225+ Irish Boy Names (with Meanings)
- Keenan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"ancient"Description:
This name of three ancient saints, one Wayans brother, and an NFL wide receiver makes an energetic choice.
- Finian
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"fair"Description:
This lilting Irish saint's name shone in neon lights on Broadway for the classical 1947 musical "Finian's Rainbow," later made into a film starring Fred Astaire as Finian McLonergan, and there was also a character on "General Hospital" named Finian O'Toole. With the growing popularity of Finn and Finlay/Finley--and boys' names ending in 'an'--Finian, which can also be spelled Finnian, seems like a sure-fire winner.
- Gulliver
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"glutton"Description:
Gulliver is an obscure Gaelic surname known almost solely through its literary Travels until actor Gary Oldman used it for his son, instantly transforming it into a lively option. British actors Damian Lewis, of Homeland, and Helen McCrory also have a son named Gulliver.
- Brogan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"small shoe"Description:
Brogan is a cheerful Irish surname that would fit right in with the Logans and Br-starting names now trendy for boys. It's been on the pop list for the past three years, though it's sliding again. Its history includes Saint Brogan (Broccan in Gaelic), who was Saint Patrick's nephew and scribe.
- Gannon
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"fair-skinned, fair-haired"Description:
The name of a historic Irish leader, Gannon has a solid, yet spirited feel. It was one of the fastest-rising names of 2014, but that trend didn't continue. One pop culture influence was the name of Teen Mom 3 son Gannon Dewayne McKee.
- Fitzgerald
Origin:
Irish and ScottishMeaning:
"son of Gerald"Description:
Made famous by F. Scott Fitzgerald and John Fitzgerald Kennedy; still works best as a middle name.
- Dermot
Origin:
Irish, Anglicization of DiarmaidMeaning:
"free from envy"Description:
Dermot is an appealing, relatively undiscovered Irish mythological hero's name long popular in the Old Country, and imported into the American consciousness by actor Dermot Mulroney. We see it in the next Celtic wave following Connor and Liam.
- Daire
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"oak tree"Description:
Daire, along with brother names Dara and Darragh, is among the Top 100 boys' names in Ireland today. An ancient name with an inspirational meaning, pronunciation could prove confusing to Americans.
- Kiernan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"little dark one"Description:
Although this surname name is closely related to the more common Irish name Kieran, Kiernan is also a well used family name, tied to thirty-three ancient chieftains. It has on a few occasions been used for girls.
- Quinlan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"descendant of Caoinlean, slender "Description:
An Irish last-name-first-name that could make a child feel distinctive, while still having the regular guy nickname of Quinn. Christine Taylor and Ben Stiller spelled their son's name Quinlin.
- Larkin
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"rough, fierce"Description:
The additional syllable makes Lark a masculine surname name.
- Veren
- Regan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"little king"Description:
A spelling variant of presidential surname Regan that briefly entered the Top 1000 for boys in the 1960s, but hasn't rejoined the list since. Shakespeare also used the name for a daughter of King Lear, inspired by an ancient king of the Britons in accounts of the medieval scribe Geoffrey of Monmouth.
- Dara
Origin:
Irish, Persian, Punjabi, KhmerMeaning:
"oak tree; wealthy; leader; star"Description:
Though Dara in the U.S. would be considered mainly a girls' name – the most recent count is 10 times as many girls given the name last year than boys – it's a boys' name in Ireland, where it's in the Top 100 along with variations Daire and Darragh.
- Colum
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"dove"Description:
The Irish boys' name Colum, rarely heard in the U. S., makes an interesting alternative to Colin.
- Dempsey
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"proud, haughty"Description:
Spunky Irish surname that still has a pugnacious feel from its lingering association with one of boxing's greatest champs, Jack Dempsey. Many people may associate it more with Patrick Dempsey these days—McDreamy from TV's Grey's Anatomy.
- Odhran
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"little pale green one"Description:
Odhran, Anglicized as Oran, was the name of an ancient saint. Today, Odhran is among the Top 100 Irish names for boys in Ireland.
- Conroy
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"hound (or wolf) of the plain"Description:
Conroy is one Con name that feels a bit dated, though perhaps it's so far out it's coming in? Worth consideration if you like Connor but feel it's too widely used.
- Breccan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"freckled, speckled"Description:
This Irish name of a saint from the Isle of Aran also appears in myth and fantasy fiction, giving it an intriguing, mystical air.
- Madigan
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"little dog"Description:
A jovial and jaunty Irish name, the title of a long-gone TV crime drama, this would make an appealing choice. Slight downside: Maddy is already a mega-popular nickname for Madeline/Madelyn and Madison, so this Mad- name might not feel as distinctive as the stats would suggest.