Boy's name

Breasal

“BRASS-al”

from an old Celtic word for strife or war

BrasilBasil

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

The story behind the name

An Irish saint whose feast day was 18 May, and a name common among the O'Kellys and O'Maddens of Connacht. The mythical Atlantic island Hy-Brasil is not named for it, whatever the maps suggest.

Where the name belongs

Galway Roscommon

Quick answers

How do you pronounce Breasal?

Breasal is pronounced “BRASS-al”. 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 Breasal mean?

Breasal means from an old Celtic word for strife or war.

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

Breasal is traditionally a boy's name in Ireland.

How popular is the name Breasal in Ireland?

Breasal was given to fewer than three children in the Republic of Ireland in 2025. Its best year in the register was 1966, at number 185 for boys.

How else is Breasal spelled?

Other spellings and equivalents include Brasil, Basil. 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 Breasal in 2025 — best year 1966, at #185

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

Related names

Breandán Conchobhar Ruairí Cathal Toirdhealbhach Iarlaith Ailill Enda

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