The Top Baby Names in Ireland Right Now: A 2026 Guide
Namekin Team
Editorial
TL;DR
Ireland's 2026 baby name charts blend Gaelic heritage with global favourites. Boys lean on classics like Jack, Noah and James alongside Rian, Oisin and Tadhg, while the culture holds its Irish identity close without turning away from international trends. It is one of the most distinctive charts in the English-speaking world.
Irish baby name charts are some of the most distinctive in the English-speaking world. Drawing on the latest Central Statistics Office data, the 2026 rankings show a culture that holds its Gaelic heritage close while staying open to the international classics. The result is a top ten that feels both unmistakably Irish and refreshingly modern.
The most popular boys' names in Ireland
Ireland's top ten boys' names this year:
- Jack
- Noah
- James
- Rian
- Charlie
- Daniel
- Oisin
- Liam
- Tadhg
- Cillian
The most popular girls' names in Ireland
Ireland's top ten girls' names this year:
- Emily
- Grace
- Fiadh
- Sophie
- Mia
- Ellie
- Ava
- Lily
- Hannah
- Lucy
Gaelic names holding their ground
What makes the Irish charts unique is the steady presence of Gaelic names alongside international picks. Names like Oisin, Tadhg, Cillian, Fiadh and Saoirse all sit comfortably in the top twenty. Unlike many other English-speaking countries, Ireland has not seen its traditional names pushed aside by global trends. If anything, Gaelic names have gained ground in recent years.
Ireland is one of the few places where a child's name is as likely to be written in Irish as in English. That cultural pride shows in every year's top ten.
The rise of Fiadh
Fiadh, pronounced FEE-ah, meaning wild, has been one of the most remarkable risers in recent Irish naming data. From relative obscurity a decade ago, it now sits firmly in the top three. Its climb is a small case study in how a beautiful meaning, a soft sound and a distinctively Irish identity can drive a name into the mainstream very quickly.
Regional and cultural signals
Irish naming varies notably between Dublin and rural counties, and between Irish-speaking Gaeltacht regions and English-dominant areas. Gaelic names are more common in the west of Ireland, while Dublin and the east tend to see a higher share of international classics. Either way, the overall direction of the charts is confidently Irish.
Whether you are drawn to the lyrical beauty of Gaelic names or prefer the international classics that sit alongside them, Ireland's naming culture offers some of the richest material in Europe.
