400+ Irish Last Names (With Meanings and Popularity)

Fresh choice in the vein of Carly and Harley.

McCarthy is one of a wave of new Irish surname-names, one of the most popular last names of Irish origin now translated to a first name. Mac is an attractive nickname.

Too close to baloney.

An uncommon Irish surname name with ties to nature, it would make a more distinctive alternative to the Scottish Lachlio. Lochran is one of those rare Irish baby names for boys not yet known in the US.

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

There are many dynamic three-syllable Irish surnames; this is one of the rarer two-syllable ones. Molloy is the title of a 1951 novel by Samuel Beckett, initially written in French. Another Beckett novel of naming interest is Malone Dies.

This kind of authentic Irish surname makes a memorable first name for either sex, following in the path of all the Mac and Mc names recently popular.

Donovan is on the rise, so why not this sequel?

Fallon has gone feminine, but this puts it back in the boys' camp.

Beyoncé's surname could be considered for a less-obvious honorific.

Sullivan has made itself into a first name and O'Sullivan may well follow suit.

If you love the venerable Southwestern painter but feel Georgia's gotten too overheated, you might want to go all the way to this Irish surname in the fashionable O' family.

Despite its appearance, McGill is not related to any of the Gil- names, including Gilbert, Gilford, and Gilson. The "gill" piece is derived from the Gaelic word gall, meaning "foreigner." Yet, it could still be used to honor a Gil in your life.

Variation of Cluny best only if you're a major George fan. And even then, better go with George, Georgia, or Georgiana.

See DALEY.