Ainmneacha — the names

Irish boys' names

128 names, each with how to say it out loud, what it means, and the saint, queen or legend who carried it first.

A B C D E F G I L M N O P R S T U

A

Ailbhe “AL-va” possibly from albho, 'white', or from ail, 'rock' — 'noble, bright' Ailill “AL-ill” possibly 'elf' or 'sprite' Aodh “AY (also EE)” 'fire' — the name of a pagan fire-deity Aodhagán “AY-a-gawn” 'little little Aodh' — a double diminutive of Aodh, 'fire' Aodhán “AY-dawn” 'little fire' — a diminutive of Aodh Aonghas “AY-nus” from oinos, 'one', and gustus, 'choice' — the one choice Aonghus “AY-ngus (also EN-gus)” 'one choice' or 'one strength' — aon + gus Ardghal “ARD-gal” árd, 'high', and gal, 'valour' Arlia “ar-LEE-a” not known — Macalister could only write ‘a name not found elsewhere’ Art “ART” 'bear' — and by extension 'champion, hero'

B

Barra “BA-ra” short form of Fionnbharra, 'fair-headed' Bearach “BAR-akh” from bear, 'a spear' — or anything with a point on it Bran “BRAN” 'raven' Breandán “BREN-dawn” probably from a Welsh word for 'prince'; not from bran, 'raven' Breasal “BRASS-al” from an old Celtic word for strife or war Brian “BREE-an” possibly 'noble' or 'high'; disputed

C

Cairbre “KAR-bra” 'charioteer' Calbhach “KAL-vakh” 'bald' Caoimhín “KWEE-veen” from caomh, 'gentle, kind' — 'of gentle birth' Caolán “KAY-lawn” 'slender' — a diminutive of caol Caomhán “KAY-vawn” 'gentle' or 'comely' — a diminutive of caomh Cárthach “KAR-hakh” 'loving' Cathal “KA-hal” cath + val, 'strong in battle' Cathaoir “KA-heer” possibly 'warrior' or 'battle-lord' Ceallach “KYAL-akh” 'war' or 'strife' Cian “KEE-an” 'ancient, enduring, long-lasting' Cianán “KEE-a-nawn” 'little Cian' — a diminutive of Cian, 'ancient' Ciarán “KEER-awn” from ciar, 'dark' — 'little dark one' Cillian “KIL-ee-an” possibly from cill, 'church', or ceall, 'little warrior'; disputed Coireall “KIR-al” an old name; Woulfe records no meaning for it Colla “KUL-a” an ancient name; Woulfe records no meaning for it Colm “KUL-um” from Latin columba, 'dove' Colmán “KUL-mawn” 'little dove' — a diminutive of Colm Comhghall “KO-al” 'co-pledge' or 'fellow-hostage' Conaire “KON-a-ra” an ancient name; Woulfe records no meaning for it Conall “KON-al” 'strong as a wolf' or 'strong wolf' Conán “KON-awn” an old name of uncertain meaning, often linked to cú, 'hound' Conchobhar “KON-a-khoor (commonly KRUH-hoor)” possibly 'lover of hounds' or 'wolf-lover' Conn “KON” possibly 'chief' or 'hound' Cormac “KOR-mak” possibly 'son of the charioteer' or 'raven's son'; disputed Criomhthann “KRIV-han” 'fox' Criostóir “KRIS-tore” the Irish form of Christopher, 'Christ-bearer' Cronan “KROH-nawn” from crón, 'dark yellow, swarthy' — 'little dark one' Cuán “KOO-awn” from cú, 'hound' — 'little hound'; also 'harbour' in modern Irish

D

Dáithí “DAW-hee” 'swiftness, nimbleness'; also used for David Darragh “DA-ra” from dair, 'oak' — 'oak tree' or 'fruitful, fertile' Declan “DEK-lan” uncertain; possibly 'full of goodness' Diarmaid “DEER-mid” possibly 'without envy' or 'free man' Domhnall “DOH-nal” 'world-ruler' — domhan + val Donnchadh “DUN-a-khoo” donn + cath, 'brown-haired warrior' or 'strong warrior' Dubhghall “DOO-gal” dubh, 'black', and gall, 'a foreigner'

E

Eachann “AKH-an” from the older Eachdhonn — 'horse-lord' Éamonn “AY-mun” the Irish form of Edmund, 'protector of wealth' Éanán “AY-nawn” an old name; Woulfe records no meaning for it Earnán “AR-nawn” from earna, 'knowing' or 'experienced' Éibhear “AY-ver” of unknown origin Éimhín “AY-veen” from eimh, 'swift' or 'active' Enda “EN-da” possibly 'bird-like' Eochaidh “OH-khee” an old name built on each, 'horse' Eoghan “OH-in” 'born of the yew' — from eo, yew Eoin “OH-in” the Irish form of John, direct from Latin Johannes Ernán “AIR-nawn” from iarn, 'iron' — 'little iron one'

F

Fachtna “FAKH-na” possibly 'hostile' or 'malicious' in origin Fáilbhe “FAWL-va” an ancient name; Woulfe records no meaning for it Faolán “FWAY-lawn” from faol, 'wolf' — 'little wolf' Feardorcha “far-DOR-a-kha” fear, 'a man', and dorcha, 'dark' — the dark-complexioned man Fearghal “FAR-gal” fear + gal, 'man of valour' Fearghas “FAR-gus” fear + gus, 'man of vigour' or 'manly strength' Feichín “FEH-heen” from fiach, 'a raven' Ferdia “fer-DEE-a” 'man of God' or 'man of smoke'; disputed Fiachna “FEE-akh-na” possibly from fiach, 'raven' Fiachra “FEE-akh-ra” possibly from fiach, 'raven', or 'battle-king' Finghin “FIN-een” read as 'fair birth' or 'fair offspring' Fintan “FIN-tan” fionn + tan, 'white fire' or 'fair offspring' Fionn “FYUN (also FIN)” 'fair, bright, white' Fionnbharr “FIN-bar” fionn, 'fair', and barr, 'a head' Flann “FLAN” 'blood-red, ruddy'

G

Garbhán “GAR-vawn” from garbh, 'rough' — 'little rough one' Gearóid “gar-OHD” the Irish form of Gerald Glaisne “GLASH-na” an old name; Woulfe records no meaning for it

I

Iarlaith “EER-la” possibly 'tributary lord' Irial “IR-ee-al” an ancient name; Woulfe records no meaning for it

L

Labhrás “LOW-rawss” the Irish form of Laurence Lachtna “LAKHT-na” an old name; Woulfe records no meaning for it Laoiseach “LEE-shakh” 'belonging to Laois' Lasairian “LASS-a-reen” from lasair, 'a flame' Liam “LEE-am” short form of Uilliam, the Irish for William — 'resolute protector' Lochlann “LOKH-lan” Lochlann — the Irish name for the Norse homeland, read as 'lakeland' or 'fiordland' Lonán “LO-nawn” from lon, 'a blackbird' Lorcán “LOR-kawn” from lorc, 'fierce' — 'little fierce one' Lughaidh “LOO-ee” derived from the god Lugh

M

Maghnus “MAN-us” from Latin magnus, 'great', via Norse Magnús Manchán “MAN-a-khawn” from manach, 'a monk' Maolsheachlainn “mwayl-SHAKH-lin” 'devotee of St Seachnall' Mathúin “MA-hoon” 'a bear' Micheál “MEE-hawl” the Irish form of Michael, Hebrew 'who is like God?' Muircheartach “MWIR-kher-takh” muir + ceartach, 'skilled in seacraft' — 'navigator' Muiris “MWIR-ish” the Irish form of Maurice; also from muir, 'sea' Murchadh “MUR-a-kha” muir, 'sea', and cath, 'battle' — 'sea-warrior'

N

Naoise “NEE-sha” uncertain Niall “NEE-al (Ulster NYAL)” possibly 'champion' or 'cloud'; disputed Nollaig “NUL-ig” 'Christmas'

O

Odhrán “OH-rawn” from odhar, 'dun, sallow, pale-brown' — 'little pale one' Oisín “uh-SHEEN (also OSH-een)” from os, 'deer' — 'little deer, fawn' Oscar “OSS-kar” os + cara, 'deer-lover' or 'friend of deer'

P

Pádraig “PAW-drig” from Latin patricius, 'nobleman' Peadar “PAD-ar” the Irish form of Peter, 'rock' Piaras “PEER-us” the Irish form of Piers / Pierce Proinsias “PRIN-shas” the Irish form of Francis

R

Rian “REE-an” possibly 'little king' — from rí; disputed Ríordán “REER-dawn” 'royal poet' — from ríogh + bardán Rónán “ROH-nawn” from rón, 'seal' — 'little seal' Rossa “RUSS-a” from ros, 'wood' or 'headland' Ruairí “ROO-a-ree” 'red king' — rua + rí

S

Séafra “SHAY-fra” the Irish form of Geoffrey Séamus “SHAY-mus” the Irish form of James Seán “SHAWN” the Irish form of John, via Norman-French Jehan Seanán “SHAN-awn” from sean, 'old, wise' — 'little wise one' Setanta “SHAY-dan-ta” possibly linked to the Setantii, a British tribe Somhairle “SOR-la” from Norse sumarliði, 'summer traveller' — a Viking Suibhne “SIV-na” 'well-going'

T

Tadhg “TYGE ('tiger' without the -er)” 'poet' or 'philosopher' Tiarnán “TEER-nawn” from tiarna, 'lord' — 'little lord' Toirdhealbhach “TUR-a-lakh” 'instigator' or 'shaped like Thor'; disputed Tomás “tuh-MAWS” the Irish form of Thomas Tuathal “TOO-hal” 'people-mighty'

U

Ualtar “OOL-tar” the Irish form of Walter Ultán “UL-tawn” 'an Ulsterman' — from Ulaid

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