Irish Names for Boys

Irish surname that refers to High King Brian Boru, also spelled O'Brien. Makes a fabulous first name.

This friendlier Celtic version of Edmund has an upbeat feel and a good chance of competing with Aidan and Damon sometime soon.

This Irish surname-name certainly feels brighter and fresher than the English equivalent, Clark.

This is one of several similar sounding Gaelic surname names that would make perfectly acceptable choices--others are Kennan, Keenan and Kenyon. Another possible meaning is "descendant of the fair ones," referring to the Norse invaders.

Undiscovered Irish surname with a lot more bounce and masculine dash than Shannon.

Gary Sinise chose this Mc name for his late son McCanna, called Mac, in 1990, before Irish and Scottish surnames beginning with Mc or Mac became common as first names. Mac Sinise passed away from a rare form of cancer at the age of 33.

A really unusual choice that could be used to honor Grandpa Will.

Clear and strong, if a little heavy.

Same problem as Eóin -- squared.

This Celtic surname is familiar but barely used at all as a first name.

McCabe is an Irish patronymic surname that originated with Scottish mercenaries in Ireland who wore distinctive hats -- or cabas, which is also the name for capes.

Obscure and quirky, but not without some appeal.

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.

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

Perfect as an updated namesake for Great-Uncle Neal (or Neil).

Fogarty has the Old Fogey problem.

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