Irish Name Generator

The majority of Irish names (and surnames) originate from Gaelic and Celtic languages—though the Vikings’ and Normans’ respective invasions of Ireland centuries ago had an effect on Irish naming conventions. Plenty of Irish names also have multiple different versions and spellings—particularly Anglicized (in English) and Gaelic versions. All in all, today’s Irish names have a mix of Gaelic, Nordic, Welsh, Scot, English, and Cambro-Norman influences.

The Anglicization of Irish names dates back to the 16th century, when the English rule of Ireland led to a push for Gaelic names and surnames to fit English spelling conventions. Today, it’s not uncommon for some Irish people to use the Anglicized version of their name in English-speaking situations and the Irish (Gaelic) version in Irish-speaking situations.

For example, someone named “Pádraig” might use the Anglicised “Patrick” in English-speaking places. Others only use the Gaelic version of their name (or whatever name they were given initially); it comes down to personal preference. Despite centuries of attempts to Anglicize Irish names, many still exist in their original Gaelic forms—or with only minor changes.

Interestingly, some Irish names are inspired by the names of locations in Ireland. To the ancient Irish people, using location-based names was a way to identify where they came from. For example, the name “Shannon” comes from the River Shannon, which is the longest river in Ireland.

Ready for a closer look? Let’s examine some of the more popular Irish names, plus their meanings and pronunciations!

Popular Irish Girl Names

• Aisling - Pronounced “ASH-ling.” Anglicized variations include “Aislin,” “Ashlyn,” and “Ashling.” This lovely name means “dream, vision,” derived from the Old Irish word aislinge.
• Caoimhe - Pronounced “K(W)EE-va.” This is an Irish name meaning “gentle,” “beautiful,” and “precious.” It’s derived from the Old Irish word cóem, meaning “dear, noble.”
• Éabha - Pronounced “AY-va.” This name means “life,” and it’s actually the Irish version of “Eve”—along with other Irish names like “Aoife” and “Aoibhe.”
• Fiadh - Pronounced “FEE-ah.” This super-popular name has a few different meanings in Irish, including “deer,” “respect,” and “wildness.” It’s derived from the Gaelic word fiadhaich, which means “wild.”
• Méabh - Pronounced “MAYV.” This Irish name is derived from the word meadhbh, meaning “intoxicating.” It can also be spelled “Maeve.”
• Siobhán - Pronounced “SHIV-ohn.” “Siobhan” is also the Irish counterpart of the French “Jeanne” and the Anglo-Norman “Jehane.” It comes from the Irish word sebhan and means “God is gracious.”
  
  

Popular Irish Boy Names

• Aiden - Pronounced “AY-den.” This name has Irish and Gaelic origins; it’s an Anglicized form of the more traditional “Aodhán,” which in turn is derived from the word aodh, meaning “fire.” Thus, the name “Aiden” means “little fire.”
• Cillian - Pronounced “KILL-ee-an.” This name also has roots in the ancient Irish language; it’s derived from the Gaelic word ceall, which means “church,” and the suffix -an, meaning “little.” So, Cillian means “little church.”
• Jack - The name “Jack” is quite common in the US and other countries, too—and it has roots in several languages, including French, Hebrew, Latin, and, yes, Celtic. It may be a modern take on the French name “Jaques.” In terms of Celtic origins, it may come from the ancient British word yakkios and the Welsh iach, which mean “strong” and “healthy.”
• Oisín - Pronounced “USH-een.” This adorable name means “fawn” or “little deer.” It comes from the Irish word oss (which also means “little deer”) and is sometimes anglicized as “Osheen.”
• Páidí - Pronounced “PAW-dee.” This dignified name means “noblemen.” It’s actually based on a nickname; “Páidí” is the Irish spelling of “Paddy,” which in turn is a shortened version of “Pádraig,” or “Patrick.”
• Rían - Pronounced “RYE-an.” This Gaelic name means “little king” and is likely derived from the Irish word rí, or “king.” It also has an anglicized form, “Ryan.”
  
  

Of course, there are plenty of names with origins around the world in Ireland today—from the Greek “Sophia” to the Norse “Freya,” or the Hebrew “Noah.” Nonetheless, we hope this has been a helpful look at some of Ireland’s most popular names and their origins!