Irish Names for Girls: The Complete List

Brona is an Anglicized form of Bronach or Bronagh, the name of a sixth century mystic and follower of Saint Patrick. The name is attracting some modern notice in the US via the character Brona Croft in TV's Penny Dreadful.

Would make a truly original alternative to the overused Sarah.

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.

Although the Mc or Mac prefix always means "son of", the first names McKenna and MacKenna are used in the US exclusively for girls, with the McKenna spelling outpacing this one 14 to 1. There are no boys recorded with either spelling of the name.

Aoibhinn and its twin name Aoibheann may be popular in Ireland but most English-speakers would find the spelling baffling and the pronunciation impossible to divine. It's ee-van, or se-vin, fitting with the Irish popularity of many names -- Aoife, Eabha, Ava -- with this similar sound.

Keelan is the Anglicized, phonetic form of the more traditionally-spelled Caelan.. While this name is said by many sources to be unisex and might certainly feel unisex to Americans, in practice in modern Ireland it is only given to boys. Keelin is also found.

Aiden/Aidan is just beginning to wander into the girls' side of the name popularity list, but it's so huge for boys in all its spellings that it will be a long time before it can be called a unisex name.

Eire was a mythological goddess who named Ireland after herself. Rarely used today, even in Eire.

This fanciful Irish extension of Bridget is known here through the wacky Amelia Bedelia books for kids -- an association your child may or may not like.

Irish goddess and saint name that's strong, to say the least.

Eachna is the name of an Irish goddess renowned for her beauty, brains and stylishness; in early legend, a Connacht princess named Eachna was deemed to be one of the loveliest and cleverest women int he world.

Attached in Irish mythology to a Cliona who was, among other things, an inspirer of poets. Cliona is well-used in modern Ireland, along with Irish form Cliodhna, though it's largely unknown in the rest of the world.

An old Irish surname cousin of Tierney that makes an unusual and appealing Irish gender switch.

More streamlined – and more authentic – than Shawna.

Pleasant modernization of dated original.

The whole Talulla, Talullah, Tallulah, Talula thing is very confusing, but basically the versions that have one l first are Irish and those with two are Native American. However you parse it, Talulla is an adorable name with ancient roots and a quirky, contemporary feel.

Also spelled Aibhilín, this spelling variation of Evelyn or the related Aveline might appeal to those who prefer the Irish form. Little Aibhilins might have to explain how to pronounce their name outside of Ireland, but some may feel that it's worth it to choose a unique option.

This Irish Gaelic name would be more accessible in other cultures in its modern Dervla form.

Has the energetic-Irish-slightly-boyish image that many modern parents love.