Irish American names
Irish American families have kept Gaelic names alive for generations, turning them from ethnic markers into some of the most popular names in the country, Liam, Aidan, and Declan now top American charts far beyond Irish American households. For many, choosing an Irish name is still a link back to great grandparents who crossed the Atlantic during the famine years.
Aidan little fire; one of the biggest Irish-American breakout names of the 1990s-2000s
Aisling dream, vision; a beloved literary-mythic heritage name
Aoife beauty, radiance; a beloved warrior-queen name from Irish mythology, kept close to its Irish spelling in heritage-proud families
Brendan prince, or raven; a beloved classic honoring the seafaring St. Brendan
Brennan surname-style, from O Braonain, 'sorrow, teardrop'; a warm heritage name
Brian noble, strong; a beloved classic honoring the historic High King Brian Boru
Bridget exalted one; a beloved classic honoring St. Brigid, carried by generations of Irish-American women
Bridie nickname-style pet form of Bridget/Brigid, warmly used as a name in its own right
Brigid exalted one; the traditional spelling honoring the beloved Irish saint
Callahan surname-style, from O Ceallachain, 'bright-headed'; a distinctive heritage name
Cara friend; a warm, simple heritage name
Casey surname-style, from the Irish clan O Cathasaigh, 'vigilant'; a beloved heritage name
Ciara dark-haired, black, feminine of Ciaran; a graceful heritage name
Colleen girl; an Irish-American coinage from the Irish word cailin rather than a traditional given name in Ireland itself
Connor lover of hounds; a hugely popular heritage name
Cormac son of the chariot; a distinctive heritage name honoring the legendary High King Cormac mac Airt
Declan man of prayer; a fast-rising favorite
Deirdre sorrowful; a beloved tragic-heroine name from Irish legend
Delaney surname-style, from O Dubhshlaine; a graceful heritage name for boys and girls
Dermot free of envy; a classic heritage name from Irish legend
Devlin surname-style, from O Doibhilin, 'unlucky, fierce'; a distinctive heritage name
Eamon wealthy protector; a classic honoring statesman Eamon de Valera
Eileen Anglicized form of Irish Eibhlín, also sometimes treated as an Irish equivalent of Helen; not an Evelyn-derived light name
Emmet surname-style honoring patriot Robert Emmet; a distinctive heritage name
Eoin God is gracious, Irish form of John/Owen; kept in its original Irish spelling with pride
Erin traditionally a poetic name for Ireland itself; a beloved way to wear Irish heritage with pride
Fallon surname-style, from O Fallamhain, 'leader'; a heritage name for boys and girls
Finn fair; a beloved name honoring the legendary hero Fionn mac Cumhaill
Fintan white fire; a distinctive classic honoring an ancient Irish saint
Fiona fair, white; a graceful Celtic classic
Grady surname-style, from O Gradaigh, 'noble, illustrious'; a warm heritage name
Ian God is gracious; a beloved Celtic classic used widely across Irish-American families
Kathleen pure (Irish form of Katherine); a mid-century Irish-American classic
Keegan surname-style, from Mac Aodhagáin, 'descendant of Aodhagán', from Aodh 'fire'; a distinctive modern favorite
Kelly surname-style, from the Irish clan O Ceallaigh; a warm heritage name for boys and girls alike
Kevin handsome, beloved; a name that exploded in America decades before catching on in Ireland
Kieran little dark one; a classic honoring an early Irish saint
Liam the short form Ireland made of Uilliam, or William, "will" and "helmet"; now one of the most popular boys' names in America
Maeve she who intoxicates; a beloved queen of Irish mythology, rising fast today
Malachy my messenger, my angel; a classic honoring a beloved medieval Irish saint
Maureen little Mary; a beloved mid-century classic
Meghan pearl; a spelling of Megan, the Welsh diminutive of Margaret, warmly embraced across Irish-American families
Moira star of the sea, variant of Maura/Mary; a graceful classic
Molly star of the sea, pet form of Mary; a warm classic enjoying a modern revival
Niamh bright, radiant; a beloved mythological name, kept in its Irish spelling by heritage-proud families
Nora honor, short form of Honora; a graceful classic experiencing a strong revival
Patrick from Latin Patricius, nobleman; the quintessential Irish-American classic, honoring the patron saint of Ireland
Quinn surname-style, from O Cuinn, 'wise, counsel'; a hugely popular unisex heritage name today
Riley surname-style, from O Raghallaigh, 'valiant'; hugely popular for both boys and girls
Ronan little seal; a beloved classic honoring several Irish saints
Rory red king; a warm classic with royal roots
Rowan little red one; a nature-tinged heritage name rising quickly
Ryan surname-style, from O Riain, 'little king'; one of the most successful Irish surnames-turned-first-names in America
Saoirse freedom; a name of deep political resonance in Ireland, embraced with pride and popularized by actress Saoirse Ronan
Seamus supplanter, Irish form of James; a warm classic often worn with pride
Sean God is gracious (Irish form of John); a beloved classic embraced across generations
Shannon traditionally 'old, wise,' also the name of Ireland's longest river; a beloved unisex heritage name
Siobhan God is gracious (Irish form of Joan); a cherished heritage name kept close to its Irish spelling
Tara named for the Hill of Tara, seat of Ireland's ancient High Kings; a beloved heritage place-name
Teagan modern variant of Tegan that also coincides with a rare Irish surname; the popular little poet gloss is unsupported
Which of these fits YOUR family? →