Celtic Female Names of Ireland
Abaigeal (AB-i-gel) "father's joy". Abigail, Abaigh, Abbie, Abby,
Abbey. Abigail is also an anglicized form of Irish Gobnait, reasons unclear.
Addie Irish pet form of Adelaide.
Aedammair
from the word aedh "fire". Aodhamair.
Affrica (Gael)
"pleasant, agreeable". Name of a 12th Century queen of the Isle of Man, not from
the continent. Africa, Afric, Afrika.
Agata "good"; variant
of Greek name Agatha.
Aghna (EH-nuh or EE-nuh) "gentle,
pure". Irish for Agnes. Aigneis, Ina.
มghaistํn (IrGael)
cognate of Augustine, feminine form of Latin name Augustinus.
Aibhistํn.
Aideen wife of Oscar, grandson of Finn mac
Cumhail. Variant of Etain.
Aifric (A-frik) (Celt)
"pleasant"; Afric, Africa, Aphria.
Aign้is (AG-nesh)
"gentle, pure". Aghna, Agnes.
Ailbhe (AL-vyuh) "noble,
bright". From Celtic albho, "white". Ailbe (AL-fe), Alvy,
Elva [boy's name also]). Anglicized Alby, Albert for males.
Aileen "light"; Irish version of Eileen and/or Ellen.
Ailey, Eibhlin.
Ailidh (AY-lee) "noble, kind". Alley.
Ailionora (AY-lee-NOH-ra) Irish form of Eleanor.
Ailํs (AY-lish) "noble, kind". Irish form of Alice, derived
from Norman French name Aliz. Alicia, Elsha, Ailis, Ailse, Alice.
Ailํse form of Alicia, which is a form of Alice.
Alls๚n form of Alison, dim. of Alice. Allison, Allyson,
Alyson.
Aimilํona (a-mil-EE-nuh) "industrious". Amelia.
มine (AN-yuh or AW-ne) from Old Irish aine "brilliance, wit,
splendor, glory"; "joy", "brightness", "fasting", "praise", or "radiance". In
legend, Aine was the daughter of Fer I (Man of the Yew) and the traditional name
of the queen of fairies of south Munster, an important and varied role in Celtic
mythology; was believed to dwell at the place now called Knockany (Cnoc Aine,
"Aine's Hill"). Also used as an Irish form of Aina, Anne, Ann.
Aingeal (AN-gel) "messenger". Irish Gaelic word for angel; an
IrGael form of Angela, the fem. form of Latin male name Angelus.
Angela.
Ainsley "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.
Airmid (AIR-mit) daughter of physician
Dian Cecht and one of the Tuatha De Danann, and an expert in the use of herbs
for medicinal purposes.
Aisling (ASH-ling or AH-shleeng) (IrGael)
from Old Irish aislinge meaning "dream, vision, inspiration". Once a
man's name, but currently popular as a woman's name. Adopted as a given name as
part of the Irish revival in the 20th C. Aislinn, Ashling.
Aithne (ATH-nyuh) "fire". Aine, Ena, Ethne.
Alana
(AH-lah-nah) "attractive, fair, peaceful". Influenced by the Anglo-Irish term
of endearment alannah, Gaelic a leanbh "O child". Alaina,
Alannah, Alanna.
Alastrํona (al-is-TREE-nah) "defender of
mankind"; feminine form of Alistair. Alastrina, Alastrine, Alexandra,
Alexandrina.
Alby anglicized from of Ailbhe.
Alma (Celt) "all good"; from Latin almus "loving, good".
Alva Irish anglicized form of Gaelic name Almha. Uncertain
origin; earlier form Almu.
Alvy variant of Elva.
Alyson form of Alice, "noble"; Allison, Allyson,
Alison.
Ana (AW-ne) Old Irish goddess name. Ana, or Anu, also
known as Dana or Danu, was the mother goddess of the mythic early settlers of
Ireland, the Tuatha De Danaan.
Andraste "victory". British war
goddess worshipped by Queen Boadicea (Gaelic Boudicca).
มnna
(differs from native Aine) "grace". Anne.
Annstแs
(AN-stahs) "resurrection". Anastasia.
Anu (AW-noo or AN-oo)
Mother of the goddess of the Tuatha De Danann, Anu or Ana (AW-nee), who was the
goddess of fertility, cattle, good health, prosperity, and plenty. Anann.
Aodhnait (EH-nat) ancient Irish name of unknown meaning. Enat,
Ena, Eny.
Aoibheann ((W)EE-vuhn) ancient Irish name;
traditional, meaning "foar form" or "beautiful sheen". Aoibhin,
Aoibhinn, anglicized Eavan.
Aoife (EE-fe or (W)EE-fyuh)
"life, beautiful, or radiant". Of uncertain origin; probably a derivative of
aoibh "beauty". In a tale of apprenticeship of the Ulster hero Cu
Chulainn, Aife was the fiercest woman warrior in the world. After the hero
defeated her, she bore his only son, Connla. Aife, sometimes anglicized
Eva.
Areinh (A-reen)(Gael) "pledge".
Arlana
(Celt) "pledge". Arlene.
Artis "noble" or "lofty hill".
Asthore from a stoir "loved one".
Attracta
Irish Latinized version attractus "attracted, drawn" of Gaelic name
Athracht. St. Athracht or Attracta was a contemporary of St. Patrick who
lived as a recluse in Sligo.
Bแb (BEHB) pet name. Babe.
Badb (BIBE)
"boiling", "battle raven", or "scald-crow". A war goddess and wife of war god
Net; sister of Morrigan, Anu, and Macha. Associated with the Cauldron of Life,
enlightenment, inspiration, wisdom. Badhbh.
Baibํn Irish
Gaelic pet form of Bairbre.
Bแirbre (BAR-bruh) "a stranger".
IrGael form of Barbara; pet form Baibํn (BAB-een).
Bairrfhionn "fair-haired". Barrfind, Bairre, Barre, Barron.
Banba according to ancient Irish legend, Ireland was first called
"the island of Banba of the women". One of the three goddesses of sovereignity
who Amerigin met when he invaded Ireland.
Bean Mhi (BEN-vee) "Lady
of Meath". Benvy.
Beare name of a Spanish princess who
married Eoghan Mor. A peninsula on the southwest tip of Ireland is named for
her.
B้bhinn (BEH-vin or BAY-vin) be "woman" + binn
"white or fair lady; sweet, melodious". Bevin, Befind.
Becuma
a woman from the Otherworld who married Conn Cetchathach, but lusted after his
son Art.
Benvy "Lady of Meath". Bean Mhi (BEN VEE).
Berrach "pointed or sharp". Bearrach.
Bernadette
(fem. of Bernard) "courage of a bear".
Bevin (BAY-vin) from Old
Irish be "woman" + binn "sweet, melodious" = "lady with a sweet
song". Name of several early Irish queens and saints, including a 12th C. abbess
of Derry. Modern Irish Bebhinn.
Bidelia "high one".
Bedelia.
Binne (BEE-ne) from Old Irish binn "sweet,
melodious". Binne was the name of several fairy women in legend.
Blair a Celtic word meaning "from the plain". Blaire,
Blayre.
Blaithin (BLAW-heen) from Old Irish blath
"flower".
Blแthnaid (BLA-na)
from blath "flower", "blossom, flower-bud". Blathnat (BLA-nat),
Blaithin (BLAW-heen), Blanaid, Florence.
Blayne form
of Blaine, "thin or lean".
Blinne dim. of Mo-Ninne (Moninna), an
Irish saint.
Boann (BOO-an) goddess connected with healing and
water.
Brazil "brave, strong in conflict".
Breck
"freckled".
Breena "dark hair", or "fairy palace".
Brenda from the Irish word for "raven", and a feminine form of the
male name Brendan. Brenna.
Brenna "raven maid, dark-haired".
Bretta "from Britain". Bret, Brett, Brit, Brite, Brittany,
Brita.
Briana (BREE-a-na) female form of Brian, probably from
brig, "high, noble"; possibly "strong" and a variant of Brighid.
Breanne, Brina, Breanna, Breann, Brianna, Briona, Bryna, Bryana, Riana.
Brianna (BREE-ann-ah) form of Brian; "the strong". Briana.
Brid (BREED) Old Irish goddess name from Celtic brig "power,
renown, mighty". Most famous woman saint of Ireland is Brigid (patron saint of
scholars), who was abbess of Kildare, previously the site of the shrine of a
pagan goddess of the same name. In myth, there were three sister goddesses of
the Tuatha De Danaan named Brigid: goddess of poetry; goddess of healing; and
the goddess of smith work. Brighid (BRI-jid), Bride, Brietta, Brigid,
Brigit, Bridget, Briggitte, Breeda, Berget, Bridey, Bryg, Gitta, Brํghid
(BRIDE). Nicknames Bridie, Bidelia, Bidina, Breda.
Brina
"protector", or "speckled".
Brit "speckled, spotted, freckled" or
"strength"; form of Brittania. Version of Bretta; Britta, Brites.
Bronagh Irish form of Dolores. Brona.
Bryg
(BREE) from Celtic root brig "high, mighty". Name borne by 13 early
saints. Variant of the name Brighid.
Caer (kyair) "yew berry castle"; from the goddess Caer Ibormeith, a
powerful shapeshifter and daughter of Ethal Anubail; loved by Aengus MacOg.
Cahan from cath "battle" or "a warrior". An abbess of
Kildare. Cathan.
Caillech (CALL-yach or KEE-lek) goddess
known as the Veiled One; teacher of the arts of war and viewed as a Destroyer
aspect of the Goddess.
Caireach (KEE-rek) from Old Irish name
Cairech. St. Cairech Dergain is the patron saint of the women of the Kelly and
Madden families.
Caireann (KAW-ran) Cairenn Chasdubh (Cairenn of
the Dark Curly Hair) was mother of Niall of the Nine Hostages, legendary
ancestor of the O'Neill family and of the high kings of Ireland. Cairenn
(kaw-REEN).
Cait (KAYT) "pure". Variant of Caitriona, form
of C/Katherine. Cailin (kay-LEEN or KAY-leen), Caiti (KAY-tee).
Caitriona (kaw-TREE-a-na) Irish form of Catherine, brought
by Anglo-Normans. Catariona, Cait (KAYT), Caitin (kay-TEEN),
Kaitlin, Caitlin (kayt-LEEN), Caitilin, Caitrํn (KAT-teen),
Triona (TREE-a-na).
Caoilfhionn (KEE-lin) "slender, fair".
Keelin.
Caoilinn (KAY-leen) from Old Irish name Caelfind:
cael "slender" + finn "bright, fair". St. Caelfind of Kerry's
feast day is Feb. 3. Cailin.
Caoimhe (KEE-vy) "gentleness,
beauty, grace, precious, beloved". Keavy.
Cara "friend".
Carrie, Carry.
Carmel "vineyard".
Casidhe from
a word meaning "clever" or "brave". Casie, Casey.
Ceara
(KEE-ahr-ah) from Old Irish name Cera, meaning may be "bright red". Cera
was the name of a wife of Nemed, of legendary early invaders of Ireland.
Cece form of Cecilia, "blind".
Cecily form of
Cecilia, "blind".
Celach (KEL-ahk?) "bright-headed"; more
commonly given to males.
Cessair (KAH-seer) Of legend, name of the
granddaughter of Noah, who was said to have led the first settlers to Ireland-a
band of 50 women and 3 men whom Noah allegedly refused on the ark. All of
Cessair's people perished in the great flood with the exception of Finian.
Ciannait (KEE-nat, or KIN-nat) ancient Irish name. Kinnat,
Keenat.
Ciar (KEER) saint(s') name; ciar "dark" or
"black". St. Ciar of Killkeary has 2 feast days Jan. 5 and Oct. 16.
Ciara (KEE-a-ra), Ceire (KEHR), Kiera, Keara.
Cinnie "beauty".
Clare "bright, clear". Claire,
Clair.
Cliona (KLEE-a-na) from Old Irish name Clidna. In
legend, Clidna was the name of one of the three beautiful daughters of the poet
Manannan mac Lir. A fairy of the same name was the guardian spirit of the
MacCarthys. Modern Irish Cliodhna.
Clodagh (KLOH-dah) from
the name of rivers in Counties Tipperary and Waterford.
Cochrann
(KAW-kran) from Old Irish coch "red", possibly meaning "a red-haired
woman". In legends of Finn mac Cumaill, Cochrann was the mother of the
irresistable Diarmaid.
Colleen derived from the Celtic word for
"girl". Coleen.
Conchobarre feminine version of masculine
Conchobar. Conchobarra (KON-kho-var-ah).
Cordelia "jewel of
the sea".
Cori derived from the word meaning "from the hollow".
Cory, Corey.
Creidne a woman warrior of the Fianna.
Cristํn (KRIS-teen) "Christian". Christine/a, Cristiona
(kris-TEE-nuh).
Cuimhne (COOV-nee?) an Otherworld woman who helped
Morgan get his wife back from Brandubh, who kidnapped her.
Cunneen
possibly means "rabbit"; from Southwest Ireland.
Dairine (daw-REE-ne) from Old Irish daire "fruitful" or
"fertile". The name of a legendary princess of Tara.
Dallas "wise".
Dallys, Dalishya, Dalyce.
Damhnait (DEV-nat) "poet" or
"fawn". Devnet, Downet, Dymphna.
Dana "from Denmark"; also a
version of the goddess Danu.
Darby from the word meaning
"free".
Darcy "dark"; from French d'Arcy, meaning "from Arcy".
Daron from the word meaning "great". Feminine version of Darren.
Daryn, Daronica, Darnelle.
Davan form of David, "beloved".
Dealla (DAWL-la) Name of a legendary early invader of Ireland, a
companion of the woman leader Cessair.
Dearbhแil (DER-vahl) from
Old Irish name Derbail, may mean "daughter of Fal (Ireland)" or "daughter
of a poet"; der "daughter" + Fal, an ancient name for Ireland; may
also mean "true desire". Modern Irish Dearbhแil, also written
Dervla (DAYR-vla), Dervil (Der-uh-vil), Dearbhorgaill
(DYAR-uhv-or-gill or JAR-vor-gill).
Dechtire (deck-TIER-a) ancient
Irish legend has her as the great-granddaughter of Angus mac Og, and half-sister
of King Conchobar, and mother of Cu Chulainn.
Deirdre (DYEER-dre or
JEE-ur-druh) ancient Irish name, mythological heroine, meaning "young girl" or
"woman", but usual meaning is "sorrow". Old Irish name popularized in the 20th
C. In an early Irish tale, The Exile of the Sons of Uisliu, Deirdre was
the daughter of Feidlimid, who was King Concobar's storyteller. Derdriu
(very old spelling), Dierdre, Dedre, Deidra, Derdriu, Derdre.
Delaney "descendant of the challanger".
Delbchaem
daughter of Morgan, king of Coinchend. A prophecy said that when she married her
mother would die, therefore she was guarded by monsters. But Art got past all
obstacles and took her for his wife.
Derry from the Irish word
meaning "redhead".
Devin "poet"; male or female name. Devany,
Devon, Devyn.
Devnet (Downet) from Old Irish damnat
"little doe"; "poet". Damnat, queen of Munster, was the legendary ancestor of
the O'Cahills, O'Flynns and O'Moriartys. Modern Irish Damhnait (DOW-net
or DEV-nat).
Doireann (DAHR-an or DOHR-en) from Old Irish
Doirend, poss. meaning "daughter of Finn"; may also mean "sullen"; or
dim. of "gift of God". In legend, Doirend was the daughter of the fairy king
Midir, another was the granddaughter of the pagan god Dagda. Anglicized
Dorren, Doreen ("moody"), Dorothy; Doirend, Doirind, Dairinn.
Doneele feminine version of male name Don, from the Irish god of
the Underworld.
Donnfhlaidh "brown princess". Rarely found in
history. Dunlaith, Dunflaith.
Druantia (Druh-AN-tee-a or
druh-an-TEE-a) a Gaelic-Celtic Goddess known as Queen of thd Druids and Mother
of the tree calendar, an ancient method the Celts used to divide their year.
Duana "song". Dubhain.
Dubh from dub
"dark". A druidess who drowned the rival for her husband's affections. Her
husband shot her with his sling, and she fell into a pool that was then called
Dubhlinn, or Dublin.
Dubheasa (doo-VAH-sa) from Old Irish
dub "dark" + ess "waterfall", probably meaning "dark lady of the
waterfall".
Dubh Lacha wife of Mongan, who was born the same night
as she. She was kidnapped by Brandubh and rescued with the help of Cuimhne.
Dympna or Dymphna; suitable one, virgin saint. An Irish
saint. Her place of martyred death is marked by a monument in Gheel, Belgium,
where she had fled for her life and virtue, as her own father (an Irish king, as
the story goes) was determined to wed her, his own daughter, following the death
of his wife and queen (Dymphna's natural mother). She is traditionally the
patroness of those with mental illness and nervous afflictions, but has lately
been adopted (in light of her personal history) by victims of incest and other
sexual abuses. There exists a worldwide St. Dymphna Devotion prayer community to
which one may subscribe through the Franciscan Fathers.
Eabha (AY-va) from Old Irish name Eva. In legend, Eva was one
of the wives of Nemed, and early invader of Ireland.
Eachna (AK-na)
from Old Irish ech "horse". Early legend has a Connacht princess named
Eachna who was one of the loveliest and cleverest women in the world.
Echna.
Eadan (AH-dan) from Old Irish name Etan, borne
in one tale by the beloved of the hero Cu Chulainn.
ษadaoin
(eh-DEEN) fem. of Edwin "happy friend". Edwina.
Earlene
"pledge".
Eavan (E-van) from Old Irish aibinn "fair form".
Name of several legendary Irish princesses. Modern Irish Aoibheann.
Ebliu another name of the sun goddess; or the Irish word
oiph "beauty, sheen, radiance". Eibhliu, Eblenn, Eibhleann.
Edana "ardent, flame, fiery, zealous" or "little fire". Ethna,
Eda, Eithna.
Eibhilํn (ay-LEEN or eh-y-LEEN) "light"; from
French Aveline, brought by the Anglo-Normans, and very popular among the Middle
Ages' nobility. Eibhlihin, Eily, Ebliu, Aibhilin, Eveleen, Eileen, Aileen,
Ellen.
Eileแn๓ir (EL-eh-nohr) from a Greek name meaning
"light". Eilinora, Eleanor, Lean (LEHN).
Eileen "bringer of
light"; version of Helen. Eilene, Eleanore, Ellen, Elen, Elan, Ilene, Helen,
Eily, Ellie.
Eilํs (AY-lish or I-lish) "consecrated to God".
Eilise, Eilish, Elizabeth.
Eimํle (EM-i-lee) "industrious".
Emily.
Eithne (AY-he-ne or ETH-nuh) "kernel" or "seed".
Early Irish name. Mythical Eithne was the mother of the god Lugh. Also the name
of many legendary queens, including the wives of Conn of the Hundred Battles and
Cormac mac Airt. Also the name of eight saints. Anglicized Ethna (ET-na),
Etney, Enya.
Elatha (AHL-a-hah) Old name meaning "art or
craft"; a female or male name.
Elva (AL-va) legend says she was the
sister-in-law of the god Lugh.
Emer (EE-mer or ah-VAIR) In legend,
Emer was the wife of hero Cu Chulainn. She refused to marry him until he
answered a series of riddles, for she would only marry the man who was her equal
in noble birth, beauty and wisdom. She is said to have the six gifts of
womanhood: beauty, chastity, needlework, sweet speech, voice, and wisdom. Her
story is retold in William Butler Yeats' play The Only Jealousy of Emer.
Eimer.
Ena from the Celtic word for "fire". Enat.
Erin "peace". The name for Ireland which comes from an ancient
goddess whose name was Eriu. Eriu was one of the three queens of the Tuatha De
Danann and daughter of the Dagda. Eireann, Erina, Eryn, Eriu (ERR-I-oo).
Erlina Gaelic name meaning "girl from Ireland".
Ernine
from iarn "iron".
Etain (eh-TAIN) "shining"; a daughter of
the great Tuatha De Danann physician Dian Cecht, who became the wife of the god
Ogma. Etan.
Etaoin (AY-deen) from Old Irish et
"jealousy". Legendary heroine surpassed all other women in beauty and
gentleness. Heroine in the tale The Wooing of Etain, telling of the
competition for her love between the fairy king Midir and the mortal king
Eochaid Airem. Eithne.
Evelyn "life". Eve, Evette,
Evonne.
Fainche (FAN-chuh) Irish saint name. Fanny.
Fallon
"grandchild of the ruler" or "in charge". Falen, Fallan.
Fand a goddess of healing and pleasure in Ireland and Isle of Man,
who married the sea god Manannan mac Lir.
Feenat "deer".
Fianait (FYAN-it or FEE-nat) Old Irish word for "deer". Two early
saints by this name. Fionnait, Feenat.
Fedelm name of
Conchobhar mac Nessa (king of Ulster, Fedelm Noichrothach (Nine-Times
Beautiful). Feidhelm (FAY-delm).
Fenella "white shoulder";
feminine version of the name Finn. Fionnghuala.
Fethnaid
daughter and accomplished harp player of Fidach, a bard of the Tuatha De Danann.
Her death was considered to be one of the three great losses of the Tuatha.
Fethnat.
Fidelma (fee-DEL-ma) from Old Irish name
Fedelm. Fedelm Noichrothach (Fedelm Nine-Times-Beautiful) was the
daughter of King Conchobar mac Nessa of Ulster, and a woman warrior. Also six
Irish saints by this name. Modern Irish Feidhelm (FAY-delm).
Finnsech "fair or blonde lady". Finnseach.
Finola
(FIN-oh-la) "white shoulder".
Fiona (FYUN-a, FEE-nuh or
Fee-oh-nah (modern))(Celt) from the word finn "brilliant, white, fair".
Finna, Fionn.
Fionnabhair (fyuhn-OOR) from Old Irish name
Finnabarr: finn "bright, fair" + siabhre "phantom, fairy", Irish
equivalent of Welsh Gwenhwyfar (Guinevere). Legendary Finnabarr was a daughter
of King Aillil and Queen Maeve of Connacht. Finnabarr, Fion๚ir.
Fionnuala (fi-NOO-a-la or fin-Noo-la) from Old Irish finn
"white, bright, fair" + guala "shoulders". Popular in Middle Ages; later
anglicized as Finola (fi-NOH-la); nickname Nuala (NOO-a-la);
Fionnguala, Fionnula, Fenella, Finola, Nuala, Finvola (Scotland).
Flann (FLAHN) from Old Irish flann "blood red". 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. Flannacan,
Flanna.
Flannery from the Irish for "redhead".
Flidais an Irish goddess of forests, woodlands, and wild creatures.
Fodla "sovereignty". An ancient goddess with Banba and Eriu.
Fuamnach a wife of Midir, the fairy king, and very jealous of his
other wife Etain. She got rid of Etain by using magic and turning her into a
fly.
Geileis (GAY-leesh) from Old Irish name Gelgeis: gel
"shining, bright" + geis "swan". Name of several early Irish princesses.
Geillis.
Gemma (JEM-ma) "precious stone".
Glenna
from a Gaelic word meaning "glen" or "valley". Glynis.
Gobnait (GOB-nitch) from Old Irish gobha "a smith". Name of
early saint and abbess of Munster. One of her miracles was to overcome an army
by unleashing her bees on them. Her beehive, a holy relic, was kept for many
years by the O'Herlihy family. Anglicized Gobnet.
Gormlaith
(GOORM-la) from Old Irish gorm "splendid" + flaith "queen,
sovereignty"; other sources say it means "blue princess", "blue lady" or
"illustrious princess". Popular in Middle Ages, name of many queens, including
wife of Brian Boru. Sometimes anglicized as Gormghlaith GOR-em-lee,
Gormley, Gormly.
Grแinne (GROH-nyuh) "sun" or "sun goddess"
or "grace, love"; ancient name borne by 16th C. queen. Grania.
Grania (GRAW-nya) from Old Irish grainne "grain, seed".
Prob. name of an ancient Irish grain goddess. In a medieval tale, Grแinne was
betrothed to Finn mac Cumhaill, but eloped with Diarmaid. Grania Mhaol Ni
Mhaolmhaigh (Grace O'Malley) was a chieftainess of the Burkes of County Mayo and
renowned for her seafaring skills and fought against Queen Elizabeth I's forces.
Granna, Grain, Granya, Grแinne (GRAW-ne) most modern), Grace.
Granuaile a variation of the name Grania, but also the name of an
actual Irish woman who lived from 1530-1603.
Guennola from the
Celtic word meaning "white".
Gwendolyn "white brow". Pet form:
Gwen.
Gweneth "fair".
Hilde "battle maid"; name of Irish abbess. Hildy.
Honorah used in Ireland, Latin in origin; means "honor". More
commonly found in the forms Annora, On๓ra and N๓ra.
อde (EED-uh) "thirst". Ida, Ita.
Ina Irish
version of Agnes.
Isib้al (ISH-a-behl or i-se-BEL)
"consecrated to God". From Norman French name Isabel.
Isleen
(ish-LEEN) "vision". Islene.
Ite, Ide (EE-te) from Old Irish
ite "thirst or devouring". Saint's name said to signify the thirst for
divine love. 6th C. St. Ite was abbess of Killeedy in County Limerick. Composed
a famous lullaby to baby Jesus. Ita.
Jilleen from the Latin name Juliane or Julius, meaning "youthful".
Juliane "youthful". Jill, Jillian, Julianne, Gill, Gillian,
Sheila.
Kacey "brave"; variant of Casie. Kacy, Casey.
Kassidy "clever". Cassidy.
Kathleen "pure".
Katharine, Kathryn, Kathie, Kate.
Keara "saint"; variant of
Ceara.
Keavy "gentleness, beauty, grace". Probably from
Caoimhe.
Keelie "beautiful princess" or "beautiful and
graceful". Keely, Keeley.
Keelin "slender, fair". Keelan,
Keely, Keelia.
Keena from the Irish word for "brave".
Keira "black haired".
Kelly from the Gaelic word for
"warrior woman"; "farm by the spring". At an ancient shrine of the goddess
Brigit at Kildare, there were sacred priestesses and warrior women called
kelles, and its possible the name and surname came from them. Kellie,
Kelli, Kaley.
Kenna version of male name Kenneth.
Kennice.
Kennocha (ken-OH-kuh) "beauty".
Kerry
from a Gaelic word for "dark, dark-haired". Keriann.
Kevyn
"beautiful, gentle, lovable". Feminine form of Kevin. Keva, Kevina,
Kevena.
Kiana from Quiana; "soft, synthetic material".
Kiara "small and dark".
Kiley from the word for
"attractive"; "handsome, near the chapel". Fem. form of Kyle. Kyli, Kylee,
Kylie, Kyleigh.
Kinnat "ancient". Keenat.
Labhaoise (LAU-ee-shuh) "holiness". Louisa, Louise.
Laoise "radiant girl"; possibly the same as Luigsech, from the god
Lugh.
Lasair (LOH-seer) from Old Irish lassa "flame".
Several queens and saints with this name, including St. Lassar of Meath.
Luighseach, Luiseach, Luigsech.
Lasairํona (las-a-REE-nuh)
from lasaire "flame" + fion "wine"; Lassarina,
Lasairfhiona,.
Lavena from the Celtic word for "joy".
Leary (LEER ee, LAIR ee, L'Heery) from Old Irish name
Laegaire, may mean "calf-herder". Name of two saints and a king of Tara.
Laoighaire, Laoghaire, Laoire.
Liadan (LYAH-dan) Old Irish
name, probably meaning "gray lady". A poetess who was the beloved of poet
Cuirithur, even though she was a nun. Another Liadan was the mother of St.
Ciaran of Seir. He was conceived after she swallowed a star that had fallen into
her mouth while sleeping.
Lil pet form of Elizabeth.
Lile (LIL-ee), Lilly, Lelia.
Luiseach (LOO-seh or
LEE-sak) "bringer of light"; feminine form of Lugh, and name of an early saint.
Luighseach, Lucy.
Mabh (MEEV) "drunk woman" or "wolf queen"; a goddess and fairy
queen. Mab.
Macha (MAH-ka) Old Irish goddess name meaning
"battle" or "crow". One of the three war goddesses of the Tuatha De Danaan. Name
is associated with the royal site of Ulster, once Emain Macha (Twins of Macha),
now Navan Fort, and nearby ecclesiastical site founded by St. Patrick, Armagh
(Ard Macha "Hill of Macha"). St. Macha is patron of Killiney. Mania,
Mene.
Mแda (MEH-duh) from Mathilde.
Madail้in
(MAD-e-lehn) Magdalene. Madeline, Maighdlin (MEHD-leen).
Maeve (MAYV or MEHV) from Old Irish Medb "intoxicating" or
"fragile". Medb Lethderg was a name of the goddess of sovereignty at Tara. Said
to be the wife of 9 successive kings, including Conn of the Hundred Battles, his
son Art, and Art's son Cormac mac Airt. Modern Irish Meadhbh. Medb, Meave,
Meaveen.
Maille form of Molly, from Mary; "the
perfect one".
Mแire (MAW-zhe, MAW-re or MEH-ree) "bitter"; Irish
form of Mary. The name was considered too sacred to name a child and was
not used before the 17th C. Children were given Mael Muire "devotee of Mary".
Moira, Maura, Maurya, Mairin (maw-REEN).
Mแir้ad (MAW-rayt
or MAW-reed) from Greek margaron "pearl". Popular due to admiration of
St. Margaret, queen of Scots in 11th C. Peig, Peigi are popular
Irish-language nicknames. Margaret, Maighread (MEH-reed).
Mairin (maw-ZHEEN, maw-REEN) Dim. of Maire, also
Maureen.
Mairsil fem. of Marcel "warlike". Marcella,
Mairsile.
Maitilde "battle maiden". Matilda, Maiti,
Matty.
Mallaidh (MAL-ee) "bitter". Molly, May.
Margo (MOHR-gaw) Legend fairy and mother of Etain.
Margreg Irish version of Latin Margareta. Popular in Ireland
after Malcolm III of Scotland married Margareta of the Hungarian Court, who
later became a saint. Mairghread.
Marsali "a pearl".
Marta "bitter".
Maureen from the Celtic word for
"great". Moreen.
Mave "mirth". Maeve.
Mavelle from the Celtic word for "songbird". Mavie.
Meadghbh (MEEV) "agile". Meaveen, Mabbina.
Meagan
a variation of Medb.
Meara "merry".
Medb
"intoxicating" or "she who makes men drunk". Medb, Maedhbh, Meadhbh.
Mell (MAHL, MAH-la) from Old Irish mall "lightning". Mell,
sister of St. Kevin, was the mother of seven saints. Mella (MAH-la).
Melva from the Celtic word for "chief"; "mill worker"; form of
Melvin.
Melvina (Celt) "cheiftain".
Meriel "shining
sea". Meriol, Muriel.
Mess Buachalla translation is
"Cowherd's Fosterchild". Name of the daughter of Etain and Cormac.
Mhari (VAH-ri) Irish/Old Gaelic. Variation of Maire.
Michaela feminine form of Michael.
Mide (MEE-duh)
variant of Ide. Meeda.
Moina "mild". Moyna.
Moira "the great".
Mona (MOH-na) from Old Irish name
Muadnat, derived from muad "noble, good". St. Muadnat of
Drumcliffe. Muadnat, Muadhnait (MOO-uh-nit).
Moncha
"adviser". Monica, Monika.
Moninne a version of the name
Blinne. A St. Moninne worked at a Kildare hospital in the time of St.
Brighid where she healed the sick and gave generously to the poor. She
established a community at the foot of Slieve Gullion in Killevy, County Armagh.
M๓r (MOHR) from Old Irish mor "great, tall". Popular until
the 19th C. Moire, Morin, Moya, Moirin, More, Moreen, Maureen.
Moriath daughter of a Gaelic king, she was wooed and won by
Craiftine.
Morrigan (MOHR-ee-gan) called the Great Queen, Irish
goddess of war, but never took part in a battle; although in the Tain bo
Cuilgne, she takes part in the battle. Paraphrased, there is a line, "And over
their heads went a grey-haired hag hopping", the hag being the Morrighan
collecting her "acorn crop", which were the heads of slain enemies. Later tales
have her as the queen of the Fairies. Morrighan, Morgan.
Morgan "sea dweller".
Morna from muirne
"beloved, affection".
Moya "great".
Muadhnait from
muad "noble, good". A St. Muadnat founded a monastery in Drumcliffe,
County Sligo.
Muireann (MEER-an or MOHR-in) "of the long hair";
from Old Irish muir "sea", may also mean "sea-white" or "sea-fair"; and
an ancient feminine version of Murphy. Wife of Finn mac Cumhaill's son Oisin. A
legendary Queen Muireann was ancestress of the kings of Connacht. Four abbesses
of Kildare also had this name. Muirrean, Murron, Morrin.
Muirin (MEER-een) from Old Irish muir "sea" + gein
"birth" or "born of the sea". In the 6th C., a 300 year old pagan mermaid with
this name was captured in Lough Neagh by fisherman of St. Comgall. Comgall
baptized her, enabling her to go to heaven. Muirgen, Muirenn.
Muiriol (MEER-ol) from Old Irish Muirgel muir "sea" +
gel " bright, shining". Muirol was the name of several early queens of
Leinster.
Muirne (MEER-ne) Ancient name meaning "high-spirited".
Muirne Munchaem (Lovely-Shouldered Muirne) was the mother of Finn mac Cumhaill.
Myrna, Morna.
Murine sister-in-law to Lugh and mother of
Fionn. After Fionn's father's death, Murine was unable to protect him, so she
left him in the care of a druidess and a woman warrior.
Muirgheal
(MOHR-e-guhl) "sea-bright" or "sea-fair". Muirgel, Murel, Muriel.
Murphey "sea warrior". Murphy.
Myrna derived
from the Irish word for "beloved".
Naomh from the Irish word for "a saint".
Nainsi
(NAN-see) "grace". Nancy, Nance, Nan.
Narbflaith "noble
princess"; listed in records as the name of a series of princesses and the name
of a wife of an abbot of Trim, County Meath.
Neala "having
chieftains"; femimine version of Niall, "champion".
Nessa (NES-ah)
An Old Irish name, Nessa was the name of the mother of Conchobar mac Nessa,
great legendary king of Ulster. Her original name was Assa "gentle",
until one day she came home and found her 12 foster fathers murdered by an
outlaw band. She avenged their deaths and changed her name to Ni-assa
"ungentle", or Nessa.
Nevina feminine form of Nevin, "worshipper of
the saint".
Nia variant of Welsh name Niamh. Nya.
Niamh (NEE-av) from Old Irish Niam "luster, sheen,
brightness, radiance, brilliance". Legendary princess of Tir-na-nog (the Land of
Youth), took Finn mac Cumhaill's son Oisin to the otherworld. Niam, Nia.
Nila feminine version of male names Neil and Niall. Nyla.
Noel "born at Christmas".
Nola short version of
Fionnula. Nuala.
Nora (NOH-ra) "honor"; Irish version of
Latin name Honora(h). Norah, Nora.
Noreen (IrGael) Irish
spelling of Nora or Eleanor.
Odharnait (OHR-nat) "pale, olive-colored". Ornait, Orna, Ornat,
Odarnat from the word for "otter" or word for "sallow female".
Oilbhe (OL-iv) Irish spelling of Olive.
Onora
version of Honora(h).
Oona "one"; version of Una. Oonagh,
Ona.
Orghlaith (OHR-e-lath) from a word meaning "golden lady";
Orlaithe, Orla.
Orla (OHR-la) "golden woman"; from Old Irish
or "gold" + flaith "sovereignty, queen". Name of King Brian Boru's
sister and daughter. Popular in the Middle Ages, and again today.
Orlaith.
Ornice "olive-coloured".
Orn๓ra
"honor". Honor, Honora(h).
Padraigin (PAH-dri-geen) Recent feminine form of Padraig, from Latin
word for "noble". Patricia.
Paili (PAHL-ee) "bitter".
Polly, Poll, Pal.
Payton form of male name Patrick or
Padraig.
Pegeen "a pearl".
Philomena "powerful
friend".
Proinns้as (PRON-sheh-uhs) "free". Frances, Fanny.
Quincy "fifth".
Ranait (RAN-eh) "grace, prosperity". Renny.
Regan
"royal". Reganne, Regeen.
Regina "queen".
Renny
"grace; prosperity"; "small but mighty".
Richeal (RICH-ehl) name
of a saint. Rachel.
Rigru Roisclethan the queen of Been
Edair, a place in the Otherworld. When Conn Cetchathach was about to kill her
son at Tara, she appeared as a wailing woman.
Riley "valiant".
Rileigh, Rylie, Rylee, Rylyn.
Rํoghnach (REE-nuh) Irish
saint. Riona, Regina.
Riomthach one of the five sisters of
St. Colman of County Cork. Riofach.
Riona (REE-nuh) from the
word for "saint"; saint name; form of Regina, "queen".
Rionach
(REE-uh-nak) from Old Irish name Rignach "queenly". Queen Rionach was
legendary ancestor of the MacLoughlins, O'Donnells, O'Gallaghers, O'Gormleys,
and O'Neills. Rioghnach, Riona.
R๓ise (ROH-shuh) "rose".
Rose, Roisin (ROH-sheen).
Rori from the word meaning
"famous" or "brilliance".
Ros (ROHS) derivation unknown, poss. from
Germanic hros "horse" or English "rose". Roise, Roisin
(row-SHEEN).
Rosemary combination of Rose and Mary.
Rowena derived from the word meaning "white mane" or "white hair";
possibly "slender and fair".
Ryann feminine version of Ryan,
"little ruler".
Sadhbh (SAH-eev or SAYV) from Old Irish Sadb, prob. meaning
"sweet" or "goodness". Name of several real Irish princesses, including
daughters of Conn of the Hundred Battles, Queen Medb of Connacht, and King Brian
Boru. Sive, Sadhbba, Sadbh, Sabhbh, Sabha (SE-va).
Saoirse
(SEER-sha) from Irish saor "freedom or libery"; also a male name.
Saorla (SAYR-la) from Old Irish name Saerlaith: saer
"noble" + flaith "queen, sovereignty".
Saraid "clear,
bright".
Sarah "princess"; or form of Sorcha (Old Irish)
"clear, bright".
Scathach (SKAW-hak) from Old Irish scath
"shadow, shade". Scathach was a legendary woman warrior and prophetess who gave
final battle training to Ulster hero Cu Chulainn; she was also known as
Scota and Scatha.
Sceanbh wife of the harper
Craiftine, her betrayal with Cormac caused the harper to try to kill Cormac.
Sean (SHAHN) "god's gracious gift". Shawn.
Seana
variant of names Sine and Shauna.
Seanait
(SHAY-nat) from Old Irish name Segnat, derived from seig "a hawk".
Seara derived from word for "black". Sierra.
S้arlait (SHEHR-let) Irish spelling of French-Norman
Charlotte, "petite, feminine".
Seosaimhthํn (SHO-sha-veen)
"god will add"; Irish version of Josephine. Seosaimhin.
Shanley "the hero's child". Shanleigh.
Shannon
(SHAH-non) "wise one"; name of the longest river in Ireland, from the old Irish
goddess Sinann, granddaughter of Manannan Mac Lir. Not used as a first name in
Ireland. Shanna.
Sํlbhe [SHEEL-uh-vuh] modern and rare Irish
form of Sylvia.
Sile (SHEE-la) "blind" or "gray eyes"; Irish form
of Cecilia. Sheela, Sheelah, Sheila, Shelagh, Sheelagh, Shiela, Sheilag,
Cicily, Celia, Selia, Sissy.
Sํne (SHEE-na or SEEN-uh) "god's
gracious gift"; in County Derry, a variation of Sinead. An Irish form of French
Jeanne and Jeanette. Sina, Seena, Sheena, Shena, Shana, Shauna, Shay, Shona,
Shonda, Shawnda, Shonta, Shunta.
Sin้ad (SHIN-ayd or SHEE-naid)
"gracious"; Irish version of French-Norman names Jeanne and Jonet. Jane,
Janey, Sine (SHEE-na).
Siobhแn (SHIV-awn or shuh-VAHN)
"gracious"; from French-Norman name Jeanne, fem. form of Jean (equiv. of English
John). Siban, Shibahn, Joan, Hannah, Siobhanin (shi-VAWN-een).
Siofra word for a "changeling" or "little elf". It's also used as a
term for a precocious child. It's use as a name is modern (20th century).
Siomha (SHEE-va) from Old Irish name Sithmaith: sith
"peace" + maith "good". Sithmaith was the name of 8th C. abbess of
Clonburren. Sheeva.
Sive anglicization of Sadhbh,
meaning "sweet".
Slแine
(SLAH-nye or SLAHN-nuh) "good health"; used in medieval times by the
MacNamaras and O'Briens. Slany.
Sorcha (SOO-ruh-ka or
SOHR-e-khuh) from Old Irish sorchae "bright, radiant". Popular from the
Middle Ages to present. Sarah.
Steise (STEH-shuh) dim. of
Annstas (Gr) "resurrection".
S๚sanna "lily".
Sybil
dim. of Elizabeth. Sibby, Sibi, Siobaigh (shuh-BEH).
Taillte in legend, the foster-mother of the god Lugh, and daughter
of a Spanish king who married Eochaid of the Tuatha De Danann. She and Lugh were
honored by games in honor of the dead at Mag Taillten in County Meath. The town
is now known as Teltown on the River Blackwater. Until the 18th or 19th C.'s,
"Teltown Marriages" were held in the ring-fort of Rath Dugh. If, after a year
and a day the couple did not wish to continue the marriage, they returned to the
fort, stood with their backs to each other, and walked away. Tailltiu,
Tailtiu.
Tara (TAH-ra) "tower" or "crag"; from Old Irish
Temair. In legend, Temair was wife of Eremon, leader of the ancestors of
the Irish, Sons of Mil. Temair gave her name to the hill of Tara, the
traditional seat of Irish kingship. Teamhair (TOHR).
Teamhair
(TOHR) probably "eminence" or "elevated place". Possible version of
Tara.
Theneva (prob. Irish Gaelic) Saint Theneva, with her
son, Saint Kentigern (Mungo) the patron saints of Glasgow. Possibly also:
Theneu, Thenu, and Denw. The daughter of a Pictish king.
Tierney from the word meaning "noble". Tiernan.
Tipper "water pourer".
Tlachtga daughter of Mog Ruith,
she traveled throughout the world with her father and learned his magic. Druids
lit their Samhain fires on her mound twelve miles from Tara.
Toir้asa
(toh-REH-suh) Irish form of Teresa "harvester". Theresa, Tessie.
Treasa "strength"; used as an equivalent of Teresa, but no
connection. Treise, Toir้asa.
Trevina "prudent"; feminine
version of Trevor. Treva.
Troya derived from Irish word for
"foot soldier".
Tullia "peaceful, quiet". Tuila, Tulliah.
Tuiren an Otherworld woman who was Fionn's aunt and married to
Iollan, one of the Fianna.
Uathach "specter"; daughter of Scathach, and became the mistress of
Cu Chulainn after her husband died.
Ula (Celt) "sea jewel" or "gem
of the sea". Uli, Ulicia.
ฺna (OO-nuh) derived from old word
uan "lamb"; also listed as "unity"; ancient Irish name; the O'Carroll
family had a bean sidhe (banshee) with this name. Also a legendary
daughter of a king of Lochlainn. Popular in the Middle Ages. Oona, Oonagh,
Winifred, Uny, Unity.
Una (OO-na) from Old Irish uan
"lamb". Legendary daughter of a king of Lochlainn. Popular in Middle Ages.
Oona, Oonagh.
Ursula "little bear".
Vanessa "butterfly".
Vevina form of Gaelic
B้bhinn, "sweet lady".
Vivienne from Latin for "living".
Whiltierna from faol "wolf" + tiarna "lord".
Faoiltiarna.
Withypol possibly from English withy
"twig, willow" + poll "head".
Wony form of Una.
Yseult variant of Welsh Iseult. Ysolte.
Yvon
"archer". Yvonne, Yvonn, Yvone.
Zaira name invented by Irish writer C.R. Maturin, in his novel
Women; or, pour et contre (1818).
Zinna name appearing in
the Toler-Aylward family of Shankhill Castle.