Traditional Irish Names

Formed like Aidan from aed “fire.” Aideen loved her husband Oscar, a grandson of Fionn Mac Cool, so much that when he fell in battle she died of a broken heart.

Ancient Irish name from the noun aine that means “splendor, radiance, brilliance.” Aine is connected with fruitfulness and prosperity.

Meaning “beautiful, radiant, joyful.” Known as the greatest woman warrior in the world, Aoife was the mother of Cuchulainn’s only son, Connlach.

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.

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

From caomh “gentle, beautiful, precious.” The same root as Kevin, the name has become very popular in Ireland with the original Irish spelling.

Colleen comes from the Irish word cailín, “girl” or “young unmarried woman,” a diminutive of caile, “woman, countrywoman.” In Irish, cailín is grammatically a masculine noun.

Meaning “fruitful, bountiful.” In legend, Daireann, a beautiful young woman, fell in love with Fionn Mac Cool, a man with many wives.

Kathleen in Irish is Caitlin, pronounced KOIT-leen, meaning “pure, clear.”

Keira in Irish is Ciara, pronounced KEE-ra, meaning “dark.”

Mary in Irish is Maire, pronounced MY-ra.

Neave in Irish is Niamh, pronounced NEE-iv, meaning “radiance, lustre, brightness.”

From niamh “radiance, lustre, brightness.” The daughter of the sea god Manannan she was known as “Niamh of the Golden Hair,” a beautiful princess riding on a white horse.

Irish word saoirse “freedom, liberty.” It has only been used since the 1920s and has strong patriotic overtones.

Siobhan is another Irish form of Joan meaning “God is gracious.” A popular name in Ireland where the anglicised versions are often used.

A diminutive form of the name Aed meaning “fire” and would imply “born of fire.”

Arthur in Irish is Art, pronounced ART, meaning “champion.”

Brandon in Irish is Breandan, pronounced BREN-dawn.

Colin in Irish is Coilin, pronounced KOH-lin, meaning “whelp, pup.”

Connor in Irish is Conchobhar, pronounced CON-r, meaning “lover of hounds.”

From old Irish corbmac “son of the charioteer.” Cormac Mac Airt was probably the most famous of the ancient kings of Ireland.

Is the Irish form of Old English ead “rich” + mund “guardian”, and implies “guardian of the riches.”

Comes from the word faol “wolf.”

Meaning “fair-haired,” the name has been popular since the sixth century when St. Finbar came to an area of Cork that was being tormented by a serpent.

A name with two sources, St. Malachi (1095-1148 AD) was the Bishop of Armagh who adopted the name from the Hebrew prophet “Malachi” whose name means “my angel” or “messenger of God.”

From the Latin patricius “nobly born.” The patron saint of Ireland, it is hard to differentiate between fact and myth.