Celtic Male Names of Ireland
Abbαn (A-bahn or ah-BAN) "little abbot".
Abram
(A-brahm) "high father"; version of Abraham. Αbraham.
Achaius form of Eochaidh.
Adair (Ah-dare) "from
the ford by the oak trees". Adare.
Adam (H) "son of the red
earth". Adhamh (A-thuhv). Anglicized version of Irish Gaelic
Αdhamh; Scottish Gaelic Αdhamh. Pet form: Adie.
Adamnan "the timid one" or "little Adam"; name of an abbot of Iona.
Awnan, Adomnan, Adhamhan.
Adrian "of the Adriatic"; from
original form Latin Hadrianus. Aidrian.
Aed derived
from the word aedh "fire"; common in early Ireland; name of several early
saints, and four Ui Neill High Kings.
Aedan (EH-thahn) dim. form of
Aed. St. Aodhan of Fern performed many miracles, including healing the
lame and blind son of a British king.
Aeducan common dim. form of
Aed in medieval Ireland. Aodhagan.
Aeneas "worthy of
praise"; anglicization of Aengus. Aenιas.
Aghy form
of Eochaidh.
Ahern "lord of the horses".
Aichlinn
possibly a form of Echlin.
Aidan (AY-den)(Celt) "flame,
fire, fiery"; derived from word aedh "fire". Edan, Aodhan
(EH-thahn); anglicized form of Irish Aodαn; dim. of Aodh; Edan.
Ailbe (AL-vyuh or AL-fe)(OGer) "noble, bright". Ailbhe, Alvy,
Albert.
Ailbhe (AL-vee) from Celtic albho "white".
Ailbe, Alby, Albert, Ailbhis (AL-vis).
Ailbhis (AL-vis) 6th
C. Irish saint; perhaps a form of Ailbhe. Anglecized as Elvis.
Ailfrid (AL-frid) Irish Gaelic form of Alfred, from OE
ζlf "elf, supernatural being" + rζd "counsel".
Ailill
(AL-ill) "sprite"; name of a legendary king of Connacht and husband of Medb.
Ailνn (A-lin or ay-LEEN)(Gael) derived from Old Irish ail
"noble". Alan, Allen.
Aindrιas (AHN-dree-ahs) "manly"; Irish
form of Andrew. Aindrea, Aindrias, Aindriϊ.
Ainmire
(AHN-meer?) "great lord".
Ainsley (AYNS-lee) "one's own meadow";
occasionally used as a female name; probably originally a local name, either
Annesley in Nottinghamshire, from Old English An "one, only" +
leah "wood or clearing"; or Ansley in Warwickshire, from OE
ansetl "hermitage" + leah. Ainslee.
Alan
"handsome" or "peaceful".
Alaois (A-leesh)(Teut) "mighty battle".
Aloys, Aloysius, Alabhaois.
Alastar (AH-lah-star) Irish form
of Greek Alexander, introduced to Ireland via Scotland; modern Gaelic
form Alasdair. Alistair, Allister, Alister, Alastir, etc.
Albany from Fionn, from find "white, fair"; anglicized as
Albany from Latin albus "white".
Albert (OGer) "noble,
bright". Ailbe, Alby.
Albion (AL-be-on)(Celt) "mountain".
Alby (al-bee) anglicized from of Ailbhe.
Alexander (Gr) "helper or defender of mankind". Alex, Alick,
Alsandair, Alsander, Alastrom, Alastrann.
Allister (Gr)
"defender of mankind". Alastar, Alistair, etc.
Alphonsus
Irish; Latinized form of Alfonso, used as an equivalent of Gaelic name
Anluan. Uncertain origin, could be composed of an intensive prefix + an element
meaning "hound" or "warrior". Pet forms Fonsie, Fonso.
Alpin
"attractive".
Alsandair (AHL-san-dare) Irish form of
Alexander.
Amargein (aw-VEER-een) from Old Irish ama
"singing, song" + gein "birth". Most celebrated bearer of the name was
the druid poet and judge of the Sons of Mil, legendary ancestor(s) of the Irish.
He pronounced the first judgment given on Irish soil, and his magic ensured that
the Sons of Mil would triumph over the Tuatha De Danann. A traditional name in
the O'Cleary family.
Ambrσs Irish Gaelic form of English Ambrose,
from Greek Ambrosios "immortal". The surname MacAmbrois is anglicized as
McCambridge.
Amhlaoibh (A-leev)(Norse) "ancestral relic"; IrGael
form of Olaf, an Old Norse name introduced to Ireland by Viking settlers.
Anglicized Auliffe, Olave, Auliff, Humphrey.
Angus "unique
choice, chosen one, unique strength". Scottish and Irish; anglicized form of
Gaelic Aonghus/Aonghas (EUN-eu-uss), composed of Celtic elements meaning
"one" and "choice". Name of an old Celtic god, and is first recorded as a
personal name in Adomnan's "Life of St. Columba," where it occurs in the form
Oinogus(s)ius as the name of a man for whom the saint prophesied a long
life and a peaceful death. Almost certainly the name of an 8th C. Pictish king
variously recorded as Omnust and Hungus. Aengus, Aonghus,
Aonghas, Enos, Oengus, Ungus. Short form Gus; pet form Angie;
feminine form Angusina.
Annraoi (AHN-ree)(Teut) "ruler of an
estate". Henry, Harry.
Anrai Irish Gaelic form of
Henry. Einrν.
Antain(e) Irish Gaelic cognate of
English Anthony.
Antoine (AN-ton)(L) "inestimable".
Anntoin, Antoin.
Aodh (EH or AY) from Old Irish aed
"fire". Another name for the god The Dagda in Irish myth. Borne by six high
kings and twenty saints in early Ireland. Name of two Irish rebels in Queen
Elizabeth I's time, Aogh (Hugh) O'Neill and Aodh Rua (Red Hugh) O'Donnell.
Anglicized as Hugh, Ea.
Aodhan (EH-dawn or AY-dawn) version
of Old Irish Aedan, dim. of aed "fire". Aedan was the name of 21
early Irish saints. Popular name, often anglicized as Aidan (AY-dahn).
Aodhfin (EH-fin or AY-fin) "white fire".
Aonghus
(AYNG-ghus) from Old Irish oen "one" + gus "vigor". In Irish myth,
Oengus was a god of youth and love, the son of the goddess Boand and god Dagda
Oengus Tirech was the name of a legendary hero, said to be the ancestor of the
O'Briens an MacNamaras. Five saints, including Oengus Ceile De bore this name.
Angus.
Ardal (AHR-dawl) from Old Irish art "bear" +
gal "fury, valor"; also from Old German "eagle power". A version of
Arnold; Irish anglicized form of Gaelic name Ard(gh)al, from
ard "high" or art "bear" + gal "valour". Artegal,
Arthgallo.
Ard-Greimne "high power"; father of Scathach and
Aoife.
Arlen "pledge". Arland, Arlyn.
Αrσn
possibly "high mountain"; Irish version of Aaron.
Art (ART)
from Old Irish art "bear". Ancient Irish name, not a nickname for English
Arthur (but both derive from a common Indo-European bear word arth). In
legend, Art Oenfer (Art the Lonely) was a high king of Ireland and father of
Cormac mac Airt. A later, historical Art, Art McMurrough, was a medieval king of
Leinster who fought the English. Both Irish and Scottish, now as an informal
shortening of Arthur. Artagan.
Artϊr (AR-toor) "noble, bear
man". Irish form of Arthur, first recorded in Ireland in the 9th C.
Artair, Arthur, Artus, Arth, Art, Atty.
Auliffe (AW-lif)
Irish anglicized form of Amhlaoibh.
Austin (L) "venerable".
Αguistνn (AH-guhs-teen).
Bain (BAYN) short version of Bainbridge, "fair bridge".
Bainbridge "fair bridge".
Baird (BAYRD) "bard, poet,
ballad singer, traveling minstrel". Bairde, Bar, Bard, Barr.
Bairre (BAW-re) form of names Bearach and Finnbarr,
also used as a name in its own right; anglicized as Barry; Barra.
Bairrfhionn (BAR-fin)(Celt) "fair-haired" or "good marksman".
Barrfind, Barram, Barre, Barra, Bairre, Barry.
Bairtlemιad
Irish Gaelic form of Bartholomew.
Banning "fair and small".
Barclay Scottish, Irish; transferred use of the Scottish surname,
which was taken to Scotland in the 12th C. by Walter de Berchelai, who became a
chamberlain of Scotland in 1165. Probably derived from Berkeley in
Gloucestershire, which is from OE beorc "birch tree" + leah "wood
or clearing". In Ireland, its been anglicized in the form of Parthalαn.
Barra (Celt) "good marksman". Bearach (BAHR-akh),
Bearchan, Barry.
Barram version of Barrfhionn.
Barry "spearman". Irish anglicized form of Gaelic name Barra
(Old Irish Bairre), a short form of Fionnb(h)arr (see Finbar). Pet
forms: Baz, Bazza (Australia).
Bartel (Aramaic) "ploughman".
Bartholomew.
Bartley (Aramaic) "ploughman". Barclay,
Berkley, Parthalan.
Batt from Bartley (Aramaic)
"ploughman". Bat.
Beacαn (BE-kawn or BA-kawn) from Old Irish
bec "little, small" + dim. -an. St. Becan founded a monastery in
Westmeath in the 6th C. Becan.
Beagan "small" or "little
one".
Bearach (BA-rak) from Old Irish berach "pointed,
sharp". Berach was the name of many Irish saints, including the patron siant of
the O'Hanlys. Berach.
Bearchan (BAR-uh-kawn or BAR-uh-hawn)
Dim. of Bearach. Common name in early Ireland; name of numerous saints,
including Bearchan of Inishmore in Galway, whose feast day is April 6.
Bearnαrd (BEHR-nard)(OGer) "having the courage of a bear".
Barney; Irish, Scottish Gaelic form of Bernard.
Beartlaidh (BEHRT-lee)(Aramaic) "ploughman". Bartley.
Belenus (bel-eh-nuss) name of a sun and fire god similar to Greek
Apollo and connected with the druids. His name is seen in Beltane, the May 1
festival.
Benen (BEH-non)(L) "blessed". Beineσn (BEH-non),
Bineαn (BIN-ahn).
Bevan (Celt) "youthful warrior".
Blaine (BLAYN) "thin" or "lean". Blain, Blane, Blayne.
Blair "plain" or "field". Blaire, Blayre.
Blathmac (BLAW-vak) from Old Irish blath "flower" +
mac "son". Popular in early Ireland. Blathmacc mac Con Brettan was an 8th
C. poet.
Bodb (BOVE) Bodb the Red was a son of The Dagda and
suceeded his father as king of the Tuatha De Danann. At Lough he had a
sidhe, underground fairy palace.
Bogart "bog" or
"marshland".
Bowen "son of Owen".
Bowie (BOO-ee)(Gael)
"yellow-haired, blonde". Bow, Boyd.
Brady "spirited".
Bradaigh.
Bram (BRAHM) "raven". Irish form of Abraham.
Abracham.
Bran (BRAWN) from Old Irish bran "raven". Bran
was the name of a pagan Celtic god in both Irish and Welsh myth. Popular in the
Middle Ages.
Brandubh (BRAWN-doov) from Old Irish bran
"raven" + dubh "black". Name of a medieval king of Leinster and 2 saints.
Brasil (Celt) "battle, brave, strong in conflict". Breasal,
Basil, Brazil.
Brιanainn (BREH-neen)(Celt) "sword". Brendan,
Breandαn.
Breandan (BRAWN-dan) Poss. a borrowing of Welsh word
brenhin "king or prince". In the medieval Latin tale, The Voyage of
Saint Brendann, the 6th C. Irish saint known as Brendan the Navigator
explored regions perhaps as far as N. America in a leather-clad boat, or
curragh; Brendan; Brendis, Brannon, Bryn, Breanainn (BREH-neen).
Breasal (BREE-sal) "land of the young" or "land of the blessed". Hi
Breasil was another name for Tir-na-Nog.
Brendan (Gael) "raven".
Bran, Bram, Broin (bree-AHN), Brennan.
Breck
"freckled". Brec, Brexton.
Bress son of Elathan of the
Fomors who married the goddess Brighid. The Fomors were a sea-dwelling race who
opposed the Tuatha De Danann over Ireland and lost.
Bret (Celt)
"from Brittany".
Brett (Celt) "native of Brittany". Britt.
Brian (BREE-an or BRI-an) Of uncertain derivation, poss. from
Celtic brig "high, noble"; "the strong". In Irish myth, Brian was one of
the three sons of the goddess Danu of the Tuatha De Danaan. High King Brian Boru
ruled Ireland from 1002-1014 and defeated the Vikings at the battle of Clontarf.
Brant, Brien, Bron, Bryon, Bryan, Bryant.
Bricriu
(bree-cri-oo?) a mischief-maker at the court of Conchobar, where he instigated a
rivalry among the heroes Cu Chulainn, Conall, and Loegaire.
Brody
(bro-dee) "man from the muddy place, ditch".
Brogan St. Brogan was
scribe to St. Patrick during his meeting with the Fianna. Broccan.
Caeoimhin (kwee-veen?) "gentle". Caemgen.
Cahan
derived from cath "battle" or "warrior".
Cailean
(KAL-lan)(Gael) from Gaelic word for "child". Cailan, Colin.
Cairbre (KAHR-bre or KAHR-bruh) "charioteer". First legendary Sons
of Mil to settle in Ireland. Two noted saints by this name: Bishop of Assaroe
and Bishop of Moville. Carbry.
Caireall (KAHR-ull) name of
several Irish saints. Cairell, Carroll.
Cairpre (KAIR-pre)
the legendary Cairpre was the chief bard of the Tuatha De Danann and son of the
god Ogma. Cairpre Liffechair wiped out the Fianna at the battle of Gabhra where
he killed Fionn's grandson.
Calbhach (KAL-vah) from the word
meaning "bald". Calvagh.
Caley (KAY-lee) "slender";
alternate Irish form of Caleb.
Calhoun (KAHL-hoon) "warrior"
or "narrow woods". Coillcumhann, Colquhoun.
Callough
(KAHL-uh) "bald". Calvagh, Calbhach (KAHL-ahkh).
Caoilte
(KWEEL-te) In legend, Cailte was a member of Finn mac Cumaill's warrior band. In
medieval tale Colloquy of the Ancients, Cailte returned from the
otherworld to tell St. Patrick stories of Finn and other heros of old pagan
Ireland. Cailte.
Caoimhin (kwee-VEEN) Old Irish
Caemgen: caem "gentle" or "beautiful" + gein "birth". 7th
C. St. Caemgen established the monastery at Glendalough in County Wicklow.
Anglicized as Kevin. Caoimhghin, Kevin, Kevan.
Caolαn
(KWEE-lahn) "slender". Kealan, Kelan.
Caolfionn (Keel-in) from
the noun caol meaning "the slender one" + the adjective fionn
meaning "fair haired". The masculine noun comes first and no alteration is
required and in the Ulster dialect, the "f" naturally elides out to give an
approximate pronunciation of Keelin.
Carlin (kar-lin)(Gael) "little
champion". Carley, Carlie, Carling.
Carlus (OFr)
"full-grown, manly".
Carney (kar-nee)(Celt) "warrior" or
"victorious". Cearnach, Kearn, Karney, Kearney, Car.
Carrick
"rock" or "dweller of the rocky cape". Caroq, Carraig.
Carroll
(Gael) "champion". Carly, Carolus, Cairell(?).
Casey
(kay-see) "brave".
Cass (KAHS) from Old Irish cas "curly".
Popular name in early Ireland. Name of a legendary ancestor of the O'Briens,
MacNamaras and O'Gradys.
Cassidy (kass-ih-dee)(Gael) from a word
meaning "clever"; or "curly hair".
Cathal (KAH-al) "strong in
battle, battle-mighty". from Old Irish cath "battle". Popular in the
Middle Ages. Cathal Crobderg (Red-Handed Cathal) was a king of Connacht in the
13th C. Traditonal in the MacManus, Maguire and MacDonagh families. Cahal
(KA-hal).
Cathbad (kah-bad?) legendary name of the druid and son of
Conchobar mac Nessa who prophesied Cu Chulainn's warrior valor and the sorrow
that Deirdriu would cause Conchobar of Ulster.
Cathaoir (KAH-eer or
KAH-ur)(Celt) "battle lord" or "warrior". Cahir, Cathair (KA-heer).
Cavan "handsome". From Caoimhin. Cavin.
Ceallach (KAL-ak?) "bright-headed". Cellach, Kelly.
Ceallachan (KAL-a-kawn) Meaning uncertain: may mean "someone who
frequents churches" or "someone who is warlike". Name of a 10th C. king, and a
saint. Anglicized as Callaghan.
Cearbhall (KAR-ull)
"full-grown, manly"; from Old Irish name Cerball or Cerbhall. Name
of early kings of Ossory and Leinster; traditional among O'Dalys. Cearbhall O
Dalaigh was a president of the Irish Republic; anglicized as Carroll.
Cecil (see-sill)(L) "blind". Siseal (SEE-sil).
Cedric (sed-rick)(Celt) "chieftain".
Chad (Celt)
"defender".
Chullain (KUHL-in) a mythic name coming from Cu
Chullain.
Cian (KEEN or KEE-an) from Old Irish cian
"ancient, enduring". In legend, Cian was the son of Dian Cecht, god of healing
of the Tuatha De Danaan. Also the father of the hero Lugh. Cianan
(KEE-nahn, Cιin, Cain, Kian, Kioan, Keon, Kean.
Cianαn
(KEE-nahn) dim. of Cian. Kienan, Kenan.
Ciaran
(KEER-an) from Old Irish ciar "dark" + dim. suffix -an. 6th C. St.
Ciaran founded the monastery on Clonmacnoise. Kieran.
Ciarrai
(KEH-ehr-ree) masculine version of the Irish County Kerry.
Cillian (KEEL-yan) "war or strife"; variant of Ceallach.
Keallach, Killian.
Cinιad - (KIN-ayd) "handsome". Irish form
of Kenneth. Cionaodh (KIN-ee), Kennet.
Clancy
"red-headed fighter".
Cleary derived from a word meaning "learned".
Cluny (kloo-nee) from a word meaning "meadow".
Coinneach
(KUH-nukh, KOY-nikh, or KIE-nikh) from Old Irish name Cainnech, from
cain "good, beautiful" or "fair one". 6th C. St. Cainnech founded
monasteries in Scotland and Ireland, including Aghaboe in County Laois. The city
of Kilkenny takes its name from him. Anglicized as Kenneth. Canice,
Kenny.
Coireall (kohr-EE-ahl)(Gr) "lord". Kerrill,
Cyril.
Colin "victor". Collin, Cailan, Cailean, CHulainn,
Culin.
Colla an ancient Irish name.
Colm
(KUHL-uhm) from Latin columba "dove". 6th C. St. Colm Cille (Columba)
"dove of the church" is one of the most important Irish saints, with Patrick and
Brigid. Born in Donegal to a branch of the royal Ui Neill clan, Colm Cille was
banished to Scotland for allegedly copying a book without its owner's
permission. Founded the monastery on Iona and converted pagan kings of Scotland
to Christianity. Colum, Columba, Colman.
Colman (KOHL-mawn)
Dim. of Colm. In early records, there were more than 200 Irish saints by
this name. Given name of St. Columbanus (c. 543-615), who founded several of
most renowned monasteries in Eurpose, including Luxeuil in France and Bobbio in
Italy.
Comαn (KOH-mahn) "bent".
Comhghall (KOH-gahn or
CO-en) "fellow hostage".
Comhghan (KOH-gahn, or CO-en) "twin".
Cowen.
Conaire (KAW-ni-re) Ancient Irish name, poss. from
cu (con) "wolf, hound" + aire "farmer, landowner". Conor,
Conroy, Conlan ("hero").
Conall (KAW-nal) "strong as a wolf" or
"high-might"; from Old Irish cu (con) "hound, wolf". Conall Cernach was a
legendary hero of Ulster. Conall Gulban was the great-grandfater of St. Colm
Cille and the ancestor of the O'Donnells, O'Gallaghers, and O'Dohertys.
Connell.
Conαn (KOH-nawn) from Celtic cuno "great,
high"; "hound, wolf" or "wisdom"; "wisdom, intelligent". Of legend, Conan mac
Morna was a member of Finn mac Cumaill's band. Six Irish saints also of this
name. Conann, Conn.
Conary (KOH-ner-ee) ancient Irish name.
Conaire.
Conchobhar (KON-kho-var or KROO-ar) derived from
cu "hound, wolf" + cobar "desiring" = "wolf-lover" or "lover of
hounds"; "high will, desire". Conchobhar, Conor, Connor, Conny,
Cornelius.
Conlaed (kon-lee?) derived from connla
"prudent, chaste" + aed "fire". Conlaodh.
Conlaoch
(KON-la) son of Cu Chulainn and Aoife.
Conleth, Conley (KAWN-lay,
KOHN-leth) from old and rare name Conlaed. Most famous bearer Conlaed, a
6th C. bishop of Kildare, head of school of manuscript illumination there.
Conn (KOHN) Ancient Irish name, poss. derived from cu (con)
"hound, wolf"; "reason, intelligence". Conn Cethchathach (Conn of the Hundred
Battles) was a high king of Ireland in legend. Claimed as an ancestor by the
O'Connors, O'Donnells, O'Dowds, O'Flahertys, O'Neills, and O'Rourkes.
Cuinn (KWIN), Con.
Connacht (kon-nocked or kon-naht)
from the Irish County of the same name and spelling.
Connla "son of
Conn". Conlaoch.
Connlaoi (kon-lee?) "chaste fire".
Conley, Conleth, Connolly.
Connor (KAW-nor) from Old Irish
Conchobar: cu (con) "hound, wolf" + cobar "desiring"';
"wolf-lover". In Irish epic The Cattle Raid of Cooley, Conchobar mac
Nessa was king of Ulster. Modern Irish form Conor, Conchobhar (KROO-ar).
Conor "wise aid"; form of Connor.
Conri
(KAWN-ree) from Old Irish cu (con) "hound, wolf" + ri "king". An
early recorded men's name. Conroy.
Conroy (Celt) "wise man".
Conn.
Conway (Gael) "hound of the plain".
Corcoran (kor-kor-ahn) "ruddy", "red" or "of reddish complexion".
Corc.
Corey (kohr-ee) "raven", "from the hollow" or
"helmet". Cori, Cory.
Cormac (KOR-uh-mak) from
corbaid "defile" + mac "son"; or "charioteer". Cormac mac Airt was
a legendary high king of Ireland, ancestor of the O'Neills. Also the name of
many kings, bishops and saints.
Corrigan from a word meaning
"spearman". Corey, Corrin.
Cosgrove (koz-grohv) derived from
a word meaning "victor" or "champion".
Cowan (kow-an) possibly
"hillside hollow".
Coyle (KOYL) derived from a word meaning "leader
in battle".
Craiftine (krayf-teen?) harper to Labraid Longseach;
his harp was made of wood that had retained a secret about the king.
Craig (KREG or KRAYG) "a steep rock", "crag" or "from near the
crag". Craigen.
Credne (kred-nee?) a bronzesmith god of the
Tuatha De Danann and one of the triad of smiths. He helped Dian Cecht make the
silver arm for Nuada.
Criofan (KREE-fan) from Old Irish name
Criomhthann (CROH-an or CRONE) old, rare name meaning "a fox". Crimthan
was common among the Kavanaghs of Leinster. First name of St. Columcille; St.
Criomhthann's feast day is May 23. Crimthann was the name of ten of Finn mac
Cumhaill's warriors, and of one St. Crimthann/Criomhthann. Crimthan,
Crimthann, Crimathann.
Crνostσir (CREES-towr) "Christ-bearer";
version of Christopher. Criostal (Scotland & N. Ireland).
Crofton "a small town with little houses and fields".
Cu
Chulainn (KOO KUHL-in) Name of the hero of the early Irish epic The
Cattle Raid of Cooley. Cu Chulainn's birth name was Setanta, and was given
his adult name after he killed a watch dog of the smith, Culann. He then assumed
the dog's place and duties and was renamed Cu Chulainn "hound of Culann". Other
early names that begin with cu are Cu Maige (Hound of the Plain); Cu Mara
(Hound of the Sea); and Cu Coigriche (Hound of the Border). Cu was a common
title of Celtic chieftains.
Cu Roi (KOO REE/ROY?) name of a king of
Munster, Cu Roi mac Daire; he had great Otherworld powers. Because his wife,
Blanaid, loved Cu Chulainn, she helped kill Cu Roi.
Cϊ Uladh
(koo-ULL-uh) "hound of Ulster". Cooley, Cullo, Cooey, Covey.
Cuirithir a poet who loved a woman Liadin, but she refused to marry
him and became a nun.
Culann variant of Cu Chulainn. Cu
Chulainn served the chief Culann in payment for killing his dog. Culin.
Culley possibly "woods".
Cϊmheα (kuhm-EH) "hound of
the plains". Cooey, Cuulagh, Cooley, Cullo, Covey.
Cunningham
possibly "village of the milk pail".
Curran (Gael) derived from a
word for "hero". Currey, Curr, Curney.
Curry "a marsh or an
herb".
Dagda a god called the Good God. Daghda.
Daibhιid
(DEH-vid or da-VEECH)(H) "beloved". Daighi, David, Daibhead (same
pronun.)
Daigh (DEHV or DAVE?) "flame or fire".
Daimine
(day-min?) derived from word dam "deer" or "ox". Daimhin, Damon.
Dαire (DEH-ruh, DI-re or DAHR-uh) Old Irish word meaning "oak
grove", "fruitful" or "fertile", and most likely the name of an early fertility
or bull god; the Brown Bull of Cooley was owned by Daire mac Fiachna, and his
refusal to loan his bull to Queen Medb was part of the reason for the fight
between the Ulsterman and the men of Ireland. Dary, Darragh.
Dαithν (DAH-hee) "swiftness, nimbleness". Dahy.
Daley (day-lee) possibly "advisor", "an assembly" or "a valley".
Dawley, Dale, Daly.
Dallas (Gael) "wise". Dall.
Damhlaic (DAW-lik)(L) "like the Lord". Dominic, Doiminic
(DOH-min-ic).
Daniel (H) "beloved".
Daray (Gael)
"dark"; version of French-Norman name D'aray. D'aray, Dar, Darce.
Darby (dar-bee) (Gael) "free man".
Darren (Gael)
"great". Daron, Darrin, Darrion.
Dearg "son of the Dagda".
Declan (DEK-lawn) Name of a 6th C. saint who founded the monastery
Ardmore in County Waterford. Dιahglαn (DEK-lan).
Delaney
"descendant of the challenger".
Delano (deh-LAH-no)(Gael) "dark" or
"a healthy black man".
Demne when Fionn was tutored by Finneces, he
took this name.
Dempsey (DEM-se) "proud".
Dermot "free
man" or "free from envy". Dermod, Darby, Darcy.
Derry (Gael)
"red-headed"; "great lover", "an ancient hero". Also a city in Northern Ireland.
Desmond (DEZ-mond) "man of the world"; from a surname based on an
old name for the territory of South Munster. Demond.
Desmumhnach "man of Muman" which was a tribe or territory in the
Cork area of Munster before the Anglo-Norman invasion.
Devin (Celt)
"a poet". Dev, Devon.
Devine "ox". Daimhin.
Devlin (Gael) "brave or fierce". Devlyn.
Devnet
"poet".
Diancecht (DI-an-ket) the great physician of the Tuatha De
Danann; father of Miach, Cian, Cethe, and Cu, daughter Airmid. Dian
Cecht.
Diarmaid (DEER-mit) "free man"; legendary member of the
warrior band of Finn mac Cumaill. He had a beauty mark on his forehead that made
any woman who saw it to fall madly in love with him. Diarmait, Diarmuid,
Dermot, Dermod.
Digby "a town with a ditch or dike".
Dillon (Gael) "faithul" or "faithful".
Dinsmore
possibly means "fortified hill".
Doherty "harmful".
Dolan from a word meaning "dark-haired". Dolin, Dolyn.
Dominic (L) "like the Lord". Damhlaic.
Domnall
(DON-al) "world-mighty"; popular in ancient Ireland. Donal, Domhnall.
Don "brown stranger"; form of Donald; Irish lord of the
Underworld or Land of the Dead.
Donahue (Gael) "dark hued" or "dark
warrior"; related to Don, the Irish god.
Dσnal (DON-al or DOH-nal)
from domun "world" + gal "ardor" or "valor"; "world-mighty".
Popular since the earliest times. Domnall was the name of five high kings
including Domall Ilchelgach (Donal of the Many Treacheries), ancestor of the
O'Neills and MacLoughlins. Domhnall, Domnall, Donall, Donald.
Donald (Celt) "world ruler, brown stranger". Donal, Doughal,
Don.
Donn (DON or DOWN) from Old Irish donn, meaning
both "brown" and "chief". Mythological god of the dead, who lived on an island
off the of Munster. Popular until the end of the 19th C., esp. with the Maguires
and Kennedys. Donnagan, Donnan (DUN-ahn).
Donnan (DUN-ahn)
"brown".
Donnchadh (DUN-uh-khuh) "brown lord"; "strong warrior";
from Old Irish name Donnchad: donn "brown" or "chief" +
cath "battle". Name of the son of Brian Boru, King Donnchadh Donn (d.
1064). Traditional in O'Brien family. Donaghy, Donogh, Donagh (DOH-na).
Donnell related to Donal and Domnall; Doneal,
Donnelly.
Donnelly "brave, dark man, a brave black man".
Donovan "dark or brown warrior". Donvan.
Dooley
"dark hero".
Doran "stranger" or "exile". Deoradhain.
Dougal (DOO-gahl) "dwells by the dark stream" or "dark stranger,
from the dark water". Dubhghall (DOO-gal, or DOO-ahl), Dubgall,
Douglas, Douglass, Duglas.
Dow "dark-haired. Dubg.
Doyle (Celt) "dark stranger". Doy.
Driscol
"interpreter". Driscoll.
Drummond (Celt) "unclear".
Duane (Celt) "song". Dewain, Dwayne.
Dubaltach
"black-jointed" or "dark-limbed". Dubhaltach, Dualtach.
Dubgall (DOO-ahl) "dark or black foreigner"; refers to the Vikings,
esp. from Denmark, who came to Dublin in 850. Dubghall.
Dubhαn
(DUH-ven, or DUH-wen) "dark, black". Dowan, Duggan, Duane, Dwayne,
Dubhagain.
Dubhdara (doov-DAW-ra) from Old Irish dub
"dark" + dara "oak" = "dark man of the oak".
Dubhghlas from
dubh "black" + glas "blue". More popular in Scotland than Ireland.
Douglas.
Duer (Celt) "heroic".
Duff (Celt)
"dark-faced; black-faced".
Dugan variants Dubhan, Duggan.
Dunham (Celt) "dark man; black man".
Dwayne derived
from "dark"; or "from the dunes". Duwain, Duane.
Ea (EH)(Celt) "fire" form of Aodh. Hugh.
Eachan (eh-kawn?) "horseman".
Eadoin "blessed with
many friends".
Eamon (EH-mon or AY-mon) "wealthy guardian". Irish
version of Anglo-Saxon name Edmund. American Eamon de Valera (1882-1975)
served as both president and prime minister of the Irish Republic. Aimon,
Eamonn.
Eanna (eh-nah?) possibly "birdlike". Ennae.
Earnαn "knowing, experienced".
Edan (Eh-dan or
AY-dan)(Celt) "flame, fiery, zealous".
Egan (EE-gan)(Celt) "ardent
or fiery". Aodhagαn (EH-uh-gahn), Egon, Eagon, Eoghan, Eogan.
Ιibhear (EH-ver) meaning unknown, perhaps (OE) "strong as a bear".
Ever.
Ιimhin (EH-veen) from eim "prompt" or "ready"
or "swift, active"; male or female. Evan, Evin.
Eion from of
Ian. Eann, Ein.
Eireamhon (AY-ra-vohn) from Old Irish
name Eremon. In legend, Eremon led the expedition of the Sons of Mil to
Ireland to avenge his uncle Ith, who was slain by the Tuatha De Danaan; which
would make Eremon the chief ancestor of the Irish people.
Eirnin
possibly from iarn "iron"; male or female.
Elatha
(AHL-a-hah) An old name meaning "art or craft".
Ιnαn (AY-nahn)
Irish saint name. Eanan (EH-nahn).
Ennis (Gael) "sole or
only choice".
Eochaid (OH-kad) from Old Irish ech "horse".
May mean "horse rider". Real and legendary kings bore this name, horses were
symbols of kingship and nobility in early Irish culture. Also a St. Eochaid who
was bishop of Tallaght, and another who was the abbot of Lismore.
Eochaidh.
Eocho (OH-koh) Nickname for Eochaid that
became its own name. Eocho mac Tairdelbaig was an ancestor of the O'Hallinan and
O'Quinn families.
Eoghan (oh-GAHN or OHN) from Old Irish name
Eogan "born of the yew tree": eo "yew" + gein "birth";
"god's gracious gift". Name of several early kings and saints. Eogan mac
Damthacht was a celebrated Ulster hero. Earliest St. Eoghan was a 6th C. bishop
of Tyrone, and uncle of St. Kevin. Eoin, Eogan, Egan.
Eoghan
(YO-wun)(Gr) "well-born". Owen.
Eσin (OH-en or OH-een)
"god's gracious gift". Irish form of Latin Johannes. Irish names Eoin and
Sean both derive from Johannes. Sean, from the French Jehan, was introduced to
Ireland by Norman French centureis after Johannes became an Irish name.
John.
Eσin Baiste (OH-en BAHSH-chuh) John the Baptist.
Erc (EHRK) possibly "battle boar". Earc.
Eremon
(EHR-eh-mohn) he fought his brother Eber to see who should become the king of
Ireland. All later Irish kings claimed descent from him.
Erin
(EHR-in)(Gael) "peace". An alternate name for Ireland, from the goddess Eriu.
Eryn.
Esras (EHS-ras) master of wisdom in Gorias, one of the
the four cities that the Tuatha De Danann came from; he later gave Lugh the
victory spear, one of the Tuatha's treasures.
Evan "young warrior";
Irish form of John. Ewan, Ev, Evin.
Eveny (ehv-en-ee)
name used in Derry County. Aibhne.
Fagan (FAY-gan) "little fiery one".
Fallon variant of
Faolan. Fallamhain.
Faolαn (FEH-lahn or FAY-lawn) from Old
Irish faol "wolf" + dim. -an. Faolan was the name of fourteen
saints, and ten warriors in Finn mac Cumhaill's band. Source of the surnames
Phelan and Whelan. Anglicized Fallon, Faelan, Felan..
Farrell
(Celt) "heroic, courageous". Fearghal (FAHR-gahl), Farr.
Fearghus (FAHR-gus or fay-REES) from Old Irish fer "man" +
gus "strength, vigor"; "super-choice". Fergus mac Roich, foster-father of
Cu Chulainn, was a hero of the Irish epic The Cattle Raid of Cooley.
Renowned for his strength and stamina both on the battlefield and the bedroom.
Fergus Finbel (Fergus Wine-Mouth) was a poet of the Fianna. Classic, anglicized
Fergus (FER-guhs).
Fechine possibly from fiach
"raven," or from a word meaning "battle". Fechin.
Feidhlim
(FELL-em) "fortunate, lucky" or "ever good". Male or female name.
Feidhlimidh.
Felix (L) "fortunate or lucky". Feidhlim
(FELL-em).
Feoras (FEE-uh-rus)(Gr) "stone". Pierce.
Fercetrniu poet of King Cu Roi, whose wife caused the king's death;
when the poet discovered this, he leaped over a cliff taking her with him to her
death.
Fergal (FAYR-gal) "man of strength"; from Old Irish
fer "man" + gal "fury, valor" = "manly" or "valorous". Fergal mac
Mael Duin was another ancestor of the O'Neills. Fearghal.
Ferris (fair-is)(Gr) "the rock"; form of Peter. Farris.
Fiachra (FEE-uh-khruh) "battle-king" or "eagle". Irish saint name.
Fiachna, Fiach, Feary.
Finghin (FIN-jin) "fair birth";
variant of Fionn, Fionnbarr. Fineen, Finnin, Fionan, Finian, Finbar.
Finlayv (Gael) "little (blond) fair-haired soldier". Finlay,
Findlay, Findley, Finlea, Finn.
Finneces poet who lived by the
River Boyne and guarded the Salmon of Knowledge for seven years. He planned to
eat it himself to gain the knowledge, but his student Fionn mac Cumhail tasted
it first. Finegas.
Finnegan "light skinned".
Finnian (fin-ee-an) from finn "fair, pale-colored".
Finnen.
Fionan (FIN-ee-ahn) "fair". Finnian, Fionn.
Fionn (FYUHN or FIN) from Old Irish finn "bright, fair".
Anglicized as Finn. Finn mac Cumhaill was a hero, poet and sometime
outlaw who led a band of warriors known as the Fianna. Fiann, Finian.
Fionnbharr (FYUHN-var or FIN-ver) from Old Irish finn
"bright, fair" + barr "hair". Eight Irish saints by this name. Best known
is 6th C. St. Finnbarr, patron of Cork and of Barra in the Outer Hebrides.
Anglicized as Finbar, Finnbarr, Barram, Bairrfhoinn; nicknames Barra,
Bairre.
Fionntan (FIN-tan or FYUN-tawn) from Old Irish
finn "bright, fair". In myth, Fintan was the consort of Cessair.
Fintanwas the only one of the group to survived the great flood. Afterwards, he
lived on for thousands of years as a salmon, an eagle and a hawk. Also the name
of 74 early Irish saints.
Fiontan possibly "white ancient" or
"white fire".
Fitzroy "son of Roy".
Flann (FLAHN) from
Old Irish flann "blood red" or "redhead, ruddy". Flann has been the name
of poets, scholars, abbots, saints, queens and kings. Flann Feorna was king of
Kerry in the 8th C., and an ancestor of the O'Connors. Male or female name.
Flainn, Floinn, Flannan, Flanagan, Flannagain, Flynn, Flannery.
Flannery form of Flann; "redhead".
Flinn form
of Flynn; "son of the redhaired man".
Flynn (Gael) "son of
the red-haired man". Flin, Flinn.
Forbes (Gael) "prosperous
or headstrong".
Frederick (Teut) "peaceful ruler".
Feardorcha (fee-ar-e-DOHR-ekh-e).
Gaeth (GAYTH) Old Irish "intelligent, skillful".
Gair
"small". Geir, Gaer.
Galbraith (gahl-brayth) Old Irish
meaning "Scotsman".
Gale "a stranger". Gael, Gaile, Gayle.
Galen (gay-len)(Gael) "calm"; or "small but lively".
Gallagher from the word for "eager helper".
Galloway
once referred to a Scotsman from Galloway, Scotland. Galway.
Galvin (GAHL-vin) from Old Irish gelbann "a sparrow".
Gannon (Gael) "light or fair-complexioned". Gannie.
Garbhαn (GAHR-van) from garb "rough". Garban, Garvan.
Garrett (Teut) "brave spearman" or "with a mighty spear".
Garret, Garett.
Garvey from a word meaning "rough place".
Gairbith.
Gaynor "son of the fair-skinned man" or "son of
the fair-haired one". Gainor, Gaenor.
Gearσid (GAHR-ohd)
Irish form of Gerald, from ancient name Gelgeis, from gel
"shining". May also mean "spear-mighty" and come from the Anglo-Normans.
Gearalt, Garalt, Gerald, Garret.
Genty from a word meaning
"snow".
Gilchrist "servant of Christ". Ghilchrist, Giolla
Chriost, Gilvarry, Gil, Gilley.
Gillean "servant of St. John".
Gillan.
Gillespie "son of the bishop's servant".
Gillis.
Gilmore (Gael) from words meaning "devoted to the
Virgin Mary".
Gilvarry (gil-very or gil-var-ee) "servant of St.
Barry". Giolla Bhearaigh (GIL-a VER-ee).
Giolla Bhrνghde
(GIL-a BREED) from words meaning "servant of St. Brighid" or "Saint Brigid".
Gillbride.
Giolla Chrνost (GIL-a KREEST) "servant of
Christ". See Gilchrist.
Giolla Deacair (GIL-a dah-keer?) an
Otherworld champion who owned a horse that could not be ridden. The hero Conan
managed to mount the horse, but it carried him away to Tir Tairngire, and had to
be rescued by Fionn.
Giolla Dhι (GIL-a DEH) "servant of god".
Gildea.
Gilroy "devoted to the king". Gildray.
Glaisne (GLAS-nee) a favored name in Ulster up to modern times.
Glasny.
Glen (Celt) "glen or narrow valley" or "a secluded,
woody valley". Glyn, Glynis, Glenn.
Glenville "village in
the glen".
Gobban (GOH-ban) from Goibniu, the ancient god of
smithcraft who worked for the Tuatha De Danann. Goban.
Gofraidh (GO-free-y) "god's peace"; variant of the Old German name
Godfrey. Goffraidh, Godfrey, Gorry.
Goibniu god of
blacksmiths known in Ireland and Wales, he forged all weapons for the Tuatha De
Danann, they never missed their mark and the wounds inflicted were always fatal.
Gordon (Gael) "hero"; a Scots-Irish name used in Ulster.
Gordain.
Gorman from a word meaning "dark" or "swarthy";
male or female name. Gormain.
Grady (Gael) from a word
meaning "noble" or "illustrious". Gradleigh, Gradey.
Greagoir
(GREG-or) "vigilant" or "fierce". Grioghar, Gregory, Gregor; pet form:
Greg.
Guaire common name of early Ireland meaning "noble or
proud".
Guthrie (guhth-ree) "windy place".
Guy
"sensible".
Hagan "youthful" or "young".
Haley from a word meaning
"ingenious".
Hannraoi (HAN-ree)(Teut) "ruler of an estate".
Henry, Einri (EHN-ree).
Harkin from an old word for "dark
red".
Heremon form of Irving; "handsome and fair".
Hogan (Gael) similar to Hagan, meaning "youth".
Hoyt from a word meaning "spirit" or "mind".
Hurley
(Gael) from a word for "sea tide". Hurlee.
Iarfhlaith (YAR-lath) Irish saint name; St. Iarlaith was born in
Tuam and ordained in 468 and built the first monastery and school at Cloonfush.
Iarlaith, Iarlaithe, Jarlath.
Ibor (EE-bohr?) from
iobar "yew tree". St. Ibor opposed St. Patrick because he was a
"foreigner". Iobhar.
Imar (EE-MAHR?) probably the name Ivarr
borrowed from the Norse-Vikings who invaded Ireland. Iomhar (EE-var).
Innis "from the island". Innes, Iniss.
Ionhar
(YOWR, or YO-ver)(Teut) "archer". Ivor.
Νoseph (YO-sef)(H)
"god will add". Iosep, Joseph.
Iσsua Irish version of
Joshua.
Irv "handsome". Irving.
Irving
(Gael) "handsome and fair". Earvin, Ervin.
Iuchar a brother
of Brian mac Tuirenn, who killed Lugh's father Cian.
Iucharba a
brother of Brian mac Tuirenn, who killed Lugh's father Cian.
Jarlath (JAR-leth) Name of 6th C. saint, teacher of St. Brendan the
Navigator. Brendan told Jarlath to drive his chariot east and build a church
where his wheel broke; it broke in Tuam, and he founded a church that became a
great center of learning and art. Modern Irish Iarlaith (YAR-lath or
YAHR-le).
Jonathan (H) "god gives".
Joseph (H) "god
will add".
Kacey (kay-see) alternate spelling of Casey.
Kane
(Gael) "tribute, warrior". Kayne, Kaine.
Kavan "handsome".
Kavenaugh.
Keallach (KAL-ak?) "little Kelly".
Killian.
Keary (keer-ee) "dark or dark-haired".
Kearney (keer-nee)(Celt) "warrior". Carney.
Keefe
(KEEF)(Gael) "cherished, handsome, lovable". Keeffe.
Keegan
(Gael) "little and fiery". Keagen, Kegan.
Keelan from a
word meaning "slender" or "little".
Keeley "handsome" or "beautiful
and graceful". Kealey, Kealy.
Keenan "little Keene" or
"little ancient one". Keanan, Kienan.
Keene "wise, learned".
Keir (KEER)(Celt) "dark-skinned".
Keiran
(KEER-an)(Celt) "dark-skinned".
Kellen "mighty warrior". Kaelan,
Kael, Kailen, Kallen, Kaylen, Kaylan, Kealan, Kelan.
Keller
from a word meaning "little companion".
Kelvin "a narrow river" or
"from the narrow river". Kelvyn.
Kendrick from a word
meaning "son of Henry"; or "royal chieftain". Keondric.
Kennard "brave chieftain". Kenner.
Kennedy
(KI-ne-dee or KEN-eh-dee) from Old Irish Cennetig: cenn "head" +
etig "ugly"; or "helmeted chief". Kennedy became a surname while still
used as a first name. Cennetig mac Lorcain was the father of high king Brian
Boru. Cennetig.
Kenyon "white or blond hair". Kenyan.
Kermit possibly a variant of Dermot, or may mean "son of
Diarmaid" or "free man".
Kern (Gael) "little black one, dark".
Kearn, Kerne, Kieran.
Kerry (Gael) "manly", "dark hair" or
"son of the black one". Form of Carol(l). Keary.
Kerwin
"small and dark" or "little jet-black one". Kervin, Kerwyn.
Kevin (Celt) "kind, gentle, lovable".
Kieran (KEER-an)
"small and dark-skinned".
Kiernan (KEER-nan) "dark-skinned".
Kildare an Irish county.
Kilian (KIL-yan) from Old
Irish Cillene, prob. from cell "church". Many saints bore this
name including an abbott of Iona in Scotland. Cillene, Killian, Killy.
Korey variant of Corrigan.
Kyle (Gael)
"handsome", "near the chapel", "one from the strait", or "a narrow piece of
land". Kyele, Kiel.
Labraid "speaker". Labhraidh.
Labhrαs
(LAU-rahsh)(L) "a laurel bush". Labhoise (LOY-shuh or LIE-shuh),
Labhras, Labras, Laurence.
Laegaire (LEERY) possibly
"calf-herd". Laoghaire.
Laisrean from laisre "flame".
Laisren.
Laoire (LAY-re, LEER-ee, LAIR-ee, L'Heery) from Old
Irish name Laegaire, may mean "calf-herder". Name of two saints and a
king of Tara. Leary, Laoighaire, Laoghaire.
Larkin "rough
and fierce".
Laughlin (LOFF-lin or LOCK-lin) "servant of St.
Secundinus". Lanty, Lany, Leachlainn, Loughlin.
Laurence (L)
"crowned with laurel".
Lawler from an Irish word meaning "mutterer"
or "soft-spoken". Lawlor.
Leachlainn (LEKH-len) "servant of
St. Secundinus". Laughlin, Lochlainn, Lanty.
Leary variant
of Laoire and Laegaire.
Lennan (LAN-awn) Old Irish
work meaning "lover, sweetheart". Leannan.
Lennon "little
cape".
Lιon (L) "lion".
Liam (LEE-am) "resolute
protector, unwavering protector". Irish form of William, short for Uilliam,
derived from name Guillaume, introduced to Ireland by Anglo-Normans.
Lir (LEER) father of Manannan mac Lir, his second wife turned his
other four children into swans.
Lochlainn (LOCH-lan, LOKH-lan or
LOCK-lin) from Old Irish word for the land of the Vikings, Lakeland. In fairy
tales, Lochlainn was the imaginary abode of the princess-who-must-be-rescued.
Popular in Middle Ages. Lochlain, Lochlann, Lakeland, Laughlin, Lochlyn,
Lochlynn, Loughlin.
Loegaire (LOH-geer?) Cu Chulainn's
charioteer who went to Mag Mell with him to rescue its queen from abductors;
another tale says he died from a spear meant for the hero.
Logan
(Gael) from a word meaning "meadow" or "from the (little) hollow".
Lomαn (LO-man) from the word lomm "bare". Lomman.
Lonan (LYO-nawn) from Old Irish lon "blackbird" + dim.
suffix -an. Eight early saints had this name, including St. Lonan Finn.
Lorcan (LOR-kawn) from Old Irish lorc "fierce" or "cruel" +
dim. suffix -an. Several early kings with this name. St. Lorcan O
Tuathail (Laurence O'Toole) was archbishhop of Dublin at the time of the Norman
invasion.
Lϊcαs (LOO-kahsh)(L) "bringer of light". Lucan.
Luchtaine god of carpentry for the Tuatha De Danann and a member of
the trio of smiths. Luchta.
Lugaid son of Cu Roi and
Blanaid, and known as the Son of Three Dogs because his mother had lain with
three men with cu in their name. When Lugaid cut off Cu Chulainn's head,
the sword slipped and cut off his own hand.
Lugh (LOO) Name of a
Celtic sun god, from lugu "light". Lugh is also known as the god Lleu in
Welsh myth. Lughan (LOO-awn), Lughna (LOO-na).
Lughaidh
(LOO-ee)(OGer) "renowned warrior". Lewy.
Lunn "warlike".
Lonn, Lun.
Lynch from a word meaning "mariner".
Linch.
Mac Dara (mahk-DAH-ra) from Old Irish mac "son" + dara
"oak" = "son of the oak". St. Mac Dara of Connemara is the patron of fisherman.
MacBride from the Irish meaning "son of the follower of St.
Brighid". Mcbride, McBride, Macbride).
Macallister "son of
Alistair". Mcallister, McAllister, MacAllister.
Macarthur
"son of Aruthur". Mcarthur, McArthur, MacArthur.
Maccoy "son
of Hugh". Mccoy, McCoy, MacCoy.
Maclean from "son of
Leander". Mclean, McLean, Maclaine, MacLean.
Macrea from the
Irish meaning "son of grace". Mccrea, Mccrae, McCrea, MacRea.
Mackenzie "son of Kenzie". Mckenzie, McKenzie, MacKenzie.
Mackinnley "son of the learned ruler". Mckinnley, McKinnley,
MacKinnley, McKinley, MacKinley, Mackinley, etc.
Macklin
(MAK-lin) "son of Flann". Macland.
Macmahon (MAK-MAN)"son of
Mahon". Mcmahon, McMahon, MacMahon.
Mael Coluim (MAL KOL-um)
"servant or devotee of Colm". Maeolcholuim.
Mael Iosu (MAL
YO-shoo?) "devotee of Christ"; at one time it was a name used among clergymen.
Maelduine (MAL-doon? or MAL-doo-een?) his mother was a nun who was
raped by his father, Ailill. He made a skin boat and sailed among the Blessed
Islands in search of his father's murderers.
Maeleachlainn
(MAL-uh-khlin) "servant of St. Secundinus". Malachy, Milo, Miles.
Maghnus (MAKH-hus) "great"; variant of Manus, or the
Norse-Viking Magnus.
Mahon (MAN or MAH-hohn) "bear".
Mαirtνn (MAWRT-cheen) "warlike one". Martin, Martain.
Maitias (muh-THY-uhs)(H) "gift of god"; version of Mathias.
Matthias, Maithias.
Maitiϊ (MATH-yoo)(H) "gift of god"; version
of Matthew.
Mal Irish shortened version of names starting
with "mal".
Malachy (MA-la-kee)(H) Used in Ireland as an
anglicization for Irish names beginning with mael "servant or devotee"
such as Mael Maedoc and Mael Sechlainn. St. Malachy of Armagh was a church
reformer in the 12th C. Maelachlainn, Milos.
Malone
"church-going" or "servant of St. John". Maloney.
Malvin
Irish form of Melvin. Malvyn.
Manannan mac Lir
(mah-NAN-awn mac leer) chief Irish sea god, son of the sea god Lir. see the
Deities page for more info.
Mannix from a word meaning "monk".
Mainchin (MAN-e-kheen).
Manus (MA-nuhs) from Latin
magnus "great". Borrowed from the Norse, who in turn borrowed it from
Carolus Magnus, Latin name for Charlemagne. Mannuss.
Maolruadhan (mal-ROO-ahn) "servant of St. Ruadhαn". Melrone.
Marcan (MOR-kawn) from Old Irish marc "horse" + dim.
-an. Marcan mac Cennetig was the brother of High King Brian Boru and
abbot of Killaloe. St. Marcan of Clonenagh's Feast day October 21.
Mathghamhain (ma-HOHN) Old Irish word for "bear" and popular in
Middle Ages. Brother of High King Brian Boru. Mahon.
Mayo
from the County in Ireland, meaning "yew-tree plain".
Meallan
(MAHL-an) from Old Irish mall "lightning" + dim. suffix -an. Three
early saints whose Feast days are Jan. 28, Feb. 7, and Oct. 26.
Meilseoir (MEL-shyahr)(H) "king". Melchior.
Mel
(MEL) no recorded meaning; St. Mel was a bishop and patrion of Ardagh, County
Limerick, and a nephew of St. Patrick.
Mellan possibly derived from
an early word meaning "lightning".
Melvin (Celt) from an Irish word
meaning "armored chief"; or "mill worker". Mal, Malvin, Melvyn, Melwynn.
Merril "bright sea". Meryl.
Merritt (MAIR-it or
MEHR-it) from a word meaning "valuable" or "deserving". Meritt.
Miach (MEE-ahk?) son of the Tuatha De Danann physician Dian Cecht;
he was slain by his fther when he and his sister Airmid restored Nuada's
physical hand.
Micheal (mee-HAHL or MEE-kal) Irish form of
Michael, "who is like God?"
Midir (MY-tir) a fairy king and
another god of the Underworld, connected with the Isle of Falga (Isle of Man)
where he had his palace. Midhir.
Miles Several derivations,
including Latin miles "soldier". From the 17th C. on, Miles was used to
anglicize names beginning with mael "servant or devotee," such as Mael
Muire. Myles.
Mochaomhog name of a priest who cared for the
swan-children of Lir. He made silver chains to hang around their necks so people
could identify them as enchanted humans.
Monahan (mohn-ah-han)
"monk". Monohan.
Mongan son of Manannan mac Lir and
Caintigerna; some tales say he was the reincarnation of Finn mac Cumhail.
Monroe (mun-roh) name derived from the mouth of Ireland's Roe
River; or "from the red swamp".
Morann (MOOR-an) from Old Irish
name Morand, derivation unknown. Legendary judge of ancient Ireland who
allegedly never gave a false verdict. Also the name of several if Finn mac
Cumhaill's warriors. Moran, Morand.
Morc son of Dela, a
Fomor King.
Morfessa a master of great wisdom who lived in Falias,
one of the cities the Tuatha De Danann came from. He gave the Tuatha the Stone
of Fal, the inauguration stone for making a king.
Morgan (Celt)
"sea warrior", "lives by the sea" or "from the sea"; possibly derived from the
war goddess Morrigan. Morgun.
Morven (Celt) "mariner".
Morvin.
Moss shortened form of Maurice or
Morris.
Muireadhach (MUR-e-thekh) from muiredach
"lord, master"; or "sea-lord". Murry, Murray, Muiredach, Muirioch.
Muirios (MEER-ees) from Old Irish Muirgius: muir
"sea" + gus "strength, vigor". Muirios was the name of several kings of
Connacht.
Mundy (MUN-dee) "from Reamonn".
Murchadh
(MUR-kha or MOOR-uh-ka) from Old Irish muir "sea" + cath "warrior"
= "sea-warrior". Name of several early kings and warriors. Murrough, Murphey,
Murchach, Murphy, Morgan.
Murphy (MUR-fee) "sea warrior".
Murphey.
Murray (MUR-ee or MUR-ray)(Celt) "seaman".
Murry, Murrey..
Murtagh (MUR-tah or MUR-taw) variant of
Murdock. Murtaugh.
Naoise (NEE-shah?) son of Uisliu and served Conchobhar mac Ness,
King of the Ulaidh; fell in love with Deirdre, who was promised to the king, and
had to flee for his life. When they returned under a promise of forgiveness,
Naoise was ambushed and killed. Naoisi.
Naomhan (NAU-ahn)
"holy". Nevan.
Neal (Celt) "champion". Neil, Neill,
Neale, Nealon.
Neasαn (NESH-ahn) Irish saint name; variant of
Nessa. Nessan.
Nechtan (neck-tahn) husband of the
goddess Boann and keeper of a magic well of knowledge which had nine hazel trees
around it.
Neil (Celt) "champion". Neal, Niall, Neill,
Neale.
Nemhglan the bird-like being who was teh father of
Conaire Mess Buachalla by a human woman.
Nessan "stoat".
Nevan "holy". Naomham (NAU-ahn).
Nevin (Gael)
"worshipper of the saints, nephew". Nevins.
Niall
(NEE-AL)(Celt) "champion"; or Old Irish name poss. derived from nel
"cloud". King Niall Noigiallach of Tara founded Ui Neill dynasty and ancestor to
the O'Neills and Scotland's MacNeils. Neal, Neil, Neill, Nyle, Nealy,
Niallαn (NEE-a-lahn).
Niece (NEES)(Celt) "choice".
Aonghus, Neese.
Nioclαs (NEE-klahs)(Gr) "victory of the
people". Nicholas.
Niocol (NEE-col)(Gr) "victory of the
people". Nicol.
Nolan (NOH-luhn)(Gael) "famous" or "noble".
Noland, Nolin.
Nuada (NOO-ah-dah) a god known in both
Ireland and Wales; he lost his hand in battle and had to step down as king of
the Tuatha De Danann, since they demanded that a king be perfect. He wore a
flexible silver hand made by Dian Cecht, until Miach and Airmid replaced the
physical hand by magic.
Nyle (Celt) "champion".
O'Neil "son of Neil". O'Neal, O'Neill.
Odhrαn
(OH-rahn) from odhar "dun-colored"; from an old name for "otter"; or
"pale green". Oran, Orrin, Odran.
Oengus variant of
Aonghus. Aengus.
Ogma known as Sun-Face and
Honey-Mouthed, similar to the Greek hero Hercules. He carried a huge club and
was the champion of the Tuatha De Danann. Legend says he created the Ogham
script alphabet.
Oisin (oh-SHEEN) from Old Irish oisin
"fawn" or "deer". Finn mac Cumhaill's son, was poet of the Fianna. Two saints by
this name (Oissine). Oissine, Ossian.
Oistin (OHS-teen)(L)
"venerable". Austin.
Oran (OHR-an) from odran, Old
Irish word for "otter". St. Odran is patron of Waterford.
Oscar
(OHS-car) from Old Irish os "deer", prob. meaning "one who loves deer";
or "warrior". Legendary warrior, grandson of Finn mac Cumhaill.
Owain
(Celt) "born to nobility" or "lamb, young warrior". Owen, Uaine, Ewen,
Eoin.
Owney old Irish name meaning "elderly". Oney.
Paddy (pad-ee)(L) form of Patrick; "noble, nobleman".
Padraig (PAH-drig or PAH-dreek) from Latin Patricius "noble". St.
Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, was the first successful Christian missionary
on the island. Patrick has only been a given name of children since 1700;
considered too sacred earlier, children were given names Gilla Patraic "servant
of Patrick" or Mael Patraic "devotee of Patraic". Padhraig, Paddy, Padraic,
Patraig, Patrick.
Parlan see Bartholomew "ploughman"; or
Parthlαn. Patholon, Parthalan (PAR-ha-lahn).
Parthalαn
(PAR-ha-lahn)(Aramaic) "ploughman". Parlan, Bartholomew, Bartley.
Patrick (L) "noble". Pat, Patty.
Patterson "son
of Pat".
Peadar (PA-der)(Gr) "stone". Peter, Peadair.
Pembroke (Celt) "bluff, headland".
Phelan from a word
meaning "wolf"; variant of Faolan.
Piaras (PEER-as or
PEE-a-ras) "stone"; Irish form of Peter, from French-Norman name Piers.
Peter, Perais, Ferus, Pierce, Piers.
Pilib (PEE-lib)(Gr)
"lover of horses". Philip, Filib.
Piran (PEER-an) "prayer";
the Irish saint of miners had this name.
Proinnsias
(PRON-shee-as)(Teut) "free"; Irish version of Francis (of Assissi).
Frank.
Quigley from a word meaning "from the maternal side".
Quillan "cub". Quillon.
Quinlan "strong" or
"well-shaped, athletic". Quinlin.
Quinn "wise"; variant of
Conn, and the old spelling Cuinn.
Raegan (ray-gehn) "little king" or "royal". Reagan, Reegen,
Regan.
Rafer (ray-fer) from a word meaning "rich, prosperous".
Raffer, Rafferty.
Ragallach king of Connacht, he abandoned
his infant daughter because of a prophecy that he would die at his daughter's
hand.
Raghnall (RAN-al) "wise or mighty power"; from the
Norse-Vikings. Reginald, Reynald, Randal, Randall, Reynold.
Rιamonn (RYEH-mon or RAY-moon)(Teut) from ragan "counsel" +
mund "protection"; "mighty protector"; Irish version of Old German
Raymond, brought by the Anglo-Normans in the invasion. Reamonn,
Remann, Raymond, Mundy.
Regan see Raegan. Riagan.
Reilly "valiant". Riley.
Renny (REN-ee) Irish
version of the French Rene, "small but strong". Raighne.
Revelin form of Rolan; "famed throughout the land".
Rian (REE-an) Dim. of Old Irish ri "king"; "little king".
Old first name is the source of surname Ryan, since adopted as a first name in
N. America. Ryan, Ryanne, Rhyan, Ryne, Riane, Rigan, Rigan (REE-gan).
Riddock "smooth field". Reidhachadh, Riddoc.
Riocαrd (REE-kard)(OGer) "powerful ruler"; Irish form of
Richard, brought by the Anglo-Normans. Richard, Risteard
(REESH-tyard).
Riordan (REER-dawn) from Old Irish rigbarddan
"royal poet" or "the King's poet".
Roarke (ROHRK) "famous ruler".
Roark, Ruarc, Ruark, Rorke, Ruaidhri, Rourke.
Rodhlann
(ROH-lan)(L) "fame of the land"; Irish version of Roland. Rowland,
Rowland.
Rogan (RO-gahn) "red-headed". Ruadhagan, Rowe,
Rowen, Rowyn, Rowin, Rowan, Ruadhan.
Roibeαrd (ROH-bahrd)(Teut)
"of shining fame". Robert, Roibart.
Roibhilνn -(ROH-ve-lin)
"shining fame"; Old Irish name, dim. of Robert and Irish version of
Robin. Roibin, Roibeard, Ravelin, Ravelyn, Revelin.
Roibνn
(ROH-bin) dim. or Roibeard. Robin.
Rσnαn (ROH-nawn) from Old
Irish ron "seal" + dim. suffix -an; or "a pledge". Ten saints,
including Ronan of Lough Derg and Ronan of Lismore had this name. Ronan.
Ronat (ROH-naht) "seal".
Rooney (ROO-nee) "redhaired".
Ruanaidh.
Rory (ROHR-ee)(Teut) "famous ruler"; variant of
Ruairi. Ruaidhri, Roderick.
Ross (RAWS) from Old Irish
ros "promontory". Popular; borne by kings, heroes, saints. Ross MacMahon,
Archbishop of Armagh was an opponent of Cromwell.
Ruadan (ROO-an)
from Old Irish ruad "red-haired". Son of Bress and Brighid, and fought
with the Fomorians against the Tuatha De Danann. Ruadhan, Rhodan.
Ruaidhri (RWE-e-ree)(Teut) "famous ruler"; from Teutonic Roderick.
Rory, Roderick.
Ruairi (ROO-e-ree) from Old Irish name
Ruaidri: ruad "red" + re "king". Ruaidre Ua Conchobair,
last high king of Ireland died in 1170. Ruaidhri, Rory.
Ruarc
(ROO-ark) from Old Irish arg "champion, hero", and source of surname
O'Rourke. Anglicized Rourke, Roarke.
Rylie form of
Riley; "valiant".
Saoirse (SHAHR-sha?) "freedom" or "liberty"; male or female name.
Scanlon (SKAN-lun) "little trapper".
Scully (SKUHL-ee)
(Gael) from a word meanign "town crier". Scolaighe.
Sιafra
(SHEE-a-fra or SHE-fra) "god's peace"; Irish form of Jeffrey, brought by
the Anglo-Normans. Sheary, Geoffrey, Seafraid, Seathrun.
Sιamas (SHAY-muhs or SHEE-a-mus) from James (H); "the
supplanter, one who supplants". Seamus, Seumus, Shemus, Shamus, Sιamaisνn
(SHAME-wish-een) literally "little James"), Sιimν (SAHY-mee) Jamie,
Simidh (SHIM-mee) Jimmy, Siomaidh (SHOM-mee or SHOAM-mee).
Seαn (SHAWN) "god's gracious gift"; Irish form of John, der.
from Norman French name Jehan. Shaun, Shane, Sion, Shawn, Seaghan
(SEE-a-gun).
Seanαn (SHAW-nawn or SHAH-nan) from Old Irish
sen "ancient". Seanan was the name of 20 Irish saints, including St.
Senan of Iniscathy. Seanan, Shannon, Senan, Sinon.
Searbhreathach (SAR-vra-huhkh) "noble judge"; Irish version of
Justin.
Sιarlas (SHAHR-las)(OFr) "full-grown, manly"; Irish
version of Charles. Searlus.
Sedric (SED-rik) form of
Cedric; "chief".
Semias master of wisdom from Murias, one of
the four cities the Tuatha De Danann came from; he gave his cauldron Undry to
the Dagda.
Seoirse (SYAHR-sha) "farmer"; form of George.
Seorsa.
Seosamh (SHOH-sav) "god will add"; Irish form of
Joseph. Seosaph.
Setanta birth name of the warrior Cu
Chulainn.
Shanahan (SHAN-ah-han) "clever, wise". Seanachan
(SHAWN-a-kahn?).
Shane (SHAYN)(H) "gracious gift of god, god is
gracious".
Shanley (SHAN-lee) "small", "ancient", or "child of the
old hero". Seanlaoch (SHAWN-loch?).
Shannon (SHAN-ohn) "wise
one"; from the River Shannon. Rarely, if ever, used as a name in Ireland.
Shea (SHAY) "courteous" or "hawk-like, stately". Seaghda, Shae,
Shaye, Shay.
Sheehan (SHEE-an) "little, peaceful". Shean,
Siodhachan.
Sheridan "wild one" or "untamed". Seireadan.
Sierra "black".
Sioda (SHEE-da) may mean "silk" or a
pet form of a longer name.
Sνomσn (SHEE-mohn)(H) "god is heard";
Irish version of Simon.
Siseal (SEE-sil)(L) "blind;" Irish
form of Cecil.
Sithchean a druid who disguised himself as a
smith and tested all the sons of the King of Tara to see who was fit to be the
next king; only Niall completed the test satisfactorily.
Skelly
(SKEL-ee) "storyteller"; possibly from Viking influence and their word for bard,
skald.
Sleibhin (SLE-veen) from Old Irish sleib
"mountain", meaning "mountain man", "mountaineer" or "man of the mountain". St.
Slebine was abbot of Iona in Scotland in the 8th C. Slevin.
Sloan "warrior". Sloane, Slone.
Somhairle
(SORE-leh) Irish version of Old Norse-Viking name meaning "summer-farer" or
"summer wanderer". Sorley, Sumerled, Summerled, Sommerly, Somerly.
Steafαn (STEF-ahn)(Gr) "crowned with laurel". Stephen,
Stiofan.
Strahan "minstrel". Sruthan, Strachan.
Struthers from a word meaning "brook". Sruthair.
Sualtam husband of Dechtire and foster-father of Cu Chulainn. His
severed head warned men of Ulster about Maeve's attack.
Suibhne
(SHEEV-ne) from Old Irish Suibne, of several early saints and kings. King
Suibne Gelt (Mad Sweeney) went insane at the battle of Mag Rath in 637 as a
result of a curse put upon him by a saint he had insulted. Spent the rest of his
life living in trees and composing nature poetry. Sweeney.
Sullivan "black eyed". Suileabhan, Sully.
Sweeney
"small hero"; variant of Suibhne. Suidhne.
Tadhg (TAYG)(Gr) "poet" or "honors god"; form of Timothy. Tadc,
Tiomoid, Teague, Taidgh, Tiege.
Taggart from a word meaning
"son of the priest".
Tarlach (TAHR-lak) "abettor" or "instigator".
From Old Irish Tairdelbach, prob. meaning "one who assists or aids".
Popular during Middle Ages. Two kings: Tairdelbach, King of Munster, and
Tairdelbach O'Connor, King of Ireland. Tairdelbach, Toirdhealbhach,
Turlough..
Tιadσir (TEH-dohr)(Gr) "divine gift".
Teagan "attractive".
Teague "bard" or "poet,
philosopher". Teagan.
Thady (Aramaic) "praise"; Irish
version of Thaddeus.
Tiarnach (TEER-nahk or TEAR-nakh) from
Old Irish Tigernach, from tigerna "lord, superior, chief". Name of
several saints, including St. Tigernach of Clones. Tiarchnach, Tighearnach,
Tierney
Tiarnan (TEER-nawn) from Old Irish Tigernan:
tigerna "lord, superior, chief" + dim. -an. Popular in early and
medieval Ireland; name of several kings and saints, including St. Tigernan of
County Mayo. Tier, Tighearnach, Tiernan.
Tiernan "lordly".
Tierney.
Tigernach from tigern "lord".
Tighearnach, Tiarnach.
Tigernan from tigern "lord".
Tighearnan, Tiarnan.
Tiomσid (TEE-mohd)(Gr) "honors god".
Timothy, Tim.
Toirdhealbhach (TORE-uh-law) Turlough.
Tomaisin (TA-ma-seen)(H) "twin"; Irish version of Thomas.
Tommy.
Tomαs (TA-mahs)(H) "twin". Thomas.
Tomey (TA-mahs) Irish form of Thomas. Tomas.
Torin "chieftain". Toryn.
Tormey Irish adaption
of the Viking god Thor, "thunder spirit". Tormaigh.
Torn
Irish version of Torrence. Toran.
Torrance (Gael) "tender,
gracious, good, from the knolls"; form of Terrence. Torrans, Tory.
Treasach (TRAH-sak) from Old Irish Tressach "fierce,
warlike". Tracy.
Tremain (Celt) place name for stone house.
Trevor "prudent". Trev, Treabhar.
Troy from a
word meanings "foot soldier".
Tulley "at peace with God".
Taicligh.
Tynan from the word "dark".
Tyrone
(teer-OHN) from Old Irish tir "land" + Eoghain "of Eoghan" (man's name).
Name of a County in Northern Ireland and used as a first name.
Uaine (OON-yuh) old Irish name, form of Owen; "young
warrior". Owain, Owen, Oney, Owney, Hewney.
Uileog (IH-lig)
dim. of Uilliam and Liam. Ulick.
Uilliam (UHL-yahm,
or WIL-yam)(Teut) "resolute protector"; from Old German Wilhelm. William,
Liam.
Uinseann (WIN-shen)(L) "conqueror"; Irish version of
Vincent. Uistean, Uisdean.
Ϊistean (OOSH-tchen, or
ISH-tchen)(Teut) "intelligence". Euston, Hugh.
Ultan "an
Ulsterman".
Uscias master of wisdom who lived in Findias, one of
the four cities the Tuatha De Danann came from. He gave Nuada the sword that
killed all enemies.
Vailintνn form of Valentine, Latin for "healthy".
Vaughn (Celt) "small". Vaughan.
Wynne (WIN)(Celt) "white, fair". Winn, Wynn.
Y form of Aodh, found in 15th C. documents.
Zephan (ZEF-ahn) listed as a name of an Irish saint.