Finian

Irish
"fair"

Finian Origin and Meaning

The name Finian is a boy's name of Irish origin meaning "fair".

This lilting Irish saint's name shone in neon lights on Broadway for the classical 1947 musical "Finian's Rainbow," later made into a film starring Fred Astaire as Finian McLonergan, and there was also a character on "General Hospital" named Finian O'Toole. With the growing popularity of Finn and Finlay/Finley--and boys' names ending in 'an'--Finian, which can also be spelled Finnian, seems like a sure-fire winner.

One of several early St. Finnians was a noted teacher and scholar.

# 1647 on Nameberry

Finian Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Finian Popularity

Famous People Named Finian

  • Saint Finian Lobhar aka Finian the Leper
    6th century Irish abbot
  • Finian McGrath
    Irish MP
  • Finian Hanley
    Irish Gaelic footballer

Finian in Pop Culture

  • Finian McLonergan
    main character in musical "Finian's Rainbow"
  • Finian O'Toole
    character on American soap "General Hospital"