Irish boys names A-D

Traditional Irish names for boys are colourful
and reflect Ireland's glorious Celtic past

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Traditional names for boys

Brian Boru, High King of Ireland

Irish boys' names are largely drawn from tales of great warriors in Celtic Mythology or from early Ireland's regional kings. This isn't always immediately obvious because they've been adapted and changed spellings many times. But Brian is one of only very few Old Irish names that remains instantly recognisable.

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Brian Boru is, by popular demand, history's greatest High King of Ireland who, as any Irish schoolboy will tell you, died at the Battle of Clontarf on Good Friday, 1014.

Such was his reputation that his name became extremely popular and was chosen with great pride for new-born sons through the centuries.

Even as a surname, when it it usually appears as O'Brien, it remains associated with the great warrior king. The name itself probably originated from the Celtic form Brigonos, from which the Irish name Bregon directly evolved, and changed first to Brion with two syllables and from then to Brian.

While Brian might be the greatest of all warrior names, there are others to choose from, as the list below shows.

The selection below is mine and by no means comprehensive. It includes some well-known Irish boys names as well as some that, though rarely encountered in recent times, may yet make a comeback if the current trend to seek out the unusual continues among new parents.

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.