24 Popular Irish Baby Names That (Sham)Rock
Hello and welcome to “What do I name this baby?” Irish edition. If you’re a proud O’Kelly, O’Conner, or Murphy—or you just really like Saint Patrick’s Day—Ireland-based baby names are a great place to start your moniker hunt.
That’s because many Irish names stem from Irish clans (traditional groups that shared common surnames and heritages pre–17th century), Celtic gods and goddesses, and legit Gaelic royalty, so you know they’re unique and hella regal.
That said, most of the spellings below are anglicized or modified to make them easier to spell, pronounce, or understand in English. So they’re not exactly written or pronounced as the Irish intended, according to the Irish Times. Oh, fun fact, the pronunciation of the names in their OG forms depends on the dialect of the Irish speaker too. Pretty cool, right?
Here are 27 of the most popular Irish names, according to lists by Nameberry and Mother.ly.
1. Liam
According to Nameberry, this was the most popular boy’s name in the U.S. in 2018, which tracks considering the most popular Liams are Liam Neeson (resolute protector in Taken) and Liam Payne (resolute protector as a hot dad). Unrelated: Liam Hemsworth is a Liam and a very attractive man.
2. Cian
One of the most popular boys’ names in Ireland and the UK.
3. Erin
Just as beautiful as it sounds, Erin is one of the first names popularized by first-wave Irish Americans.
4. Niall
This name goes way back. Several kings of Irish clans had this name. Also, it makes me feel as warm and fuzzy as the most famous Niall I know, Irish former One Directioner Niall Horan.
5. Shea
This girls’ name means “the stately, dauntless one,” and that’s a high bar to live up to from the moment you were born—but it’s pretty!
6. Niamh
One of the most beautiful names on this list has roots in Irish Gaelic culture as the term used for a goddess. Oh, it’s pronounced “neev,” btw.
7. Saoirse
You know, as in Oscar-nominated actor Saoirse Ronan. Now if the rest of the world could just get that pronunciation down.
8. Ronan
Speaking of Saoirse, Ronan is equally popular.
9. Ciara
You’d think this name, which means “little dark one,” would be pronounced “chi-a-ra” or “cee-a-ra” like the “Goodies” singer. Plot twist: Ciara is the Irish version of Keira, as in Keira Knightley. The more you know.
10. Blaine
This name translates to “slender and angular.” If you ask me, though, it sounds more like a name that belongs to either the most popular guy in school or the dark emo bad boy you can’t resist (hi, David Blaine). Just sayin’.
11. Roisin
Pronounced “ro-sheen,” this Irish Gaelic name means “little rose” and is one of the most popular Gaelic names in Ireland.
12. Eilish
Yes, that Eilish. While this is the anglicized spelling of the name commonly spelled as Eilís, thanks to a certain Billie, it’s become a lot more common. Name your kid Eilish and maybe they’ll win five Grammys in one night? Who knows!
13. Arlen
This name means “hare land,” which is usually condensed to “harland” in Irish. And that then becomes Harlan…which led to Arlen. Huh, history.
14. Sinead
Sinead O’Connor made this name popular back in the ’90s. But did you know that “shin-aid” is the Irish version of Janet? How that connection came about is a Google spiral I don’t have time to fall into.
15. Maeve
Although there’s no “v” in the Irish alphabet (the most common way this is spelled in Ireland is Maebh), this anglicized name translates to “she who intoxicates.” This moniker is currently gaining steam while being repped by Emma Mackey’s character in Sex Education.
16. Aidan
It means “little and fiery,” and it honestly makes me a little fiery when I think of how Aidan should’ve ended up with Carrie in Sex and the City. Regardless, it’s one of the most popular names of the 2010s.
17. Rowan
This is the anglicized spelling of the name Ruán. Brooke Shields named her daughter Rowan back in 2003.
18. Brady
If it’s good enough for Miranda Hobbes’s son, it’s good enough for any other baby.
19. Rory
This Scottish Irish name is an exclusively male name in England, but it’s a lot more popular with girls stateside. Think British actor Rory Kinnear vs. Rory Gilmore from Gilmore Girls.
20. Pat
Whether it’s short for Patricia or Patrick, this name is incredibly versatile, as clearly evidenced by Joey Tribbiani’s ceramic dog (Pat the Dog, obvi).
21. Moira
The Irish variation of Mary means “bitter.” While the name isn’t that big of a hit yet in the U.S., it definitely should be. Especially given Catherine O’Hara’s brilliant Moira Rose in Schitt’s Creek.
22. Bride
Yes, this is a name that’s pretty popular in Ireland, but it is pronounced “bree-da” and has a fada, or accent mark, over the “i.” It’s essentially the short form of the name Brigid.
23. Grady
This Irish name means “noble” or “illustrious.” Bougie babies welcome.
24. Ireland
Is there a more Irish name than literally Ireland? Actually, yes, it’s Éire, which is what Ireland was called before the country was colonialized by British rule.
If you say that you thought about naming your baby Ireland before Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger did, you’re probably lying. Here’s a snapshot that Ireland posted with mom Kim from way back in the day.
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