659 Celtic Baby Names With Meanings

celtic-baby-names-with-meanings

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.

NameGenderMeaning
heart image Aart Baby Boy Sign Boy Stone; Bear; Thor; The eagle; A variant form of Arthur
heart image Abria Baby Girl Sign Girl Strength or power; Father of many
heart image Adelene Baby Girl Sign Girl Graceful or noble
heart image Adie Baby Boy Sign Boy Little fire; Man; Man from Hadria; Dark one
heart image Aedion Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Noble and powerful warrior
heart image Aelynn Baby Girl Sign Girl Light; Graceful; Enchanting
heart image Aengus Baby Boy Sign Boy One choice; A variant of the name Angus
heart image Aerika Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Noble; Strong; Leader
heart image Aeron Baby Boy Sign Boy A berry fruit
heart image Afric Baby Girl Sign Girl Pleasant; Agreeable; Pleasing; Woman from Africa
heart image Agnese Baby Girl Sign Girl A variant of Agnes; Lamb
heart image Aidan Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Little fire
heart image Aife Baby Girl Sign Girl Beauty; A great warrior woman of myth; Variant of the name Aoife
heart image Ailbe Baby Boy Sign Boy Celtic: White; A variant of the name Ailbhe
heart image Ailidh Baby Girl Sign Girl Kind; Noble; Bright one; Light
heart image Aimar Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Industrious
heart image Airon Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Strong life
heart image Aithne Baby Girl Sign Girl Fire
heart image Alaine Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Precious, radiant, graceful
heart image Alane Baby Girl Sign Girl Fair; Little rock; Harmony; Peace; A form of English name Alana
heart image Alani Baby Girl Sign Girl Little Rock; Harmony; Peace; Dear Child
heart image Alanis Baby Girl Sign Girl Little rock
heart image Alanni Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Serene; Graceful; Precious
heart image Aldair Baby Boy Sign Boy An old and wise ruler
heart image Alen Baby Boy Sign Boy Little rock; Handsone
heart image Allan Baby Boy Sign Boy Handsome; Cheerful; Little rock
heart image Allana Baby Girl Sign Girl Little rock; Harmony; Peace; A variant form of the name Alana; Precious; Serene; Fair maiden or beautiful maiden
heart image Allen Baby Boy Sign Boy Handsome; Harmony; Little rock
heart image Alley Baby Girl Sign Girl Little Rock; Harmony
heart image Alline Baby Girl Sign Girl Variant of Alana and Aline; Little rock; Harmony; Peace; Lovely; Of a noble kind
heart image Allon Baby Boy Sign Boy Variant of Alan; Oak; Noble; Ready; Little rock; Harmony; Peace
heart image Alon Baby Boy Sign Boy Oak tree; Fair and handsome
heart image Aloura Baby Girl Sign Girl Divine counselor
heart image Alula Unisex Baby Sign Unisex First born
heart image Alyn Baby Girl Sign Girl Precious
heart image Amyas Baby Boy Sign Boy Loved
heart image Aneurin Baby Boy Sign Boy High Minded; A variation of name is Aneirin
heart image Annan Baby Boy Sign Boy From the brook; Slow actor; Sluggish
heart image Anyon Baby Boy Sign Boy Anvil
heart image Aodh Baby Boy Sign Boy Fire; Brightness; Splendour
heart image Aodhan Baby Boy Sign Boy Fire, Brightness, Splendour; A variant of the name Aodh
heart image Aonghas Baby Boy Sign Boy One Choice; A variant of name is Angus
heart image Aonghus Baby Boy Sign Boy One Choice; A variant of name is Angus
heart image Ardin Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Enthusiastic; Great forest
heart image Are Baby Boy Sign Boy Stone, Bear; Eagle; A variant of name Arthur
heart image Arieen Baby Girl Sign Girl A noble person who keeps the oath
heart image Arlene Baby Girl Sign Girl Oath; Pledge; Promise
heart image Arlon Baby Boy Sign Boy Noble; Powerful; Leader
heart image Arlynn Unisex Baby Sign Unisex One who has a lot of aspirations; Pledge
heart image Arowyn Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Graceful; Noble; Full of joy
heart image Arren Unisex Baby Sign Unisex From the island
heart image Artair Baby Boy Sign Boy Bear; very impressive and powerful
heart image Arte Baby Boy Sign Boy Stone; Bear; Thor; The eagle; A variant of the name Arthur
heart image Artek Baby Boy Sign Boy Stone; Bear; Thor; The eagle; A variant of the name Arthur
heart image Arth Baby Boy Sign Boy Stone; Bear; Thor; The eagle; A variant of the name Arthur
heart image Arthek Baby Boy Sign Boy Bear
heart image Arther Baby Boy Sign Boy Bear-like; Noble; Courageous
heart image Artie Baby Boy Sign Boy Stone; Bear; Follower of Artemis; A variant of Arthur
heart image Artis Baby Boy Sign Boy Stone; Bear; Thor; The Eagle; A variant of Arthur
heart image Arto Baby Boy Sign Boy Stone; Bear; Thor; The eagle; A variant of the name Arthur
heart image Artorius Baby Boy Sign Boy Mighty warrior king
heart image Artturi Baby Boy Sign Boy Stone; Bear; Thor; The eagle; A variant of the name Arthur
heart image Artur Baby Boy Sign Boy Bear
heart image Arturs Baby Boy Sign Boy Latvian form of Artur, Strong as a bear
heart image Arty Baby Boy Sign Boy Stone; Bear; Thor; The eagle; A variant of the name Arthur
heart image Arwan Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Enlightened; Bright
heart image Arzhur Baby Boy Sign Boy Bear man
heart image Atre Baby Boy Sign Boy Stone; Bear; Thor; The eagle ; A variant form of Arthur
heart image Atrus Baby Boy Sign Boy A Bear man
heart image Attie Baby Boy Sign Boy Someone who is as strong as a bear
heart image Aty Baby Boy Sign Boy One with the power of a bear
heart image Aurian Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Golden; Dawn
heart image Auther Baby Boy Sign Boy One who has the strength of a Bear
heart image Author Baby Boy Sign Boy An author; A Bear; A stone
heart image Avalina Baby Girl Sign Girl Beautiful bird who is filled with life and charm
heart image Avan Baby Boy Sign Boy One who is a little abbot; owner of the world
heart image Avarlon Baby Girl Sign Girl A fruit which is found in paradise
heart image Aveena Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Beautiful radiance
heart image Avon Baby Boy Sign Boy The one who is fertile and is a river
heart image Ayre Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Heir to a fortune
heart image Azlyn Baby Girl Sign Girl Vision; Dream
heart image Balfour Baby Boy Sign Boy Farm Pasture
heart image Barra Baby Girl Sign Girl Spear
heart image Barry Baby Boy Sign Boy Fair-headed; Spear; Sharp
heart image Bary Baby Boy Sign Boy Fair headed; Spear; Mound; Dune; Brave
heart image Bedelia Baby Girl Sign Girl Powerful; Strong; Exalted one; Form of Bridget
heart image Bedwyr Baby Boy Sign Boy A variant of Bedivere, a character in Welsh mythology
heart image Beli Baby Boy Sign Boy Shining one; A variant of Belenus
heart image Bellicent Baby Girl Sign Girl From Belenus a Celtic Sun God; Brilliant; Bright woman
heart image Berget Baby Girl Sign Girl Powerful; Strong; Exalted one; Form of Bridget
heart image Berry Baby Girl Sign Girl Fair headed; Spear; Mound; Dune; Noble and bright; Pale green gemstone; A variant of name Barrie
heart image Birgit Baby Girl Sign Girl The strong one
heart image Bodicca Baby Girl Sign Girl A woman who is a great victor
heart image Bodiccius Baby Boy Sign Boy He who is a great victor
heart image Boudibiua Baby Girl Sign Girl A person who is born to win; victory
heart image Boudicca Baby Girl Sign Girl Victory in battle
heart image Bowden Baby Boy Sign Boy Represents a hill shaped like a bow; A dweller on top of a hill
heart image Bowen Baby Boy Sign Boy Son of Owen; Noble; Victorious
heart image Braden Baby Boy Sign Boy Broad valley; Brave
heart image Bradene Baby Boy Sign Boy Sleek as a salmon; Alternate spelling for Braden
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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.

captivating celtic baby names with meanings for your little one (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

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

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. Ancient Celts:
    https://www.worldhistory.org/celt/
  2. Peter Forster and Alfred Toth;
    Toward a phylogenetic chronology of ancient Gaulish
  3. Irish Culture: Naming.
    https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/irish-culture/irish-culture-naming
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