690+ Irish Names (With Meanings and Popularity)

A name from the East African Kikuyu language with a sweet meaning; and a simplified spelling of McKenna.

The Irish Gaelic form of Cecilia, which is the origin of the Anglicized version Sheila, which subsequently became very popular across the English-speaking world.

A very popular name for boys in Ireland that's well-used throughout the British Isles, Darragh is also occasionally used for girls and certainly sounds feminine or at least unisex to the American ear. Simplified form Dara pushes it further toward the girls' side.

Dacey is a delicate and lacy Irish name with real possibilities.

An old Irish surname that was big in the 1960s, but would be an unexpected choice for a child now.

Kaitlin is a variation of Caitlin that's on a steep decline; it dropped out of the Top 1000 in 2013, after more than three decades on the list.

Connolly, an alternate spelling of Connelly, could make a livelier and less common substitute for Connor.

Another two-syllable surname zooming up the ladder for boys, and poised to be grabbed by the girls.

Rohan is an Indian name, but may also be a variation of the Irish surname Rowan, sometimes used for girls.

Branigan, also spelled Branagan or Brannigan, is an Irish name full of energy and cheer. It was the title of a 1975 John Wayne movie, and Zapp Brannigan is the antihero of the animated sitcom "Futurama." Branigan fans might also want to consider such related Irish names as Brennan and Breccan, Rafferty and Finnegan.

Breccan may be the original saints' name, but in the modern U.S., the spelling Brecken is the most popular form, followed by Breckin. A winner by any spelling.

A much prettier and feminine version of the boys name Ryan which is starting to be used for girls, while still retaining the Irish feel and the regal meaning.

An Irish surname name with a combination of boldness and élan. Some might connect it to the founder of the group T. Rex -- Marc Bolan.

This is an old Irish name associated with such heroes as the seventeenth century chieftain, scholar and poet Manus O'Donnell. In this country, though, parents would not find Manus as pleasing or impressive as Magnus.

Would make a truly original alternative to the overused Sarah.

This name of eighteen Irish saints of the past is relatively popular in Ireland, though little known outside it.

Much fresher Irish imports available for colleens now.

Keelin is a form of Keelan, the Anglicized phonetic form of Caelan or Caoilinn, said to be a unisex name but in practice used almost exclusively for boys. Girls would more often be called Keela, Keeley, or Keely.

Donal is, yes, just Donald with the final d cut off, but that somehow gives it a jauntier, fresher feel. Donal Logue is a Canadian actor and Donal Skehan is an Irish cookbook author.

The name of a sympathetic character in the best-selling novel The Secret Life of Bees, though it feels more stylish these days spelled Rosaline.