Irish Baby Names
Explore 275 irish names, each with its own meaning, history, and pronunciation. Find one that carries the stories you want your child to grow up with.
Irish names carry centuries of Gaelic heritage, saintly tradition, and mythic storytelling. They are among the most musical names in European naming, and many travel easily beyond Ireland once the pronunciation has been heard once.
A short history
The Irish naming tradition is built in three layers. The oldest comes from the sagas: Oisin, Fionn, Cormac, Maeve. A second wave arrived with early Christianity, bringing the saints: Ciaran, Brigid, Patrick, Brendan. The third, and most recent, is the modern Gaelic revival of the 19th and 20th centuries, which brought names like Saoirse and Niamh back into everyday use.
Naming traditions
Traditional Irish families often named children for grandparents in a fixed order (eldest son for his paternal grandfather, eldest daughter for her maternal grandmother), which is why the same names recur across generations in Irish records. The suffix -an (as in Ronan, Oisin) is a diminutive meaning 'little', so Ronan is 'little seal' and Oisin is 'little deer'.
Sound and style
Irish spelling can look unfamiliar but follows consistent rules. The 'mh' and 'bh' consonant clusters soften to a v or w sound. The 'ao' vowel pair reads as a long ee. Most popular Irish names anglicise cleanly; a small group (Tadhg, Caoimhe, Oisin) need a brief pronunciation note but reward the effort.
Frequently asked
What is a traditional Irish naming pattern?
Traditional Irish families often named the eldest son after his paternal grandfather, the eldest daughter after her maternal grandmother, and so on. This is why the same names cluster through generations in Irish family records.
Why do Irish names have unusual spellings?
Irish is a different language with its own spelling system, and most Irish names retain the Gaelic spelling rather than being transliterated. Once you know the basic rules ('mh' and 'bh' sound like v or w, 'ao' sounds like ee), most names become readable.
Diarmuid
“Without enemy, free man”
Diarmuid is an ancient Irish name meaning "without enemy" or "free man," composed of the Old Irish elements "di" (without) and "airmit" (enemy or injunction). It is one of the great names of Irish mythology, forever linked to the tragic love story of Diarmuid and Grainne. The name carries a heroic weight that has endured for centuries.
Doireann
“Tempestuous, sullen”
Doireann comes from the Old Irish word meaning tempestuous or possibly fretting and sullen, derived from 'doireann' relating to stormy or fretting character. In Irish mythology, Doireann was a daughter of Midir, the fairy king of the Otherworld, and she features in several tales involving passion, enchantment and the otherworldly. Despite the literal meaning, the name has always carried romance and wildness rather than negativity, evoking the fierce beauty of the Irish landscape and character.
Donagh
“Brown warrior”
Donagh is an anglicised form of the Old Irish name Donnchadh, composed of 'donn' meaning brown or dark and 'cath' meaning battle or warrior. The name therefore means brown-haired warrior or dark warrior. It was a prestigious name in medieval Ireland, borne by kings and chieftains. The most famous bearer was Donnchadh mac Briain, son of Brian Boru, who succeeded his father as King of Munster after the Battle of Clontarf in 1014.
Donal
“World ruler”
Donal is the anglicised form of the Old Irish Domhnall, composed of the elements 'dumno' meaning world and 'val' meaning rule. It is a name of kingly authority, borne by several High Kings of Ireland and countless chieftains throughout Irish history. The name speaks to leadership, strength, and a deep connection to Gaelic heritage.
Donnacha
“Brown-haired warrior”
Donnacha is an Old Irish name formed from donn, meaning brown or dark-haired, and cath, meaning battle or warrior. The full meaning is therefore brown-haired warrior or dark champion. The name has strong royal associations in Irish history: Donnacha was the son of Brian Boru, the great High King of Ireland, and succeeded him as King of Munster after the Battle of Clontarf in 1014. The anglicised form of the name is Donagh or Dennis, though the Gaelic Donnacha has seen renewed use in recent decades.
Donncha
“Brown warrior”
Donncha is an older Irish spelling of Donnacha, formed from the Old Irish elements donn meaning brown or dark and cath meaning battle. Brown in early Irish culture referred to a dark complexion or dark hair, considered a mark of strength and vitality. The name was popular across several prominent Irish clans and dynasties and was borne by a son of the High King Brian Boru, giving it a significant place in Irish royal history.
Dubhghall
“Dark stranger”
Dubhghall combines the Irish Gaelic elements dubh, meaning dark or black, and gall, meaning stranger or foreigner. The name was historically used by the Irish to describe fair-haired Norse settlers, distinguishing the dark-haired Danes, Dubhghaill, from the fair-haired Norwegians, Finnghaill. It is the ancient ancestor of the anglicised name Dougal or Douglas in Scottish usage.
Eabha
“Life”
Eabha is the Irish Gaelic form of Eve, derived from the Hebrew Chavah meaning life or living. It represents one of the oldest names in recorded history, carried into the Irish tradition through early Christian influence. The distinctively Irish spelling gives it a fresh identity compared to Eve or Eva while retaining the same profound and universal meaning. In Ireland it has risen rapidly in popularity as parents seek names that are both timeless in meaning and authentically Gaelic in form.
Eachna
“Horse, skilled horsewoman”
Eachna is a rare and beautiful Irish girl's name derived from the Old Irish word 'each', meaning horse. The horse held great symbolic power in early Irish culture, representing nobility, freedom, and sovereignty, so a name rooted in this word carries considerable prestige. Eachna also appears in mythology as a woman celebrated for her beauty and wisdom.
Eamon
“Wealthy protector”
Eamon is the Irish form of Edmund, combining Old English elements meaning 'riches' and 'protection', creating a name that speaks of one who guards prosperity and stands as a shield for those in their care.
Eanna
“Bird-like”
Eanna derives from the Old Irish word 'en', meaning bird. The name evokes qualities associated with birds in Celtic tradition: freedom, vision, swiftness, and a connection between the earthly and spiritual realms. In Irish mythology, birds were frequently messengers of the otherworld or symbols of transformation. Eanna was also the name of a legendary High King of Ireland, adding a regal dimension to this poetic, nature-rooted name.
Earnán
“Knowing, experienced”
Earnán is an Irish name carrying the sense of someone experienced, knowing, or knowledgeable. It is related to the Old Irish word for iron and also carries connotations of endurance and strength. The name has a grounded, earthy quality that suits it well to families seeking a strong and uncommon Irish choice.
Eavan
“Beautiful radiance”
Eavan is an anglicised form of the Old Irish Aoibheann, meaning beautiful, radiant, or pleasant. The original name combines aoibh, meaning beauty or pleasantness, with a diminutive suffix. It appears in early Irish mythology and literature as the name of several noble and divine women. Irish poet Eavan Boland brought the name to international recognition through her influential body of work.
Eileen
“Bright, shining light”
Eileen is an anglicised form of the Irish Eibhlín, itself descended from the Norman French Aveline. Through the chain of etymology, it ultimately shares roots with the ancient Greek name Helene, connecting Eileen to a meaning of bright, shining, or radiant. The name has been beloved in Ireland for centuries and carries the warmth of a long and affectionate history.
Eilis
“Pledged to God”
Eilis is the traditional Irish Gaelic form of Elizabeth, itself derived from the Hebrew 'Elisheba', meaning my God is an oath or pledged to God. The name was brought into Ireland through the biblical and Catholic tradition but was thoroughly naturalised in the Irish language, acquiring its distinctive spelling and the characteristic Irish pronunciation. Through the beloved novel and film 'Brooklyn' by Colm Toibin, the name Eilis Lacey has become one of the most recognisable Irish literary heroines of the modern era, lending the name considerable contemporary cultural resonance.
Eimear
“Swift, ready”
Eimear is a variant spelling of Emer, the name of the wife of Cu Chulainn, the greatest hero of Irish mythology. The name is traditionally interpreted as meaning 'swift' or 'ready', qualities embodied by the legendary Eimear who possessed the six gifts of womanhood. This modern spelling preserves the connection to one of Ireland's most celebrated heroines.
Eithlinn
“Kernel, nut”
Eithlinn is an ancient Irish name whose meaning relates to a kernel or nut, suggesting the seed of life held within a hard protective shell. In Irish mythology, Eithlinn was the daughter of Balor of the Evil Eye, king of the Fomorians. Her father imprisoned her in a crystal tower on Tory Island to prevent a prophecy that his grandson would kill him. She eventually became the mother of Lugh, the sun god and master of all arts, making her a figure of pivotal mythological importance.
Eithne
“Kernel, grain”
Eithne is an ancient Irish name meaning "kernel" or "grain," derived from the Old Irish word etne. The meaning speaks to something essential and nourishing, the vital core from which life grows. It is one of the oldest names in the Irish tradition, borne by queens, saints, and mythological figures across many centuries. The celebrated singer Enya uses an anglicised phonetic spelling of this name.
Emer
“Swift, ready”
Emer is an ancient Irish name meaning swift or ready, suggesting a person of quick intelligence and prepared spirit. In Irish mythology, Emer was the wife of the great hero Cu Chulainn and was celebrated as a woman who possessed the six gifts of womanhood: beauty, voice, sweet speech, needlework, wisdom and chastity. She is regarded as one of the great heroines of the Ulster Cycle, a woman of formidable character who was Cu Chulainn's equal in wit and spirit.
Enda
“Bird-like”
From the Old Irish word en, meaning bird. Saint Enda of Aran founded one of the earliest Irish monasteries on the Aran Islands and is considered a father of Irish monasticism. Though traditionally masculine and deeply rooted in Irish Christian heritage, Enda is occasionally used for girls and has a gentle, natural quality.
Énna
“Birdlike, swift”
Énna is an ancient Irish name possibly connected to the Old Irish word for bird, suggesting qualities of swiftness, freedom, and a soaring spirit. It is borne by several significant figures in early Irish mythology and history, lending it a heroic and storied character. The name evokes the wild freedom of the Irish landscape and the great mythological cycles that animate it.
Ennae
“Bird”
Ennae is an archaic Irish form related to the name Eanna, derived from Old Irish roots associated with the word for bird. The name evokes the ancient Celtic reverence for birds as messengers between the mortal world and the otherworld. It appears in early Irish genealogies and ecclesiastical records, lending it an air of deep antiquity.
Eoghan
“Born of the yew tree”
Eoghan comes from the Old Irish word 'eo,' meaning yew tree, suggesting a person born of or connected to the yew. The yew tree was sacred in Celtic tradition, symbolising longevity and resilience. The name is deeply rooted in Irish mythology and royal genealogy, borne by legendary kings and warriors.
Ethna
“Kernel”
Ethna is an anglicised form of the Old Irish name Eithne, derived from the word eithne meaning kernel, grain, or the innermost seed of a nut or fruit. The kernel is the most essential, concentrated part of a living thing, and the name carries a sense of being the heart of something precious. Eithne was borne by several significant figures in early Irish mythology and hagiography, including the mother of the god Lugh in the Tuatha De Danann cycle and Saint Eithne, a daughter of the high king Laoghaire who was one of the first women baptised by Saint Patrick. The name is quietly beautiful, with deep roots in Irish tradition.
Eveny
“Swift”
Eveny is an anglicised form of the old Irish name Aibhne, itself linked to the concept of swiftness and, by some accounts, to the movement of rivers. The name has a gentle, melodic quality that sits naturally alongside the broader revival of rare Irish names. It is extremely uncommon outside Ireland, giving it a distinctly rare and authentic character for parents drawn to Celtic heritage without resorting to more familiar choices.
Fachtna
“Hostile, contentious”
Fachtna is an ancient Irish name derived from the Old Irish word meaning hostile or contentious. Despite its literal meaning, the name was borne by saints and kings throughout Irish history. Saint Fachtna of Rosscarbery, who founded a celebrated monastic school in County Cork in the 6th century, is the name's most distinguished bearer. The name represents a category of early Irish names whose meanings were descriptive rather than aspirational, reflecting the warrior culture of early medieval Ireland.
Faolán
“Little wolf”
Faolán comes from the Irish word 'faol', meaning wolf, combined with the affectionate diminutive suffix '-án', producing the meaning 'little wolf'. The wolf was a powerful symbol in Celtic culture, associated with loyalty, ferocity, and independence. This name carries a wild, spirited energy while remaining distinctly Irish in character.
Fearghus
“Man of vigour, strong man”
Fearghus is the older Irish form of Fergus, derived from the ancient Gaelic elements 'fear' (man) and 'gus' (vigour, strength, force). Together they produce the meaning 'man of vigour' or 'strong man', a name that projects confidence and power. It was borne by some of the most celebrated figures in Irish and Scottish mythology and history.
Feidhelm
“Ever good”
Feidhelm comes from Old Irish and is interpreted as meaning ever good or constantly beautiful, derived from elements suggesting perpetual goodness or lasting excellence. The name is most celebrated in Irish mythology as the name of Feidhelm Noichride, the great prophetess of Connacht who appears in the Tain Bo Cuailnge. Her gift of prophetic vision and her courageous honesty in delivering difficult truths to Queen Medb make her one of the most memorable figures in the Irish mythological tradition.
Felim
“Ever good, constant”
Felim is an anglicised form of the Irish Gaelic name Feidhlim, meaning 'ever good' or 'constant'. It carries connotations of steadfastness, moral goodness, and enduring character. The name has a long and distinguished history in Irish culture, borne by kings and saints alike.
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