Kian
A male given name from Irish, anglicized spelling of Cian.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
irish names
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Explore names by language and tradition114 names · Page 2 of 2. Origin labels follow the cited name sense; earlier roots and uncertain meanings are explained on each name page.
Kilian
A male given name from Irish, variant of Killian. Borrowed from Irish Cillian, originally in honor of an Irish seventh century missionary to Würzburg.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
Kiljan
Borrowed from Irish Cillian, a saint’s name, first used in Iceland by Halldór Kiljan Laxness (1902-1998) after his conversion to Catholicism.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
Killian
An anglicized spelling of Irish Cillian.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
Kira
Variant of Kyra or borrowed from Russian Ки́ра (Kíra), ultimately from Persian کوروش (Kūrūš). Also used as a respelling of Ciara, from Irish [Term?].
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
Lennon
From Irish Ó Leannáin (“descendant of Lover (Leannán)”) and from Ó Lonáin (“descendant of Blackbird (Lonán)”).
- Gender
- neutral
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
Liam
From Irish Liam, a clipping of Uilliam, itself from English William. Clipping of Uilliam, from English William.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends M
Maeve
Anglicized from Irish Méabh, from Middle Irish Medb (literally “intoxicating”), name of a legendary queen of Connacht.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends E
Maire
Anglicisation of Irish Máire (“Mary”).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends E
Malachy
From Irish Maolmhaodhóg and Maolseachnaill/Maolseachlainn, influenced by the etymologically unrelated name Malachi, which is of Hebrew origin.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
Malviina
From Swedish Malvina, English Malvina, perhaps from Irish maol-mhín (literally “smooth forehead”) and/or Old High German Madalwin (literally “friend of council, friend of…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
Marmaduke
Thought to be derived from the Irish name Mael Maedóc, "devotee of Maedóc" (an Irish saint); also anglicised as Malachy.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends E
Maura
Either from Irish Máire and Scottish Gaelic Màiri, or from Italian Maura. When borrowed from Irish, a doublet of Moira.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
Maureen
Anglicized from Irish Máirín, diminutive of Máire, an Irish equivalent of Mary. By surface analysis, Maura + -een.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
Moira
Anglicized from Irish Máire, a cognate of Mary. Doublet of Maura.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
Mona
Anglicized from Irish and Scottish Gaelic Muadhnait, from Middle Irish múad (“noble”). In northern Europe, where the name is much more popular, Mona is interpreted as a…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
Morgan
from Old Welsh Morcant, possibly from *mor (“sea”) (Welsh môr) or *mọr (“great”) (Old Welsh maur) + *kantos (“circle”) (Welsh cant), meaning “great chief” or “sea chief”.
- Gender
- neutral
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
Murphy
From Irish Ó Murchadha (“descendant of Murrough”), Mac Murchaidh (“Son of Murrough”), etc. See Muircath.
- Gender
- neutral
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
Myrna
An anglicization of Irish Muirne (“beloved”). Popularized by the American actress Myrna Loy.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
Neal
A male given name, variant of Neil.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends L
Neil
Anglicized form of Goidelic/Irish Niall. Doublet of Niall.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends L
Neill
Variant spelling of Neil, anglicised form of Goidelic/Irish Niall.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends L
Niall
Borrowed from Irish Niall or Scottish Gaelic Niall, ultimately from Old Irish Níall, of uncertain original meaning. Suggestions include nél (“cloud”) and nïa (“champion”),…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends L
Nola
From Finola, from Irish Fionnghuala. In the US, also under the influence of the male name Nolan (which see).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
Noreen
Anglicized from Irish Nóirín (diminutive of Nóra (“Nora”)). Anglicized from Arabic نُورٍ (nūrin, “light”, in the genitive case).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
Nuala
From Irish: either a shortened form of Fionnuala, alternative form of Fionnghuala, or an alternative form of Úna. A shortened from of Fionnuala, from Old Irish Finnguala, from…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
Oona
Borrowed from Irish Úna; doublet of Una. Borrowed from English Oona in the 1960s.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
Oran
Anglicized from Old Irish saints' name Odrán, diminutive of odur (“dun, sallow”) (compare Irish Odhrán).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
Orin
A male given name from Irish of obscure origin, possibly a variant of Oren or Oran.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
Orla
Anglicized version of Irish Órfhlaith (“golden princess”), from ór (“gold”) + flaith (“princess”).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
Orrin
A male given name from Irish of obscure origin, possibly a variant of Oren or Oran.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
Oscar
Exact origin uncertain. Resuscitated by James Mcpherson in The Works of Ossian (1765). Napoleon, an admirer of the Ossianic poems, chose it for his godson Oscar Bernadotte, who…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends R
Owen
From various origins. See below Unadapted borrowing from English Owen.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
Phelan
Reduced Anglicized form of Irish Ó Faoláin (“descendant of Faolán”), a hypocoristic form of faol (“wolf”). Doublet of Whelan.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
Reilly
From Irish Ó Raghallaigh, a surname meaning "descendants of Raghallach".
- Gender
- neutral
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
Ronan
Borrowed from Irish Rónán. Borrowed from Irish Rónán.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
Rory
Anglicized form of Scottish Gaelic Ruairidh and Irish Ruairí (“red-haired king”), from Old Irish Ruaidrí (“red king”).
- Gender
- mixed
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
Rowan
Anglicised from the Irish saints' name Ruadhán (“little red one”), or as a surname from Ó Ruadháin (“descendant of Ruadhán”).
- Gender
- neutral
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
Saoirse
Borrowed from Irish Saoirse, from saoirse (“freedom”).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends E
Seamus
Anglicization of Irish Séamas (“James”), itself from English James.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
Sean
Anglicised form of Irish Seán, from Old French Jehan, from Latin Johannes, variant of Ioannes, from Koine Greek Ἰωάννης (Iōánnēs), from Hebrew יוֹחָנָן (Yōḥānān, literally “God…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends N
Shanae
Anglicization of Irish Sinéad q.v. based on its modern Irish pronunciation. Doublet of Janet, Jeanette, Jeannette, Juanita, and Sinead.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends E
Shane
Anglicized form of the Northern Irish pronunciation of Irish Seán, from Old French Jehan, from Latin Johannes, variant of Ioannes, from Koine Greek Ἰωάννης (Iōánnēs), from…
- Gender
- mixed
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends E
Shaun
A variant of Sean, from Irish Seán, from Old French Jehan, from Latin Johannes, variant of Ioannes, from Koine Greek Ἰωάννης (Iōánnēs), from Hebrew יוֹחָנָן (Yōḥānān, literally…
- Gender
- mixed
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends N
Shauna
From Shaun + -a, variant of Irish Seán, from Old French Jehan, from Latin Johannes, variant of Ioannes, from Koine Greek Ἰωάννης (Iōánnēs), from Hebrew יוֹחָנָן (Yōḥānān,…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
Sheila
Anglicized spelling of Irish Síle, equivalent to Cecilia. Doublet of Cecilia. Unadapted borrowing from English Sheila, from Irish Síle, from Latin Caecilia. Doublet of…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
Sinead
Anglicization of Irish Sinéad, from Old Northern French Jeanette, from Middle French Jehanne + -ette, from Medieval Latin Johanna, variant of Latin Ioanna under influence from…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends D
Siobhan
Anglicized spelling of Irish Siobhán, from Middle Irish Sibán, from Anglo-Norman Jehane or Jehanne, from Old French Jehanne, from Medieval Latin Johanna, variant of Joanna,…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
Sorcha
Borrowed from Irish and Scottish Gaelic Sorcha (literally “light, radiant”). From sorcha (“bright, clear, conspicuous”), from Old Irish sorchae (“bright, luminous”). From…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
Teague
From the Irish first name Tadhg. Cognate with English taig (“A Catholic”). Compare Mick and Paddy.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends E
Tegan
* (female): 20th-century coinage from Welsh tegan (“pet, darling”). * (surname): Transferred use of Irish Ó Tadhgáin, a surname. * (male): From Teagan, from a diminutive of…
- Gender
- mixed
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
Tiernan
From Irish Tiarnán, from Tiarna (“lord”).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
Tyrone
From Irish Tír Eoghain (literally “land of Eoghan”).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends E
Una
Anglicized form of Irish Úna. Doublet of Oona.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A