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.
| 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 | rí "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" + rí "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" | or else
| 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" |
| Sé | 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 | + dimin
| 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" |