Irish Names that Look Best not Anglicized

  1. Aine
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "brightness, splendor"
    • Description:

      More commonly seen here as Anya, this traditional yet unique Irish name belonged to the queen of the Munster fairies and is sprinkled throughout Irish folklore as an early Celtic goddess of summer and prosperity. One of the most popular baby names in Ireland, Aine's spelling and pronunciation might seem simple but could prove confusing in the U.S.
  2. Aodh
    • Origin:

      Gaelic
    • Meaning:

      "fire"
    • Description:

      Aodh, the name of the Celtic sun god meaning "fire", was common in early Scotland. It's also the origin of the wildly popular Irish name Aidan (originally Aodhán). Its pronunciation varies depending on region: AY or EE are Irish pronunciations, and in Scotland it's closer to UH, and has been Anglicized as Hugh.
  3. Aoife
    • Origin:

      Irish Gaelic
    • Meaning:

      "beautiful, radiant"
    • Description:

      Aoife, pronounced EE-fa, is derived from the Irish word aoibh, meaning "beauty." Aoife was borne by several different heroines of ancient Irish legend. In one tale, she was the fiercest woman warrior in the world and enemy of her twin sister, Scathach.
  4. Ailill
    • Bride
      • Origin:

        Irish
      • Meaning:

        "strength or exalted one"
      • Description:

        Technically a pet form of Brigid and very commonly heard in Ireland, but pronunciation problems complicate Bride as a name choice in America.
    • Callaghan
      • Origin:

        Irish
      • Meaning:

        "lover of churches"
      • Description:

        A classic Irish "top-o'-the-mornin' surname with a lot of rhythm and pizzazz.
    • Caoimhe
      • Origin:

        Irish, Scottish
      • Meaning:

        "beautiful"
      • Description:

        Caoimhe, pronounced (more properly) kwee-va or kee-va, is a pretty and distinctive Gaelic name but one that could well lead to no end of confusion outside the Irish community. Even in its native habitat, it is sometimes spelled Keeva.
    • Cairbre
      • Fiachra
        • Origin:

          Irish
        • Meaning:

          "crow, raven"
        • Description:

          In Irish legend Fiachra was one of the four children of Lir who were turned into swans for 900 years. St Fiachra is the patron saint of gardeners.
      • Grainne
        • Origin:

          Irish
        • Meaning:

          "grain or love"
        • Description:

          Grainne is the Irish form of the name often Anglicized as Grania. It was the name of the ancient grain goddess and also of the fiancee of mythological hero Finn McCool and lover of Dermot, who was a heroine of the seas.
      • 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.
      • Oisin
        • Origin:

          Irish
        • Meaning:

          "little deer"
        • Description:

          Oisin is one of the most popular Irish baby names in its native land, though largely unknown in the US. The original Oisin was the mythological son of Finn McCool and Sadb, the goddess who was changed into a deer. A legendary war hero and poet, Oisin had a name that is also reminiscent in sound of the ocean. Pronounced correctly, this name has an attractive sheen.
      • Orfhlaith
        • Roisin
          • Origin:

            Irish
          • Meaning:

            "little rose"
          • Description:

            No, the pronunciation--ro-SHEEN--isn't immediately obvious to the non-Gaelic viewer, but the sound of this shiny Irish version of Rose is pretty enough to make it worth considering. Very popular in its native Ireland, it's one of many Irish girl names finding a wider audience. Earlier generations Anglicized at as Rosaleen, but we stay stick to the original.
        • Saoirse
          • Origin:

            Irish
          • Meaning:

            "liberty"
          • Description:

            Before the young Irish actress Saoirse Ronan made her mark in the films Ladybird and The Lovely Bones, few of us had heard this name, let alone known how to pronounce it. But now it is slowly way edging its way into the mainstream, particularly, of course, with parents who have Irish roots. It made its first appearance in the US Top 1000 in 2016, when it was the third-fastest-rising girls' name.
        • Siobhan
          • Origin:

            Irish Gaelic
          • Meaning:

            "god is gracious"
          • Description:

            Siobhan is the Irish variation of Joan, which is derived from the ancient Anglo-Norman name Jehanne. In this way Siobhan is indirectly related to the name Sinead—the Irish form of Jeannette, which also derived from Jehanne—although Sinead is not a nickname for Siobhan. Siobhan was the name of several early Irish queens and was introduced to the American public by the actress Siobhan McKenna.