659 Charismatic Celtic Baby Names With Meanings

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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
Kenrik	Boy	High summit; Greatest champion; Royal ruler; Son of Harry; Royal chieftain
Kenryk	Boy	He is royal and he rules
Kentigern	Boy	The chief lord
Kera	Boy	Brushwood
Kerianne	Boy	Ready for the fight
Keriste	Girl	Unsullied
Kerr	Boy	Little dark
Kerryn	Boy	Dark
Kerwin	Boy	Little black one
Kerwinn	Boy	Dark-skinned

Kesar	Boy	Small black one
Keshen	Boy	God is gracious
Kevan	Boy	He is a gentle child
Kevani	Boy	A gentle child
Keven	Boy	Beloved birth
Kevern	Boy	Handsome youngster
Kevia	Girl	The child is beautiful
Kevin	Boy	Handsome by birth; Gentle
Kevina	Girl	Beautiful young one
Kevlyn	Girl	She is beautiful and young

Kevon	Boy	This child is handsome
Kevyn	Boy	Attractive one
Keyan	Boy	Born of the yew; Wellborn; Noble
Keyara	Girl	The small one with dark hair
Keylor	Unisex	Slender
Keyon	Boy	Born of the yew; Well Born; Noble
Kherington	Girl	She is sprung from the fire
Kidada	Girl	Archer's Bow
Kidd	Boy	Yew wood
Kieryn	Girl	Black; Dark

Kile	Boy	A place name referring to the narrows
Kileen	Boy	Church; Cell
Killean	Boy	Blind
Kilroy	Boy	Son of the red-haired youth
Kim	Boy	Leader of the men; Gold; Woodland
Kimbal	Boy	War leader
Kimball	Boy	War chief
Kimbell	Boy	Leader of war
Kincaid	Boy	Top pass
Kinkade	Boy	He who leads into the battle

Kinna	Girl	Winner; Great champion
Kiora	Girl	A little and dark loved one
Kiralescense	Boy	Baby born with dark complexion
Kirryn	Boy	A dark man; Dark complexion
Konner	Boy	Hound lover
Konnor	Boy	Lover of hounds
Kwyn	Girl	Descendent of Conn; Wisdom
Ky	Boy	A water strait; A very narrow passage of water
Kylah	Girl	Victor
Kylan	Boy	Narrow strait

Kylar	Boy	Narrows; Channel; Strait
Kyle	Boy	Beloved; Regal woman
Kylea	Girl	She who won
Kylee	Girl	Boomerang
Kyleena	Girl	Slender; Boomerang
Kyleigh	Girl	Boomerang
Kylemore	Boy	From the great wood
Kylen	Boy	Narrow
Kylene	Girl	Little piece of land
Kyler	Boy	Archer; Peaceful

Kyley	Girl	She who has won
Kylian	Boy	War; Strife
Kylin	Girl	Victory woman
Kylise	Girl	She who won; Victorious one
Kyllion	Boy	Victory
Kylyne	Girl	Philosophical, narrow-minded, and charming individual
Kylynn	Girl	A name for a sweet and spiritual person
Kyna	Girl	Intelligent
Kynan	Boy	Chief
Labelle	Unisex	Beautiful; Elegant; Graceful

Laigh	Boy	Healer
Lanis	Girl	Little rock; The one who is peaceful
Lann	Boy	The one who is good with a Sword
Lansing	Unisex	Residential area with lagoons
Lee	Boy	Clearing; Meadow
Leera	Unisex	Light; Nimble
Leigh	Boy	Delicate; By the meadow; Clearing;
Leir	Unisex	A ruler or king
Leofel	Boy	Descendent of a lion-like leader
Lesley	Unisex	A fortress made from grey stone

Lez	Boy	Garden of hollies
Lincoln	Boy	Lake; Pool
Lincon	Boy	Name for a town near the lake or pond
Lir	Boy	Celtic name of a mythical king
Litha	Unisex	Gentle; Kind; Summer Solstice
Litugenus	Boy	The one who has a settlement
Locklyn	Girl	Land of the lakes
Logan	Boy	Little hollow
Login	Boy	Little hollow
Loy	Boy	An elderly person with a gray hair; A wise man

Lugotorix	Boy	King of the light
Lynch	Boy	A seaman; A mariner
Lynet	Girl	A graceful and mild person
Lyolf	Boy	A gray elderly man
Mabon	Boy	A knight; Mythical God of youth
Maccus	Boy	Hammer; Great; A variant of the name Magnus
Mack	Boy	Celtic name; A son of
Mackenna	Girl	Fiery love; Born from fire
Macklin	Boy	Son of the servant of Eòin
Macklyn	Boy	The son of Flann

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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)

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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

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