659 Celtic Baby Names With Meanings
Embracing the magic and mysticism of the Celts with a beautiful name.
Celtic baby names reflect the rich history and culture of the ancient Celts. The Celts were ancient people who lived in different parts of Europe from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age, between 700 BC and 400 BC. Though the Celts never lived in a unified state, they had a common language. Even today, the language is spoken in Ireland and parts of Britain (1). You will find names of every meaning in the Celtic tongue, from mythology and legends to history and place names. Celtic names display the charm of the Isles they are derived from – Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and even Italy. Additionally, it can be deduced that the Celts followed polytheism, as many of these Celtic names are found in Irish and Welsh mythologies. These languages, along with Scottish Gaelic and Breton, have the most substantial ties to the original Celtic language (2). A formal Celtic name consists of a given name, a middle name, and a surname, which is patronymic in etymology (3). Such surnames begin with Mac or Mc, meaning ‘son of,’ or O, meaning ‘grandson of.’ While many families have started to prefer Gaelic versions of Celtic names to better honor their roots, some parents prefer anglicized versions for easy pronunciation. For instance, the Celtic name Eoin is pronounced eo-in. So, its anglicized version would be Owen. An interesting fact about Celtic names is that they are dithematic. In other words, they are derived from two elements, usually by joining a prefix or suffix. As such, they are similar to Germanic names, also considered dithematic. Take a look at the delightful Celtic baby names in the list below. Note – Traditional Celtic names can be a bit tricky to pronounce due to Celtic vowels. So, you must know and understand the proper pronunciation of your shortlisted names.
Name | Gender | Meaning | |
---|---|---|---|
Aart | Boy | Stone; Bear; Thor; The eagle; A variant form of Arthur | |
Abria | Girl | Strength or power; Father of many | |
Adelene | Girl | Graceful or noble | |
Adie | Boy | Little fire; Man; Man from Hadria; Dark one | |
Aedion | Unisex | Noble and powerful warrior | |
Aelynn | Girl | Light; Graceful; Enchanting | |
Aengus | Boy | One choice; A variant of the name Angus | |
Aerika | Unisex | Noble; Strong; Leader | |
Aeron | Boy | A berry fruit | |
Afric | Girl | Pleasant; Agreeable; Pleasing; Woman from Africa | |
Agnese | Girl | A variant of Agnes; Lamb | |
Aidan | Unisex | Little fire | |
Aife | Girl | Beauty; A great warrior woman of myth; Variant of the name Aoife | |
Ailbe | Boy | Celtic: White; A variant of the name Ailbhe | |
Ailidh | Girl | Kind; Noble; Bright one; Light | |
Aimar | Unisex | Industrious | |
Airon | Unisex | Strong life | |
Aithne | Girl | Fire | |
Alaine | Unisex | Precious, radiant, graceful | |
Alane | Girl | Fair; Little rock; Harmony; Peace; A form of English name Alana | |
Alani | Girl | Little Rock; Harmony; Peace; Dear Child | |
Alanis | Girl | Little rock | |
Alanni | Unisex | Serene; Graceful; Precious | |
Aldair | Boy | An old and wise ruler | |
Alen | Boy | Little rock; Handsone | |
Allan | Boy | Handsome; Cheerful; Little rock | |
Allana | Girl | Little rock; Harmony; Peace; A variant form of the name Alana; Precious; Serene; Fair maiden or beautiful maiden | |
Allen | Boy | Handsome; Harmony; Little rock | |
Alley | Girl | Little Rock; Harmony | |
Alline | Girl | Variant of Alana and Aline; Little rock; Harmony; Peace; Lovely; Of a noble kind | |
Allon | Boy | Variant of Alan; Oak; Noble; Ready; Little rock; Harmony; Peace | |
Alon | Boy | Oak tree; Fair and handsome | |
Aloura | Girl | Divine counselor | |
Alula | Unisex | First born | |
Alyn | Girl | Precious | |
Amyas | Boy | Loved | |
Aneurin | Boy | High Minded; A variation of name is Aneirin | |
Annan | Boy | From the brook; Slow actor; Sluggish | |
Anyon | Boy | Anvil | |
Aodh | Boy | Fire; Brightness; Splendour | |
Aodhan | Boy | Fire, Brightness, Splendour; A variant of the name Aodh | |
Aonghas | Boy | One Choice; A variant of name is Angus | |
Aonghus | Boy | One Choice; A variant of name is Angus | |
Ardin | Unisex | Enthusiastic; Great forest | |
Are | Boy | Stone, Bear; Eagle; A variant of name Arthur | |
Arieen | Girl | A noble person who keeps the oath | |
Arlene | Girl | Oath; Pledge; Promise | |
Arlon | Boy | Noble; Powerful; Leader | |
Arlynn | Unisex | One who has a lot of aspirations; Pledge | |
Arowyn | Unisex | Graceful; Noble; Full of joy | |
Arren | Unisex | From the island | |
Artair | Boy | Bear; very impressive and powerful | |
Arte | Boy | Stone; Bear; Thor; The eagle; A variant of the name Arthur | |
Artek | Boy | Stone; Bear; Thor; The eagle; A variant of the name Arthur | |
Arth | Boy | Stone; Bear; Thor; The eagle; A variant of the name Arthur | |
Arthek | Boy | Bear | |
Arther | Boy | Bear-like; Noble; Courageous | |
Artie | Boy | Stone; Bear; Follower of Artemis; A variant of Arthur | |
Artis | Boy | Stone; Bear; Thor; The Eagle; A variant of Arthur | |
Arto | Boy | Stone; Bear; Thor; The eagle; A variant of the name Arthur | |
Artorius | Boy | Mighty warrior king | |
Artturi | Boy | Stone; Bear; Thor; The eagle; A variant of the name Arthur | |
Artur | Boy | Bear | |
Arturs | Boy | Latvian form of Artur, Strong as a bear | |
Arty | Boy | Stone; Bear; Thor; The eagle; A variant of the name Arthur | |
Arwan | Unisex | Enlightened; Bright | |
Arzhur | Boy | Bear man | |
Atre | Boy | Stone; Bear; Thor; The eagle ; A variant form of Arthur | |
Atrus | Boy | A Bear man | |
Attie | Boy | Someone who is as strong as a bear | |
Aty | Boy | One with the power of a bear | |
Aurian | Unisex | Golden; Dawn | |
Auther | Boy | One who has the strength of a Bear | |
Author | Boy | An author; A Bear; A stone | |
Avalina | Girl | Beautiful bird who is filled with life and charm | |
Avan | Boy | One who is a little abbot; owner of the world | |
Avarlon | Girl | A fruit which is found in paradise | |
Aveena | Unisex | Beautiful radiance | |
Avon | Boy | The one who is fertile and is a river | |
Ayre | Unisex | Heir to a fortune | |
Azlyn | Girl | Vision; Dream | |
Balfour | Boy | Farm Pasture | |
Barra | Girl | Spear | |
Barry | Boy | Fair-headed; Spear; Sharp | |
Bary | Boy | Fair headed; Spear; Mound; Dune; Brave | |
Bedelia | Girl | Powerful; Strong; Exalted one; Form of Bridget | |
Bedwyr | Boy | A variant of Bedivere, a character in Welsh mythology | |
Beli | Boy | Shining one; A variant of Belenus | |
Bellicent | Girl | From Belenus a Celtic Sun God; Brilliant; Bright woman | |
Berget | Girl | Powerful; Strong; Exalted one; Form of Bridget | |
Berry | Girl | Fair headed; Spear; Mound; Dune; Noble and bright; Pale green gemstone; A variant of name Barrie | |
Birgit | Girl | The strong one | |
Bodicca | Girl | A woman who is a great victor | |
Bodiccius | Boy | He who is a great victor | |
Boudibiua | Girl | A person who is born to win; victory | |
Boudicca | Girl | Victory in battle | |
Bowden | Boy | Represents a hill shaped like a bow; A dweller on top of a hill | |
Bowen | Boy | Son of Owen; Noble; Victorious | |
Braden | Boy | Broad valley; Brave | |
Bradene | Boy | Sleek as a salmon; Alternate spelling for Braden | |
Although the Celts were an ancient race, their influence on names has remained timeless. Celtic baby names encompass a variety of meanings and aspects, including gods, festivals, traits, natural elements, mythology, and other features. If you plan to give your baby a Celtic name, you must confirm its proper pronunciation. By providing your baby a Celtic name, you are giving them a robust and meaningful name and cementing their ties with an ancient yet evolving culture.
Infographic: Lovely Celtic Baby Names For Your Cuddly Cutie
Celtic baby names originate in various languages and cultures, including Irish, Scottish, and Welsh. They may also have the essence of Old French, Old English, Latin, and Germanic languages. From this rich mixture come out beautiful names that will captivate your senses and bestow attention upon the bearer. Your search for Celtic baby names ends here. Take a look at our infographic to get some charming names with meanings.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are some modern variations of traditional Celtic names?
Several modern adaptations of traditional Celtic names exist, such as Aidan (Aodhán), denoting ‘fire’ or ‘fiery one,’ Liam (William), signifying a ‘determined protector,’ and Aoife (Aífe), an Irish name meaning ‘beautiful,’ ‘radiant,’ or ‘joyful.’ These modified versions successfully retain the Celtic essence while embracing current naming conventions.
2. What are some common Celtic names, and what do they mean?
Some frequently encountered Celtic names are Fiona, which signifies 'blessed' or 'white,' Eoin, denoting 'God is gracious,' and Niamh, an Irish name meaning 'radiant' or 'bright.'
3. How do the pronunciation and meaning of Celtic names change when translated into other languages?
The pronunciation and meaning of Celtic names might vary when they are translated. Phonetics adjust pronunciation to the rules of the target language. Due to linguistic intricacies and cultural settings in other languages, original meanings may be lost or altered.
References
- Ancient Celts:
https://www.worldhistory.org/celt/ - Peter Forster and Alfred Toth;
Toward a phylogenetic chronology of ancient Gaulish - Irish Culture: Naming.
https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/irish-culture/irish-culture-naming
Look Up For Many More Names
Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.