From Niamh to Cian: 100 Irish Baby Names Steeped in Tradition (Includes Pronunciations)
Are you looking for a name that’s rich in tradition, full of charm, and just a little bit magical? Irish baby names might be exactly what you’re searching for. If you’re honoring your roots or just love the lyrical sound of Irish names (like me!), this list is packed with 100 beautiful ideas for boys and girls.
From ancient legends to modern favorites, each name on this list comes with a special meaning—and we’ve included pronunciation help, too, because we know Irish spellings can sometimes throw you for a loop!
More to read:
- Italian Baby Names: 100 Beautiful Picks for Boys & Girls
- 75 Beautiful Twin Girl Names: Perfect Pairings for Your Little Duo
- 152 Country Baby Boy Names: The Cutest Names, Y’all!
- 120 Middle Names for Olivia (with Meanings!)
- Hippie Girl Names: 175 Cute & Unique Names for Girls
Affiliate links may be used in this post and if so I will receive a commission at no extra cost. I’m also part of the Amazon Affiliate (Associate) program where I earn a commission from sales made through my affiliate links. Read the full disclosure policy.
Let’s get into 100 Irish baby names that are as meaningful as they are lovely.
Irish Baby Names
Before we jump into the list, I just want to mention something about pronunciation. Irish names are absolutely beautiful, but their spellings and sounds can be a little tricky—especially if you’re reading them from outside of Ireland like I am.
I’m based in the States, so while I’ve done my best to include pronunciations that are as close to correct as possible, there may be slight differences depending on where in Ireland (or the world) you’re hearing them.
Accents and regional variations can change things a bit! But don’t worry—these will still give you a really good idea of how to say each name, even if they’re not 100% perfect. Now let’s get to the fun part—browsing these gorgeous Irish baby names!
🍀 Irish Girl Names
Aoife (EE-fa) – “Beautiful, radiant”
Niamh (NEEV) – “Bright” or “radiant”
Saoirse (SEER-sha) – “Freedom”
Maeve (MAYV) – “She who intoxicates”
Róisín (RO-sheen) – “Little rose”
Ciara (KEE-ar-a) – “Dark-haired”
Éabha (AY-va) – Irish form of Eve, “life”
Clodagh (CLO-da) – Named after the River Clodagh
Orla / Órlaith (OR-la) – “Golden princess”
Aisling (ASH-ling) – “Dream” or “vision”
Brigid / Brighid (BRIH-jid) – “Exalted one”
Eimear (EE-mer) – “Swift” or “ready”
Gráinne (GRAWN-ya) – “Grain” or “love”
Fionnuala (Fin-OO-la) – “Fair shoulder”
Deirdre (DEER-dra) – “Sorrowful,” but legendary and poetic
Tara (TA-ra) – “Hill” (a sacred place of Irish kings)
Áine (AWN-ya) – “Brightness,” associated with a fairy queen
Sorcha (SUR-ka or SOR-ka) – “Brightness”
Meabh (MAYV) – Alternate spelling of Maeve
Eilis (AY-lish) – Irish version of Elizabeth, “God is my oath”
Una / Úna (OO-na) – “Lamb” or “unity”
Keeva / Caoimhe (KEE-va) – “Gentle, beautiful”
Muireann (MWIR-in) – “Sea white” or “of the sea”
Bláthnaid (BLAW-nid) – “Little flower”
Sadhbh (SIVE) – “Sweet” or “goodness”
Laoise (LEE-sha) – “Radiant girl”
Nuala (NOO-la) – Short form of Fionnuala
Roís (ROSH) – Variant of Róisín, “rose”
Ailis (AY-lish) – Irish form of Alice, “noble”
Aurnia (OR-nya) – “Golden lady”
Éirinn (AIR-in) – Poetic form of “Ireland”
Siobhán (shi-VAWN) – “God is gracious”
Alannah (a-LAN-na) – “Darling child”
Caoilfhionn (KEEL-in or KWEEL-in) – “Slender and fair”
Treasa (TRA-sa) – “Strength”
Eithne (EN-ya or ETH-na) – “Kernel” or “grain”
Iseult (EE-sult) – Legendary queen in Irish lore
Muirne (MWIR-na) – “Festive” or “beloved”
Clíodhna (CLEE-na) – Name of a goddess or fairy queen
Darina (DAH-ree-na) – “Fruitful” or “bountiful”
Aurnait (OR-nit) – “Golden”
Finola (Fin-OH-la) – Anglicized version of Fionnuala
Etain (eh-TANE) – “Shining one”
Brónagh (BRO-na) – “Sorrow”
Caitlín (KAWT-leen) – Irish form of Catherine
Nessa (NESS-a) – Legendary warrior queen
Eireann (ER-in) – Another poetic name for Ireland
Mallaidh (MOL-ee) – Irish form of Molly
Sheelin (SHEE-lin) – Named after a lake in Ireland
Liadan (LEE-a-dan) – “Grey lady”
☘️ Irish Boy Names
Cian (KEE-an) – “Ancient” or “enduring”
Oisín (uh-SHEEN) – “Little deer”
Seán (SHAWN) – “God is gracious”
Tadhg (TIGE) – “Poet” or “philosopher”
Fionn (FYUN or FIN) – “Fair-haired”
Ronan (RO-nan) – “Little seal”
Eoin (OH-in) – Irish version of John
Darragh (DAH-rah) – “Oak tree”
Niall (NIE-al) – “Champion”
Eoghan (O-wen) – “Born of the yew tree”
Cillian (KIL-ee-an) – “Church” or “warrior”
Ruairí (ROO-ree) – “Red king”
Cathal (KA-hull) – “Battle ruler”
Conor (CON-or) – “Lover of hounds”
Odhrán (OR-awn) – “Little pale one”
Lorcan (LOR-kan) – “Little fierce one”
Aodhan (AY-dawn) – “Little fire”
Diarmuid (DEER-mid) – “Without enemy”
Cormac (KOR-mack) – “Charioteer”
Colm (KULL-um) – “Dove”
Faolán (FAY-lawn) – “Little wolf”
Tiernan (TEER-nan) – “Little lord”
Donnacha (DUN-a-ka) – “Brown-haired warrior”
Bran (BRAN) – “Raven”
Malachy (MAL-a-kee) – “Messenger”
Art (ART) – “Bear” or “noble”
Laoghaire (LEER-a) – “Calf herder”
Shay (SHAY) – “Hawk-like”
Eochaidh (OH-ee) – “Horseman”
Pádraig (PAW-rick) – “Noble”
Toirdhealbhach (TUR-a-luck) – “Prompt in action”
Muiris (MUR-ish) – “Sea warrior”
Gearóid (GAIR-ohd) – “Brave with a spear”
Turlough (TUR-lock) – “Helper of the people”
Rían (REE-an) – “Little king”
Donal (DOH-nal) – “World ruler”
Keelan (KEE-lan) – “Slender”
Ultán (UL-tawn) – “From Ulster”
Daithí (DAH-hee) – “Swiftness”
Naoise (NEE-sha) – Legendary warrior
Lochlann (LOKH-lan) – “Land of the lakes”
Ailill (AL-yil) – “Elf” or “beauty”
Tighearnán (TEER-nawn) – “Little lord”
Fiachra (FEE-akh-ra) – “Raven”
Séamus (SHAY-mus) – “Supplanter”
Cuan (KOO-an) – “Little warrior” or “harbor”
Éanna (AY-na) – “Birdlike”
Fearghal (FAIR-ul) – “Man of valor”
Séanán (SHAW-nawn) – “Little wise one”
Máirtín (MAR-cheen) – Irish form of Martin, “warrior”
Final Thoughts
Irish names are full of history, heart, and a touch of poetic magic. Whether you’re drawn to strong boy names like Cian and Fionn, or dreamy girl names like Aoife and Róisín, there’s something special for everyone on this list.
And even if you’re not Irish by heritage, these names carry a beauty that can suit any child, anywhere in the world.
Pin the image for later reading on Pinterest
