We love an auld Irish name around here. I have one myself, although I hated it for most of my childhood, now that I can appreciate the unique link to our amazing culture, I totally love it.
But it hasn’t come without issues, especially when I went abroad growing up, but nevertheless, Irish names are big, especially in the states, as our roots continue to spread, and anyone these days who is Irish or Irish/American. it seems, is getting nostalgic for a bit of green and a baby name with historic reference and meaning.
IrishCentral, the largest Irish site in North America, who are completely dedicated to Irish culture, roots, history, travel, and genealogy, compiled this pretty cool list of Irish names that are still topping the US baby-naming charts.
For the girls
Brianna
This is a modern for of Brian, an Anglicization of the Irish name Brion, which means “noble.”
Kayla
A modern version of the Irish male name Cadhla, which means “slender.”
Anna
While this is typically though of as a Latin name, Ana is also an ancient Celtic goddess who was known as “Wealth Provider.”
Megan
From the Irish surname O’Meegan, meaning “descendant of the brave warrior.”
Kaitlyn or Caitlín
The Irish version of Catherine
Kaylee
This is probably a modern made-up name, but could also be reflective of the Irish name for a gathering, “céilí.”
Riley
Riley is an English surname meaning “rye field” or from the Irish surname O’Reilly, or Ó Raghaillaigh, meaning from “descendant of Raghaillaigh,” an Irish chieftain.
Erin
Erin is a Hiberno-English derivative of the Irish word “Éirinn – the dative case of the Irish word for Ireland, “Éire.”
Kennedy
This is an anglicisation of the Irish surname Ó Cinnéide, meaning “helmet head.”
Kelly
Coming from the Irish surname “Ó Ceallaigh,” which possibly means “brave warrior.”
Cassidy
From the Irish surname Ó Casaide, possibly translates to “clever” or “curly-headed.”
Ashlyn/Aislinn/Aisling)
The popular Irish name that means “dream” or “vision.”
Reagan
Anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Ríagáin, which comes from “sovereign” or “king.”
Delaney
Taken from the Irish surname “Ó Dubhshláine, meaning “descendant of the dark-haired man of the River Slaney.”
Alana
The female version of Alan which means “handsome.” Also an anglicised version of “a leanbh,” an Irish term meaning “O child.”
Kara or Cara
The Irish word for “friend.”
Kira or Ciara
The Irish name meaning “dark.”
Shayla
A modern version and spelling of the Irish name Síle, meaning “blind.”
Tara
The name of the ancient hill in Meath that was the center of pagan activity.
Brenna
A feminine version of the name Brennan, from the Irish surname Ó Braonáin that can mean “sorrow.”
Logan
Taken from the Irish surname O’Loughan
Ryan
A unisex version coming from the Irish surname Ó Ríain, meaning “descendant of the little king.”
For the boys
Brandon
The anglicised version of Breanainn, meaning”sword.” Also, an English surname meaning “hill top.”
Austin
From the name Aghaistín, the Irish form of Augustine, originally a Latin name meaning “great” or “magnificent.”
Kevin
From the Irish name Caoimhín, meaning “beautiful birth.”
Connor
A form of the Irish name Conchobhar, meaning “dog lover.” Usually spelled Conor in Ireland.
Aidan
The anglicised version of Aodhán, which means “little fire.”
Brian
From the Irish name Brion, meaning “noble.”
Owen
Usually a Welsh name. It can be an Anglicization of the Irish names Eoin (form of John) and Eoghan, meaning “born of the yew.”
Cody
From the Irish surname of Norman origin, Mac Óda, meaning “descendant of Otto.”
Patrick
Ireland’s patron saint, of course, coming from the Latin for “noble.” Padric is the Irish version.
Brayden
From the Irish surname Ó Bradaoin, meaning “salmon.”
Tristan
A Celtic name with the possible meaning of “tumult,” or “uproar.”
Colin
From Coilean, an Irish name meaning “whelp,” or Cóilín, an Irish short form of Nicholas.
Liam
Shortened form of Uilliam, the Irish form of William, made of two words meaning “desire” and “protection.”
Caden
From the Irish surname MacAodháin, or Irish name Cathán, meaning “battle.”
Oscar
A version of Osgar, meaning “deer lover.”
Brady
This name means “spirited,” and is also a version of the Irish surname Ó Bradaigh.
Nolan
From the Irish surname Ó Nualláin from “nuall,” which means “nobleman.”
Donovan
A Celtic name meaning “strong fighter.”
Corey
From the Irish surname Mac Gothraidh, from a place name meaning “hill hollow.”
Brody
From the Irish surname Mac Bruaideadha, which comes from an Irish place name meaning “ditch.”
Miles
This is from the beginning of Irish names, meaning “devotee of (insert saint here).”
Griffin
A Welsh name, but it can be a version of the Irish name Críofán or of the Irish surname Ó Gríobhtha, meaning “descendant of the griffin-like.”
Keegan
From the Irish surname Mac Aodhgáin, “Aodhagán” meaning “small and passionate,” or “fiery.”
Quinn
A version of the Irish surname Ó Cuinn, meaning “descendant of Conn.” “Conn” means “leader” or “chief.”
Declan
This is from the name Deaglán, an Irish saint’s name of obscure meaning.
Dorian
Based on the name Dora, a name coined by Irish playwright Oscar Wilde for his book, “The Portrait of Dorian Gray.”
Main image from Melondipity, where you can buy the cute leprechaun baby hat!
Got any names to add to this list? Tell us in the comments or share with our readers.
