5 Irish names beginning with I for girls and boys, with what each one means and how to say it.
Updated November 2026
Meaning “thirst” as in “thirst for goodness or knowledge.” St. Ide and St. Brigid are considered the most influential woman saints of early Irish Christianity.
No. 413 for girls in Ireland in 2025, with 9 baby girls.
More about IdeIona 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.
No. 544 for girls in Ireland in 2025, with 6 baby girls.
More about IonaIta in Irish is Ide, pronounced EE-da, meaning “thirst for goodness.”
Not in Ireland's 2025 tables (fewer than three babies); last recorded in 1997.
More about ItaIarlaith is the Irish form of Jarlath.
No. 85 for boys in Ireland in 2025, with 68 baby boys.
More about IarlaithIollan, also written Iollann or Illann, is an old Irish name found for men in the medieval Irish annals. Its meaning is unknown.
Not in Ireland's 2025 tables (fewer than three babies); last recorded in 2013.
More about IollanOf 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.
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).