NAME |
Pronunciation |
Other Spellings |
Meaning |
English |
| Adamnan | Ah-dawn-an | Adhamhán | Adam (man), or kindle. | Adam |
| Aidan | AY-dan | Aodán, Aodhán, Aodhagán |
Fire | Hugh |
| Ailín | Al-EEN | Alan | Noble | Alan |
| Ailill | All-yil | Beauty, or rocky place. (Ailill was King of Connaught and husband of Queen Maeve). | ||
| Ainnle | AWN-lya | Ainle | Fierce warrior? One of the sons of Usna. | |
| Antaine | Anthony | Antoine | Anthony | |
| Aodh | AY | Aodha | Fire | Hugh |
| Aengus | AYN-gus | Aonghus, Angus | One choice | Angus |
| Ardán | Are-Dawn | Tall. One of the sons of Usna. | ||
| Auley | AWE-lee | Amhalghaidh | Phantom? or marvel? A very old name, predating the Vikings | |
| Art | Art | Airt | Stone, or bear | Arthur |
| Bailey * | BAY-lee | SURNAME - Báille. An English name meaning Bailiff. | ||
| Balor | BAY-lor | Dumbfounded? An ancient King of Ireland. | ||
| Bartley | Parthalán | Ploughman | Bartholomew | |
| Barry | BAR-ee | Finbar, Barra | Fair head | |
| Bowen * | 'Fair'; Welsh? | |||
| Brady * | BRAY-dee | SURNAME - Mac Brádaigh. Means 'spirited', mainly from Cavan. | ||
| Bran | Bran | Brain, Broin | Raven | |
| Breasal | BRA-sal | Brassal | King's court, palace | |
| Brennan * | SURNAME - O'Braonáin, possibly meaning sorrow.Four different families, from Galway, Kerry, Westmeath and Kilkenny. | |||
| Brendan | BREN-dan | Breandán | ||
| Brian | BRY-an | Briain | Noble, strong; King of Ireland in 1014, victor of the battle of Clontarf |
|
| Brogan * | BRO-gan | SURNAME - O'Brógáin. From the Uí Fiachrach familes of North Mayo and Sligo. | ||
| Cahir | KA-here | Cathaoir | Guard. A High King of Ireland. | |
| Caimin | KAY-min | A saint from Co Clare | ||
| Cáirbre | CAR-bra | Cairpre | Rugged, or Charioteer | |
| Caoilte | Keel-ta | Slender, or courteous. The fastest runner of the Fianna. | ||
| Caoilfhionn | KWEEL-in | Keelin | Fair head (now mostly used as a female name) | |
| Caolán | KAY-lawn | Kealan | Slender | |
| Caroll | CAR-ol | Cearbhall | Fierce Warrior; Used by the O'Daly's | Charles |
| Carrig | CA-rig | Carrick | Rock | Craig |
| Cathal | CA-hal | Cahal | Battle-mighty | Charles |
| Casey * | CAY-see | SURNAME - From the Irish surname Ó Cathasaigh, meaning 'watchful' or 'vigilant' | ||
| Cashel * | Caiseal | Castle | ||
| Cassidy * | SURNAME - O'Caiside. A Fermanagh family of physicians. Maybe 'curly haired'? | |||
| Cearbhall | CAR-vil | Caroll | Fierce Warrior. Used by the O'Daly's | Charles |
| Cian | KEY-an | Ancient | ||
| Cianán | KEY-nawn | Kenan | Ancient | |
| Ciarán | KEY-ar-awn, KEY-ran |
Kieran | Black | |
| Cleary * | CLEE-ree | SURNAME - O'Cléirigh, meaning Clerk. One of the oldest Irish surnames, from Galway. | ||
| Coileán | Col-AUN | Colin, Cuileán | An old Irish name meaning Whelp | Colin |
| Coinneach | KIN-noch | Canice | Attractive. Founder of Kilkenny. | Kenneth |
| Colm | CUL-um or COL-um | Colmán, Colum | Dove | Columba |
| Colmcille | COL-um-kill | Columba | Dove of the church | Columba |
| Comhghall | CO-all | Close relative? A follower of Columba who went to Iona. | ||
| Conaill | CON-al | Conall, Connell | High-mighty | |
| Conan | KOH-nan | Konan | Little wolf hound. A warrior companion of Fionn McCumhaill | |
| Conn | Con | Con | Sense, reason, intelligence | |
| Conor | CON-or | Conchobhar, Connor |
High will, or desire | Cornelius |
| Cormac | COR-mac | Charioteer; or, son of the raven. | ||
| Coran | CORE-an | A saint from near Youghal in Co Cork | ||
| Críostóir | CREE-store | Christ-bearing (Greek) | Christopher | |
| Cullan, Cullen | Colin | SURNAME - MacCuilinn, from the Irish word 'cuileann', holly. Mainly from Monaghan. | Colin | |
| Curran | SURNAME - O'Corráin.Widespread throughout Ireland. May mean Battle, warrior? | |||
| Daithi | DA-hee | Dahey | Swift, nimble | David |
| Damian | DAY-mee-an | Damien | ||
| Danann | DAN-an | From Dé Danann (spirit people) | ||
| Darragh | DA-ra | Dara, Dáire | Oak | |
| Declan | DEC-lan | Déaglán | Patron saint of Ardmore, Waterford. |
|
| Delaney, Delany * | De-LAY-nee | SURNAME - O'Dubhshláine, from 'dubh' meaning black.From Laois and Kilkenny. | ||
| Devlin * | SURNAME - From the Irish surname O'Doibhilin, a surname from Tyrone. | |||
| Dermot | DUR-mot | Diarmuid, Dermod | Freeman | Jeremiah |
| Derry * | DER-ee | PLACE - A town and county in the north of Ireland | ||
| Desmond | DES-mund | Deasmhumhan, Deasún, Des | Native of South Munster (Deas Mumhain) | |
| Dillon | DILL-un | Ray of light, or faithful. | Dylan | |
| Donagh | DUN-a | Donncha, Donnchadha | Brown (or strong) warrior | Dennis |
| Dónal | DOUGH-nal | Domhnall | Mighty in the deep | Daniel |
| Donncha | DUN-a-cha | Donagh | Brown (or strong) warrior | Dennis |
| Douglas | DUG-las | Dubhghlas | Dark green | |
| Duff, Duffy * | SURNAME - Dark, black. | |||
| Earnán | Air-nawn | Ernan | Knowing, experienced | Ernest |
| Eamonn | AY-mun | Eamon | Blessed protection | Edward, Edmund |
| Egan * | EE-gan | Aodhgan | Little fire: or SURNAME | |
| Emmet, Emmett * | EMM-et | SURNAME - Derived from the female name Emma; the most famous member was Robert Emmet. | ||
| Enda | EN-da | Eanna | Abbot of Aran (possibly from éan, meaning bird) |
|
| Ennis * | PLACE - town in Ireland. | |||
| Eoghan | OWE-an | Owen | Well born | Eugene |
| Eoin | OWE-in | Owen | Gracious gift of God (Hebrew) |
John |
| Fachtna | FACH-tna | West Cork name | ||
| Farrell | SURNAME - O'Fearghail, meaning 'man of valour'. Originally of Longford. | |||
| Felim | FEE-lim | Phelim, Feidhlim | Ever good | Philip |
| Ferdia | FUR-dee-a | Soul mate of Cú Chulainn | ||
| Fergal | FUR-gal | Fearghal | Bright Man, Manly | |
| Fergus | FUR-gus | Fearghus | Super choice | |
| Finbar | FIN-bar | Fionnbar | Fair head | Barry |
| Finn | Fin | Fionn | Fair | |
| Fintan | FIN-tan | Fionntán | Fair | |
| Fiachra | FEE-a-cra | Name of eight Irish saints | ||
| Finian | FIN-ee-an | Finghín | Fair birth | Florence |
| Finnigan * | Finnegan | |||
| Fionn | FYUN | Finn | Fair | |
| Fionntán | FIN-tan | Fintan | Fair | |
| Flann | Flan | Floinn | Ruddy | Florence |
| Flannery | SURNAME - O'Flannabhra, 'red eyebrows' | |||
| Gearóid | GA-road | Garrett | Spear-mighty | Gareth, Gerard |
| Garrett | Garret | Gearóid | Spear-mighty | Gareth |
| Hugh | Hyoo | Aodh | Fire | |
| Iarla | EAR-la | Iarfhlaith | Patron saint of Tuam. "Western prince" | Jarlath |
| Jarlath | JAR-lath | Iarla | Patron saint of Tuam | |
| Keelin * | KEY-lin | Caoilfhionn | Slender and fair (now usually used as a female name). | Keelan |
| Kealan * | KAY-lan | Caolán | Slender | |
| Keegan, Keagan * | SURNAME - MacAodhagáin (son of Egan). From Dublin/Wicklow or Leitrim/Roscommon | |||
| Keely * | SURNAME - O'Céile (companion) or O'Cadhla (graceful). From Meath and Louth. | |||
| Kelly * | SURNAME - O'Ceallaigh, possibly meaning 'strife'. Originally from Ui Maine, around mid-Galway. | |||
| Kennedy * | SURNAME - O'Cinnéide, meaning ugly head! From East Clare. | |||
| Kerrigan * | O'Ciaragáin | SURNAME - O'Ciaragáin. From ciar, meaning black. Of Mayo. | ||
| Kerry | PLACE - A county in the southwest of Ireland | |||
| Kevin | Caoimhín | Comely birth | ||
| Kieran | KEY-ran | Ciarán | Black | |
| Killian | KIL-ee-an | Cillín, Cillian, Ceallach |
War, strife | |
| Kyle | KILE | Scottish? | ||
| Lachtna | LAC-tna | Lucius | Great-grandfather of Brian Boru | Lucius |
| Liam | LEE-am | Protection | William | |
| Lochlainn | LOCK-lin | Loughlin | Lakeland | |
| Logan * | SURNAME - Of Norman, Scottish or Irish origin | |||
| Lorcan | LOR-can | Lorcán | Fierce | Laurence |
| Mahon | MA-hun | Bear (from Mahon O'Brien, grandson of Brian Boru) | ||
| Malachy | MAL-a-key | Maolseachlann | Servant of St Secundinus
(a disciple of St Patrick) |
Malachi |
| Manus | MAN-us | Maghnus | Great (Latin); a Roman name introduced to Ireland by the Norse. | |
| Maoliosa | Mwel-EESA | Devotee of Jesus | ||
| Mel | Mel | Honey (Latin); the name of a monastery in Longford that gave its name to St. Mel. | ||
| Morrigan * | SURNAME -Morgan | Morgan | ||
| Murphy * | Mac Murchadha | SURNAME - Mac Murchadha, meaning sea warrior. The most common surname in Ireland. | ||
| Murray * | O'Muireadhaigh | SURNAME -O'Muireadhaigh of Galway and MacMurray of Donegal. | ||
| Murron, Murran * | O'Muireáin | SURNAME - O'Muireáin. Of North Mayo/ Sligo. | ||
| Mícheál | MEE-haul | 'Who is like God?' (Hebrew) |
Michael | |
| Milo | MILE-oh | Maolmórdha, Miles, Myles | Majestic chief | |
| Morris | MOR-is | Muiris | One of Moorish descent | Maurice |
| Muireadach | MUR-a-doch | Murray | Seaman, Lord | |
| Muiris | MUR-ish | Morris | One of Moorish descent | Maurice |
| Myles | MILES | Maolmórdha, Miles, Milo | Majestic chief | |
| Naoise | NEE-sha | One choice | Angus, Nicholas | |
| Nessan | NES-an | Neasán | Name of five Irish saints | |
| Niall | NEE-al, NY-al | Neill, Neil | Ancient Ulster name | |
| Nolan * | NO-lan | O'Nualláin | SURNAME - O'Nualláin, from 'nuall' meaning shout.Prince of Forth in Carlow. | |
| Odhrán | O-rawn | Odran, Oran | Pale green (Patron saint of Waterford) | |
| Oisín | USH-een | Deer | ||
| Oscar | OS-car | Divine spear (Norse) | ||
| Owen | OWE-in | Eoin, Eoghan | Gracious gift of God (Hebrew) |
John, Eugene |
| Pádraig | PAW-drig | Padraic | Noble (Latin) | Patrick |
| Páid | PAWD | Paud | Noble (Latin) | Patrick, Paddy |
| Parthalán | Bartley | Ploughman | Bartholomew | |
| Peadar | PA-dur | Rock (Greek) | Peter | |
| Pearse | PEERS | Piarais, Pierce | Rock (Latin) | Peter (Norman) |
| Pól | Pole | Small (Latin) | Paul | |
| Proinsias | PRUN-chas, PRIN-shee-us, | Frenchman | Francis | |
| Quinn * | KWIN | SURNAME - | ||
| Quinlan * | KWIN-lan | SURNAME - | ||
| Reilly, Riley * | .O'Raghailligh | SURNAME - O'Raghailligh. A very common name in Ireland, especially in the Cavan area | ||
| Reagan, Regan * | O'Riagain | SURNAME - O'Riagain. One of the Tribes of Tara. From Clare, Cork and Laois. | ||
| Riain | REE-an | Rian | King | Ryan |
| Risteárd | RISH-tard | Rule-hard (Teutonic) | Richard | |
| Roan * | Seal (the sea mammal) | |||
| Rogan * | O'Ruadhagáin | SURNAME - O'Ruadhagáin, from 'ruadh' meaning red. From Armagh/ Monaghan. | ||
| Rory | ROAR-ee | Ruaraí, Ruaidhrigh | Red (Irish) or Fame-ruler (Teutonic) |
Roger, Roderick |
| Ross | Ross | Ros | Used by the MacMahon, Maguire and other families. | |
| Ronan | ROW-nan | Rónán | Seal | |
| Ruairc | ROORK | Rourke | Originally a Norse name | |
| Ryan | RYE-an | Rian, Riain | King. Also a surname from Tipperary, O'Maoilriain, often abbreviated O'Riain. | Ryan |
| Saoirse | SEER-sha | Freedom | ||
| Shane | Shayne | Seán | Gracious gift of God (Hebrew) |
John |
| Séamus | SHAY-mus | Seamas, Shamus (US) | 'Trips by the heel', Supplants (Hebrew) |
James |
| Seán | SHAUN | Shawn (US) | Gracious gift of God (Hebrew) |
John |
| Seoirse | SHORE-sha | Seorsa | Husbandman, rustic (Greek) |
George |
| Seosamh | SHOW-sav | Iosef | 'May God add' (Hebrew) | Joseph |
| Shannon * | PLACE - Longest river in Ireland | |||
| Shea, Shay | O'Séaghdha | SURNAME - O'Séaghdha. Means hawklike or stately. Mainly from Kerry. | ||
| Sheridan * | SURNAME - From a literary family from Co. Longford | |||
| Suibhne | SIV-na | Sivney | Well-going | Simon |
| Tadhg | Tiger without the R | Teige, Teague, Thady, Taigue | Poet, philosopher | Timothy |
| Tady | TAY-dee | Thady, Tadhg | Poet, philosopher | Timothy |
| Teigue | Tiger without the R | Tadhg, Teague, Thady, Taigue | Poet, philosopher | Timothy |
| Tiarnan | TEAR-nan | Tiernan | Lord | |
| Tierney * | TEER-nee | O'Tighearnaigh | SURNAME - O'Tighearnaigh, meaning Lord.Originally from Donegal, Mayo and Westmeath. | |
| Teagan * | TEE-gan | O'Tadhgáin | SURNAME - O'Tadhgáin, from the male name Tadhg (Timothy). From the Kildare/Laois area. | |
| Tomás | Tom-AWS | Twin (Aramaic) | Thomas | |
| Torin | Torfhinn, Tóirneach | Chief, or thunder. | ||
| Turlough | TUR-lock, TUR-low | Toirdhealbhach | Broad-shouldered (lit. shrub-like) | Terence |
| Tyrone * | PLACE - A county in the north of Ireland | |||
| Uinsionn | IN-shun | Uinseann | Conquering (Latin) | Vincent |
| Ultan | UL-tan | Old Irish name |