690+ Irish Names (With Meanings and Popularity)

Another candidate for mispronunciation.

One of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland, St. Ruadan was a follower of St. Finian and founded an abbey in Tipperary. Other versions include Ruadhain or Ruadhan.

A long shot, but it could join the crop of dashing Irish surname names.

Irish name with an intriguing lilt.

This Irish saint's name makes an attractive alternative for Dylan or Donald.

Gary Sinise chose this Mc name for his late son McCanna, called Mac, in 1990, before Irish and Scottish surnames beginning with Mc or Mac became common as first names. Mac Sinise passed away from a rare form of cancer at the age of 33.

McCabe is an Irish patronymic surname that originated with Scottish mercenaries in Ireland who wore distinctive hats -- or cabas, which is also the name for capes.

The famous Battle of the Boyne, in Ireland, vanquished the Catholic king.

Shevonne is proof that a name can be pretty and tacky at the same time.

Using Kevyn (or even Kevin) for a girl breathes new life into this tired boys' name.

Yeats, the strong name of the great Irish poet, would work better for a boy. Also has possible pronunciation problem with people who might think it rhymes with Keats. Yeats rhymes with the word from which it's derived: gates.

Brennan alternative.

A dandy, bouncy family name with tap shoes, high hat, and cane. There are several theories of its derivation, including as a nickname from the word 'ganty,' for a person who commonly wore gloves, or from 'gamen,' for someone good at games.

Julia Roberts's choice of Phinnaeus gives a boost to all Ph forms. Or should we say, phorms.

A really unusual choice that could be used to honor Grandpa Will.

Cheerful and distinctive.

Kesey is a possible literary hero name honoring Merry Prankster Ken Kesey, whose characters flew over the cuckoo's nest. Kesey rhymes with easy.