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Irish boys names A-DTraditional Irish names for boys are colourful
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Irish Name | Pronunciation | English equivalent | Meaning or Origin |
Áed/Aodh | Ee | Hugh | Once the most common boys' name, it's been anglicised as Hugh, although there is no real connection with that name |
Aichear | e-har | Ehir | In Irish it might mean sharp, keen or fierce. Aichear was one of the musicians of the Fianna in the Finn Tales. Also spelt Aicher |
Ailbhe | Al-veh | Albert/Bertie | Also a girl's name, Ailbhe suggestst the colour white. Twelve warriors of the Fianna bore this name according to the Finn-tales. Anglicised choices have no real connection. Also spelt Ailbe |
Áilgenán | Al-an-an | In Irish, it means a soft, mild person. Once the name of a Munster king, Ailgenan occurred mostly in the south | |
Ailill | Al-il | A spirit or elf. In the Finn Tales there were ten warriors of the Fianna called Ailil. It was once one of the most popular Irish boys' names but it's now rare. | |
Ainéislis | An-esh-lish | Stanislaus | In Irish it might mean careful, thoughtful. Used to be popular among north Munster and south Connaught. Anglicised name has no real connection. |
Alusdar | Al-as-dar | Alaistair | Greek Alexander. Introduced to the north of Ireland by Scots. Very popular among MacDonnells and MacDowells |
Annraoi | Own-ree | Henry | Brought to Ireland by the Anglo-Normans. Popular with the O'Neills of Ulster in the 15th century. |
Aodhan | Ayd-awn | Aidan | In Irish, it means little fire. A common name in early Ireland. |
Ardal | Awrd-ahl | Arnold | In Irish it means great or high valour. |
Art | Art | Arthur | Borne by many early legendary kings of Ireland. Anglicised version has no real connection. Art is an ancient word for bear. |
Bearach | Bay-rach | Barry | In Irish, pointed, sharp or spearlike. Also a girl's name. |
Bran | Brawn | In Irish, a raven. One of the most popular Irish boys names of early Ireland and in legend | |
Breandan | Bren-don | Brendan | From the Welsh for prince. One of the oldest Irish names. In existence since 6th century at least. |
Brin/Brian | Bree-an | Brian | In Irish, noble and strong. Original form was Brion. Brian Boru was the first high king of Ireland and defeated the Vikings at the Battle of Clontarf on 23 April 1014. |
Caoimhín | Kiv-een | Kevin | Means comely child. Best known bearer of the name was St Kevin, founder of Glendalough Abbey. |
Cathal | Caw-hal | A common name during the Middle Ages, it means great battle warrior in Irish. Sometimes incorrectly anglicised as Charles. | |
Cian | Key-inn | Kane | Means 'ancient' and was the name of two legendary heroes. |
Ciarán | Key-rahn | Kieran | In Irish, means dark or black. There are probably more Irish saints of this one name than any other. |
Cillín | Kill-in | Killian/Keelan | A 7th century Irish missionary to Europe. Name possible derives from Irish word for church. |
Colm | Cul-lum | In Irish, means dove. Another very popular name among saints. | |
Conán | Ku-nawn | Conan | A common name in early Ireland and, in legend, the name of two warriors of the Fianna. Means hound or wolf. |
Conchobhar | Croo-hur | Connor/Conor | Conchobhar MacNessa was one of the most famous kings of Ulster. Means lover of hounds. Sometimes incorrectly anglicised as Cornelius. |
Conn | Kown | Conn of the Hundred Battles was a high king of Ireland in Irish legend. It remains a fairly popular name. | |
Cormac | Cur-mock | Meaning unknown. Possibly raven. One of the most popular Irish boys names across the centuries. | |
Crónán | Cro-nahn | Cronan | The name of a 7th century abbot who founded a school which has survived to modern times. In Irish, the name means little brown one. |
Damán/Damhán | Dah-van | In Irish, it means little stag or ox. The name of a 7th-century king of Munster. | |
Darragh | Dar-rah | Dara | In Irish it means oak. |
Deaglán | Deg-lahn | Declan | A common name in Ireland and may date back to before St Patrick's arrival. |
Diarmuid | Deer-mit | Dermot/Jeremiah | Appears frequently in Celtic mythology and remains popular in Ireland. |
Donncha | Dun-a-cha | A popular name, it means brown headed warrior. | |
Donagh | Dun-ah | Name of Brian Boru's son. | |
Dónal | Don-al | Donald/Daniel | A big name for a child to handle, it means ruler of the world. |
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