150 Irish boy names - how to say them and their meanings

For more baby name inspiration, check out our articles on Scottish girls' names and their meanings, featuring charming and historic choices, and African baby names for boys and girls, filled with vibrant and meaningful options.

We've divided them up into helpful categories, including popular Irish boys' names, unusual Irish boys' names, cute Irish boys' names and short Irish boys' names to help you whittle down your shortlist and make a final decision that you'll love forever.

Most popular Irish boys' names

The official lists of baby names in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland feature quite a few Irish names or their anglicised versions. We searched through the latest data on the top 100 most popular baby boy names as registered by The Office For National Statistics, The National Records of Scotland and Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency to find the Irish names that are loved by parents outside the Emerald Isle. Top of the list is Oscar, which consistently makes it into the top 10 every year, with Irish names like Finley, Rory and Liam featuring slightly further down.

1. Oscar

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: spear of god
• Trend: moving up

2. Finley or Finlay

• Origin: Gaelic
• Meaning: fair-haired hero
• Trend: moving down

3. Rory

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: red
• Trend: moving up

4. Rowan

• Origin: Gaelic
• Meaning: little redhead
• Trend: moving up

5. Liam

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: with gilded helmet
• Trend: moving up

6. Riley

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: brave
• Trend: moving down

7. Finn or Fionn

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: fair
• Trend: moving down

8. Brody

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: ditch or muddy place
• Trend: moving up

Common Irish boys' names

These Irish names might not feature in the top 100 names for 2023, but you'll recognise them instantly as names that have been and continue to be very popular with parents. Some names like Barry, Brian and Neil were very popular with previous generations, but are now losing their appeal. Common Irish names such as Conor, Patrick and Ryan however are rising back up the charts.

9. Aidan

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: small fire
• Also: Aiden, Edan

10. Barry

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: spear
• Also: Barrie

11. Brian

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: high, noble

12. Ciaran (keer-awn)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: little and black
• Also: Kieran, Kieron and Cieran

13. Colin

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: young one

14. Conor

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: lover of wolves

15. Declan

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: man of prayer, full of goodness

16. Darren

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: small and great

17. Dermot

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: free man
• Also: Diarmaid and Diarmait

18. Eamonn (ay-mon)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: wealthy protector
• Also: Eamon

19. Fergus

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: strong man

20. Neil

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: champion, passionate

21. Patrick

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: nobleman
• Also: Pádraig (paud-rig)

22. Ryan

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: little king

23. Seamus (shay-mus)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: supplanter; Irish form of James
• Also: Seamas

24. Tadhg (tie-g)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: poet

Old Irish boys' names

With its rich history and links to folklore, Ireland has a wealth of gorgeous traditional names to choose from for a baby boy. Many are derived from historical figures or saints, while some reference places of birth or a certain occupation. If you love the idea of your baby's name having links to Irish culture from centuries ago or important figures in history then this list is for you. Although be warned: these traditional Irish names can be hard to spell and your son might have to teach people how to pronounce his name!

25. Ailbe (all-bay)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: white, rock

26. Aodhán (ay-awn)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: small fire; Old Irish version of Aidan

27. Bréanainn (breh-neen)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: king

28. Breandan (bren-dawn)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: prince

29. Cairbre (kar-bruh)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: ruler of the chariot

30. Caoimhín (kee-veen)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: handsome, kind

31. Cathal (ka-hull)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: battle, rule

32. Cian (kee-uhn)

• Origin: Gaelic
• Meaning: ancient

33. Ciarán (keer-awn)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: little dark one

34. Cillian (kill-ee-an)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: church

35. Conan (kow-nuhn)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: hound or wolf

36. Cormac (cor-mack)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: son of the charioteer
• Also: Cormack and Cormick

37. Dáithi (daw-hee)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: swift, nimble

38. Darragh (dare-ra)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: oak

39. Desmond

• Origin: Gaelic
• Meaning: from South Munster

40. Éanna (ya-na)

• Origin: Gaelic
• Meaning: bird-like

41. Eoghan (yew-en)

• Origin: Gaelic
• Meaning: born of yew

42. Feidlimid (fay-lim)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: ever good
• Also: Féilim

43. Fintan (fint-an)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: white fire

44. Gearóid (gar-roid)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: brave with a spear

45. Gobán (go-bin)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: smith, metal-worker

46. Oisín (ush-een)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: little deer, fawn

47. Riordan (ree-or-dan)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: royal poet

48. Ruadhán (roo-awn)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: red-haired

Strong Irish boy names

Due to the lilting, musical quality of the Irish language and accent, Irish names tend to sound soft, pretty and cute rather than particularly strong. However, if you want your son to have a strong name that will make a statement and have a sense of power and authority to them then these names below, with powerful meanings and bold sounds, will certainly fit the bill nicely.

49. Cahir (kaw-heer)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: warrior

50. Conall (kun-al)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: a brave man

51. Conrí (cun-ree)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: a brave man

52. Conroy

• Origin: Gaelic
• Meaning: wise

53. Devlin

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: brave

54. Donal

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: mighty

55. Farrell

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: warrior

56. Fergal

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: brave

57. Ferris

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: strong man

58. Gannon

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: fair-skinned

Unusual Irish boys names

Looking for rare Irish boys' names that stand out for the crowd and won't be seen on many school registers? Some of these names have always been rare and unique, while others have had moments of popularity generations ago but are now back to being unusual and unheard. Whichever name you choose from this list, you can be sure your baby boy will have a special name that marks him out as unique.

59. Abbán (ay-bahn)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: little abbot

60. Ardghal (AHR-dahl)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning:

61. Bairrfhionn (bar-fyun)

• Origin: Celtic
• Meaning: marksman

62. Cairbre (kar-bruh)

• Origin: Celtic
• Meaning: chariot driver

63. Calhoun (kal-hoon)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: from the forest

64. Caiside (kas-a-dee)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: cover, curly-haired

65. Calbhach (kal-vahk)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: bald

66. Caomhán (kwee-vaughn)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: handsome

67. Cashel (kah-shul)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: a stone fort

68. Cavan (k-av-an)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: grassy hill

69. Ceallach (kall-ach)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: war, strife

70. Cearbhall (key-ARE-vol)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: manly

71. Colman

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: keeper of doves

72. Comhghall (cow-all)

• Origin: Gaelic
• Meaning: fellow hostage

73. Corcoran

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: red-faced

74. Dubhán (dove-awn)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: dark, black

75. Fiachra (feer-krah)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: crow, raven

76. Gallagher

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: foreign helper

77. Garret

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: spear strength
• Also: Garrett

78. Gillespie

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning:‘son of the bishop’s servant

79. Keefe

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning:‘handsome and noble

80. Meallán (mal-awn)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning:‘little pleasant one

81. Riagán (ri-a-gan)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning:‘little king

82. Ruadh (ru-add)

• Origin: Gaelic
• Meaning: russet, copper-coloured

83. Torin

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: chief

84. Ultan

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: from Ulster

Cute Irish names for boys

There's no denying that the Irish accent is lovely to listen to and many of the words derived from the Gaelic language have a gorgeous cadence and dreamy musical quality. So if you're looking for a super cute name for your son, it's an excellent idea to look to Ireland for inspiration. The charming names on this list, like Paddy, Rafferty and Tiernan, will bring a smile to your face every time you say them, and are fitting for your new cute-as-a-button addition.

85. Aran

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: peaked island

86. Arin

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: enlightened

87. Breccan

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: freckled, speckled

88. Caelan (kay-lan)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: slender

89. Cary

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: dark brown
• Also: Carey

90. Casey

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: vigilant in war

91. Conán

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: high

92. Corey

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: ‘ravine’
• Also: Cory

93. Derry

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: oak wood

94. Faolán (fee-lawn)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: little wolf

95. Finnian

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: fair

96. Flynn

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: descendant of the red-haired one

97. Larkin

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: rough, fierce

98. Lonan

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: blackbird

99. Lorcan

• Origin: Gaelic
• Meaning: little fierce one

100. Paddy

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: noble, regal; shortened form of Patrick

101. Niall (nye-al)

• Origin: Gaelic
• Meaning: champion

102. Nolan (no-len)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: champion

103. Rafferty

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: prosperity wielder

104. Ronan

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: little seal

105. Strachan (stra-kn)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: minstrel

106. Tiernan (tier-nan)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: little lord

Short Irish boys' names

Perhaps you've got a long surname, or you prefer short, punchy names that are quick to say, easy to write and will be nice and simple for your child to learn. Whatever the reason, this next list is for you. Some of these names are shortened versions of much longer Irish names, but most are just short and sweet names in their own right with lovely meanings like dove, little wolf and stately one.

107. Bran

• Origin: Irish/ Scottish
• Meaning: bramble, raven

108. Ciar (keer)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: Black

109. Colm

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: a dove

110. Conn

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: wisdom
• Also: Con

111. Cúán (kew-in)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: little wolf

112. Dara

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: oak wood

113. Eoin (oh-inn)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: God is gracious

114. Kian

• Origin: Gaelic
• Meaning: ancient

115. Keir

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: dark, black

116. Ler

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: the sea

117. Orin

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: pine tree

118. Sean (shawn)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: god is gracious; Irish form of John
• Also: Shaun and Shawn

119. Shea (shay)

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: stately one

Modern Irish boys' names

Many Old Irish names are long, extremely difficult to spell and have accents galore. Many of them sound absolutely beautiful though so this list contains some traditional Irish names that have been given a modern, anglicised spelling, that'll make life much easier for you and your son. An easy way to create a modern-sounding, edgy and strong name is to use a surname as a first name. As you'll see in this list there are also many surnames that are now becoming increasingly popular as first names such as Donovan, Grady and Murphy.

120. Brendan

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: prince

121. Brady

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: broad meadow

122. Broderick

• Origin: Gaelic
• Meaning: brother

123. Caley

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: slender

124. Carey

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: descendant of Ciardha

125. Cassidy

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: clever

126. Clancy

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: red-haired warrior

127. Cody

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: a helpful person

128. Crosby

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: a helpful person

129. Cullen

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: holly tree

130. Dacey

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: southerner

131. Daley

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: a meeting
• Also: Daly

132. Devin

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: poet

133. Dillon

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: loyal

134. Donovan

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: dark-haired

135. Ennis

• Origin: Gaelic
• Meaning: from the island

136. Galvin

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: bright

137. Grady

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: noble, illustrious

138. Keegan

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: son of Egan

139. Keenan

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: ancient

140. Kevin

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: handsome

141. Lennon

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: lover

142. Madden

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: little dog

143. Malone

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: devotee of St John

144. Murphy

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: sea warrior

145. Redmond

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: wise protector

146. Shane

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: God is gracious

147. Sullivan

• Origin: Gaelic
• Meaning: dark eyes

148. Tierney

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: descendant of a lord

149. Tully

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: flood, peaceful, hill

150. Tyrone

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: land of the yew tree

Pics: Getty

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