "the hidden one; invisible"

    • Description:

      In Egyptian mythology, Amon is a major god associated with creation and the air. He was later fused with the Sun god, Ra, and became Amun-Ra.
  3. Tully

    • Origin:

      Irish, Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "flood, peaceful; hill"

    • Description:

      Tully is a relaxed, rarely used Irish surname possibility which might provide an alternative to Tommy, Eli, or Troy. It has a long history of usage and a number of meanings, depending on which root you follow.
  4. Dermot

    • Origin:

      Irish, Anglicization of Diarmaid

    • Meaning:

      "free from envy"

    • Description:



      Dermot is an appealing, relatively undiscovered Irish mythological hero's name long popular in the Old Country, and imported into the American consciousness by actor Dermot Mulroney. We see it in the next Celtic wave following Connor and Liam.
  5. Fionn

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "fair or white"

    • Description:

      Fionn, the modern Irish form of Finn, is more popular in Ireland these days than Finn, which is rising fast in the U.S. where Fionn is virtually unknown. That's probably a good thing, because few Americans would know that Fionn and Finn have the same root and are pronounced the same, like the fin of a fish. It's the namesake of a great hero from Irish mythology, Fionn MacCumhaill, who acquired divine wisdom by eating an enchanted salmon of knowledge.
  6. Shaw

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "dweller by the wood"

    • Description:

      With the current taste for last names first, this sounds a lot cooler than Shawn; it also has creative connections to the great Irish playwright, George Bernard Shaw, novelist Irwin Shaw, and Big Band Era clarinetist/bandleader and one-time Ava Gardner husband Artie Shaw.
  7. Finian

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  8. Kerry

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "dark, dark-haired"

    • Description:

      An Irish county name almost exclusively used for girls now. Kerrigan would be a more modern and masculine choice.
  9. Roark

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "illustrious and mighty"

    • Description:

      This distinguished surname belonged to one of Ireland's great princely families. Its many variations include Rourke (as in actor Mickey), and O'Rourke. The family surname is thought to be one of the oldest in the world, originating in the tenth century, following the death of a young prince named Ruarc. It has literary cred via Howard Roark, the protagonist of Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead.
  10. Devlin

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "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.

  11. Madden

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "little dog"

    • Description:

      Madden is an Irish surname relative of Madigan rising through the charts thanks to its trendy two-syllable, -en ending sound along with its appeal to Madden Football video game-playing dads. John Madden is a former pro football player who went on to coach the Oakland Raiders and become a popular NFL commentator. Madden is also the surname of groovy Nicole Richie baby daddy Joel Madden.
  12. Bryan

    • Origin:

      Variation of Brian, Irish

    • Meaning:

      "strong, virtuous, and honorable"

    • Description:

      An alternate spelling of Brian, Bryan's one of the most enduring of Irish imports. Bryan is now slightly more popular than the original, with associations to Bryan Cranston, Bryan Ferry and Bryan Brown.
  13. Phelan

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "wolf"

    • Description:

      Phelan, pronounced FAY-lan or FEE-lan, is an appealing Irish surname name, with a rich history in Irish myth and religious and secular life. One bearer was a fiercely loyal follower of the legendary warrior Finn MacCool, another was a missionary saint.
  14. Finbar

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "fair-haired"

    • Description:

      This is an ancient saints' name well used in Ireland but a rarity here and unlikely to ever reach the popularity of other Finn-ish names. St. Finbarr (the more common spelling) is the patron saint of Cork and in Irish folklore, Finbarr was king of the fairies.
  15. Fitzgerald

    • Origin:

      Irish and Scottish

    • Meaning:

      "son of Gerald"

    • Description:

      Made famous by F. Scott Fitzgerald and John Fitzgerald Kennedy; still works best as a middle name.
  16. Donnacha

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "brown-haired warrior"

    • Description:

      Virtually unknown in this country, Donnacha is currently in the Top 100 in Ireland. According to legend, Donnacha was a High King of Ireland until his death in 1064. The English version Donaga (done-a) might be preferable here.
  17. Carey

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "dark, black"

    • Description:

      Carey is a surname name that works equally well on babies of all genders - Jazz great Carey Bell and motorcross champion Carey Hart are just two examples of how handsome this name can be for a boy.
  18. Odhran

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "little pale green one"

    • Description:

      Odhran, Anglicized as Oran, was the name of an ancient saint. Today, Odhran is among the Top 100 Irish names for boys in Ireland.
  19. 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.

  20. Tyrone

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "land of Owen"

    • Description:

      Immigrated into American pop culture in the person of 1940s superstar Tyrone Power, Jr. It has been on a steady decline since the 1970s.