Irish Names for Boys

If you like Dylan but find it too popular, Quillan could be a distinctive alternative.

With the fashions for tree names, place names, and nickname names, Derry is a three-way winner.

Variously spelled Covy and Covey, this is a surname derived from the first name Cobthach. Like cousins Coby and Cody, it has an energetic nickname feel.

This Latinized form of a name that's well used in Italy and Spain is sometimes heard, oddly enough, in Ireland.

A distinctive alternative to Conan.

Possible Gaelic alternative to Kevin and Devon.

An Irish county name almost exclusively used for girls now. Kerrigan would be a more modern and masculine choice.

An Irish surname name with a combination of boldness and élan. Some might connect it to the founder of the group T. Rex -- Marc Bolan.

An undiscovered Irish surname with a cool meaning. It could work as an alternative to Connor and Lachlan.

Although Maguire is such a prominent Irish surname —it ranks in the Top 40 in the Emerald Isle —this lively and cheerful family name has rarely been used as a first, unlike more familiar examples like Ryan, Riley and Reagan. The powerful and distinguished Maguire clan was known for their courage, leadership and resilience. The name's many notable associations include the unionizing Pennsylvania coal miners known as the Molly Maguires, actor Tobey Maguire and Dixie Chick Martie Maguire. Other spellings are McGuire and McGwire; two other handsome Irish surnames to consider are Malone and Magee.

A classic Irish "top-o'-the-mornin' surname with a lot of rhythm and pizzazz.

Cheerful and distinctive.

This somewhat boisterous Celtic name would be at home in a noisy pub or out walking on the moors. In Scotland, it was originally a nickname for someone with dark hair or a swarthy complexion.

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.

This original spelling may present its challenges outside of Ireland, but it certainly has a more poetic look to it. Those daunted by the pronunciation obstacles may wish to consider Keenan.

The spoiled only son of the richest family in town in a fifties movie.

Occasionally used as an alternative to Brandon or Brennan.

This appealing name of a mythical king of Tara whose reign brough prosperity to his kingdom is strongly associated with actor Sean. The Irish form is Conaire.

Less appealing than some other Irish surnames, such as Malone and Sullivan, unless used as a tribute to jazz musician Gerry. There could be some Mulligan stew teasing.

Donnelly is among the more appealing Irish surname names, less well used than Donovan. Related options include the place name Donegal and the mythological god name Donegan.