Traditional Irish Names

 








 

 

Here is the master list of Irish names. These are the names of saints and names from history and myth. The approximate pronunciations are given, as names vary in dialects. It is also difficult to spell out some sounds in the Irish language into English, as certain sounds don't exist in English.

If you haven't done so already, non-Irish speakers please see the the pronunciation guide.
name approx. pronounciation other forms* meaning
Abbán (m) OB awn Abban, Abán little abbot
Ádhamhnán (m) AH yum nawn Eunan the timorous one
Aibhne (m) EV nyeh Eveny; Aveny meaning is unknown
Ailbhe (m/f) AL vyeh Alvy; Ailbe Either from ail, "rock," albho, "white" or Gaulish albiorix "world king."
Ailill (m) AL yil Irial, Elias "elf; sprite"
Aillean (f) AL yan - meaning is unknown
Aimhirghin (m) AV ir yin Amargein, Aimirgin Born of song
Ainbheartach (m) AN v'yar takh Ainbertach doer of evil deeds
Áinle (m) AN l'yeh Áindle, Ánle hero, champion, warrior
Áine (f) AW nya Anya delight; pleasure
Áinfean (f) AWN f'yun Ainbthech storm; fury; violence
Ainnir (f) AN nyir Ainder young woman
Ainníleas (m) AN Y'EEL 'yas Aindíles has uncertain parentage, perhaps adopted
Aithche (f) AH h'yeh Atty meaning is unknown
Álmhath (f) AWL uh va Alva meaning is unknown
Ámhra (m) AWV ra Adamrae "very wonderful"
Ana (f) A na Ana; Dana; Anu "wealth" or "abundance"
Anamcha (m) AN am uh ka Animosus, Ambrose spirited
Ánrothán (m) AWN ruh hawn Anrahan, Hanrahan either "second-degree poet," "sun-traveller," "champion," or "nobleman second to the king"
Aodh (m) AWD, EE Áed, Hugh from Aed, the Celtic god of fire, whose names means, appropriately enough, "fire."
Aodhamair (f) AY mur - derived from Aed (see Aodh)
Aodhán (m) AY awn Aodan; Aidan diminutive of Aed (see Aodh).
Aodnait (f) AY nut Enat Aodh + feminine ending
Aoibheann (f) EE vyin; EE van Eavan; Aoibhínn "beautiful radiance"
Aoibhegréine (f) eev GRAIN yeh Evgren; Aíbgréine "radiance of the sun"
Aoife (f) EE fa; WEE fa - "beautiful; radiant"
Aonghus (m) ENG yus Angus; Óengus; Áengus, Aeneas possibly "sole strength" or "true choice"
Báine (f) BAWN yeh - "paleness; whiteness"
Bairrfhionn (m) BER in Berrin, Bairrion, Barry "fair-haired"
Banbha (f) BAN uh va Banba the name of an ealy goddess, and was also used as name for Ireland
Bardán (m) BAR dawn Bardan "poet; bard"
Baoth (m) BEE Baeth vain; reckless; foolish
Beag (m/f) B'YAG Becc little; small
Beagán (m) B'YAG awn Beccán small, little lad
Bébhinn (f) BAY vin Bevan; Bébhionn fair lady
Bearach (m/f) BAR akh Berach; Berrach pointed or sharp
Bláthín (f) BLAW heen - little flower
Bláthnaid (f) BLAW nid Blánaid; Bláthnait little flower
Blinne (f) BLI nyeh Monina; Moninne form of Monnine (see also)
Breacán (m) BREK awn Breccan freckled; speckled
Breasal (m) BRAS sal Brassal Basil brave or strong in conflict
Bríghid (f) BREED Bríd; Brigid; Breda ; Bríde high goddess
Brion(m) BREE un Brian noble or high
Brocc (m) BRUK Brock, Broc badger or sharp-faced
Brógán (m) BRO gawn Brogan; Bróccán meaning is unknown
Brónach (f) BRO nakh Brona; Bronagh sorrowful
Buadhach (m) BOO ach Buach, Buagh, Boethius, Victor victorious
Cairbre CAR bryeh Carbry a fairly common name in medieval Ireland, this name means possibly, "charioteer" or "bearer"
Cairell (m) CA rel Kerrill; Karel; Coireall, Cyril ??
Calbhach (m) COL vakh Calvagh, Charles bald
Caoilfhionn (f) KEE lin; KWAY linn Keelin; Kaylin; Caoilinn; Caoileann fair and slender
Caoimhe (f) KEE va; KWEE va Keeva; Keavy beauty or grace
Caoimhín (m) KEE veen; KWEE veen Kevin; Cáemgen beautiful birth
Cass (m) CAS Cas curly-haired
Cassair (m) CAS sir - curly-haired
Cassán (m) CAS awn Cassan little curly-haired one
Cathaír (m) KA heer Cahir; Cathaoir, Charles possibly means "battle lord"
Cathal (m) KA hul Cahal; Cahill, Charles strong in battle
Cathán (m/f) CA hawn Cahan; Kane;Cahán battler
Ceallach (m/f) KAL ukh Kelly bright headed
Ceara (f) KYAR a Cara; Carra fiery red
Cearbhall(m) KYAR ull Cearúl, Carroll, Charles brave in sword-fighting; valorous in battle
Cian (m) KEE in Keane ancient
Ciar (f) KEE ir Keir; Kira;Ciara black
Ciarán (m) KEE a rawn Kieran black
Cillian (m) KIL ee an Killian; Cillín; Cilléne church
Cináed (m) KIN awd Kenneth; Cinneath; Cináeth; Cinnead possibly from Pictish; meaning is unknown
Clíodhna (f) KLEE uh na Cliona; Cleana; Clíona from Celtic mythology; meaning is unknown
Coinneach (m sometimes f) CON yach Cainneach, Canice, Charles, Kenny ?
Colmán (m) KUL mawn Colman; Colm from Latin; 'dove'
Comhghall (m) KU wull Cowal; Comgal fellow hostage
Conall (m) KUL al Connell; Conal strong as a wolf
Conán (m) KUN awn Conan hound or wolf
Conchobhar (m) KRU hur Conor; Conchobar lover of hounds
Conlaodh (m) Kun lee Conley; Conleth; Conláed prudent fire
Conn(m) KUN, KOWN Constantine Wisdom, chief
Cormac (m) KUR a mac Cormac son of the defiler?
Coinneach (m) CON yach Cainneach, Canice, Charles, Kenny sorrowful
Cuán (m) KOO awn Cúán diminutive of Cu, meaning "hound"
Cúmhaí (m) koo VEE, koo EE Hughey, Quinton hound of the plain
Curnán (m) KUR nawn Curnan ?
Daigh (m) DEI Daig flame; fire
Daighre (m) DEI r'yeh Daigre flame, fire
Daimhín (m) DA veen Davin; Daimíne deer or ox
Dáire (m) DAW reh Darragh; Dary Dudley fruitful; fertile
Dáirine (f) DAW rin yeh Darina fruitful; fertile
Dáirinn (f) DAWR inn Derinn; Doreen; Dorind daughter of Fionn?
Dallán (m) DAL awn Dallan blind
Damhnait (f) DAV nat Devnet; Davnat; Damhnat fawn
Deaglán (m) DEG lawn Declan; Declán possibly- full of goodness?
Dearbhail (f) DJAR val Derval Daughter of Fál (another name of Ireland)
Deirbhile (f) DJIR vil a Dervla, Dervila daughter of a poet
Deirdre (f) DAIR dreh Deirdre; Deedra; Deirdriu perhaps "chatterer" or could be derived from a name beginning with der- meaning "daughter (of)"
Deasmumhnach (m) DAS moo nach Desmond, Deasún man from Desmond (in Co. Cork)
Diarmaid (m) DEER mid Dermot; Diarmuid; Diarmait without injunction or envy? freeman? charioteer?
Dairinn(f) DAWR in Darina, Doireann, Dorind Doreen, Dorothy, Dolly daughter of Fionn?
Domhnall (m) DUN nal Donal; Dónal, Daniel world mighty
Donnchadh (m) DUN a kha Donagh; Donnacha; Donncha, Dennis, Dionysus brown lord
Dunfhlaith (f) DUN a la Dunla; Donnfhlaith; Dunflaith brown princess
Dubhaltach(m) DOO al tach Doalty Dudley dark-limbed, black-jointed
Dubhgall (m) DU gal Dougal; Dubgall dark foreigner
Dubhghlas (m) DU las Douglas blue black
Eadan (f) AH dan Etan -
Ealadha (m) AL a ha Elatha art; craft
Easnadh (f) AS na Esnad musical sound
Eibhear (f) AY var Éber, Heber, Harry, Ivor ?
Éile (f) AYL yeh - ?
Éirne (f) AYR nyeh Erne ?
Éamonn (m) AY mun Eamon; Éamann from English; wealthy guardian
Éanna (m) AY na Enda birdlike
Earnán (m) AHR nawn Ernan, Ernest iron?
Éibhleann (f) AYV len Evlin; Ébliu; Éblenn; Éibhliu beauty; radiance
Echna (f) EKH na - steed
Éimhín (m & f) AY veen Evin; Aeveen; Éimíne prompt; ready
Eirnín (m/f) ER neen Ernin; Erníne iron
Eithne (f) EN a; EN yeh Enya kernal or gorse
Émer (f) AY mer Emer; Éimear; Éimer ??
Eoghan (m) OH in Owen; Eógan born of the yew
Étaín (f) AY teen Aideen; Éadaoin jealousy
Fachtna (m and f) FACHT na Festus, Festie, Fantasius malicious; hostile
Fainche (f) FINE kha Fanny ??
Faolán (m) FWAY lawn Fillan; Fáelán wolf
Fearchar (m) FAR char Farquar friendly
Feardorcha (m) far DUR a cha Frederick, Ferdinand dark man
Fearghal (m) FER ul Farrell; Fergal manly or valorous
Fearghus (m) FER a ghus Fergus strength of a man
Fechín (m) FEH kheen Fechin; Fechíne raven or battle
Feidhelm (f) FY elm Fidelma; Fedelm ??
Feidhlim (m and f) FEH lim Phelim, Felim Felix, Phillip ?
Feme (f) FE va - young woman; girl
Féthnaid (f) FAY nid Fenit; Féthnat ??
Fiachra (m) FEE a khra Fiacre battle-king
Fial (m) FEE ul Feale modest; honorable; generous
Fianait (f) FEE uh nit Feenat wild creature; deer
Finnén (m) FIN yain Finnian fair
Finnseach (m) FIN shakh Finsha; Finnsech blonde lady
Fionn (m) FYUN Finn fair; white
Fionnait (f) FYUN it Finnat, Fennat fair-haired; white
Fionúir (f) FYUN oor Fennore; Fionnbhair; Fionnabair ghost, spirit
Fionnbharr (m) FYUN var Finbar fair haired
Fionnghuala (f) fyun OO la Fenella; Finola; Fionnuala; Nuala fair shouldered
Fionntán (m) FYUN tawn Fintan; Fiontan white ancient/fire
Flann (m/f) FLAN Flannacán fiery red
Garbhán (m) GAR vawn Garvan ; Garbán rough
Geiléis (f) gyel AISH Gelace bright swan
Gilleagán (m) GIL uh gawn Gilligan little lad
Giolla Chríst (m) GYIL la CHREESHT Christian servant of Christ
Glaisne (m) GLASH neh Glasny, Gelasius green, grey, grey-blue
Gobán (m) GUB awn Gobban ; Gobbán smith
Gobnait (f) GUB nit Gobnet, Deborah, Abbie, Dora smith
Gormán (m/f) GUR mawn Gorman dark; swarthy
Gormghiolla (m) GURM yu la Gormgiolla grey servant
Gormlaith (f) GUR um la Gormley blue/illustrious princess
Gráinne (f) GRAW nya Grania, Grace, Gertrude, Griselda inspiring terror; grain
Grian (f) GREE un - sun; sun-goddess
Iarfhlaith (m) EER la Jarlath; Iarlaith; Iarla western kingdom?
Iarlugh (m) EER loo Iarlug combination of Iar + Lug (Celtic god names)
Íde (f) EE deh Ita; Íte act of eating
Iobhar (m) EE ver Ivar yew tree
Iomchadh (m) UM uh cha Imchad ?
Íonait (f) EEN nit Enat faithful; pure; sincere
Irial (m) EER eeyal Irél ?
Labhraidh (m) LA ra Lowery; Labraidh speaker
Labhrás (m) LAV raws Labrás laurel bush
Lachtna (m) LACHT na Lucius milk-white, milk-like
Lachtnán (m) LACHT nawn Lawton milk-white, milk-like
Laisrén (m) LAS rain Laisréan flame
Laoidheach (m) LEE ach Laídech songful; poetic
Laoire (m) LAY reh Laoghaire, Leary calf-herd
Laoise (f) LEE sha - radiant girl
Lasair (m) LA sar Lassar flame, fire
Lasairfhiona (f) la sar EE na Lasarina; Lasairíona flame wine
Leannán (m) LYUH nawn - sweetheart
Líadan (f) LEE a dan Liadan; Líadáin; Líadain grey lady
Liamhain(f) LEE uh vin - comely, beautiful
Life (f) LIF yeh Liffey ?
Líobhan (f) LYEE von Lí Ban beauty of women
Lochlann(m) LAKH lin Laughlin, Lochlan, Lachlan, Laurence a Viking
Lomán (m) LUH mawn Loman; Lommán bare
Lonán (m) LUH nawn Lonan blackbird
Lorcán (m) LUR cawn Lorcan; Lorccán cruel or fierce
Lughaidh (m) LOO ee Lúí, Louis, Aloysius, Lewy light; brightness
Luiseach (f) LWEE shach Luisech, Lucy radiant girl
Mac Nisse (m) mok NISH seh - son of Ness (goddess name)
Mac Táil (m) mok TAWL - son of adze
Maeleachlainn(m) mal LACH lan Malachy servant or devotee of St. Seachnall
Mainchín (m) MAN cheen Munchin, Mannix monk
Maine (m) MAN yeh Many ?
Mael Íosa (m) mal EE sa Maelisa servant of Jesus
Maolán (m) MAYL awn Mullen warrior
Maol Mhuire (m & f) mal WIR eh Murray, Miles, Milo, Myler servant or devotee of St. Mary
Maon (m & f) MAYN - silent
Marcán (m) MAR kawn Marcan steed
Marga (f) MAR ga - ?
Meadhbh (f) MAVE Maeve; Medb; Méabh, Marjorie she who intoxicates
Meallán (m) MEL awn Mellan lightening
Meallá (f) MYEL a Mell, Mella lightening
Mel (m) MEL Mel ??
Miach (m & f) MEE ach - honorable; proud
Mochta (m) MUCH ta - great
Moinnine (f) muh NIN yeh Monina; Blinne My ninne- ninne was the first word this saint spoke
Móirne (f) MORN yeh Maria, Maud great
Molaisse (m) muh LAWSH a Molaise pet from of Laisrén ("flame; fire")
Moncha (f) MUN cha Monica from a Celtic goddess name
Mór (f) MORE Moreen; Móirín Martha, Mary, Agatha great
Morann (m) MuL an Morand ?
Muadhnait (f) MOO nit Monat; Mona; Muadnat noble; good
Muircheartach (m) MWIR char tach Briartach, Murtagh, Mortimer, Maurice, Monty sea battler
Muireann (f) MWIR in Murren; Maren; Mairenn; Muirfhionn, Marion, Madge sea fair
Muireadhach (m) MWIR akh Murray; Murdough Muiríoch lord; master
Muirín (f) MWIR in Miren; Muirín born of the sea
Muirgheal (f) MWIR yal Muriel; Muirgel sea-bright/ sea-white
Muirne (f) MWIR nyeh Myrna high spirited; festive
Murchadh (m) MUR a kha Murrough sea battler
Murchú (m) MUR choo Murphy hound of the sea
Naithí (m) NAH hee Nath-í, Nathy ?
Naoise (m, sometimes f) NEE sha Nóise, Naois, Nyce, Noah bond?
Naomh (f) NAV, NEV - saint
Naomhán (m) NEV awn Nevan dim. of Naomh ("saint")
Nárbhflaith (f) NAR vila Narvla, Narbflaith noble princess
Neacht (f) NYACHT - pure
Neamhain (f) NYAV in Nemon battle-fury; warlike frenzy: name of a Celtic war goddess
Neasa (f) NES sa Nessa, Neas, Ness not gentle
Neasán (m) NYAS awn Nessan Stoat?
Niall (m) NEE ul Neil, Neal, Néill, Nicholas, Nigel cloud or passionate; vehement
Niallán (m) NEE ul awn Neylon, Nealon dim. of Niall (cloud or passionate; vehement)
Niamh (f) NEEV, NEE uv Niav, Niam brightness; radiance
Nuadha (m) NOO a Nuadu possibly, "cloud-maker": Celtic god name
Nuala (f) NOO uh la Fionnuala, Penny, Penelope short of Fionnuala (white shoulders)
Odhrán (m) UR awn Oran, Odrán, Órán sallow
Ógán (m) OH gawn Hogan youth; lad
Oilithir (m) ULL ih hir Ailithir pilgrim
Oilleóg (m) ILL yoge Oilléog dim. of Oillil ("sprite; elf")
Oillill (m) UHL yil Aillill, Elias sprite; elf
Oillín (m) UHL yeen Ellén, Aillén little sprite; elf
Oisín (m) USH een Ossian, Oissíne little deer
Olcán (m) UL cawn - wolf
Ólchobhar (m) OLE chur Ólchobar lover of drink
Onchú (m) UN choo - fierce hound
Órlaith (f) OR la Orla, Órla, Orfhlaith golden princess
Órnait (f) OR nit Ornat, Orna, Odharnait, Odarnait sallow
Orthanach (m) UR han ach - potent in prayers or charms
Osán (m) US awn Ossán little deer
Osgar (m) US gar Oscar deer lover
Osnait (f) US nit Ossnat deer
Rathnait (f) RAH nit Ronit, Renny grace; prosperity
Ríofach (f) REE uh fakh Ríomthach, Ríomhthach ?
Ríoghán (m) REE awn Ryan, Rian, Rígán little king
Ríona (f) REE uh na Ríonach, Regina queenly
Ríordán (m) REE ur dawn Reardan royal poet
Robhartach (m) RO ar takh Robartach "rushing; impetuous"
Róinseach (f) RONE shach Róinsech seal
Róisín (f) RO sheen Rosheen, Rosaleen originally comes from Norse word for "horse." Also means "little rose."
Rónán (m) RO nawn Ronan little seal
Rónnad (f) RONE it Rónnat seal
Rós (f) ROS Rose 'rose' is the modern meaning, but originally it came from a Norse word for "horse"
Ross (m) RAWS Ros headland
Rúadhán (m) ROO awn Ruan, Rowan, Rohan, Rúadán red haired
Rúadhnait (f) ROO uh nit Rúdnat red-haired
Ruaidhrí (m) RU a ree Rory, Ruairí, Ruaidrí, Roderick, Roger red king
Ruarc (m) ROO ark Rourke hero; champion
Sadhbh (f) SIVE Sive, Sadbh, Sophie, Sophia, Sarah, Sally, Sabia, Sabina sweet, goodly
Samhradhán (m) SOW rawn Samradán summery person
Saorla (f) SEER la, SAYR la Saorlaith noble queen
Saraid (f) SAR ad Sárait, Sarah excellent, best
Sárán (m) SAWR awn - chief, noble; best
Sárnait (f) SAWR nit Sárnat chief, noble; best
Scannal (m)
SKAN al Scandel, Scannell possibly, "quarrel; argument"
Scannlán (m)
SKAN uh lawn Scanlon, Scandlán diminutive of Scannal
Scáthach (m)
SKAW hokh - shadowy; ghostly; frightening
Scoithín (m) SKUH heen - blossom, bloom
Scoithniamh (f) SKUH nyee uv Scothniam shining; radiant blossom
Scolaí (m) SKUL lee Scolaighe, Scully town crier, scholar
Scoth (f) SKUH - blossom, bloom
Scothnait (f) SKUH nit - blossom, bloom
Sé (m) SHAY Séaghdha, Shay, Shea hawk-like, noble
Seachlann (m) SHACH lan Sechnall, Seachnall from Latin "secondus"
Séadhna (m) SHAY uh na Sétna, Séadna, Sidney traveller; wayfarer
Séanait (f) SHAI nat Ségnat hawk
Seanán (m) SHAN awn Senan old, ancient
Seanchán (m) SHAN a khawn Shanahan old, ancient
Searc (f) SHARK Serc Love; affection
Séighín (m & f) SHAY een, SHANE Séigíne hawk
Síoda (m) SHEE da Sheedy possibly derived from the word for "silk"
Siollán (m) SHULL awn Sillán ?
Síomha (f) SHEE va Sheeva, Síomhaith good peace
Sláine (f) SLAW nyeh, SLAWN ya Slaney, Slanina health, from a Celtic goddess name
Sléibhín (m) SHLAI veen Slébíne, Slevin mountain man
Somhairle (m) SO ar leh Sorley, Samuel, Charles from Norse, summer wanderer
Sorcha (f) SUR a ka Sarah, Sally bright, radiant
Suaibhseach (f) SOO uv shach gracious; kindly Suaibsech
Suanach (f) SOO un ach - drowsy
Suibhne (m) SIV neh - well-going
Tadhg (m) TYG Teague, Tadc, Tadg, Tad, Thaddeus, Theodosius, Theophilus, Tim poet
Taichleach (m) TAL akh Tallach placating; peacemaking
Taillte (f) TAL tyeh Teltina, Tailltiu ?
Tanaí (m) TAHN ee Tanaide slender; subtle
Tassach (m) TASS ukh - perhaps, "idle; inactive"
Teafa (f) TYEF a Tethba, Teffia ? a place name in Co. Longford
Teamhair (f) T'YA wur Tara, Teamair elevated place
Téide (f) T'YAY d'yeh Téite wantonness
Teimhnín (m) T'YEV uh neen, T'YEN een Temnén dark
Tighearnach (m) TEER nakh Tierney, Tiarnach lord
Tighearnán (m) TEER nawn lord- Tiernan, Tiarnán lord
Tiobraide (m) TYUB rid eh Tipraite ?
Tíreachán (m) TEER ach awn Tírechán having land; wide-ruling
Toirdhealbhach (m) TUR a lakh Turlough, Tairdelbach, Charles abettor
Tóla (m) TOE la Tola abundance, flood
Tomaltach (m) TUM al tach Thomas, Timothy ?
Tómmán TOME awn - dim. of Tuama
Torcán (m) TURK awn Torccán wild boar
Torna (m) TOR na - puffed-up?
Treasa (f) TRA sa Tressa, Trása, Teresa strength
Treasach (m) TRAS ach Tressach, Tracy warlike; fierce
Tuama (m) TOO uhm ma Tómma ?
Tuamnait (f) TOO um nit Tómnat fem. of Tómmán
Tuathal (m) TOO uh hul Toal, Tully ruler of the people
Tuathla (f) TOO uh la Tuathflaith, Tuathfhlaith, Tuala princess of the people
Tuileach (f) TIL yakh Tailech perhaps, "prominent forehead"
Tuilelaith (f) TIL yeh la Tailefhlaith, Tallula, Twilleliah lady of abundance; abundance of sovereignty
Uaine (f) OO in yeh - green
Uainionn (f) OO in yin Uanfind foam-white complexioned
Uaine (f) OO in yeh, WAN yeh - greenish, from a tribal name
Uasal (f) OO a sal - noble
Uaithne (m) OO in yeh, WAN yeh Owney, Hewney, Anthony greenish, from a tribal name
Uallach (f) OOL akh   proud; arrogant
Uallachán (m) OOL akh awn Hoolihan little proud; arrogant one
Uallgarg (m) OOL a garg - fierce pride
Ultán (m) UL tawn Ultan Ulsterman
Úna (f) OO na Una, Oona, Oonagh, Agnes, Winifred, Winnie, Juno ?
Urard (m) UR urd Airard, Irard very tall

* names in italics represents names that have no etymological connection to the Irish name, but were used as English "translations" based upon the fact that they have similar sounds or meanings.