690+ Irish Names (With Meanings and Popularity)
- Eibhlin
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"shining, brilliant"Description:
Irish Gaelic form of Evelyn or Aveline, more authentically spelled Eibhlín.
- Eilis
Origin:
Irish variation of ElizabethMeaning:
"pledged to God"Description:
Familiar in the US thanks to the lovely movie Brooklyn, based on the Colm Toibin novel of the same name. Popular in medieval times, it is still used in Ireland (properly spelt with a fada: Eilís) could make an alternative to the super-popular Isla. Eilish and Eibhlis are alternate forms.
- Muireann
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"sea white, sea fair"Description:
The popular Irish name Muireann comes from a mythical mermaid who was tranformed into a woman by a saint. Pronunciation is like the surname of the actress Helen Mirren, but with the spin of a w sound after the initial M.
- Delaney
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"dark river"Description:
Cheerful but laidback, surname-style Delaney is derived from the Old Irish name Dubhshláine and has become a familiar choice for girls in recent decades. Nevertheless, it has also been used for boys since the early 1900s and was equally - though rarely - given to both, right up until the 1990s.
- Darren
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"little great one"Description:
Darren and wife Sharon shop for fifties memorabilia on eBay. The Connecticut place-name Darien might offer an update.
- Colm
Origin:
Irish variation of Latin ColumbaMeaning:
"dove"Description:
Colm is a popular Irish name for boys that could immigrate, especially with its peaceful meaning. Colm Toibin is a contemporary Irish novelist and critic, author of The Master and Brooklyn; Colm Meaney is an Irish actor. Pronunciation is two syllables instead of one, like Colin with an 'm' at the end. Colm is related to Columba, Colom, Colum, Callum, and Malcolm.
- Channing
Origin:
English or IrishMeaning:
"people of Cana or wolf cub"Description:
Channing is a sophisticated surname name whose use is probably linked to actor Channing Tatum and Channing Crowder, former linebacker for the Miami Dolphins.
- Finnigan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"fair"Description:
Finnigan is another way to spell Finnegan, one of the energetic Irish surname-names in vogue now. One note: While Finnigan, Finnian, Finley and so on are appealing names on their own, you don't need to use a longer form to get to Finn, which is a perfectly proper name all on its own.
- Shawn
Origin:
Spelling variation of SeanMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
Shawn is a phonetic spelling of Sean that may be past its peak – it was a Top 30 name in the early 1970s – but is still quite popular for boys: over 500 baby boys were named Shawn in the US in the most recent year counted vs 800 given the original Sean spelling.
- Clodagh
Origin:
Irish river nameDescription:
A popular choice in Ireland, Clodagh was the name of a river and later a saint. The "cloddy" aspect of the name has prevented it from spreading beyond Ireland, but that could change. Famous namesakes are singer Clodagh Rodgers and chef Clodagh McKenna.
- Sheridan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"searcher"Description:
Upper crust-y surname Sheridan gains some energy when used for a girl.
- Sloan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"raider"Description:
A few decades back, this name -- which hardly shows its Irish roots -- evoked a man in a gray flannel suit; now, though still upscale, it's more likely to be attached to a female.
- Tully
Origin:
Irish, ScottishMeaning:
"flood; quiet; hill"Description:
Tully is an Irish surname just waiting to be adapted as a first. Cute and lively, and reminiscent of Tilly or Tali, it's got a long history and a range of possible meanings, depending on which root you use.
- Blathnaid
- Finian
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"fair"Description:
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.
- Brannon
Origin:
Irish variation of BrennanDescription:
Occasionally used as an alternative to Brandon or Brennan.
- Cory
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"from the hollow"Description:
A variation of Corey, this spelling has also been on a steady decline since the early-1990s. Its days are likely numbered on the US popularity charts altogether.
- Aoibheann
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"beautiful sheen"Description:
An ancient Aoibheann was the mother of Saint Enda, and Aoibheann remains popular in Ireland today, sometimes with its Anglicized spelling Eavan.
- Dempsey
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"proud, haughty"Description:
Spunky Irish surname that still has a pugnacious feel from its lingering association with one of boxing's greatest champs, Jack Dempsey. Many people may associate it more with Patrick Dempsey these days—McDreamy from TV's Grey's Anatomy.
- Talullah
Origin:
Irish, Anglicized variation of TuilelaithMeaning:
"lady of abundance"Description:
Talullah or Talulla, the old Irish name of two early saints, is almost identical to the Native-American Tallulah. A modern hipster favorite, however it's spelled.