Name like a local - Boston

  1. Blaine
    • Origin:

      Irish and Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "yellow"
    • Description:

      Attractive Scottish and Irish surname name of a seventh-century saint, associated with the illusionist and escape artist David Blaine.
  2. 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.
  3. Elva
    • Origin:

      Icelandic and Danish form of Alf, anglicized form of Ailbhe, Irish
    • Meaning:

      "bright, light, white; elf"
    • Description:

      Elva is a multicultural choice, being both an anglicization of the Irish Ailbhe and an feminine form of the name Alf, meaning "elf". Popular in the US at the beginning of the 20th century, it remaining in the charts until the '70s, but it has not been given since. The alternative form Alva has faired slightly better, while in Ireland, Ailbhe remains the preferred spelling. Nevertheless, Elva combines the sounds of Elsa, Ella, Eva, and Ever and may also appeal to those expecting a baby at Christmas.
  4. Mckenna
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "son of Kenneth"
    • Description:

      Mackenzie begat McKenna - a catchy but very trendy choice. While the Mc or Mac prefix means "son of," this is much more popular as a girl name in the US, peaking at #177 in 2002.
  5. 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.
  6. Malachy
    • Origin:

      Irish version of Malachi, Hebrew, or Secundus, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "my messenger; second"
    • Description:

      This spelling, which came to the attention of readers of the best-selling Angela's Ashes as the name of author Frank McCourt's father and brother, the latter of whom wrote a bestseller of his own, lends the biblical name a more expansive, almost boisterous image. Malachy is one of the Irish baby names that manages to strike the golden mean between familiarity and distinctiveness.
  7. Nessa
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian
    • Meaning:

      "headlands, promontory"
    • Description:

      Like its cousin Tessa, Nessa -- a shortening of Vanessa or Agnes or Anastasia among other possibilities -- is an attractive nickname that can stand on its own.
  8. Darragh
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  9. 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 to English speakers. 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.
  10. Breccan
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "freckled, speckled"
    • Description:

      This Irish name of a saint from the Isle of Aran also appears in myth and fantasy fiction, giving it an intriguing, mystical air.
  11. Aisling
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "dream, vision"
    • Description:

      Aisling is currently a very popular Irish name for girls. Pronounced variously as ASH-ling, ASH-lin or ash-LEEN, it was part of the revival of authentic Irish names in the twentieth century, and is now being sparingly used by U.S. parents in place of the dated Ashley--though often spelled phonetically as Ashlyn or Ashlynn.
  12. 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.
  13. Finola
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "white shoulders"
    • Description:

      Finola, the readily accessible version of some of the more problematic Gaelic versions of the name, would make a welcome addition to the stockpot of Irish girls' names.
  14. Tullia
    • Origin:

      Feminine from of Tullius, Roman
    • Meaning:

      "meaning unknown"
    • Description:

      The unusual and intriguing Tullia has been used since Roman times and may appeal to parents who like Tallulah, Julia, and Lillia but want something that's very rarely heard.
  15. Isora
    • Origin:

      Variation of Isadora
    • Description:

      This contracted form of Isadora makes for a more concise name that might catch the attention of modern parents.
  16. Cliona
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "shapely"
    • Description:

      Attached in Irish mythology to a Cliona who was, among other things, an inspirer of poets. Cliona is well-used in modern Ireland, along with Irish form Cliodhna, though it's largely unknown in the rest of the world.
  17. Connall