Irish names A - Z

Ford of the oak

Of the earth

Fire

Fire

Often interpreted as one strength or one choice

Irish form of Aveline/Evelyn; often associated with a wished-for child

A form of Aibhilín, associated with the Aveline/Evelyn name family and a wished-for child

April

An old Irish name, recorded as Affraic. Its literal meaning is not firmly established

Pure, chaste

Traditionally associated with white or bright; rock is another suggested root

Traditionally associated with white or bright; rock is another suggested root

Irish form of Eleanor

Noble, of noble kind

Noble, kind

Beauty

Irish form of Amelina, related to Emilia and the Latin word for rival

Splendour, radiance, brilliance

Dream, vision

An early Irish saint’s name; also connected with an Old Irish form of the word for night

Kernel or grain, when used as a variant of Eithne

Beautiful

Dear child, associated with the Irish expression a leanbh

Defender of humankind

Noble, exalted

Irish form of Annalise

Inspired by the River Annalee

Fire

Fire, fiery

Flame, fire

Little fire

White fire

Fiery

Little fire

Beauty

Beauty

Radiance, beauty or a spark of fire

Radiant beauty, pleasant

Beauty

Beauty

Beauty, radiance

Often interpreted as one strength or one choice

Inspired by the Aran Islands

From the high church

Associated with Aherlow, meaning between two highlands. This is an Irish place connection rather than a settled origin for Arlo

An early Irish saint’s name, anglicised as Attracta. No firm literal translation is recorded

Inspired by Avoca in County Wicklow

War and crow association

A poetic name for Ireland, borne by one of its three patron goddesses

Fair head, fair-haired

Brave as a bear, strong

Melodious lady; also commonly interpreted as fair or beautiful lady

Little flower

Flower, little flower

Little flower

River Boyne association

Little lane

Raven association

Prince

Inspired by Bree in County Wexford

Agriculture and fertility association

Often associated with height, strength or power

Strength, exalted one

Strength, exalted one

Little Brigid

Strength, power, exalted one

Sorrowful

Irish surname; associated with Ó Broin, descendant of Bran (raven)

Beautiful, graceful

Fair or gentle lady

Pure

Pure (traditional interpretation)

Daybreak, dawn

Cub, whelp; also a historical term for a rank of poet

Fair, slender

Gentle, beautiful, precious

Gentle, kind

Slender, narrow

Slender

Beloved

Friend

Stone fort

Strong in battle

Vigilant, watchful

War or strife

Fair locks

Irish social gathering and dancing

Ancient

Little dark one

Often interpreted as little church; also traditionally linked to Ceallach

Inspired by County Clare

The name of an Irish goddess. Its original literal meaning is not firmly established

Named for the River Clodagh

Girl

Dove

Little dove

Mind, intellect or wisdom, when used as a form of Conn

Strong hound or strong wolf, common interpretations of this old Irish name

Hound, wolf

Lover of hounds

Lover of hounds

Constant, steadfast

From the hollow

Traditionally interpreted as chariot-son or son of the charioteer

Christ-bearer

Derived from croí, the Irish word for heart

Little brown one

Little hound

Mythological smith association

Good god

Fruitful or fertile

Fruitful, bountiful

Swiftness, nimbleness

Fawn, young deer

Mythological mother figure; nature association

Oak, through its connection with Darragh and the Irish word dair

Of oak

Oak

An ancient Irish saint’s name, thought to contain an element meaning good. Its full literal meaning is not established

Daughter of the poet

An ancient Irish name associated with Deirdre of the Sorrows. Sorrow is a story association rather than a confirmed literal translation

Healing and medicine association

Without enemy (traditional interpretation)

Fruitful, fertile (note interpretation)

World-ruler

Brown warrior

A medieval Irish personal name. Donn can mean brown or refer to a noble lord; the full compound has no firmly established translation

Brown-haired warrior

Life

A shortened form of Éadaoin/Étaín, traditionally associated with passion or jealousy

Passion, jealousy (traditional interpretation)

Aspen tree

Swan

Escape, break free

Protection, prosperity

Bird-like

Flame, fire

Fiery

Irish form of Aveline/Evelyn; also traditionally associated with Helen and shining light

The name of an ancient Irish kingdom, also found in Irish legend

God is my oath

Modern form of Emer, the heroine of Irish legend. Its literal meaning is not firmly established

Ireland

Kernel, seed; origin debated

Island

Born of the yew tree (traditional interpretation)

God is gracious

Ireland

Mythological name associated with Ireland

Traditionally associated with passion or jealousy, from the Old Irish element ét

Little wolf

Man of valour

Man of vigour (traditional interpretation)

Associated with fiach, the Irish word for raven

Wild, untamed; deer

Little fair or white one

Fair, fair-haired

Fair head, fair-haired

White shoulder

Red, ruddy

Little red one

Mythological association with nature and cattle

Ruddy

Mythological and poetic name for Ireland

Ruler, sovereign or princess

Spear strength

Shining, bright

Servant of Saint Brigid

Valley

Little smith, a feminine form associated with Gobán

Often linked with grain; the name’s original derivation is debated

Prince

From Ireland

Thirst

Yew tree, from the Irish word iobhar. Ivor also has a separate Norse origin

The heroine’s name in the Tristan and Iseult story. Its original meaning is debated

Inspired by the Keeragh Islands

Inspired by Kells in County Meath

Dark one; County Kerry association

Church of the old fort

Famous in battle, through its connection with Louisa

From Laurentum; laurel association

Poetic or songful, associated with laoidh, meaning poem or song

Associated with Luighseach and the Lugh name family; also connected with County Laois

A place or site, from the Irish placename element láithreach

Flame of wine

Inspired by the River Lee

Grey

Will, protection

Beauty of women

Sea association

Land of the lochs

Little fierce one

Monday; the Irish word also has the sense of a halo or radiance

The name of an Irish god. Light and oath are among the suggested roots, rather than a single agreed translation

An old Irish name connected with Lugh

Son of the hazel

Irish form of Mary. Star of the sea is a traditional devotional association, rather than a settled literal translation

Servant of Saint Seachnaill

Bear

She who intoxicates

An early Irish saint’s name, also spelt Mella. Its literal meaning is not firmly established

Little pleasant one, from an old word meaning pleasant or delightful

A bushel or sack, an old measure of grain

Who is like God?

Fairy king association

Great queen or phantom queen

Sea-white, sea-fair

Moorish; Irish form of Maurice

Full of grace

An ancient Irish name borne by Deirdre’s lover. Its literal meaning is not firmly established

Noble princess

War association

Not gentle, according to the traditional story explaining her name

Champion or warrior

Often associated with a hero or champion; cloud and passion are other suggested roots

Radiance, brightness

Honour

An ancient Irish divine name related to Nodens, often interpreted as the catcher or acquirer

Little pale or dun-coloured one

An older form of Aonghus, often interpreted as one strength or one choice

Little deer

Golden princess

Champion (Irish word association)

Nobly born

Nobleman

Rock

Pearl

Inspired by Phoenix Park

Inspired by Quin in County Clare

Little star

Little star

Associated with Riagán, traditionally interpreted as little king

Little gentle one; graceful little one; little pearl

Little star

Little king (traditional interpretation)

Little queen

Queen, queenly

An ancient Irish personal name, recorded in early inscriptions and genealogies. A firm literal translation is not established

Seal association

Rose

Little rose

Little seal

Associated with ros, meaning a wooded height, wood or headland

Red

Red-haired

Red-haired

Red-haired

Red-haired king

Sweetness, goodness

Noble judge

Freedom, liberty

Free or noble princess

Treasure

Supplanter

God is gracious

Young Seán

God is gracious

Love or affection

Familiar form of Séamus

Old, wise

Old, wise

Little jewel

God will add

The childhood name of Cú Chulainn. Its literal meaning is not firmly established

From Mac Seanlaoich, meaning son of the old hero

Inspired by the River Shannon

Stately, admirable or fortunate, from Seaghdha

Fairy pool, through its connection with Lough Sheelin

God is my oath

God is gracious

God is gracious

Elf, fairy, changeling

Good peace

Descend, flow down

God is gracious

Mountain, mountain climber

Bright, shining

Related to Anastasia in the notes

Poet

Son of the priest

Name from Irish mythology

Inspired by the Hill of Tara

Gift of God

Little poet (Irish surname interpretation)

Irish spelling of Teddy; associated with Theodore, meaning gift of God, or Edward, meaning guardian of wealth

Little dark, dusky or grey one

Descendant of Tighearnach (lordly)

Little lord

Instigator, one who prompts or furthers

Irish form of Teresa

Traditionally associated with abundance or a flood

Twin

Little boar

Irish surname-inspired choice

Strength

Pure (through Caitríona)

People-mighty

Princess or ruler of the people

Princess of abundance

Irish surname inspiration; also an anglicised form of Tuathal

Land of Eoghan

Traditionally associated with uan, the Irish word for lamb

Inspired by Valentia Island