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Irish Names for Girls (with Meanings and Popularity)

  1. Sheena
    • Origin:

      Anglicization of Sine; Irish variation of Jane
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      Animated Gaelic name popularized by singer Sheena Easton, also brings to mind Sheena, Queen of the Jungle, the Amazonian comic book and TV series heroine. Sine is considered to be and English equivalent of Jane or Jean.
  2. Morrigan
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "phantom queen"
    • Description:

      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.
  3. Brenna
    • Origin:

      Feminine form of Brennan
    • Meaning:

      "descendant of the sad one; raindrops"
    • Description:

      Brenna is a feminine form of the Irish surname Brennan, or perhaps a variation of Brenda or Brendan—all of which have different meanings. Whatever its derivation or authenticity, it's a modern sounding name which has steadily decreased in popularity since 1995 when it peaked at Number 235 in the United States.
  4. Myrna
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "festive; affection, endearment"
    • Description:

      An anglicized spelling of Muirne, the name of the mother of Finn mac Cool in Irish legend, Myrna has a unique sound and two possible meanings, both of which are positive. Actress Myrna Loy was a notable bearer and her fame caused a spike in popularity of the name, when it reached the US Top 150 in the 1930s.
  5. Larkin
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "rough, fierce"
    • Description:

      While Larkin takes this name from bird to surname, there are actually more female Larkins these days than male, and it's a name that works as well for either gender. It has the literary connection to poet Philip Larkin too.
  6. Brigid
    • Origin:

      Irish variation of Brighid
    • Meaning:

      "strength or exalted one"
    • Description:

      Brigid is the simpler Irish version of the name of the goddess of fire, which may also be spelled Brighid. Other variations include Bridget, the most usual spelling in the U.S., and the French Brigitte.
  7. Devin
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "poet"
    • Description:

      Used far more for boys with this spelling, but still has a nice impish Irish feel for a girl.
  8. Keely
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "slender"
    • Description:

      Keely is well-used in modern Ireland, also found as Keeley and Keela. The boys' form is Keelan. Largely unknown in the US, this could make an interesting update for Kelly or Kaylie or Kylie -- though it might ultimately prove to close to one of those trendy names.
  9. Sheila
    • Origin:

      Irish variation of Cecilia
    • Meaning:

      "blind"
    • Description:

      Sheila peaked in popularity from the 1930s to the 1960s (she reached Number 49 in 1965), along with Maureen and Colleen; parents today would probably go back to the original Cecilia or forward to Shea.
  10. Emer
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "swift"
    • Description:

      Popular in Ireland, though not as popular as its spelling variant Eimear, Emer is a mythological name, associated with the legendary wife of the warrior hero Cuchulainn. She was said to possess the six gifts of womanhood: beauty, voice, speech, wisdom, chastity, and needlework.
  11. Eilish
    • Origin:

      Anglicized variation of Eilis, Irish form of Hebrew Elizabeth
    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"
    • Description:

      Eilish is one of those Irish names that, thanks to a celebrity, has suddenly become much more familiar outside of Ireland. Irish-American singer Billie Eilish (Eilish is actually one of her middle names) introduced the wider world to this Irish name as actress Saoirse Ronan did with hers.
  12. Tierney
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "descendent of a lord"
    • Description:

      An uncommon Irish-accented surname that seems particularly well suited to a girl. Tierney Sutton is a well-known jazz singer. Tierney, in its original Tiarnach form, was the name of several saints. It can also join the ranks of Old Hollywood names, via the haunting actress Gene Tierney. ER actress Maura Tierney is a current surname bearer.
  13. Fianna
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "band of warriors"
    • Description:

      Fianna, a virtually unknown Irish name in the US, combines the best elements of Fiona and Brianna. In Irish and Scottish mythology, the Fianna were independent bands of warriors. It has ranked in Northern Ireland's Top 100 for girls several times over the past decade. The name also has potential political connotations: Fianna Fáil is a conservative Irish republican political party.
  14. Ashlyn
    • Origin:

      Variation of Aislinn, Irish
    • Meaning:

      "dream"
    • Description:

      Though it relates to the Irish original, Ashlyn and its next most popular form, Ashlynn, owe more of their popularity as baby names in the US to the megastar Ashley, though all three have been dropping on the charts lately.
  15. Roan
    • Origin:

      Variation of Rowan, Irish and Scottish, Frisian, English word name
    • Meaning:

      "little redhead; rowan tree; raven; animal with a coat of two interspersed colors"
    • Description:

      Historically more popular for boys and generally less familiar than its sound-alike Rowan, Roan is a name with multiple meanings, origins, and pronunciations. Given to less than 10 girls back in 2023, time will tell if singer-songwriter Chappell Roan has brought the name more exposure.
  16. Alva
    • Origin:

      English form of Irish Ailbhe, Swedish and Norwegian feminine form of Alf
    • Meaning:

      "white; elf"
    • Description:

      While the male Alva or Alvah relates directly to the minor Biblical character, the female version is more likely an Anglicized form of the Irish name Ailbhe, or a feminine form the name Alf (and Alf- beginning names), popular in its native Sweden and Norway. Best known as Thomas Edison's middle name, Alva has true unisex roots.
  17. Aislinn
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "dream"
    • Description:

      Old Irish name that's taken off in its Anglicized forms, mainly Ashlyn or Ashlynn. Nonetheless, this more traditional version debuted in the US Top 1000 in 2015.
  18. Eabha
    • Origin:

      Irish form of Eve
    • Meaning:

      "life"
    • Description:

      Eabha, along with Aoife and Aoibhe and even the Anglo Ava, are all Eve sisters or soundalikes in the Irish Top 100. Outside of Ireland, though, this Gaelic spelling would prove difficult. Confusingly for English speakers, this name beginning with E is pronounced as Ava, while the A-beginning Aoibhe is like Eva.
  19. Sinead
    • Origin:

      Irish form of Janet
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      One of the best known of the Irish girls' names, thanks to singer Sinead O'Connor. Though it's still in the Irish Top 100, it's no longer quite as fashionable in Ireland as Aoife or Aisling. But by now everyone in the Western World knows it's pronounced shin-aid and so would have no trouble fitting in on an American playground.
  20. Doreen
    • Origin:

      Variation of Dora; also Anglicized variation of Irish Doireann
    • Meaning:

      "sullen"
    • Description:

      Much fresher Irish imports available for colleens now.

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