Boy's name

Ardghal

“ARD-gal”

IPA: /ˈɑːɾˠd̪ˠəl̪ˠ/

árd, 'high', and gal, 'valour'

ArdalArnold

Source: Woulfe, Irish Names and Surnames (1923) ↗

The story behind the name

A favourite among the MacKennas and MacMahons of Ulster, who anglicised it, unaccountably, as Arnold. Still in use as Ardal.

Where the name belongs

Monaghan Armagh

Quick answers

How do you pronounce Ardghal?

Ardghal is pronounced “ARD-gal” (IPA: ˈɑːɾˠd̪ˠəl̪ˠ). Irish has three main dialect groups (Ulster, Connacht and Munster) and many names are said differently in each. The respellings here give the pronunciation most commonly heard in Irish English; where a well-known variant exists, both are shown.

What does the name Ardghal mean?

Ardghal means árd, 'high', and gal, 'valour'.

Is Ardghal a boy's or a girl's name?

Ardghal is traditionally a boy's name in Ireland.

How popular is the name Ardghal in Ireland?

Ardghal was given to fewer than three children in the Republic of Ireland in 2025. Its best year in the register was 1964, at number 214 for boys.

How else is Ardghal spelled?

Other spellings and equivalents include Ardal, Arnold. Irish names were written down by English-speaking clerks for centuries, which is why so many spellings survive for one name.

In the register

Fewer than three boys named Ardghal in 2025 — best year 1964, at #214

The full register → CSO, Republic of Ireland, names given three or more times.

Related names

Conchobhar Pádraig Fearghas Naoise Ceallach Colla Éibhear Eochaidh

Meanings follow Ó Corráin & Maguire's Irish Names and Woulfe; pronunciations give the commonest Irish-English form. Know this name better — a dialect pronunciation, a family tradition? Tell us. · All Irish names A–Z