210+ Irish Girl Names (and Meanings)

More streamlined – and more authentic – than Shawna.

Connelly is a rollicking and rare example of the popular surname genre that may work even better for girls. A huge update on Colleen.

A lively boys' name that works well for girls.

Variously spelled trendy name in the 1970s that hasn't even been in the Top 1000 in a decade.

Lovely Irish name which has inspired many Anglicized variations, but using the original form preserves the integrity of one of the most beautiful Gaelic girls' names.

A very popular name for boys in Ireland that's well-used throughout the British Isles, Darragh is also occasionally used for girls and certainly sounds feminine or at least unisex to the American ear. Simplified form Dara pushes it further toward the girls' side.

Offbeat Anglicized form of the intractable Gaelic Rathnait.

In addition to being the appellation of an ancient grain goddess, this name was also borne by two mythic Irish figures, one of whom was betrothed to legendary chieftain Finn MacCool, the other the brave sixteenth century pirate Grainne Ni Mhaille— known in English as Grace O'Malley-- whose name passed into poetry as a symbol of Ireland.

Stronger and more contemporary twist on Carla or Carly, Carlin was used just about equally for girls and boys in the US last year.

Once-popular boys' name works better now for girls, as a kind of Dara/Karen blend.

Feminine of Aidan, but now girls would prefer to use the original.

Lovely and rare (even in Ireland) mythological widow whose tears rained on Ireland.

This Irish surname packs a lot of attitude, projecting an image of spunk and sass. The Welsh singer Duffy, born Aimee Anne Duffy, is best known for her songs Mercy and Warwick Avenue.

Meabh, the native Irish spelling of Maeve, is in the Top 100 in Ireland and becoming more popular here in its Anglicized form. Outside of Ireland, life will be easier with the Maeve spelling of this lovely queen's name.

Much fresher Irish imports available for colleens now.

Poised for popularity, Brennan is an Irish last name soft enough to borrow from the boys.

Brighid is the original Gaelic form of the name of the mythological goddess of fire, poetry, and wisdom. More commonly found these days in any number of different guises: Bridget, Brigid, Brigitte et al. Whatever form it takes, Brighid is one of the most classic and enduring Irish names for girls.

A name possibly derived from Etain, an ancient Irish sun and horse goddess whose name is still used. Adina is a related choice.