Means ‘great warrior’. A variation on Fionn is Finn (pronounced Fin). Now a popular masculine and feminine name in the U.S. and Canada, this traditional Gaelic name has been popular in Ireland for centuries. Meaning: “deer lover” or “friend of deer”. From ‘aon’ meaning ‘one’ and ‘gus’ meaning ‘strength’ or ‘vigour’. About        Contact        Search        Privacy Policy. Gruaig fionn in Gaelic means 'blonde hair'. Saint Aidan of Ireland in the seventh century established the monastery of Lindisfarne (in Scotland). or a champion. In Ireland, top Irish boy names include Conor, Fionn, Oisin, and Cillian. Canice is itself an Anglicisation of ‘coinneach’ meaning ‘attractive one’. Drummer of All Time Low Rian Dawson, American football Rian Lindell, and Australian actor Rian McLean are three famous Rians. This name is true to its meaning, having been in use throughout the Emerald Isle for centuries. Some famous Oisíns include Irish horse racing jockey Oisín Murphy and Irish Gaelic footballer Oisín McConville. In the list below, I have excluded many of the common Irish baby names such as Jack, Evan and Ben as these could be considered universal. It was a common name in the O’Brien clan but little used otherwise. St. Kevin’s monastery at Glendalough in County Wicklow, with its round tower, is one of Ireland’s most famous monastic sites. Meaning: “oak tree” or “dark oak”. Thanks, Your email address will not be published. Contact us: [email protected], © Copyright 2019 - Ireland Before You Die | Trading under Emerald Green Media. Really of Biblical and not Gaelic origin, its association with Ireland is so strong that in parts of the world Irish people are referred to generically and sometimes disparagingly as 'Mick', the contracted form of Michael. Take a look at the favorite and classic Gaelic Names list also. A Philadelphia census lists him as Ailt Kelly, born in Irish Free State. A hugely popular and enduring Gaelic Irish boys name in Ireland and beyond, Sean is the Irish counterpart to ‘William’. K Rowling', Eoin Colfer is the writer of the Artemis Fowl series of books. Because Irish spelling differs from English, however, sometimes parents need a little help learning to pronounce them. It occurs frequently in Irish mythology, most notably as Cairbre Nia Fer, who was a King of Tara killed by Cuchulainn. Published: November 30, 2008 | Updated: March 31, 2017, An introduction to the origin and meaning of baby names or Christian names in …, A guide to figuring out the meaning of place names that begin with the letter A …, Proportional representation, the method of voting in Ireland, can easily confuse …, In 1170 Ireland was again invaded, by the Normans, led by Strongbow, beginning a …, Conchobhar is not pronounced any way like you have here. There have been a number of saints with this name including one of the 12 close followers of, Did you know that Saint Patrick was not an Irish man or the first to bring Christianity to Ireland? This Gaelic boy's name is derived from the Irish word cath meaning 'battle' but implying 'strong in battle'. -photo courtesy of Steffenz, This Gaelic boy's name probably comes from the Irish word cill meaning church, combined with a diminutive suffix to denote small. Pádraig Harrington, the British Open Golf winner, bears the name. Meaning: “strong in battle.” The name is derived from two Celtic elements: the first, ‘cath’, means “battle”; the second element, ‘val’, means “rule”. Liam is the Gaelic Irish form of the anglicised ‘William’. Share in the heritage of ancient Irish kings, warriors, and wise-folk by choosing from these beautiful Gaelic Irish boys names. If you think I've got it wrong or want to offer an alternative meaning to those below, make sure to contact me. Most popular names from around the world. The Irish Gaelic name means silent or fierce or brave one. See notes on Seán. Oscar Wilde, the controversial Irish playwright and artist, bears the name, "Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much." He didn’t find it, but on the journey encountered both the horrors of the world – Judas frozen on one side and burning on the other, people with swine heads, the enormous fish that holds his boat in the picture – and the world’s greatest wonders, landing for a time in Tir na nOg. Unlike a lot of unique baby names, however, Irish boys’ names are also deeply traditional, calling to mind the centuries of proud Irishmen who have born them — warriors, saints, kings, bards — as well as evoking traditional Irish myths and legends. This is a diminuitive of the name Ciar. Meaning: “red” or “rust coloured”. Check out our list of the top Gaelic Irish girl names here. Not much is known about this mysterious name, but it is believed to be a diminutive of the Irish word for “king”. The pop singer Ronan Keating bears the name. Shay is usually used as a shortened version of the Irish name Séamus which itself is a Gaelic version of James. It was one of the most popular names in medieval Ireland. Every year Ireland's Central Statistics Office (CSO) produces a report on the top 100 Irish and Gaelic baby boys and girls names that people chose for their babies in the previous year. Cearbhall O’Dalaigh was president of Ireland from1974-1976. From the Irish word ‘caol’ meaning ‘slender’. They’re unique, which is something a lot of parents look for when naming a baby boy. It is widely believed that Irish St Brendan the Navigator reached America before Columbus. The figure of Cian is best known as the father of Lugh Lamhfada, one of the most prominent gods in Irish mythology. Meaning: “nobly born”. Murphy is a rising star who has won the Palme D'or at Cannes for his role in the film The Wind that shakes the Barley. Although this story has many paralells with earlier legends, Brendan certainly lived and there are those who believe he may have reached America on his journey, many centuries before Christopher Columbus. Meaning: “a strong-willed warrior” and “protector”. Seventeen saints have shared this popular Gaelic name. Fáilte (Welcome) to GaelicMatters.com, the home of Irish and Gaelic Culture. A hugely popular and enduring Gaelic Irish boys name in Ireland and beyond, Sean is the Irish counterpart to ‘William’. If you want to see the full list of Irish and Gaelic boys names, here is the CSO report. Waterford | Fri Nov 20th - Sat Nov 21st 2020, Kilkenny | Wed Nov 25th - Sun Dec 6th 2020. His distinctive blue eyes are often commented on-photo courtesy of Mirka23. Your email address will not be published. It was a common name in medieval Ireland. Thanks to one the country’s finest writers, Oscar Wilde, this name is quintessentially Irish. He was later beheaded. I also include the pronunciation and meaning of the name though I accept that these explanations can often be disputed. Don't just look at the current list of gaelic names when choosing your baby's name. This Gaelic boys name is derived from the Latin name Columba which means dove. Can anyone suggest the Irish translation? Here are today's 100 most popular Irish language baby names, with their meanings and pronunciations - 50 girl names and 50 boy names. This name was shared by many Gaelic Irish kings from the 10th to the 16th centuries, particularly in the provinces of Connacht and Munster. St Patrick was the patron saint of Ireland who is responsible for making the shamrock such a well-known Irish symbol. This name is the Gaelic form of the Latin “columba,” which shares its meaning. That’s why we’ve included pronunciation, both here and on our Irish names for your baby main page. Unique Irish names for boys attracting attention include Cashel, Cormac, and Rafferty.While Irish names have become more popular for both genders, we see the style factor on the rise particularly in Irish boys' names unheard of here a generation ago, such as Declan and Finn. Search Belly Ballot to discover the popularity, meanings, and origins of thousands of names from around the world. Looking for the perfect name for your little one? Irish singer-songwriter Fionn Regan and Irish rugby union player Fionn Carr are two famous Fionns. Kevin is the Anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic name Caoimhín meaning attractive, gentle and kind. ', Ronan is the anglicised version of the Gaelic boy's name, Rónán, which is made up of the Gaelic word, This Gaelic boy's name is derived from the Irish word. They’re unique, which is something a lot of parents look for when naming a baby boy. Sounds about right for me. Not to fear if not. Born in the 6th centure, St Columba founded the famous monastery in Iona among a number of others. Oisín is famous for his love of golden haired Niamh with whom he spent over 300 years in Tír na nÓg (Land of Eternal Youth). The stories about him are many, one of which tells how he became wise by touching the 'Salmon of Knowledge (an bradán feasa) with his thumb and then putting it in his mouth. May derive from ‘bran’ meaning raven. Famous Seans include Jamaican rapper Sean Paul and American rapper, Scottish actor Sean Connery, and musician Sean John Combs (Diddy). Meaning: ‘little fiery one’. Giving your son an Irish name is a great way to show pride in your, and his, Irish heritage. Famous Seans include Jamaican rapper Sean Paul and American rapper, Scottish actor Sean Connery, and musician Sean John Combs (Diddy). If you want to know what the most popular Irish Gaelic boys names are right now, then let's help out with an up-to-date list. Lorcan was the grandfather of Brian Boru, last High King of Ireland. Famous Odhrans include Saint Odhran of Iona, the sixth-century Irish saint of Silvermines, Tipperary and Irish Gaelic football player Odhran O’Dwyer. Particularly common in Galway. His bright blue eyes are often commented on, Cillian Murphy is a rising star who has won the Palme D'or at Cannes for his role in the film The Wind that Shakes the Barley and has starred in a number of other movies inlcuding Batman begins, Inception and 28 Days Later. This name has proven particularly popular among American parents in recent years. Saint Seanán was a 6th century monk in the South of Ireland. The Gaelic name Oscar means 'deer lover' Oscar was a grandson of the wise warrior leader of the Fianna, Fionn mac Cumhail. Some famous Callums include English actor Callum Blue and Australian cricketer Callum Ferguson. It was also the name of a 11th Century King of Connaught in the West of Ireland. More common now as a surname. It comes from Irish meaning "oak tree". Means ‘prince’. Brendan Older names of Gaelic origin which have retained their popularity over the generations include Oisin, Cian, Eoin, Cathal and Fionn. The actor Cillian Murphy bears the name. See a medical professional for personalized consultation. But be warned, the silent ’d’ may confuse those who do not hail from the Emerald Isle. Seán Connery and his wife-photo courtesy of Alan Light. Means ‘victorious warrior’. Colm Toibín is a novelist and critic from County Wexford who has won the Booker Prize (1999) among a list of other literary awards. Irish descent seem to be causing endless fascination for many parents all over In Celtic mythology Aengus of the Birds is the god of love or of youth and vitality. The name means ‘long lived’ or ‘ancient one’. While studying toward a Master's in English Literary Studies at Queen's University Belfast, he held the role of Features Editor for The Gown, Belfast's largest independent student newspaper. Also exists as Oran, this increasingly popular Irish name means dark or black- haired. Known as a poet-hero, he was the son of the Goddess Sive and the mythical warrior Fionn MacCool. It also has its roots in Irish mythology, as the grandson of the hero Finn MacCool had this name. The Irish form of the anglicised ‘Patrick’, this name is perhaps most famously linked to the patron saint of Ireland. This was the name of the last high king of Ireland, reigning in the 12th century.Ruairí is the common Gaelic form of the name. Mount Brandan in Co Kerry is named after St Brendan though. He has made 7 albums during his solo career, selling well over 20 million albums. Did your name make the list? Seán Connery and his wife-photo courtesy of, The most well known name of Ireland is actually of Latin origin, meaning "born to nobility".