Irish Baby Names
Explore 280 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.
Ita
“Thirst for goodness”
Ita is an ancient Irish name meaning 'thirst for goodness' or 'thirst for holiness'. It is most closely associated with Saint Ita of Killeedy, one of the most revered female saints in early Irish Christianity, often called the foster-mother of the saints of Ireland.
Jarlath
“Tributary lord”
Jarlath is an ancient Irish name derived from the Old Irish Iarfhlaith, meaning tributary lord or lord who commands tribute. It is the name of one of Ireland's most important early Christian saints, Saint Jarlath of Tuam, who founded a renowned monastic school in County Galway during the sixth century. The monastery at Tuam became a major centre of learning and gave its name to the cathedral town that still stands there today. Jarlath is a name with deep Irish ecclesiastical and cultural roots.
Kathleen
“Pure, clear”
Kathleen is the anglicised form of Caitlin, the Irish version of the Old French Cateline, which itself derives from the Greek Aikaterine. The name means pure or clear and has been closely associated with Irish culture and identity for centuries. It carries a gentle warmth and timeless femininity that have kept it beloved across generations.
Keane
“Ancient, distant”
Keane is the anglicised form of the Irish given name Cian, meaning ancient or distant in time. It carries a sense of deep history and endurance, evoking something that stretches far back into the past. The name has roots in early Irish mythology and history, where Cian was the father of the sun god Lugh. As a surname turned given name, Keane has a distinctively Irish character that sits comfortably in both Irish and English-speaking contexts.
Keelan
“Slender, fair”
Keelan derives from the Irish Gaelic word 'caol', meaning slender or narrow. It is closely related to the name Caolán and shares its roots with other Irish names such as Keelin and Caolan. The name carries a light, graceful quality and has been used for both boys and girls in Ireland for generations, though it has a distinctly modern feel in its anglicised spelling.
Keelin
“Slender, fair”
Keelin is derived from the Old Irish 'caol', meaning slender or narrow, combined with a diminutive suffix. It reflects the Irish appreciation for graceful physical qualities and elegant simplicity. The name has a melodic, flowing quality that makes it appealing for both boys and girls. In Ireland it has been in continuous use, valued for its genuine Gaelic roots and its gentle, pleasing sound. It is sometimes anglicised from the Irish form Caoilfhinn, which adds the element 'fionn' meaning fair or white.
Keeva
“Gentle, beautiful”
Keeva is an anglicised form of the Irish name Caoimhe, meaning 'gentle', 'beautiful' or 'precious'. This spelling makes the pronunciation immediately accessible to English speakers whilst retaining the original's lovely meaning. The name has become especially popular among the Irish diaspora as a way of honouring Gaelic heritage without the pronunciation challenges of the original spelling.
Kennedy
“Helmeted head”
Kennedy derives from the Irish surname O'Cinneidigh, meaning 'descendant of Cinneidigh', where Cinneidigh is composed of 'ceann' (head) and 'eidigh' (helmeted or ugly). The name was borne by the father of Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland, giving it ancient Irish noble credentials. In modern usage, it carries strong associations with the American Kennedy political dynasty.
Kerry
“Dark-haired people”
Kerry is an Irish name derived from the Gaelic "Ciar," meaning dark or black, combined with a collective suffix, giving the meaning "dark-haired people" or "descendants of the dark one." It is also famously associated with a county in Ireland known for its stunning natural beauty. The name has a gentle, accessible sound that works well for both boys and girls.
Kevin
“Gentle birth”
Kevin derives from the Old Irish Caoimhin, a compound of caomh meaning gentle, handsome, or kind, and gin meaning birth. The name therefore carries the sense of one born of gentle nature. It was elevated to prominence through Saint Kevin of Glendalough, the sixth-century hermit and abbot whose monastery became one of Ireland's great centres of learning. Through missionary activity and later emigration, the name spread from its Irish homeland to become a fixture across the English-speaking world throughout the twentieth century.
Killian
“Church, monastery”
Killian is an anglicised form of the Irish name Cillian, derived from the Old Irish ceall meaning church or monastery. The name thus carries a spiritual significance, suggesting a connection to sacred space and religious community. Its most famous bearer, Saint Killian of Wurzburg, was an Irish missionary monk who brought the Christian faith to central Germany in the seventh century, giving the name a legacy of faith, courage, and dedication.
Labhaoise
“Light, radiance”
Labhaoise is a rare and beautifully melodious Irish feminine name related to Laoise and ultimately connected to the Latin name Louisa or Ludovica via complex etymological routes. In Irish tradition it carries connotations of light and brightness, evoking the warmth of the Irish landscape and the lyrical quality of the Irish language. Its pronunciation bears little resemblance to its spelling, a hallmark of the Irish language, and gives it an air of mystery and linguistic depth.
Labhraidh
“Speaker, spokesman”
Labhraidh derives from the Old Irish verb labraid, meaning to speak. It is a name that literally means one who speaks or spokesman, and by extension it implies eloquence, authority, and the power of words. Labhraidh Loingseach was a legendary High King of Ireland, and the name carries with it the weight of that ancient mythological tradition. It is the original Irish form from which the anglicised name Laurence was adopted in Ireland, though the two names are phonetically very different.
Labhrás
“Laurel, victory”
Labhrás is the Irish form of Laurence, ultimately derived from the Latin 'Laurentius', meaning 'from Laurentum' or one who wears the laurel wreath, a classical symbol of victory and honour. In Ireland the name took on its own phonetic and cultural identity, becoming associated with scholarly and ecclesiastical figures. It carries a dignified, learned quality alongside its classical associations with triumph.
Laoghaire
“Calf herder”
Laoghaire is an Old Irish name meaning calf herder or keeper of calves, derived from 'laogh' meaning calf and 'aire' meaning keeper or guardian. It is most famously associated with Laoghaire mac Neill, the High King of Ireland at the time of Saint Patrick's arrival, making it a name bound up with one of the most pivotal moments in Irish history. The name is ancient, noble, and deeply tied to the Irish landscape.
Laoise
“Light, radiance”
Laoise is a distinctly Irish name meaning light or radiance. While sometimes linked to the Continental name Louise, it has been embraced as a name in its own right within Irish Gaelic tradition. Its bright, lyrical quality captures the warmth and luminosity that make it a beloved choice among Irish-speaking families.
Lasairfhiona
“Flame of wine”
Lasairfhiona is a gloriously poetic compound name from the Irish language, formed from 'lasair', meaning flame or blaze, and 'fion', meaning wine. Together the name conjures an image of something passionate, warm, and intoxicatingly vivid, like the colour of red wine lit from within by fire. It is one of the most striking and rare names in the Irish tradition, known for its difficult spelling but enchanting sound.
Liadan
“Grey lady”
Liadan derives from the Old Irish 'liath', meaning grey, combined with a feminine suffix. The name evokes the grey of morning mist over Irish hills, the silver of moonlight on water, and the dignified silver of age. In Irish literature, Liadan was a gifted poetess whose ill-fated love for the poet Cuirithir is one of the most poignant romances in the Gaelic literary tradition. The name thus carries deep associations with poetry, beauty, and tragic passion.
Liam
“Strong-willed warrior”
An Irish short form of Uilliam, itself derived from the Germanic Wilhelm, meaning strong-willed warrior or resolute protector. Liam distils the power of its parent name into a single, punchy syllable.
Lochlann
“Land of lakes”
Lochlann derives from the Old Irish 'Lochlainn', the Irish name for Scandinavia, meaning land of lakes or land of fjords. Historically, Irish scribes used this term to refer to the homelands of the Norse Vikings who raided and settled Ireland from the 8th century onward. Over time the name transitioned from a place name to a personal name, carrying with it associations of adventure, exploration, and the wild northern seas. In modern Ireland it is embraced as a bold, storied given name with deep roots in Gaelic history.
Lonán
“Little blackbird”
Lonán is an Irish diminutive derived from 'lon', the Old Irish word for blackbird, with the affectionate diminutive suffix '-án' adding the sense of 'little'. The blackbird in Celtic tradition was associated with music, the otherworld, and poetic inspiration, making Lonán a name that carries a lyrical, melodic quality. It evokes a small, bright, and musical spirit.
Lorcan
“Little fierce one”
Lorcan comes from the Irish Gaelic 'lorc', meaning 'fierce' or 'cruel', combined with a diminutive suffix, creating the affectionate meaning 'little fierce one'.
Lucan
“Light”
Lucan is an Irish name possibly derived from the Old Irish 'luch' or linked to the Latin 'lux', both associated with light or brightness. It is also the name of a historic town west of Dublin, lending the name a strong sense of Irish place and identity. Lucan has a fresh, modern sound while carrying deep Irish roots.
Lugh
“Light, shining one”
Lugh is a striking Irish name meaning "light" or "shining one," drawn from one of the most important figures in Irish mythology. Lugh Lamhfhada (Lugh of the Long Arm) was a master of all arts and skills, a warrior, craftsman, and king among the Tuatha De Danann. The name carries a sense of brilliance, versatility, and heroic energy that has resonated through Celtic culture for millennia.
Lughaidh
“Oath of Lugh”
Lughaidh combines the name of Lugh, the great Celtic solar deity and master craftsman, with an element meaning oath or pledge. It was borne by several legendary High Kings of Ireland in the mythological cycles. The name represents devotion and allegiance to the most celebrated of the Irish gods, embodying the qualities of brilliance and skill attributed to Lugh.
Luiseach
“Light-bringer”
Luiseach is an Old Irish name derived from lus, meaning light or herb, combined with a suffix indicating one who brings or possesses a quality. The name is traditionally associated with illumination, healing, and the bringing of light into the world. It is an ancient Irish feminine name that predates the Norman influence on Irish naming conventions.
Macdara
“Son of oak”
Macdara is formed from the Irish 'mac', meaning son, and 'dara', meaning oak. The oak was a sacred tree in Celtic culture, symbolising strength, endurance, and deep roots. The name thus evokes a child who is firmly grounded and resilient, with a strong connection to the natural world and the ancient traditions of the Irish west.
Maedhbh
“She who intoxicates”
Maedhbh is an alternative traditional spelling of the ancient Irish name also rendered as Meadhbh or anglicised as Maeve, meaning she who intoxicates or she who causes great joy. All forms reference the legendary warrior queen of Connacht from the Ulster Cycle, one of the most powerful female figures in Irish mythology. The spelling preserves the older Gaelic orthography, honouring the name's deep roots.
Maeve
“She who intoxicates”
Maeve means 'she who intoxicates' or 'the cause of great joy,' derived from the Old Irish 'Medb.' It is the name of one of the most powerful and fascinating figures in Irish mythology, Queen Medb of Connacht.
Máirín
“Little Mary, beloved”
Máirín is an Irish diminutive of Máire, the Irish form of Mary, itself derived from the Hebrew 'Miriam', whose meaning is debated but often interpreted as beloved, wished-for child, or sea of bitterness. The diminutive suffix '-ín' adds a sense of smallness and affection, making Máirín effectively 'little Mary' or 'dear Mary'. The name is tender and lyrical, evoking both Marian devotion and the warmth of Irish affectionate naming.
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