Illustration: MomJunction Design Team
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Maclain |  |  Boy | The son of John's servant |
| Maclovio | | Boy | Gift of God |
| Madoc | | Boy | A fortunate one; Benefactor's son |
| Mael | | Boy | Chief; Prince |
| Maelin | |  Unisex | Strong and independent |
| Maerin | | Boy | One who is bitter |
| Maeron | | Boy | One who is bitter; A variant is Maeryn |
| Maeryn | | Boy | One who is bitter |
| Maetta | |  Girl | One who is dedicated to God; Mars |
| Maevyn | | Unisex | Intoxicating |
| Malchom | | Boy | A servant or devotee of Saint Columbia |
| Malvinn | | Boy | Leader; Chief; Council-friend; Sword friend; A variant is Malvynn |
| Malvynn | | Boy | Leader; Chief; Council-friend; Sword friend; A variant is Malvinn |
| Mariel | | Girl | Sea of bitterness; Beloved |
| Mariely | | Girl | One who is bright as a sea |
| Marlo | | Boy | Remnants of a lake |
| Marmaduke | | Boy | Follower of Maedoc; Fortunate; Good |
| Marv | | Boy | Friend of the sea; Marvelous; Sea lover; A form of Marvin |
| Marve | | Boy | Friend of the sea; Marvelous; Sea lover; A form of Marvin |
| Marvin | | Boy | Sea friend; Sea hill |
| Marvina | | Girl | A renowned friend |
| Marwin | | Boy | Friend of the sea; Marvelous; Sea lover; A form of Marvin |
| Marwynn | | Boy | Friend of the sea; Marvelous; Sea lover; A form of Marvin |
| Maslorius | | Boy | A Celtic male name |
| Matherson | | Boy | Like a bear |
| Mavis | | Boy | Song thrush bird; Joy |
| Mckenna | | Girl | Son of Cionnaith |
| Mckile | | Boy | The son Of Kyle |
| Mckinley | | Boy | Learned ruler |
| Mearna | | Girl | A woman of tender character |
| Mellyn | | Boy | Tiny, pleasant one |
| Merlan | | Boy | The fortress on the mountain of the ocean |
| Merlen | | Boy | Sea Hill Fort; Small Falcon; A variant of Merlin |
| Merlinn | | Boy | Sea Hill Fort; Small Falcon; A variant of Merlin |
| Merlyn | | Girl | Sea fortress |
| Merlynn | | Boy | Sea Hill Fort; Small Falcon; A variant of Merlin |
| Merrell | | Boy | Sea Bright; Famous; A variant spelling of Merrill |
| Mor | | Boy | Someone who is exceptional; A great person |
| Moray | | Boy | Settlement by the Sea; From an area near the sea; A derivative from Murray |
| Morgance | | Girl | Sea; Edge; Circle; Completion; Bright; White sea dweller; Great and bright |
| Naal | | Boy | A well-known and highly celebrated birth |
| Nalia | | Girl | Successful; Full of grace |
| Nareena | | Girl | Refraining from action |
| Neely | | Unisex | The great champion of the nation |
| Nevan | | Boy | Youngest saint; Spiritual person |
| Nevanthi | | Girl | A spiritual lady; Holy lady |
| Nevina | | Girl | One who prises the saint |
| Nevyn | | Boy | The one who does devotion to the saints |
| Nia | | Girl | Goal; Determination; Purpose |
| Nial | | Boy | Champion; Cloud; Passionate |
| Niall | | Boy | Champion; Hero |
| Nil | | Boy | Cloud; Champion |
| Nion | | Unisex | Foam born; Born of foam |
| Nisien | | Boy | A mythical son of Euroswydd |
| Nolen | | Boy | Famous; Celebrity; High class |
| Nyle | | Boy | Infatuation for others; Attracted to others |
| Nyles | | Boy | Son of Neil |
| Oonagh | | Girl | Lamb; Pure |
| Oscon | | Boy | An admirer of deer |
| Owen | | Boy | Well-born; Noble birth |
| Owin | | Boy | A young and fearless fighter |
| Pendragon | | Boy | Chief Dragon |
| Phu | | Unisex | Abundant; Rich; Wealthy |
| Piran | | Boy | The patron saint of miners |
| Piritta | | Girl | Exalted one; Strong and protective; To help; A variant of Birgit |
| Pirjo | | Girl | Exalted one; Strong and protective; To help; A variant of Birgit |
| Pirkko | | Girl | Exalted one; Strong and protective; To help; A variant of Birgit |
| Powell | | Boy | Son of Howell; A Welsh surname; Son of the servant of St.Paul |
| Puspamanjari | | Girl | A girl who is like the flower bud |
| Pwyll | | Boy | A male name from the Welsh Mythology, King Pwyll |
| Qiyana | | Unisex | Regal; Powerful; Fearless |
| Quade | | Boy | One who is born fourth; Evil |
| Quaid | | Boy | A powerful ruler |
| Quen | | Unisex | Mountain pass; To close out; To turn off |
| Quinn | | Boy | Intelligent; Wise |
| Ragan | | Girl | Little Ruler; Kingly; A variant of Regan |
| Regan | | Boy | A little regal one |
| Reganne | | Girl | Little Ruler; Regal; Descendant of Riagan |
| Reghan | | Boy | A regal baby Boy |
| Reily | | Boy | A valiant man |
| Reilynn | | Girl | A courageous, valiant woman |
| Revelin | | Boy | A form of Rolan and Roland |
| Rhianna | | Girl | Great queen; Goddess |
| Rhiannon | | Girl | Great queen; Great goddess |
| Rhienne | | Girl | A little Queen, a baby Queen |
| Rhonan | | Boy | Little seal; Powerful; Mighty |
| Rhyland | | Boy | One who comes from the field of rye |
| Riana | | Girl | A queen who is compared to a Goddess |
| Riann | | Girl | A Queenly one |
| Rianna | | Girl | Descendant of Rian; Great queen; A derivative of the name Rhianna |
| Rianne | | Girl | An excellent, skillful Queen,; A Goddess |
| Riannon | | Girl | A skillful, great Queen |
| Rianorix | | Girl | A great Queen of all Kings |
| Riona | | Girl | Queen |
| Rivalin | | Boy | An old celtic male name |
| Roarke | | Boy | Mighty; Illustrious; Famous champion; A form of Roark |
| Ronan | | Boy | Little seal; A pledge; An oath |
| Ronat | | Girl | Celtic - Resembling a Seal |
| Ronin | | Boy | Little seal; Wanderer; Drifter |
| Rosmerta | | Girl | A Goddess of fertility and abundance |
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.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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
