Ending in "nen"
- Ronan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"little seal"Description:
Ronan is the compelling legendary name of twelve Irish and Scottish saints that is now drawing some deserved attention; this cousin of the ascending Roman and Rowan was chosen by actor Daniel Day-Lewis and his writer-director wife Rebecca Miller in 1998, and more recently by actress Catherine Bell.
- Rhiannon
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"divine queen"Description:
Most of us had never heard this lovely Welsh name with links to the moon until we heard the 1976 smash hit Fleetwood Mac song of that name, with lyrics by Stevie Nicks. That same year it popped onto the U.S. Top 1000 at Number 593.
- Brennan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"descendent of the sad one"Description:
Brennan is a winning Irish surname name, more modern than Brian or Brendan, more unusual than Conor and Aidan. The only possible problem with Brennan: people might think you're saying Brendan.
- Lennon
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"lover"Description:
A growing number of high-profile (and other) parents are choosing to honor their musical idols, such as Hendrix, Presley, Jagger, and now Lennon.
- Lonan
Origin:
Manx, IrishMeaning:
"little blackbird"Description:
Typically spelled as Lonán in Ireland, Lonan is its Manx form, though it could also be considered the anglicized form too. The name comes from the Irish lon meaning "blackbird", paired with a diminutive suffix, making this a charming nature-related choice that could make a nice Logan/Conan alternative.
- Conan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"little wolf"Description:
The fierce image of the Barbarian made a complete turnaround thanks to amiable talk show host O'Brien, making Conan one of the newly desirable Irish choices, a perfect alternative to Conor/Connor.
- Shannon
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"old and wise"Description:
The name of the longest river in the British Isles rose to the US Top 25 for girls in the 1970s and the Top 100 for boys, but has fallen off the Top 1000 for both genders. At the latest count, the name Shannon was given to about 200 babies in the US, about a third of those boys. As a favorite Irish name, Shannon has now been supplanted by newcomers such as Saoirse and Seanan.
- Algernon
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"moustached man"Description:
While this name came into being in the Victorian era as a nickname for a man with whiskers, the name was quickly embraced as a true name by the Victorians and is likely most familiar to you as the name of Oscar Wilde's fabulous character in The Importance of being Earnest . However, Algernon is not confined to the fictional world of satire; many real world namesakes exist including US footballer Algernon Crumpler (aka Alge Crumpler), British impressionist painter Algernon Talmage, and Canadian astrophysicist Joseph Algernon Pearce, who discovered many thinks about the Milky Way. Plus, who can go past the adorable nickname Algie?
- Keenan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"ancient"Description:
This name of three ancient saints, one Wayans brother, and an NFL wide receiver makes an energetic choice.
- Gannon
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"fair-skinned, fair-haired"Description:
The name of a historic Irish leader, Gannon has a solid, yet spirited feel. It was one of the fastest-rising names of 2014, but that trend didn't continue. One pop culture influence was the name of Teen Mom 3 son Gannon Dewayne McKee.
- Vernon
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"place of alders"Description:
Once aristocratic British surname yet to be revived. Vince Vaughn recently gave his son the same double initials as his own when he named him Vernon Vaughn.
- Tiernan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"little lord"Description:
Tiernan is the slightly edgier and sharper cousin of Kiernan. This is one Irish surname that is attractive but distinctive; Tierney is another, related, option.
- Kenan
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"possession"Description:
The biblical character Kenan was a great-grandson of Adam and a direct ancestor of Noah. As in Christianity, Kenan is honored in Islam.
- Senan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"little old one"Description:
St. Senán was a famed 6th-century monk, who founded a monastery on Inis Cathaigh whose ruins can still be seen today. Legend has it that before he could found the monastery, he had to banish a great monster. Typically spelled as Senán, this name is popular in Ireland and Northern Ireland where it ranks in the Top 100.
- Cannon
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
Cannon sits amongst other weapon names like Colt, Pistol, Lance, and Remington. Definitely a name that offers bombast.
- Cronin
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"descendant of Croínín"Description:
Cronin is a masculine name of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic surname 'Ó Croínín,' meaning "descendant of Croínín" (a diminutive of 'cron,' meaning saffron-colored or tawny). As a first name, Cronin represents the growing trend of using traditional surnames as given names, particularly those with strong cultural heritage. Though rare as a first name, it carries the weight of Irish history and literature, potentially evoking connections to notable bearers of the surname like Irish writer Anthony Cronin or physician John Gregory Cronin. The name has a strong, distinctive sound with its crisp consonants and possesses an intellectual, distinguished quality that appeals to parents seeking an uncommon name with authentic cultural roots.
- Finnan
Description:
Finnan is a masculine name with Irish and Scottish Gaelic origins. It can be a variation of Fionn/Finn (meaning 'fair' or 'white') or derive from the name Fionnán, a diminutive of Fionn. The name may also relate to Saint Finnan, a 6th-century Irish missionary. In Scotland, Finnan is additionally associated with a type of smoked haddock ('Finnan haddie'). The name has seen modest increased usage in recent years as part of the trend toward Celtic names and shorter forms like Finn. Finnan offers more distinctiveness than the popular Finn while maintaining the same appealing Irish heritage. It has a gentle strength with its soft consonants and rhythmic two-syllable structure, appealing to parents seeking something traditional yet not overused.
- Adnan
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"settler"Description:
Adnan in the Muslim religion was an ancestor of Muhammad. More recently, the name was introduced to many Westerners via Adnan Syed, the young man at the center of the sensational Serial podcast.
- Brannan
Description:
Brannan is a masculine name of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic surname Ó Braonáin, meaning 'descendant of Braonán' (a personal name related to 'braon' meaning 'sorrow' or 'drop of rain'). This distinctive name carries a strong Celtic heritage while maintaining a contemporary sound that works well in modern contexts. Brannan may also be associated with Brannan Island in California, named after early American settler Samuel Brannan. As a first name, Brannan remains relatively uncommon, offering families a recognizable yet distinctive choice that avoids being overly popular. The name shares phonetic similarities with more common names like Brandon and Brennan, making it accessible while maintaining its unique identity. Brannan projects a strong, masculine image with its sharp consonants and has appeal for families seeking Irish heritage names that aren't overused.
- Renon
Origin:
ItalianMeaning:
"place and surname"Description:
Straightforward but very unusual choice, deriving from a place name in Italy.