Gaelic Names for Boys

Gaelic names for boys range from somewhat familiar actors names, such as Ciaran and Domnhall, to those that are truly obscure in the States. Gaelic boys names are, of course, much more popular in Ireland. But you might just find one of the Gaelic names for boys on our list appealing.

Below, our full list of boy names with Gaelic origins. The top names below rank among the current US Top 1000 Baby Names and are ordered by popularity. Unique names rank below the Top 1000 and are listed alphabetically.
  1. Cael
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "slender"
    • Description:

      Cael is the name of the angel of the zodiac sign of Cancer and also of a warrior of Irish mythology. Its ascendance to the Top 1000 over the past decade probably has to do with its similarity to Cale and Kale (and Kyle and Cayden etcetera).
  2. Callen
    • Origin:

      Gaelic
    • Meaning:

      "rock"
    • Description:

      Callen is a unisex Gaelic name growing in popularity here. Its newfound trendiness is possibly related to the Chris O'Donnell character on "NCIS: Los Angeles", known only as G. Callen. Jazz musician Cal Tjader's full name is Callen.
  3. Eoin
    • Origin:

      Irish, variation of John
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      Though Eoin is a Gaelic form of John, its Anglicized pronunciation links it directly to Owen. Eoin is currently a Top 30 name in Ireland. Other variations: Ewan, Ewen, Evan and Eoghan (pronounced as Owen but also translated as Eugene).
  4. Eoghan
    • Origin:

      Irish Gaelic
    • Meaning:

      "born of the yew tree"
    • Description:

      Pronounced like Owen, this was the name of several early Irish kings and saints, as well as a celebrated Ulster hero. Often spelled with two 'n's in Scotland, it has been Anglicized as Ewan, Ewen, Euan, Owen, Hugh, or Eugene.
  5. Aodh
    • Origin:

      Gaelic
    • Meaning:

      "fire"
    • Description:

      Aodh, the name of the Celtic sun god meaning "fire", was common in early Scotland. It's also the origin of the wildly popular Irish name Aidan (originally Aodhán). Its pronunciation varies depending on region: AY or EE are Irish pronunciations, and in Scotland it's closer to UH, and has been Anglicized as Hugh.
  6. Ruadhan
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "red-haired"
    • Description:

      Ruadhan (sometimes spelt with a fada: Ruadhán) is a fashionable name in its native Ireland. Borne one of the Twelve Irish Apostles, it originated as a diminutive of Ruadh, meaning "red-haired". It has sometimes been Anglicized as Rowan.
  7. Iain
    • Origin:

      Gaelic variation of John
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      Iain, this authentic Gaelic form of John, has been well used in Scotland since the early twentieth century, used concurrently with the shortened Ian spelling, but is rarely seen in the US.
  8. Mirren
    • Origin:

      Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
    • Description:

      Mirren is a lively and attractive Scottish name, popular in its native country but best known outside Scotland as the surname of the English actor Dame Helen Mirren. It is thought to be a Scottish derivative of the name Marion, from Mary.
  9. Domhnall
    • Origin:

      Gaelic form of Donald
    • Description:

      Star Wars and Harry Potter actor Domhnall Gleeson put this Irish and Scottish name on the international map. Sometimes Anglicized as Donal, its pronunciation is close to Donald without the final d.
  10. Ciarán
    • Origin:

      Gaelic
    • Meaning:

      "little black-haired one"
    • Description:

      Long popular in Ireland and England, Ciarán is the name of Ireland's first-born saint and twenty-five other saints. While this is the authentic Irish spelling, it is more familiar in the US in the Anglicized Kieran spelling.
  11. Osheen
    • Origin:

      Anglicized variation of Gaelic Oisin
    • Description:

      This Anglicized spelling adds a bit of a, well, sheen to the very popular Irish name Oisín.
  12. Bain
    • Origin:

      Gaelic or Sindarin
    • Meaning:

      "white, fair"
    • Description:

      Derived from the Scottish Gaelic bàn, meaning "white, fair". It's also a name in J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional Elvish language, in which it means "beautiful".
  13. Branton
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "sword or fire town"
    • Description:

      Branton may be more unusual than Brandon but it will forever be confused with that name.
  14. Eamonn
    • Teadoir
      • Mirin
        • Origin:

          Irish and Scottish, meaning unknown
        • Description:

          The 6th century Irish saint Mirin emigrated to Scotland and now is the patron saint of both the Glasgow suburb of Paisley and the game of football. Mirren is one modern spelling; the Cornish Merryn, best known as the name of the seacoast town St. Merryn, is also related. The name is usually used for girls.
      • Uinseann
        • Galyn
          • Maitias
            • Pádraig
              • Origin:

                Gaelic variation of Patrick
              • Description:

                Once considered too sacred to give to children in Ireland, it is now among the most common names there, along with variants including Pauric and Padraic. Basketball great Patrick Ewing used it for his son.