| Irish Name |
Pronounced |
Meaning |
English & Other Variants |
| Aideen |
ay-deen |
Means "little fire" in old Irish. Aideen is a figure from a popular Irish mythological story. She was born the daughter of Aileel, King of the Uliad. As a young woman, she falls in love with Midir whose first wife becomes jealous and casts a series of spells on her turning her into a lake, worm and finally a butterfly. As a butterfly, Aideen eventually falls into glass of wine and is swallowed by the wife of Etar. Aideen is said to have been reborn 1012 years after her first birth. |
N/A |
| Aileen, Ailene |
ay-leen |
Means "honorable" or "noble" in Irish. In more modern times, Aillen was the name of one of the cast members from the 1910 movie A Lad from Old Ireland. This was the first ever production by an American movie studio that was filmed outside the USA. |
Eileen |
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| Ailis, Ailish, Eilis, Eilish |
eye-lish |
In Irish, this name means "noble" or "believer." , In modern times, Eilis Dillon was a famous Irish writer of children's books. Her uncle, Joseph Plunkett was one of the signatories on the 1916 Proclamation, and was executed for his part in the Easter Uprising. Some of her books remained in print over 50 years after they were first published. |
Alice |
| Aine |
awn-ya |
According to Irish mythology, Aine is the goddess of love and growth. Though her history is somewhat unclear, she is often recognized as the wife of the sea god, Manannan. The feast of Midsummer night was held in her honor, and the is remembered in parts of County Limerick as the "fairy queen." |
Ana, Anna, Annie, Anya |
| Ainnir |
an-yir |
Thought to mean "young woman" or "maiden" in Irish. It is said that girls named Ainnir often tend to define their own realities - without paying heed to other influences. It is also said that the gift of foresight is not uncommon |
N/A |
| Alannah, Alanna, Alana |
al-on-ah |
Means "bewitching" or 'alluring" in old Irish. Those bearing this name are often outgoing and usually ready to try something new or different. They also tend to despise monotonous routines. |
N/A |
| Aodhamair |
ee-amur |
Meaning "fire" in Irish. This is the feminine version of the boy's name "Aodh" - the Celtic Sun God of the underworld. |
Aodnait Enat |
| Aoibheann, Aoibhinn |
eve-inn |
Means "beautiful sheen" or "beautiful radiance" in Irish. In Irish history, some mebers of Irish royaly, as well as Saint Edna's mother bore the name Aoibheann. Girls with this name are often thought to be open and trusting of others as well as capable of excelling in small groups. |
Eavan |
| Aoibhegreine, Aibgreine |
eve-grain |
It is said that Irish girls with this name often long for infuence, affluence, and appreciation. While they may love the good life, they are also willing to work hard in order to achieve it. |
Eavgren |
| Aoife |
ee-feh |
Although there is some doubt of this, it remains possible that Aoife is derived from the Irish girl';s anem Aoibheann, meaning "beautiful radiance" in irish In Irish mythology, Red Eva was the daughter of the King of Leinster who married Strongbow, the leader of the 12th century Norman invasion force. Legend has it that she fought many battles by her husbands side, and became known as the greatest woman warrior in the world. |
Eve, Eva |
| Aislin, Aislinn |
ash-lin |
Means "dream" in Irish. Can also refer to a form of Irish poetry where Ireland appears to the world as a beautiful young woman. Aislin is dismayed at the state of Ireland, but is quick to predict a revitalization of the Irish people. |
Ashling |
| Beibhinn, Bebhionn |
bev-inn |
In Irish, thought to mean "fair lady." From mythology, Beibhinn was a Celtic goddess who was affiliated with both creation and fertility. During ancient times, this name was very popular with Irish queens and other royalty. |
Bevan |
| Blathnaid, Blanaid, Blathnait |
blaw-nid |
Means "blossom" or "flower" in Irish. In Irish mythology, Blathnaid betrays her husband to her secret lover, by milking her cow and letting the milk run down the hill, thus revealing a secret path into her husbands fortress. |
N/A |
| Blaithin, Blathin |
blaw-hin |
See Blathnaid |
N/A |
| Blinne |
blin-yeh |
According to Irish legend, Blinne was a Celtic goddess who later became a saint. Also thought to be a form of Monnine (see also). Saint Blinne was said to have been baptised and confirmed by St. Patrick. She founded a convent for nuns in Kileavy, Ireland during the 6th century. To this day there is a well in the old convent location that is said to sicknesses, specially eye problems. |
N/A |
| Branna, Brannagh |
bran-na |
From the Irish word "bran" which means raven. Branna refers to a beautiful woman with pitch-black hair. |
N/A |
| Briana, Brianna |
bree-ah-na |
This is the feminine version of Brian - meaning "noble" or "virtuous" in Irish. The famous High King of Ireland, Brian Boru, stopped many attempts to conquer Ireland in the 11th century. The name is normally associated with virtue, strenght, and honor. |
N/A |
| Brigid, Bridget, Brighid |
bridge-id |
Means "exalted one" in Irish. Saint Brigid was an Irish Christian nun who founded several convents in Ireland. Also known as Brigid of Kildare, she is considered one of Ireland's patron saints. She was known for an extremely generous heart and for her kindness to the poor. She is also remebered for her high spirits, and was considered a great traveller for her time. As such, she is the patron saint of sailors and other travellers. |
Bríd, Breda, Bríde, Brigit, Brigitte |
| Bronach |
bro-knock |
Means "sorrow" or "Sorrowful" in Irish. Saint Bronach was a 6th century Irish mystic. Born in County Down, she is remembered for her beauty and metaphysical gifts. Saint Bronach originates from county Down in northern Ireland. While Bronach has proven itself as one of the most popular Irish names, it has found continued use as an Irish name for centuries. |
Brona, Bronagh |
| Caireann, Cairenn |
care-in |
In Irish, means "little precious" or "tiny companion." From Irish folklore, Cairenn was mother of Niall, the High King of Ireland during the late 4th and early 5th century. Though unconfirmed, Niall was suspected of being involved with the kidnapping of St. Patrick. |
Karen, Karan |
| Caitlin |
kate-lin |
Caitlin is the pure Irish version of Cathleen. In Irish mythology, Caitlin was revered for her purity and mental strength. There is a story about a period of starvation in Irish history where the Devil tempted people with food, in return for their souls. Caitlin confronted the Devil and convinced him to take her soul instead of the souls of others. When she dies, God stops the Devil from taking her soul, saying that Caitlin should not be punished for committing a selfless act. |
Catherine, Cathleen, Kathleen |
| Caoilainn, Caoilfhionn, Caoilinn, Caoileann |
kay-leen |
In Irish, this name means "fair" and/or "slender." Throughout Irish history, there have been severals Irish Saints that have had this name. One of the most famous, is kindly remebered for her generous nature, gentle disposition, and deboutness to her faith. |
Keelin, Kaylin |
| Caoimhe |
kwee-va |
This name comes from the old Gaelic term "caomh" which translates into "beauty" or "grace." It is actually the feminine version of the male name "Kevin." |
Keavy, Keeva |
| Cara, Caragh, Caera |
kar-a |
Comes from the Irish term "cara" meaning "fiery red" - also means "friend." Caragh is also the name of a beautiful little village in County Kildare, Ireland |
Carra |
| Carey |
kay-ree |
In Gaelic, this names means from "from the river." It has been associated with darkness in Celtic folklore, and is also the name a castle (Carey's Castle) in Ireland. |
N/A |
| Casey |
kay-see |
This Irish name is of Celtic origin and means "diligent" or "adventurous" in Irish. While often used as a last name, it is equally acceptable for use as a first name. |
N/A |
| Cassidy |
kass-a-dee |
This Irish name originates from the Gaelic word "cas" meaning "curly hair." It is also popularly used as a last name. The Cassidy's gained their fame by being popular doctors for some of the Irish Chieftans - particularly in now northern Ireland around the 15th century. |
N/A |
| Catriona, Caitriona |
kat-ree-na |
Beautiful Irish name of Gaelic origin. Means "flawless" or "innocent" or "pure." Caitriona O'Reilly is a famous modern-day Irish poet, as well as a widely published critic. |
Catherine |
| Ceallach |
kee-yal-ack |
Means "bright headed" in old Irish. Ceallach was said to be the mother of all Celtic gods and goddesses. In Irish mythology, Ceallach refers to a diving being who uses a hammer to shape hilss and mountains, which she then uses as stepping stones across the land. |
Kelly |
| Ciara, Ciar |
kee-ra |
This Irish name comes from the Irish word "ciar" meaning dark. This beautiful name is often used to describe women with black hair and brown eyes. It is the feminine form of the male name Ciaran |
Keir, Kira |
| Claire, Clare |
klay-er |
This very traditional Irish name gets its origin from the latin word "clarus" which means "radiant, "fine", and celebrated. St. Claire was a follower of Francis of Assisi, and was very well respected in Ireland. St.Claire left her wealthy Irish family to found an order of nuns. That order would become known as the "Poor Clare Sisters." Clare is also one of the 32 counties in Ireland. Additionally, it is the name of an Irish river (in County Galway), and an island (in County Mayo). |
N/A |
| Cliona, Cleana, Cleona, Cliodhna |
klee-on-a |
In Irish mythology Cliodhna was the goddess of love and beauty. She had three enchanted birds who ate apples from a tree in another world called Tir Tairngire (The Land of Promise), and whose melody could heal the sick. Cliodhna left Tir Tairngire in order to be with her mortal lover Ciabhan. However, she drowned while sleeping in the Glandore Harbor in County Cork. The tide there is known as "Cliodhna's Wave." |
N/A |
| Clodagh |
klo-da |
This Irish girl's name is from the River Clodagh (clody) with flows through both County Tipperary and County Wexford in Ireland. Clodagh is a popular and beloved name in this part of Ireland. |
Cloda |
| Colleen, Coleen |
kol-een |
Colleen originates from the Irish word "cailin." In Irish, this simply means "girl" and the name is extremely popular both in ireland, and with those of Irish ancestry seeking to rekindle their Irish roots. |
N/A |
