Irish Baby Names

Irish baby names are often derived from Gaelic sources, though Ireland was influenced by the Vikings, the Normans, the Dutch, the Welsh, and the Franks, among other sources. This is why not all Irish names are entirely Gaelic.

Many parents choose Irish names for their children, but they choose to Anglicize the Irish names. Irish names tends to be longer than their Anglicized counterparts. Some famous Irish folk are better known by their Anglicized names, including Geoffrey Keating (Seathrún Céitinn), Mary Robinson (Máire Mhic Róibín) and Jack Lynch (Seán Ó Loingsigh).

Irish last names are generally patronymics (they tell the parentage of a baby). However, Irish last names, while constructed like patronymics now function like English last names and are passed down from father to child. In Ireland, Ó meant “grandson of” and Mac meant “son of,” which is why there are so many last names that begin with O and Mac (such as O’Donnell or MacDougall, for instance). The term Og was used instead of Junior, and Mór was used to denote Senior, or older. Og or Mór come between the first and last names (such as Máire Og Súilleabháin, which translates to Mary O’Sullivan, Jr.).

Many Irish baby names have English equivalents. Take for instance, these baby names for girls: Ailis (Alice, the light of the sun); Caitrin (Catherine, pure); Eilis (Elizabeth, consecrated to God) or Shivaun or Siobhan (Jane, God is gracious). Some baby names for boys also have English equivalents: Adhamh (Adam, the first man on Earth in the Judeo-Christian spiritual tradition); Shaun or Sean (John, God is gracious); Seamus or Shamus (James, the supplanter); or Stiofan (Stephen).

Some Irish baby names can be used for both boys or girls. Shannon, for instance, is a name of a river in Ireland, and is an appropriate name for either a boy or a girl, though in North America it is predominantly associated with girls. Erin similarly relates to geography: it means from Ireland, and can be used for a baby boy or a baby girl, though, like Shannon, in North America it is more associated with girls. Quinn means wise and intelligent; Riley means valiant; Keeley or Keely means beautiful. Quinn, Riley, and Keeley are just some examples of unisex Irish baby names.

Some Irish baby names are adapted for boys or girls. Kiera is the girls form of Kieran, which means dark. Dean for baby boys becomes Dina for baby girls, and in Irish means soldier.

Many Irish baby names have beautifully descriptive meanings. Some metaphorically descriptive Irish boys names include Sheehan (peaceful), Niall (the champion), and Rian (little king). Some descriptive Irish girls names include Ciannat (ancient), Etain (shining, bright), Mairead (pearl) and Orla (golden).

Irish baby names often describe the appearance of the child. For instance, a light-skinned boy could be called Orrin (or Orren or Orran). Kyran (or Keeran or Keiran) for baby boys, means dark, or black, and often referred to hair colour. Aidan means the little fiery one, and could be used to describe a baby boy or baby girl with shocking red hair. Blaine means thin or slender, and is a unisex baby name. Fenella means white or fair shouldered for a baby girl.