Ainmneacha
Cailíní
Buachaillí
Sloinnte
Ó Faolain Ó Maoileoin
Ó Cuilinn
Mac an tSaoir
Mac Domhnaill
Ó Lorcáin
Cailíní
Name
English
Description
Ailbhe
Alby
This name which was given to boys and girls, means “white”.
Áine
Anna, Ann
An ancient Irish name from the noun aine that means “splendour, radiance,
brilliance”.
Aisling,
Aisling
This means “a vision” or “a dream”
Aodhnait
Ena, Enat
The name of an Irish saint whose feast day is on 9 November.
Aoibheann
Eavan
Meaning”pleasant, beautiful sheen, of radiant beauty” and often interpreted as
“little Eve.”
Aoife
Eva,
Aoife is “Beautiful, radiant, joyful”. Known as the greatest woman warrior in the
world, Aoife was the mother of Cuchulainn’s only son, Connlach.
Béibhinn
Bevin
A blend of bean”woman, lady” and finn ”fair, white” originally described Viking
women.
Bláthnaid,
Florence
Bláth means “flower, blossom.” In legend, Bláithnaid, the reluctant wife of Curai
Mac Daire, loved Cuchulainn, her husband’s rival.
Bríd,
Bridget,
Breeda,
Breege
The name Brigid from brigh meaning “power, vigour, virtue” epitomises the Irish
genius for layering old and new.
Bronagh
Bronagh
Derived from Bronach meaning ”sad, sorrowful”
Caitlín
Kathleen
Kaitlin
Devotion to St. Catherine came to Ireland with Christianity. Revered for her
courage and purity.
Caitríona,
Katherine
An Irish form of Catherine that derives from an older Greek name meaning “clear,
pure.”
Caoileann
Keelin Kalin
Caol “slender” and fionn ”white, fair, pure.”
Caoimhe
Keeva,
Keavy
From caomh “gentle, beautiful, precious.” The same root as Kevin, the name has
become very popular in Ireland with the original Irish spelling.
Cara
Cara is a female given name of Latin and Irish origin. Cara means friend in Irish
Ciara
Keera, Keira,
The feminine form of Ciaran, from the Irish ciar meaning “dark” and implies “dark
hair and brown eyes.”
Clár,
Clare, Claire
A medieval name derived from Latin clarus ”clear, bright, famous.”
Clíodhna,
Cliona
From clodhna meaning “shapely.” Cliodhna had three magical birds that could
sing the sick to sleep and cure them.
Clóda
Cloda
The river Clody runs through County Tipperary and County Wexford and like
most Irish rivers is named for a local female deity.
Dáiríne
Darina
Meaning "fruitful, bountiful."
Dearbháil,
Derval
Dervilla
From der + fal "daughter of Fal," "Fal" being an ancient name for Ireland.
Deirdre
Deirdre
The most beautiful woman in ancient Ireland, she was bethrothed to the High
King Conchobhar Mac Nessa but she fell in love with his nephew Naoise.
Éadaoin
Aideen
Formed like Aidan from “fire.”
Eibhlín
Aileen
A name thought to have Norman roots that means “wished-for” or “longed-for
child.”
Eilís
Eilish
Irish version of the Norman Alice or Alicia from Elizabeth.
Eimhear,
Emer
Eimear
Eimear is said topossess the "Six Gifts of Womanhood" – "beauty, a gentle voice,
sweet words, wisdom, needlework and chastity!"
Eithne,
Enya
Eithne means "kernel of a nut or seed" but it may also be related to Aidan
meaning "little fire."
Fedeilme,
Fidelma
Fedelma
Meaning "beauty" or "constant."
Fióna
Fiona
Fionn meaning "fair, white, beautiful" it is the feminine form of Fionn.
Fionnuala
Finola
The name comes from fionn + ghuala "fair shouldered."
Gráinne,
Grace,
Gertrude
From gran "grain, corn." Grainne in ancient Ireland was the patron of the harvest.
Íde,
Ita, Ida
Meaning "thirst" as in "thirst for goodness or knowledge."
Máire
Maura, Mary
The name that is used for Our Lady is Muire.
Méabh
Maeve
From an old Irish name Madb, "the cause of great joy" or "she who intoxicates."
Muanait
Mona
Dervived from Muadhnat meaning "little noble one".
Muireann,
Marion
Morrin
Meaning "sea white, sea fair."
Neasa
Nessa
Nessa was the mother of Conchobhar (Conor) Mac Nessa, king of Ulster. A
powerful and beautiful woman who was ambitious for her son.
Niamh
Neave
Meaning "radiance, lustre, brightness”.
Nollaig
Noelle
Used for both male and female it is the Irish word for Christmas, as in Noel or
Noelle.
Nóra
Nora, Norah,
A classic Irish name, it could be a shortened form of Eleanor meaning "torch".
Nuala
Nuala
This is a shortened version of Fionnuala.
Úna
Oonagh,
Oona, Una
Derived from the Irish word uan "a lamb".
Orlaith,
Orla
Orlaith means "golden princess." The name was shared by both a sister and a
daughter of the most famous of the high kings, Brian Boru.
Ríonach
Regina
From Rionach meaning "queenly."
Róisín
Roisin
Rosaleen
Saoirse
Derived from the Latin name Rosa and means "little rose."
Meaning "freedom, liberty."
Séana
Shauna
The feminine form of Sean. It is currently a very popular name in Ireland.
Sibéal
Sybil
Irish name derived from Isabel.
Síle Sile,
Sheelagh
Sile,
Sheelagh
Sheila,
The Irish form of the Latin name Cecilia, the patron saint of music and implies
"pure and musical."
Sinead
Jane, Janet,
Janette
Irish form of Jane "God is gracious."
Siobhan
Sorcha
Susan
Shevaun
Hannah
Sarah
Siobhan is another Irish form of Joan meaning "God is gracious."
From Sorcha meaning "bright, radiant, light."
Buachaillí
Name
Aodh
Aodhán
English
Hugh
Aiden, Aidan
Description
Hugh is a translation of an ancient name Aodh meaning "fire."
A diminutive form of the name Aed meaning "fire" and would imply "born of fire."
Aongus,
Aongus
From aon "excellent" and gus "strength, vigor."
Ailbhe
Alby
From an old Irish word meaning "white," the 6th century St. Ailbe was associated
with the monastery at Emly in County Tipperary.
Ailill
Irial
From the Irish ailleacht meaning "beauty."
Artúr
Arthur
This is derived from an ancient word for "a bear," used in the sense of
"outstanding warrior" or "champion."
Beartlaidh
Bartley
The name of one of the twelve apostles, it is the Irish form of the Hebrew name
Bartholemew "Son of Talmai."
Breandán
Brendan
St. Breandan is the patron saint of seafarers and travellers.
Brian
Brian,
Bernard
From brigh "high, noble, strong."
Cainneach
Canice,
Kenneth
Derived from Coinneach meaning "attractive person” or "pleasant person."
Caoimhín
Kevin
Means "gentle child" or "well born."
Cathal,
Charles,
Cahal
Cath meaning "battle" and "mighty" and signifies "a great warrior."
Cearúll
Carroll
From the Cearbhall and means "fierce in battle."
Cian,
Kian,
Meaning "ancient and enduring."
Ciarán
Kieran,
Kieron,
From the word Ciar meaning "dark" and the diminutive -in means "little dark one."
Cillian
Killian
Cille means "associated with the church."
Cóilín
Colin
From Coll meaning "chieftan" and the diminutive -in means "little chieftan."
Colmán
Colman
From the same root as Colm, it means "little dove".
Conall,
Conall
Means friendship or could be from Con "a hound," as applied to a swift-footed
warrior, and all "great, mighty
Conán
Conan
An old name from Con "a hound" or "swift-footed warrior" and in the form
Conan means "little warrior."
Conchúr
Conchobha
r
Conor,
Means "lover of hounds."
Connlaodh
Conleth
From Conn meaning "chief" and laoch meaning "hero" meaning "highest chief."
Cormac,
Cormac
From the old Irish Corbmac meaning "son of the charioteer."
Crónán,
Cronan
Cronin
From Cron meaning "brown, sallow, dark-skinned."
Dáire
Darragh,
Dara
Daire means "fruitful, fertile."
Daithí,
Davy
This is an old Irish name meaning "swiftness, nimbleness."
Deaglán
Declan
From dag meaning "good" and lan meaning "full" suggesting "full of goodness."
Deasún
Desmond
Meaning "one from Desmond," Desmond being an area of South Munster, one of
the four provinces of Ireland.
Diarmuid
Dermot
Meaning "without enemy."
Dioraí
Derry
Meaning "like an oak."
Dónall
Donall,
Donald
From domhan meaning "world" and "mighty" implying "ruler of the world."
Donncha
Donagh
Derived from Donn meaning "brown" and cath meaning "battle" or "brown-haired
warrior."
Éamann,
Eamon,
Edmond
Is the Irish form of Old English ead "rich" + mund "guardian", and implies
"guardian of the riches."
Éanna
Enda
Derived from Ean meaning "bird" and suggests "birdlike" or "freedom of spirit."
Eiméid
Emmet
The name is given to boys as a mark of respect to the great Irish orator and
patriot Robert Emmet.
Eoghan
Owen
Comes from an old Irish word and means "born of the yew tree."
Fearghal
Fergal
Derived from fearghal "brave, courageous, valorous."
Fearghas
Fergus
Derived from fear "man" and gus "strength" and signifies "a strong warrior, virile."
Féidhlin /
Féilim
Phelim
Derived from Feidhil meaning "beauty" or "ever good."
Ferdia
Ferdia
Comes from Fear and Dia "man of God."
Fiachra
Fiachra
The word is connected with Fiach or “ravan”. Fiachra was one of the children of
Lir, a brother of Conn and Finnuala.
Fionn,
Finn
Means "fair-headed." Fionn Mac Cumhaill, a central character in Irish folklore and
mythology lead the warrior band, the Fianna.
Fionnbharr
Finbar
Meaning "fair-haired," the name has been popular since the sixth century when
St. Finbar came to an area of Cork that was being tormented by a serpent
Fiontán
Fintan
Means "fair-haired" or could mean "white fire."
Gearóid
Gerald,
Garret
Means "brave with a spear" or "spear carrier."
Liam
William
The Irish form of William, originally a German name will + helm "desire + helmet"
and suggests "strong protector."
Lochlán,
Loughlin
The Vikings plundered Ireland in the 9th and 10th centuries and the native home
of the Norwegian invaders was known as Lochlan "land of the lochs
Lorcán
Lorcan
Means "silent" or "fierce" and was probably used as a nickname for a "brave
warrior."
Muireartac
h
Murtough
Derived from muir meaning "sea" and ceardach meaning "skilled" implying
"skilled in the ways of the sea."
Niall
Neil, Niall
The name comes from "passionate, vehement" or from nel "a cloud”
Nollaig
Noel
Nollaig is the Irish word for Christmas and is given to boys or girls born on
December 25th.
Odhrán,
Órán
Oran
All variants of odhra mean "dark haired."
Oisín
Oisin
The son of the legendary warrior Fionn Mac Cool.
Pádraig
Patrick
From Latin meaning "nobly born." Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland.
Peadar,
Peter
Irish form of Peter and thus comes ultimately from Greek petros "the rock”.
Proinsias
Francis,
Frank
The Irish form of Francis, a name originating from the figure of St. Francis of
Assisi.
Rónán
Ronan
Derived from Ron "a seal."
Ruairí
Rory
From rua and ri meaning "red king, great king."
Séamus
James
The Irish version of James.
Seán
John, Shane
Irish form of John meaning "God's gracious gift."
Tadhg
Timothy,
Teague
Irish name meaning "a poet" or "a philosopher
Tiarnach
Tierney
Meaning "lord, chief" and implies "lord of the household."
Tomás
Thomas
The Irish form of Thomas, a biblical name meaning "twin."
Toirealach
Terence,
Turlough
From an Irish name meaning "one who aids or assists."
Ultan
Ultán
Means "an Ulsterman."
Sloinnte
Mac an tSaoir - MacAteer
Mac Amhalghaidh - MacAuley or MacAwley
Mac Amhlaoibh - MacAuley or MacAwley Co Fermanagh - branch of MaGuire
Mac Árdghail - MacArdle
Ó Banain - O'Banan or O'Bannion
Ó Birn - (O) Beirne
Ó hAimheirgin - (O) Bergin
Ó Beolláin - (O) Boland
Ó Baoghill - (O) Boyle
Ó Baoighealláin - (O) Boylan
Mac Bradaigh - Brady - Co Cavan
Ó Brollacháin - (O) Brallaghan or Bradley
Mac Braoin - (Mac) Breen
Ó Braoin - (O) Breen
Mac Branain - MacBrennan
Ó Braonain - (O) Brennan
Ó Breislein - (O) Breslin
Mac Giolla Bhride - MacBride or Kilbride
Ó Briain - O'Brien Mac Conboirne - Burns
Ó Broin - (O) Byrne, Burns
Mac Cába - MacCabe or McCabe - Co
Cavan, etc. - a Breffny sept from the western
isles of Scotland
Mac Gafraidh - (Mac) Caffrey - branch of the
Maguires
Ó Cathain - O'Cahan or Kane
Ó Cathail - (O) Cahill
Ó Ceallacháin - (O) Callaghan
Ó Cathaláin - (O) Callan
Mac Giolla Laoire - (Mac) Callery, Colleary,
Collary
Mac Cathmhaoil - Campbell
Mac Anna or Canna- MacCann
Mac Cearnaigh - (Mac) Carney or Kearney
Ó Cearbhalláin - (O) Carolan
Ó Cairre - (O) Carr and (O) Carry
Ó Cearbhaill - (O) Carroll
Mac Cearbhaill - (Mac) Carroll or MacCarvill
Mac Artian - MacCartan - Co Down
Mac Carthaigh - MacCarthy
Ó Cathasaigh - (O) Casey
Mac Cathasaigh - MacCasey or Casey
Ó Caiside - Cassidy - Co Fermanagh
Mac Fhlannchaidh - (Mac) Clancy
Ó Cleireigh(Clery) - Clark(e)
Ó Cléirigh - (O) Clery or Cleary
Ó Cleirchín - (O) Clerkin, Clerk, Cleary
Mac Bhloscaidh - McCluskey
Ó Cobhthaigh - (O) Coffey
Mac Cagadhain - Cogan
Ó Colmáin - Coleman
Ó Clúmháin - Coleman or O'Colman
Ó Coileáin - Collins
Ó Connalláin - Conlon, Conlan or Connellan
Ó Coinghiolláin - Conlon
Mac Conghaile or Ó Conghaile- (Mac)
Conneely
Ó Conaill - O'Connell
Mac Dhomhnaill - Connell and MacConnell
Ó Conghailaigh or Ó Conghaile - (O) Connelly
or Connolly
Mac Canann - Mac Connon
Conchobhair - (O) Connor
Ó Conraoi - (O) Conry or Conroy
Mac Conraoi - (Mac) Conroy or King
Ó Connmhacháin - (O) Conway
Mac Connmhaigh or Connmeadha - (Mac)
Conway
Mac Conmidhe - (Mac) Conway or
MacNamee
Ó Cuagain - Coogan
Ó Cuana - Cooney
Mac Cormac - MacCormack - various
Ó Cosraigh - (O) Cosgrave
Mac Giolla Chomhgaill - MacIlhoyle or Coyle
Ó Cadhain - Coyne, Kyne or Coen
Ó Croinin - Cronin
Ó Cuilinn - (O) Cullen
Ó Cuileannáin - (O) Cullinan or Cullen
Mac Coinín - (Mac) Cunneen
Ó Connagáin and Mac Cuinneagain Cunningham
Ó Curráin - (O) Curran
Ó Ciosóg – Cusack
Mac Cosraigh - MacCusker
Ó Comhraidhe - (O) Corry and Curry
Ó Comhraidhe - (O) Curry
Ó Dalaigh - (O) Daly
Ó Dorchaidhe - (O) Darcy
Ó Dubhshláine - (O) Delany
Ó Diomasaigh or Dimmussaig - (O) Dempsey
Ó Duineachdha - (O) Dennehy or Denny
Mac Diarmada - MacDermot
Ó Duinnín - (O) Dinneen, Dinan
Ó Dochartaigh - Doherty or Dougherty
Ó Dubhhláin or Dobhailen - Dolan
Ó Domhnallain - Donlan
Mac Donnchadha – MacDonagh
Ó Donnagáin - (O) Donegan
Mac Duinnshléibhe - (Mac) Donlevy or
Dunleavy
Mac Domhnaill - MacDonnell
Ó Domhnaill - O'Donnell
Ó Domhnalláin - O'Donnellan
Ó Donnghaile - Donnelly
Ó Donnchadha - (O) Donohoe
Ó Dubhda - (O) Dowd
Ó Dubhghaill - Doyle
Ó hEidirsceoil - (O) Driscoll
Ó Dubhthaigh - (O) Duffy
Ó Dubhagáin - (O) Duggan
Ó Diubhgeannáin - (O) Duigenan, Deignan,
Dignam,
Ó Doinn or Duinn - (O) Dunn or Dunne
Ó Duibhir or O Dubhuidhir - (O) Dwyer
Mac Aodhagáin - (Mac) Egan
Mac Conchradha - MacEnchroe or Crowe
Mac Inneirghe - MacEnery
Ó hAonghuis - Ennis - variant of O'Hennessy
Mac Fhiodhbhuidhe - MacEvoy
O'Faodhagáin- Fagan
Ó Fhearghaill or Fergail - (O) Farrell
Ó Faircheallaigh - (O) Farrelly or Farley
Ó Fionnáin - (O) Finan
Ó Fionn - (O) Finn
Ó Fionnagáin - Finnegan
Mac Giolla Phadraig - Fitzpatrick
Ó Flannagáin - (O) Flanagan
Ó Floinn - (O) Flynn
Ó Foghladha - Foley
Mac Conshnámha - Forde or MacKinnawe
Ó Fuaráin - Forde or Foran
Ó or Mac an tSionnaigh - Fox
Ó Gamhna - Gaffney or Caulfield
Mac Carrghamhna - Gaffney or MacCaron
Ó Gallchobhair - (O) Gallagher
Ó Gealagáin - Galligan - name also became
White
Mag Fhearadhaigh - (Mac) Garry
Mag Aodha - MacGee
Mag Aonghusa - Magennis or (Mac)
Guinness
Mag Oireachtaigh - (Mac) Geraghty
Ó or Mac Gormain - Gorman
Ó Gairmleadhaigh - (O) Gormley
Mag Shamhradháin - MacGovern / Magauran
- Co Cavan - descent of Eochaidh (O'Rourke)
Mac Gabhann - MacGowan or Smith - Co
Cavan
MagUiginn or MacGuagáin - MacGuigan
Mac Aonghasa or Oengussa - (Mac)
Guinness or Magennis
Mag Uidhir - MacGuire or Maguire
Ó hAodhagáin - (O) Hagan or Aiken
Ó hÁinle - (O) Hanley or Hanly
Ó hAnluain - (O) Hanlon
Ó hAnnáin - O'Hannon
Ó hAnrachain - (O) Hanrahan
Ó hAirt - (O) Hart
Ó hArrachtain - Harrington or O'Harraughton
Ó hAodha - Hayes
Ó hEilidhe - (O) Healy
Ó hÉignigh or O hEicnig - (O) Heany or
MacAnenay
Ó hEachighearna - Hearne or Ahern
Ó hAonghusa - Hennessy or Henchy
Mac Einri - Henry
Ó hOireachtaigh - (O) Heraghty
Ó hEisleanáin or Ó hEislin - (O) Heslin
Ó hUigín - Higgins
Mac Aodha or Aoidhe - MacHugh - branch of
O'Flahertys
Ó hAodha - Hughes
Mac Giolla Ruadh - MacIlroy, McElroy,
MacGilroy, Kilroy
Mac an Airchinnigh - MacInerney
Ó Cathain - Kane or O'Cahan
Caomhanach - Kavanagh
Ó Cadhla - (O) Kealy or Kelly
Mac Cearnaigh - Kearney
Ó Caoimh or Caim - O'Keefe
Ó Cianáin - (O) Keenan
Ó Caomháin - (O) Keevan or Kavanagh
Ó Céileachair - Kelleher
Ó Ceallaigh - (O) Kelly
Mac Cionath - MacKenna
Ó Cinnéide - Kennedy
Ó Cionnaoith - (O) Kenny
Ó Coinne or O Coinnigh- Kenny or
MacKenna
Mac Eochaidh - (Mac) Keogh
Mac Eochaidh - Keogh
Mac Eoghain - MacKeon
Ó Ciabháin - (O) Kevane or Kavanagh
Ó Céirín - (O) Kieran or Kearns - chiefs of
Costello
Mac Giolla Rua - Kilroy, Gilroy
Chennselaig or Cinnsealach - Kinsella - see
MacMurrough
Ó Leathlaobhair - (O) Lalor or Lawlor
Ó Lorcáin - (O) Larkin - Co Armagh
Mac Lochlainn - MacLaughlin
Ó fLaithbheartaigh - (O) Laverty or Laherty
Ó Limhain - (O) Lavin
Ó Laochdha - Leahy - Co Cork
Ó Leannain - Lennon
Ó Lochlainn - (O)Loughlin or Lochlain
Ó Maoilsheachlainn - MacLoughlin or O
Melaghlin
Mac Lochlainn - MacLoughlin
Ó Loinsigh - Lynch
Ó Macdha - (O) Mackey
Ó Madaidhin or Matudain- Madden
Mac or Mag Aodha - Magee
Mag Uidhir - Maguire
Ó Meachair- Maher or Meagher
Mac Mathghamha - MacMahon
Ó Mathghamhna - (O) Mahony
Ó Máille - O'Malley
Ó Maoileoin - Malone
Ó Mainnín - Mannion or Manning
Mac Maghnais - MacManus
Mac Giolla Mhartain - Martin or Gilmartin
Ó Maolmhuaidh - Molloy or Mulloy
Ó Maol Dhómhnaigh - Moloney, Mullowney
or Maloney
Ó Manachain - Monaghan
Ó Móráin - Moran
Ó Mórdha - (O) More or Moore
Ó Murchain - Morgan
Ó Muircheartaigh - (O) Moriarty
Ó Muirgheasa - Morris
Ó Maolchathaigh - (O) Mulcahy
Ó Maoldúin - (O) Muldoon
Ó‘Maoldoraidh - O'Muldory
Ó Maolalaidhs - O'Mullally or Lally
Ó Maolain - Mullan, Mullin(s), Mullen,
Mullane
Ó Maolagáin - (O) Mulligan
Ó Murchadha and Mac Murchadha - Murphy
Ó Muireachaidh - Murray
Mac Muireachaidh - (Mac)Murry or
MacMorrow
Ó Muircheartaigh - Murtagh or MacMurtry
Mac an Fhailghigh - Nally or MacNally
Mac Con Uladh - MacNally or MacAnally
Mac Conmara - MacNamara
Mac Conmidhe - MacNamee or Conway
Mac Phaidin - Patterson
Ó Faolain- Phelan or Whelan
Ó Coigligh - Quigley
Ó Cuinn - (O) Quinn
Mac Raghnaill - MacRannall or Reynolds
Ó Riordan - Rearden or (O)Riordan
Ó Raogáin - (O) Regan or Reagan
Ó Raghallaigh - (O) Reilly - Co Cavan - Uí
Briuin Breifne
Ó Maolcraoibhe - Rice
Ó Ruanaidh or O Mael Ruanaid - Rooney
Mac Ruaidhri - MacRory or MacCrory
Ó Ruairc - (O) Rourke - Co Leitrim/Cavan
Ó Riaghain - Ryan
Ó Scannláin - (O) Scanlan
Mac Scannláin - (Mac) Scanlan
Ó Seasnáin - Sexton
Ó Seanachain- (O) Shanahan
Ó Seanáin - (O) Shannon
Mac Giolla t-Seanáin - (O) Shannon
Mac Searraigh - MacSharry or Foley
Ó Seachnasaigh - (O) Shaughnessy
Ó Sirideáin - Sheridan - Co Longford/Cavan
Ó Seiridh or Mac Seiridh - O'Sherry or
McSherry
Mac an Ghirr - Short, Shortman or Shortel
Mac Gabhann - Smith or MacGowan
Ó Suileabháin - (O) Sullivan
Mac Suibhne - Sweeney or MacSweeny
Mac Tighearnáin - (Mac) Tiernan or Kiernan
Ó Tighearnaigh - (O) Tierney
Ó Treasaigh - (O) Tracy or Treacy
Ó or Mac Tréinfhir - Traynor
Ó Tiobraide - (O) Tubridy
Ó Tuama - O'Twomey or Toomey
Mac an Bháird - (Mac) Ward
Ó Faolain - Whelan or Phelan