Traditional Irish Names: Boys

 








 

 

Here is the master list of Irish names. These are the names of saints and names from history and myth. The approximate pronunciations are given, as names vary in dialects. It is also difficult to spell out some sounds in the Irish language into English,as certain sounds don't exist in English.

If you haven't done so already, non-Irish speakers please see the the pronunciation guide. or else + dimin
name approx. pronounciation other forms* meaning
Abbán OB awn Abban, Abán "little abbot"
Ádhamhnán AH yum nawn Eunan, Onan "the timorous one"
Aibhne EV nyeh Eveny; Aveny meaning is unknown
Ailbhe (m/f) AL vyeh Alvy; Ailbe Either from ail, "rock," albho, "white" or Gaulish albiorix "world king."
Ailill AL yil Irial, Elias "elf; sprite"
Aimhirghin AV ir yin Amargein, Aimirgin "Born of song"
Ainbheartach AN v'yar takh Ainbertach "doer of evil deeds"
Áinle AN l'yeh Áindle, Ánle "hero", "champion", "warrior"
Ainníleas AN Y'EEL 'yas Aindíles "of uncertain parentage", perhaps" adopted"
Ámhra AWV ra Adamrae "very wonderful"
Anamcha AN am uh ka Animosus, Ambrose "spirited"
Ánrothán AWN ruh hawn Anrahan, Hanrahan either "second-degree poet," "sun-traveller," "champion," or "nobleman second to the king"
Aodh AWD, EE Áed, Hugh from Aed, the Celtic god of fire, whose names means, appropriately enough, "fire."
Aodhán AY awn Aodan; Aidan diminutive of Áed (see Aodh).
Aolú AY loo Aodhlugh The Celtic god names Aodh + Lugh combined
Aonghus ENG yus Angus; Óengus; Áengus, Aeneas possibly "sole strength" or "true choice"
Ardghal ARD ul Ardgal, Ardal from ard "height" + gal "valor"
Bairre BAR a Barry diminutive of Bairrfhionn or Fionnbharr (barr "head" + fionn white")
Bairrfhionn BER in Berrin, Bairrion, Barry "fair-haired"
Bardán BAR dawn Bardan "poet; bard"
Baoth BEE Baeth "vain; reckless; foolish"
Beag (m/f) B'YAG Becc "little; small"
Beagán B'YAG awn Beccán "small, little lad"
Bearach (m/f) BAR akh Berach; Berrach "pointed; sharp"
Breacán BREK awn Breccan "freckled; speckled"
Breasal BRAS sal Brassal Basil "brave" or "strong in conflict"
Brion BREE un Brian possibly from Celtic Brigonos "noble; high"
Brocc BRUK Brock, Broc from broc "badger", possibly a pet name meaning "sharp-faced"
Brógán BRO gawn Brogan; Bróccán meaning is unknown, possibly related to Brocc (see also)
Buadhach BOO ach Buach, Buagh, Boethius, Victor "victorious"
Cadhla KY la Kiley, Catholicus "beautiful"
Cairbre CAR bryeh Carbry a fairly common name in medieval Ireland, this name means possibly, "charioteer" or "bearer"
Cairell CA rel Kerrill; Karel; Coireall, Cyril possibly derived from cearbh "hacking," denoting a warrior
Calbhach COL vakh Calvagh, Charles "bald"
Caoimhín KEE veen; KWEE veen Kevin; Cáemgen from either caem "beautiful; beloved" or cóem "gentle; kind" + gaem  "birth"
Cass CAS Cas "curly-haired"
Cassair CAS sir - "curly-haired"
Cassán CAS awn Cassan diminutive of Cass 
Cathaír KA heer Cahir; Cathaoir, Charles possibly from cath "battle" + tigern "lord"
Cathal KA hul Cahal; Cahill, Charles cath "battle" +  valus "powerful; ruling"
Cathán (m/f) CA hawn Cahan; Kane;Cahán cath "battle" + diminutive ending
Ceallach (m/f) KAL ukh Kelly possibly "bright-headed" or "strife; contention"
Cearbhall KYAR ull Cearúl, Carroll, Charles from cearbh "hacking"-- probably with the implied meaning of a fierce warrior
Cian KEE in Keane, Kian "ancient; enduring"
Ciarán KEE a rawn Kieran ciar, "black" + diminutive ending
Cillian KIL ee an Killian; Cillín; Cilléne possibly from cill "church" or ceallach, "strife"
Cináed KIN awd Kenneth; Cinneath; Cináeth; Cinnead could be from cion "respect; love" + Aodh [Celtic fire god] or be possibly from an unkown Pictish word.
Coinneach (m sometimes f) CON yach Cainneach, Canice, Charles, Kenny possibly from caoin "beautiful" 
Colmán KUL mawn Colman; Colm from Latin Columba; 'dove'
Comhghall KU wull Cowal; Comgal comh "together" + gall "hostage; pledge"
Conall KUL al Connell; Conal "strong as a wolf"
Conán KUN awn Conan "hound or wolf"
Conchobhar KRU hur Conor; Conchobar "lover of hounds; wolves"
Conlaodh Kun lee Conley; Conleth; Conláed possibly from connla "chaste" or "prudent" + Aodh [Celtic fire god]
Conn KUN, KOWN Constantine possibly "wisdom" or "chief" or a form of cú "hound; wolf"
Cormac KUR a mac Cormac corb "raven" "charioteer" or "defiler" + mac "son"
Crónán CROW nawn Cronan, Croney "yellow; saffron-colored, swarthy"
Cuán KOO awn Cúán diminutive of Cu, meaning "hound"
Cúmhaí koo VEE, koo EE Hughey, Quinton "hound of the plain"
Curnán KUR nawn Curnan meaning is unknown
Daigh DEI Daig "flame; fire"
Daighre DEI r'yeh Daigre "flame; fire"
Daimhín DA veen Davin; Daimíne "deer" or "ox" + diminutive ending
Dáire DAW reh Darragh; Dary Dudley "fruitful; fertile"
Dallán DAL awn Dallan from dall, "blind"
Damhán DA veen Davin; Daimíne "deer" or "ox" + diminutive ending
Deaglán DEG lawn Declan; Declán possibly- "full of goodness"
Deasmumhnach DAS moo nach Desmond, Deasún "man from Desmond" (in Co. Cork)
Dianach DEE uh nakh   dian "swift"
Diarmaid DEER mid Dermot; Diarmuid; Diarmait could possibly mean "without injunction or envy" or "freeman" or possibly "charioteer"
Domhnall DUN nal Donal; Dónal, Daniel "world mighty" or "world-ruler"
Donnchadh DUN a kha Donagh; Donnacha; Donncha, Donaghy, Duncan, Dennis, Dionysus, Donatus donn "brown" + cath "battle"
Dubhaltach DOO al tach Doalty Dudley "dark-limbed," "black-jointed"
Dubhgall DU gal Dougal; Dubgall dubh "black" + gall "foreigner; stranger"
Dubhghlas DU las Douglas dubh "black" + glas "blue" or "water; stream"
Ealadha AL a ha Elatha "art; craft"
Éamonn AY mun Eamon; Éamann from English Edmund; "wealthy guardian"
Éanna AY na Enda possibly from ean "birdlike"
Earnán AHR nawn Ernan, Ernest possibly from iarn, "iron"
Eibhear AY var Éber, Heber, Harry, Ivor from Latin eberus meaning "Irishman"
Éimhín (m & f) AY veen Evin; Aeveen; Éimíne "prompt; ready"
Eirnín (m/f) ER neen Ernin; Erníne iarn, "iron"
Eoghan OH in Owen; Eógan "born of the yew "
Fachtna (m and f) FACHT na Festus, Festie, Fantasius "malicious; hostile"
Faolán FWAY lawn Fillan; Fáelán "wolf"
Fearchar FAR char Farquar fear "man" + cara "friend'
Feardorcha far DUR a cha Frederick, Ferdinand fear "man" + dorcha "dark"
Fearganainm FAR gan anm Ferdinand "man without a name"
Fearghal FER ul Farrell; Fergal, Vergil fear "man" + gal "valor"
Fearghus FER a ghus Fergus, Ferdinand fear "man" + gus "victor"
Fechín FEH kheen Fechin; Fechíne, Festus possibly fiach "raven" or from a root meaning "battle"
Feidhlim (m and f) FEH lim Phelim, Felim Felix, Phillip possibly from feidhle "constant; always"
Fiachra FEE a khra Fiacre, Feary possibly from fiach, "raven" or elements meaning "battle-king"
Finnén FIN yain Finnian "White; fair-haired"
Finnseach FIN shakh Finsha; Finnsech "fair-haired lady"
Fionn FYUN Finn "fair-haired; white"
Fionnbharr FYUN var Finbar "fair-haired"
Fionntán FYUN tawn Fintan; Fiontan fionn, "white" + elements meaning possibly "ancient," "bull," or "fire"
Flann (m/f) FLAN Flannacán "fiery red"
Fursa FUR sa Fursey meaning is unknown
Gaimhreadhán GAV rawn Gaimredán "wintry person"
Garbhán GAR vawn Garvan ; Garbán from garbh, "rough"
Gilleagán GIL uh gawn Gilligan "little lad"
Giolla Bhríde GIL uh VREED e Gilbride "Servant of St. Brigid"
Giolla Cheallaighe GIL uh KHEL ee Gilkelly "Servant of St. Ceallach"
Giolla Chomgaill GIL uh KHO ul Gilcole, Gilcowell "Servant of St. Comhghall"
Giolla Íosa GIL uh EE sa Geleece "Servant of Jesus"
Giolla Chríst GYIL la CHREESHT Christian "servant of Christ"
Glaisne GLASH neh Glasny, Gelasius from glas, "green; grey; grey-blue"
Gobán GUB awn Gobban ; Gobbán either from Goba "smith" [a Celtic god of craftsmanship"
Gormán (m/f) GUR mawn Gorman "dark; swarthy"
Gormghiolla GURM yu la Gormgiolla gorm "blue; grey" + giolla, "servant"
Iarfhlaith EER la Jarlath; Iarlaith; Iarla a element meaning, possibly "western" or "tributary" + flaith"lord"
Iarlugh EER loo Iarlug combination of Iar + Lug (Celtic god names)
Iobhar EE ver Ivar "yew tree"
Iomchadh UM uh cha Imchad meaning is unknown
Irial EER eeyal Irél meaning is unknown
Labhraidh LA ra Lowery; Labraidh "speaker"
Lachtna LACHT na Lucius from lacht, "milk." Probably meaning "milk-like" or "milk-colored"
Lachtnán LACHT nawn Lawton diminutive of Lachtna (see above)
Laisrén LAS rain Laisréan from lassar "flame"
Laoidheach LEE ach Laídech "songful; poetic"
Laoire LAY reh Laoghaire, Leary "calf-herd"
Lasair LA sar Lassar from lassar "flame"
Leannán LYUH nawn Lennan "sweetheart"
Lochlann LAKH lin Laughlin, Lochlan, Lachlan, Laurence "viking" [i.e., one from the land of the lochs]
Lomán LUH mawn Loman; Lommán "bare"
Lonán LUH nawn Lonan "blackbird"
Lorcán LUR cawn Lorcan; Lorccán, Lawrence from lorc, "silent" or "cruel; fierce"
Lughaidh LOO ee Lúí, Louis, Aloysius, Lewy "light; brightness" from Lug, the name of a Celtic god.
Mac Nisse mok NISH seh - "son of Ness" (Celtic goddess name)
Mac Táil mok TAWL - mac, "son" + táil "adze"
Maeleachlainn mal LACH lan Malachy "servant or devotee of St. Seachnall"
Mainchín MAN cheen Munchin, Mannix diminutive of manach, "monk"
Maine MAN yeh Many meaning is unknown
Maolán MAYL awn Mullen "warrior"
Maol Íosa mal EE sa Maelisa "servant of Jesus"
Maol Mhórdha mal VOR uh da Máel Mórda "servant of Mórda" Morda means "haughty; great"
Maol Mhuire (m & f) mal WIR eh Murray, Miles, Milo, Myler "servant or devotee of St. Mary"
Maon (m & f) MAYN - "silent" [a byname for a Celtic god]
Marcán MAR kawn Marcan from marc "steed" + diminutive ending
Meallán MY'AL awn Mellan "lightning"
Mel MEL Mel meaning is unknown
Miach (m & f) MEE ach - "honorable; proud"
Mochta MUCH ta - "great"
Molaisse muh LAWSH a Molaise pet from of Laisrén ("flame; fire")
Morann MUR an Morand meaning is unknown
Muircheartach MWIR char tach Briartach, Murtagh, Mortimer, Maurice, Monty "sea battler", "skilled in seacraft"
Muireadhach MWIR akh Murray; Murdough Muiríoch from muire "lord; master"
Muireagán MIR a gawn Muirecán muire "lord; master"
Murchadh MUR a kha Murrough, Maurus, Morgan mur "sea" + chad "battle"
Murchú MUR choo Murphy mur "sea" + cu "hound; wolf"
Naithí NAH hee Nath-í, Nathy "nephew of a tree" ("tree" being a symbol of a champion)
Naoise (m, sometimes f) NEE sha Nóise, Naois, Nyce, Noah possibly, from nasc "a bond"
Naomhán NEV awn Nevan dim. of Naomh ("saint; holy one")
Neasán NYAS awn Nessan possibly, "a stoat"
Niall NEE ul Neil, Neal, Néill, Nicholas, Nigel possibly from nél, "cloud" or elements meaning "passionate; vehement" or "champion"
Niallán NEE ul awn Neylon, Nealon dim. of Niall (see above)
Nuadha NOO a Nuadu possibly, "cloud-maker": Celtic god name
Nuallán NOO uh lawn Nolan nuall either "noble, famous; champion" or "shout" [possibly denoting a town crier]
Odhrán UR awn Oran, Odrán, Órán "sallow; dark; grey-brown"
Ógán OH gawn Hogan from óg, "youth; lad"
Oilithir ULL ih hir Ailithir "pilgrim"
Oilleóg ILL yoge Oilléog dim. of Oillil ("sprite; elf")
Oillill UHL yil Aillill, Elias "sprite; elf"
Oillín UHL yeen Ellén, Aillén diminutive of Oillill (see above)
Oisín USH een Ossian, Oissíne os "deer" + diminutive ending
Olcán UL cawn - "wolf"
Ólchobhar OLE chur Ólchobar "lover of drink"
Onchú UN choo - "fierce hound"
Orthanach UR han ach - "potent in prayers or charms"
Osán US awn Ossán os "deer" + diminutive ending
Osgar US gar Oscar os, "deer" + cara, "friend"
Ríoghán REE awn Ryan, Rian, Rígán rí, "king" + diminutive ending
Ríordán REE ur dawn Ríoghbhardán, Reardan "king; royal" + bard "bard; poet" + dimunitive ending
Robhartach RO ar takh Robartach "rushing; impetuous"
Rónán RO nawn Ronan rón, "seal" + diminutive ending
Ross RAWS Ros "headland"
Rúadhán ROO awn Ruan, Rowan, Rohan, Rúadán rúad, "red haired" + diminutive ending
Ruaidhrí RU a ree Rory, Ruairí, Ruaidrí, Roderick, Roger rúad "red; red-haired" + "king; royal"
Ruarc ROO ark Rourke possibly from arc, "hero; champion" or ruarc "rainstorm." Alternately, it may be from Hroekr "famous power," a name brought by Norse settlers.
Samhrán SOW rawn Samradán, Samhradhán "summery person" from samhradh, "summer"
Sárán SAWR awn - from sár "noble; best" or else from an older root meaning "chief; chief"
Scannal
SKAN al Scandel, Scannell possibly, "quarrel; argument"
Scannlán
SKAN uh lawn Scanlon, Scandlán diminutive of Scannal
Scoithín SKUH heen - from scoth "blossom, bloom"
Scolaí SKUL lee Scolaighe, Scully "scholar" or "town crier"
SHAY Séaghdha, Shay, Shea from séig, "hawk-like"
Seachlann SHACH lan Sechnall, Seachnall from Latin "secondus"
Séadhna SHAY uh na Sétna, Séadna, Sidney "traveller; wayfarer"
Seanán SHAN awn Senan sean, "old, ancient"
Seanchán SHAN a khawn Shanahan sean, "old, ancient" + diminutive ending
Séighín (m & f) SHAY een, SHANE Séigíne from sé, "hawk"
Síoda SHEE da Sheedy possibly derived from the word for "silk"
Siollán SHULL awn Sillán meaning is unknown
Sléibhín SHLAI veen Slébíne, Slevin from sliabh "mountain"
Somhairle SO ar leh Sorley, Samuel, Charles from Norse Somarlithr, "summer wanderer"
Suibhne SIV neh Sweeney, Simon "well-going; pleasant"
Tadhg TYG Teague, Tadc, Tadg, Tad, Thaddeus, Theodosius, Theophilus, Tim "poet"
Taichleach TAL akh Tallach "placating; peacemaking"
Tanaí TAHN ee Tanaide "slender; subtle"
Tárlach TAWR a lakh Turlough, Toirdhealbhach, Tairdelbach, Charles "abettor; instigator"
Tassach TASS ukh - perhaps, "idle; inactive"
Teimhnín T'YEV uh neen, T'YEN een Temnén, Tynan from temen, "dark"
Tiarnach TEER nakh Tierney, Tighearnach tigern, "lord; chief"
Tiarnán TEER nawn lord- Tiernan, Tighearnán tigern, "lord"; chief+ diminutive ending
Tiobraide TYUB rid eh Tipraite possibly, tiobraid, "well"
Tíreachán TEER ach awn Tírechán "having land; wide-ruling"
Tóla TOE la Tola "abundance, flood"
Tomaltach TUM al tach Thomas, Timothy tomaltach, "bulky; large"
Tómmán TOME awn - dim. of Tuama (see below)
Torcán TURK awn Torccán "wild boar"
Torna TUR uh na - possibly, "puffed-up"
Treasach TRAS ach Tressach, Tracy "warlike; fierce"
Tuama TOO uhm ma Tómma possibly from tuaim "small mountain; large hill"
Tuathal TOO uh hul Toal, Tully tuath, "people" + hal "rule"
Uaithne OO in yeh, WAN yeh Owney, Hewney, Anthony "greenish," from a tribal name
Uallachán OOL akh awn Hoolihan uallach, "proud; arrogant" + diminutive ending
Uallgarg OOL a garg - uall "pride" + garg "fierce"
Ultán UL tawn Ultan "man from Ulster"
Urard UR urd Airard, Irard "very tall"

* names in italics represents names that have no etymological connection to the Irish name, but were used as English "translations" based upon the fact that they have similar sounds or meanings.