Irish names.

Irish names that are actually Irish and not just Irish American. May use depending on my mood
  1. Ailis
    • Origin:

      Scottish Gaelic
    • Meaning:

      "noble"
    • Description:

      This attractive and unique Scottish form of Alice can also be found in the spelling Aileas. Like Alice, it ultimately derives from the Germanic name Adalheidis. Spelt with the fada, Ailís, it's Irish and pronounced with a longer final vowel: AY-leesh.
  2. 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.
  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. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Cathal
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  7. Clodagh
    • Origin:

      Irish river name
    • Description:

      A popular choice in Ireland, Clodagh was the name of a river and later a saint. The "cloddy" aspect of the name has prevented it from spreading beyond Ireland, but that could change. Famous namesakes are singer Clodagh Rodgers and chef Clodagh McKenna.
  8. Colm
    • Origin:

      Irish variation of Latin Columba
    • Meaning:

      "dove"
    • Description:

      Colm is a popular Irish name for boys that could immigrate, especially with its peaceful meaning. Colm Toibin is a contemporary Irish novelist and critic, author of The Master and Brooklyn; Colm Meaney is an Irish actor. Pronunciation is two syllables instead of one, like Colin with an 'm' at the end. Colm is related to Columba, Colom, Colum, Callum, and Malcolm.
  9. Diarmaid
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "free man"
    • Description:

      This authentic form of the name of an Irish mythological hero with the power to make women fall instantly in love with him would work far better here as the Anglicized Dermot.
  10. Dáithí
    • Origin:

      Irish, Gaelic
    • Meaning:

      "swiftness, nimbleness"
    • Description:

      An Irish mythology name belonging to a semi-legendary high king of Ireland, often equated with English David though not etymologically related.
  11. Eimear
    • Origin:

      Irish Gaelic
    • Meaning:

      "swift"
    • Description:

      Sometimes spelled Emer and pronounced "EE-mer," the legendary wife of Cuchulainn possessed the six gifts of womanhood: beauty, voice, speech, wisdom, chastity, and needlework. A fresh alternative to Emma, but the two have the potential to be frequently confused.
  12. Eithne
    • Origin:

      Gaelic
    • Meaning:

      "nut kernel"
    • Description:

      Pretty and soulful name of a goddess from Irish mythology and several Irish saints. Singer Enya, born Eithne Ní Bhraonáin, has made the Anglicized spelling familiar. Eithne comes from the vocabulary word "kernel", which was used as a term of praise in old bardic poetry.
  13. Fiadh
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "wild"
    • Description:

      Fiadh is the fastest-rising girls name in Ireland, derived from the ancient root word for "wild". Sassy but gentle at the same time, it also entered the England and Wales Top 1000 in 2020 and has been steadily rising ever since.
  14. Maeve
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "she who intoxicates"
    • Description:

      Maeve is a short and sweet name that has become one of the most stylish Irish names for girls in the modern US. Maeve would make an excellent first or middle name choice, with more heft than Mae/May and more modern charm than Mavis.
  15. Mairead
    • Origin:

      Irish, shortened fom of Mairghread, variation of Margaret
    • Meaning:

      "pearl"
    • Description:

      Pronounced MAW-rayt or ma-RAYD, Mairead is close enough to Maureen to be accepted here. The name became popular in Ireland due to admiration for the saint of that name. Peig and Peigi are its Irish-language nicknames.
  16. Niamh
    • Origin:

      Irish Gaelic
    • Meaning:

      "bright"
    • Description:

      Niamh, derived from the Old Irish Niam, is an ancient Irish name that was originally a term for a goddess. In Irish myth, one who bore it was Niamh of the Golden Hair, daughter of the sea god, who falls in love with Finn's son Oisin and takes him to the Land of Promise, where they stayed for three hundred years. Niamh can be Anglicized as Neve, Nieve, or Neave.
  17. 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.
  18. Oona
    • Origin:

      Irish, variation of Una
    • Meaning:

      "lamb"
    • Description:

      Oona is a name made famous by Eugene O'Neill's daughter, who became Charlie Chaplin's wife. One of the original Oona's granddaughters was named after her, and is now an actress famous in her own right for playing Talisa of Volantis in HBO's "Game of Thrones." The double-o beginning gives their name a lot of oomph.
  19. 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.
  20. Ruari