Irish Names Starting with B

Barbara in Irish is Gormlaith, pronounced GORM-lee, meaning “splendid princess.”

Not in Ireland's 2025 tables (fewer than three babies); last recorded in 2023.

A blend of bean “woman, lady” and finn “fair, white” originally described Viking women. Brian Boru’s mother was called Beibhinn and he named his daughter for her.

No. 352 for girls in Ireland in 2025, with 11 baby girls.

Bevan in Irish is Beibhinn, pronounced BE-veen, meaning “fair lady.”

Rare in Ireland: fewer than three baby girls a year get the name.

Bevin in Irish is Beibhinn, pronounced BE-veen, meaning “fair lady.”

Not in Ireland's 2025 tables (fewer than three babies); last recorded in 2011.

Bláithín means “little flower,” from the Irish bláth, “flower,” with the diminutive ending -ín.

No. 118 for girls in Ireland in 2025, with 39 baby girls.

Blath means “flower, blossom.” In legend, Blaithnaid, the reluctant wife of Curai Mac Daire, loved Cuchulainn, her husband’s rival.

No. 273 for girls in Ireland in 2025, with 15 baby girls.

Branna is a modern feminine name formed from Bran, an old Irish name meaning “raven.” It is not a traditional Irish name in its own right.

Rare in Ireland: fewer than three baby girls a year get the name.

Briana is a feminine form of Brian, the name of Brian Boru, the high king who was killed at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014. The meaning of Brian is uncertain.

Not in Ireland's 2025 tables (fewer than three babies); last recorded in 2024.

The name Brigid from brigh meaning “power, vigour, virtue” epitomizes the Irish genius for layering old and new.

No. 544 for girls in Ireland in 2025, with 6 baby girls.

Brona in Irish is Bronagh, pronounced BRO-nah, meaning “sorrowful.”

Not in Ireland's 2025 tables (fewer than three babies); last recorded in 2013.

Though rooted in bronach “sad, sorrowful” St. Bronagh must have been a popular figure in her home area of County Down where her bell is venerated because so many girls in that area are named for her now as they have been for over 1000 years.

No. 352 for girls in Ireland in 2025, with 11 baby girls.

Bairre is short for Finbar, meaning “fair head.” Finbar is said FIN-bar.

Rare in Ireland: fewer than three baby boys a year get the name.

Barra is short for Finbar, meaning “fair head.” Finbar is said FIN-bar.

No. 170 for boys in Ireland in 2025, with 29 baby boys.

Barry in Irish is Finbar, pronounced FIN-bar, meaning “fair head.”

No. 402 for boys in Ireland in 2025, with 9 baby boys.

The name of one of the twelve apostles, it is the Irish form of the Hebrew name Bartholomew “Son of Talmai.”

Not in Ireland's 2025 tables (fewer than three babies); last recorded in 1995.

Bert in Irish is Bartley, pronounced BART-lee.

Rare in Ireland: fewer than three baby boys a year get the name.

Bertie in Irish is Bartley, pronounced BART-lee.

No. 676 for boys in Ireland in 2025, with 4 baby boys.

Bradan comes from the Irish word bradán, “salmon.” The salmon has a special place in Irish myth.

Not in Ireland's 2025 tables (fewer than three babies); last recorded in 2021.

Braden in Irish is Bradan, pronounced BRAY-dawn, meaning “salmon.”

Not in Ireland's 2025 tables (fewer than three babies); last recorded in 2016.

Brandan in Irish is Breandan, pronounced BREN-dawn.

Not in Ireland's 2025 tables (fewer than three babies); last recorded in 2005.

Brandon in Irish is Breandan, pronounced BREN-dawn.

No. 676 for boys in Ireland in 2025, with 4 baby boys.

There are at least seventeen saints who bear the name but St. Breandan the Navigator is probably the best known.

Not in Ireland's 2025 tables (fewer than three babies); last recorded in 2018.

Brendan in Irish is Breandan, pronounced BREN-dawn.

No. 402 for boys in Ireland in 2025, with 9 baby boys.

From brigh “high, noble, strong.”

No. 252 for boys in Ireland in 2025, with 18 baby boys.