Ide
pronounced EE-daMeaning “thirst” as in “thirst for goodness or knowledge.” St. Ide and St. Brigid are considered the most influential woman saints of early Irish Christianity.
More about IdeIrish Names Starting with I
5 Irish names beginning with I for girls and boys, with what each one means and how to say it.
Updated September 2026
Of the 5 Irish names starting with I here, 3 are for girls and 2 for boys. The ones readers look up most are Iona, Ita and Ide.
Most popular in Ireland in 2025
The I names on this page that the most babies were given in 2025, by the Central Statistics Office’s ranking (girls and boys are ranked separately).
Irish girl names starting with I
Iona
pronounced i-O-naIona is the name of a small island off the Isle of Mull, on the west coast of Scotland, where the Irish saint Colm Cille (Columba) founded his monastery around 563 AD.
More about IonaIta in Irish is Ide, pronounced EE-da, meaning “thirst for goodness.”
More about ItaIrish boy names starting with I
Iarlaith
pronounced EER-laIarlaith is the Irish form of Jarlath.
More about IarlaithIollan
pronounced UL-anMeaning “one who worships a different god.” Iollan was the son of the High King Fergus Mac Roth and a champion at the court of King Conchobhar Mac Nessa.
More about Iollan