Irish Translations of English Names

 








 

  What is your name in Irish? For example, if your name is John, the Irish translation is Seán or Eoin. Here are the Irish equivalents of some common English names. English names are in themselves usually translations of other foreign names (e.g. Mary comes from a Hebrew name closer to 'Miriam'), so the origin of the name is included.

Not all names are translatable into Irish. Most names that are translatable are either biblical, the names of saints or other prominent people, or names brought to Ireland by Vikings, Normans and other settlers. If you don't see your name, it probably doesn't fall into one of the categories listed above.

However, if you really want your name translated, there are other ways. First check out our Problem Name page to see if your name is there. For example, although there is no etymological Irish equivalent of the name Winifred, for many years it was used as a 'translation' of the Irish name Una, due to slight similarity in sound. Many names have cultural, if not linguistic equivalents. These names are listed in italics.

Also, many names can be translated on the basis of meaning. For example, there is no Irish version of Valerie. however, Valerie is a Latin girls' name from a word meaning "health." Sláine is an Irish girls' name with the same meaning. So, there's a connection in meaning. If your name is not on this list, and you really want to translate it, E-mail me, and I'll see what I can do!

If you haven't done so already, non-Irish speakers please see the the pronunciation guide.

ENGLISH NAME ORIGIN MEANING IRISH NAME* APPROX. PRONOUNCIATION
Aaron Hebrew, possibly Egyptian origin meaning uncertain, often associated with Hebrew, "high mountain" Árón AW rone
Abigail Hebrew father's joy Abigeál AHB i gyal
Adam Hebrew red earth Ádhamh, Ádam AW hav, AW dum
Adrian Latin From Hadria Aidrean Ah dree an
Agatha Greek pure Agata AH gah ta
Agnes Latin Holy Aignéis, Úna AG neysh, OO na
Alan, Allen Celtic ? Ailín AH leen
Alexander Greek defender of mankind Alsander, Alastar AHL sun dur, AHL uh stur
Albert Germanic bright nobility Ailbhe AHL vyeh
Alice, Allison, Alicia old German noble Ailís, Ailíse AY leesh, AY leesha
Anastasia Greek re born Annstas, Stéise ON stas, SHTAY sha
Andrew Greek man Aindréas, Aindriú, Aindreas AHN dray is, AHN dryu, AH dras
Angela, Angel, Angelica Latin angel Aingeal AHN gel (hard g as in goat)
Ann, Hannah Hebrew Grace; "God has favored me" Ánna, Áine AW na, AW nyeh
Anthony Latin meaning unknown Antoin, Antóin, Antain(e) AHN tun, AHN toe in, AHN tan (eh)
Augustine Latin majestic Aghaistín/ Aibhistin AH steen/AH stin
Barbara Greek stranger Bairbre/ Baibín BAR breh/BA been
Barnabas, Barney Aramaic son of the prophet Brian, Brion BREE un
Bartholemew Hebrew son of Talmai Parthalán PAR ha lawn
Basil English from Greek king Breasal BRA sul
Bernard Germanic Bear Bearnárd, Brian, Brion BAR nawrd, BREE un
Blanche French white Fionnait, Blinne FYUN it, BLIN yeh
Carina latin dear Cairenn CAR in
Catherine/Katherine/Kathryn (see also Kate) Greek usu. associated w/ 'pure' Cáitlín, Caitrín, Cáitriona KOYT hleen, KOYT hreen, koyt HREE uh na
Charles German man Searlas, Calbhach, Cathal SHAR lis, KAL vakh, KAH hul
Charlotte/Carla/Caroline/Carol " fem of Charles Searlait SHAR lit
Christian Greek follower of Christ Giolla Chríst GYILL a KHREESHT
Christina, Christine, Krista etc. Greek follower if Christ Crístíona KREE shtee uh na
Christopher Greek Christ bearer Criostoir KREEST er
Cecilia Latin blind Síle SHEE la
Columba Latin dove Colm CULL im
Daisy English flower name Nóinín, Nóra NOE neen, NOE ra
Daniel Hebrew God is my judge Daniél, Domhnall/Dónal DAHN yale, DOE nal
David Hebrew beloved Daibhí, Daibhead DAH vee, DAH vid
Dennis, Denis French Dionysus, god of wine Donnchadh, Donnacha DUN a kha
Dominic Latin Lord Damhnaic, Damhlaic, Doiminic DAV un ak, DAV uh lak, DUH min ik
Dorothy Greek gift of God Dairinn DAHR in
Edmund English wealthy guardian Éamonn, Éamann AY mon
Edward Germanic wealth protector Eadbhárd AYD vard
Eleanor Germanic "foreigner" also thought to be a pet form of Helen (see also) Eileanóra, Eileanór, Aileanóra El un OR a, el un OR, al un OR a
Elizabeth, Isabel Hebrew I pledge to God Eilís, Sibéal AY leesh, shi BALE
Emily Germanic Possibly: industrious Eimíle EM ee la
Eric Germanic "always" or "one" + "ruler" Eiric EH rik
Ernest, Ernie Germanic seriousness Earnán ARN nawn
Esther, Hester Persian star Eistir, Aislinn, Aisling ESH ter, ASH leeng
Eugene Greek well-born Aodh, Eoghan EE, OH in
Eva, Eve Hebrew life Eábha, Aoife AW va, YAW va, EE fa, WEE fa
Evelyn Germanic hazlenut? Eibhlín, Aibhilín ei LEEN, AHV i leen
Felix Latin Happy; blessed Felic, Feidhlim FEL ik, FEL im
Flora, Florence Latin flowering Bláthnaid, Blánaid BLAW nid
Frances, Francis Latin from France Proinséas, Proinsias PRAHN shis
Frederick Germanic peaceful ruler Feardorcha far DUR a kha
Gabriel Hebrew Conquerer Gabriel, Gaibrial GAH breel, GAH bryul
Geoffrey, Jeffrey German God's peace? Seafraid, Seathrun SHEH frid, SHEH hrun
Geraldine French rules with a spear Geraroidín GER ar jeen
Gerald French rules with a spear Gearalt GER alt
Gerard old English brave with a spear Gearoid, Gearard GER id, GER ard
George Greek farmer Seoirse SHOR sa
Gertrude German spear of strength Gráinne GRAWN yeh
Gillian see Julia
Grace English grace Gráinne GRAWN yeh
Gregory Greek watchman; vigilant Gréagóir, Greagoir GRAY agore
Hannah (see Ann) Hebrew      
Harry German home ruler Annraoi, Anraí ON ree
Helen Greek Light Léan, Léana LAY in, LAY in a
Henry German home ruler Annraoi, Anraí ON ree
Herbert Germanic illustrius warrior Hoireabard HUR uh burd
Honora Latin honor Onóra, Nóra uh NO ra/NO ra
Hugh Germanic heart, mind, or spirit Úga, Aodh, Uisdean, Eoghan OO ga, EE, ISH jen, OH in
Irving Scottish surname deriving from a place name Éireamhón AY ra vone
Isaac Hebrew to laugh Íosac EE suk
Isabel, Isabella Hebrew I pledge to God (Sp. and Fr. form of Elizabeth-see also) Isibéal, Sibéal ISH bale, shi BALE
Jacob, James Hebrew he who replaces Séamus, Séamas SHEH mus
Jean, Jane Hebrew God is good Síne, Sinéad SHEE na, shi NADE
Joan Hebrew God is good Siobhán, Siún shi VAWN, SHOO in
John " " Seán, Eóin SHAWN, OH n
Jonathan Hebrew gift of God Ionatán or Seonac YO na tawn or SHON ak
Joseph Hebrew God will increase Seosamh SHO sav
Josephine " " Seosaimhín SHO sa veen
Judith, Judy " woman from Judea Iúidít, Síle, Siobhán YOO deet, SHEE la, shih VAWN
Julia, Gillian Latin fem. of Julian, "downy bearded" Iúile YOO eel yeh
Kate, Katie, Kathy Greek pet forms of Catherine (see also) Cáit, Cáitín KAWTCH, CAWTCH een
Laurence Latin from Laurentius Labhrás LOW raws, LAWV raws
Leo, Leon Latin lion León LEE own
Lily English Lily flower Líle LEE leh
Louis, Lewis Germanic famous warrior Alaois, Alabhaois Lughaidh ALL eesh, ALL a veesh, LOO ee
Louise, Louisa Germanic famous warrior Aloisia ALL wee sha
Luke Greek Man from Lucania Lúcás LOO caws
Madeleine French, from Hebrew from Magdala Madailéin MAH da lane
Magnus Latin great Mánus MAW nus
Margaret Greek Pearl (see also Megan) Mairéad, Maighread mar ADE
Mark, Marcel Latin Of the (Roman) god Mars Marcas, Marcus, Mairsial MAR cas, MAR shal
Martha Aramaic lady Marta MAR ta
Martin Latin warlike Mairtín MAR steen
Mary, Maureen, Molly Hebrew bitterness Máire, Máirín, Mallaidh MAW ra, MOY ra, MOY a, MAW eereen, MAH lee
Matthew Hebrew gift of God Maitiu, Máta MA tcheeu, MAW ta
Maurice Latin dark skinned Muiris MWEE rish
Megan/Maggie/Peggy/Meg pet forms of Margaret (see also) Pearl (From Greek) Peig, Peigí PEG, PEG ee
Michael Hebrew who is like God? Mícheál MEE hawl/MEEL
Molly Hebrew bitterness? pet form of Mary Mallaidh MAH lee
Monica Latin from possibly N. African unknown Moncha MUN uh kha
Morgan Welsh sea circle Murchadh MUR uh kha
Nancy Latin dim. of Agnes ("pure"), also Ann "God's grace" Nainsí NAN shee
Nicholas Greek victory of the people Cóilín, Nicolás, Aonghas CO ileen, NIC uh laws, AYN ghus
Nigel Latin form of Neil Niall NEE ul
Noah Hebrew meaning is disputed Nóe, Naoise NO eh, NEESH a
Noel/Noelle French Christmas Nollaig NULL ig
Oliver Latin olive tree Oilibhéar ULL i vare
Patrick Latin nobleman Pádraig, Padraic PAW drig or PORE ik
Patricia Latin fem. of Patrick Pádraigín PAW drig een, PORE ick een
Peter Greek rock Peadar, Piaras PADTH ur, PEEA ras
Paul Latin small Pól POLE
Paula, Pauline Latin small Póilín PO eeleen
Penelope, Penny Greek a type of duck Fionnuala, Fionnghuala finn YOU uh la, finn OO la
Phillip Greek lover of horses Pilib PILL ib
Rachel Hebrew ewe Ráichéal RAW shale
Ralph Germanic crafty counselor Rádhulbh RAW ulv
Raymond German counselor; protector Réamann RAY man
Regina, Gina Latin queen Ríonach, Riona REE uh nakh, REE uh na
Richard German strong ruler Risteard RISH taird
Robert English bright fame Roibeard RUB erd
Roderick, Roddy Germanic famous power Ruairí ROO a ree
Roger Germanic famous spear Ruairí ROO a ree
Rose English a rose Róisín RO sheen
Roland German famous land Rodhlann RUH lan
Samuel Hebrew God has heard Somhairle SO uhr lyeh
Sarah, Sara Hebrew princess Sorcha, Saraid SUR a kha, SAWR id
Simon Hebrew To hear, or to be heard Síomón SHEE mone
Solomon Hebrew Peace Solamh SUL uv
Sophia, Sophie Greek wisdom Sadhbh SIVE
Stephen Greek crown Stíofán, Stiana SHTEE fawn, SHTEE uh na
Susan Hebrew lily; rose Siui, Sosaidh, Súsanna SHU ee, SUS ee, SOO suh na
Theobald Germanic brave people Tiobóid TEE bohd
Theodore Greek God's gift Téodóir TAY uh dore
Thomas Greek twin Tomás tuh MAWS
Theresa Greek harvest Tóireasa, Treasa TOR ish a, TRA sa
Timothy Greek honoring God Tadhg, Tomaltach TYG, TOM ul takh
Victor Latin victorious Buadhach BOO akh
Vincent Latin Conquerer Uinsean In shan
Vivian, Viviane, Vivienne Latin life Bébhinn BAY vin
Walter Germanic Army commander Ualtar, Uaitár UL tur, IT awr
William German constant protector Uilliam/ Liam ILL ee um/LEE um
Winifred Welsh blessed peace Úna OO na

*Irish names were often "translated" into English with names that had no etymological connection, but which sounded similar or had similar meanings. The names in italics represents Irish Gaelic names that may have no connection to the English name given linguistically, but were historically connected to the English name through this process.

Don't see your name? Check out our Problem Name page! It might be listed there.