659 Celtic Baby Names With Meanings

Celtic Baby Names With Meanings

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.

NameGenderMeaning
heart image Rowin heart image baby boy sign Unisex Little redhead; Descendant of the red-head
heart image Ruy heart image baby boy sign Boy Famous ruler
heart image Sadb heart image baby boy sign Girl A sweet and goodly person
heart image Sadbh heart image baby boy sign Girl A good and sweet woman
heart image Samus heart image baby boy sign Girl A person who supplants
heart image Saren heart image baby boy sign Unisex Strict; Exact
heart image Scotland heart image baby boy sign Unisex Land of the Scots
heart image Shailey heart image baby boy sign Girl A woman who is admirable
heart image Shanara heart image baby boy sign Girl Magical; Regal; Enchanting
heart image Shannara heart image baby boy sign Unisex Magical; Mystical; Enchanting
heart image Shaunna heart image baby boy sign Girl God's gift
heart image Sheamus heart image baby boy sign Boy One who supplants
heart image Sheehan heart image baby boy sign Boy Peaceful child
heart image Sholto heart image baby boy sign Boy Old Gaelic name; Teal duck
heart image Shona heart image baby boy sign Girl Fem; A form of John
heart image Sirona heart image baby boy sign Unisex Celtic Goddess associated with healing and wolves
heart image Sloan heart image baby boy sign Boy Warrior; Raider
heart image Sloane heart image baby boy sign Boy Warrior; Raider
heart image Sorrel heart image baby boy sign Unisex reddish-brown color
heart image Sprite heart image baby boy sign Unisex A small mythical creature; A computer graphics object
heart image Tadg heart image baby boy sign Boy Philosopher; someone who is engaged in philosophy especially as an academic discipline
heart image Tadgh heart image baby boy sign Boy A poet; Honored by God
heart image Tadhg heart image baby boy sign Boy Poet; Philisopher
heart image Tahra heart image baby boy sign Girl Planet where we leave; The Earth
heart image Tara heart image baby boy sign Girl Star
heart image Tarai heart image baby boy sign Girl Celtic name; The hill
heart image Tarlock heart image baby boy sign Boy An instigator
heart image Tarmon heart image baby boy sign Boy The land that belongs to the church
heart image Tarrah heart image baby boy sign Girl The hill
heart image Tarron heart image baby boy sign Unisex Strong and bold leader
heart image Tavin heart image baby boy sign Boy A hillslide
heart image Tawnya heart image baby boy sign Boy A green field
heart image Tchad heart image baby boy sign Boy One who is a defender and a protector
heart image Teague heart image baby boy sign Boy A handsome poet
heart image Tege heart image baby boy sign Girl Pretty little thing
heart image Teigan heart image baby boy sign Unisex Little poet; Beautiful
heart image Tenille heart image baby boy sign Girl She who brings light
heart image Tennille heart image baby boy sign Boy The light
heart image Teobaldo heart image baby boy sign Boy Prince of the people
heart image Teranika heart image baby boy sign Girl Victory of the Earth
heart image Terin heart image baby boy sign Girl Variant of Erin; Ireland
heart image Thames heart image baby boy sign Girl The dark one; A river in England
heart image Thornleigh heart image baby boy sign Boy A meadow with thorns
heart image Thurl heart image baby boy sign Boy A mighty fort
heart image Tincommius heart image baby boy sign Boy A big fish; A king from Belgic tribe
heart image Tiona heart image baby boy sign Girl A fairy queen; A deity
heart image Torrin heart image baby boy sign Girl Who is from the craggy hills
heart image Trahern heart image baby boy sign Boy As strong as the iron; Incredibly strong
heart image Treston heart image baby boy sign Boy An agitated voice of the crowd; Confused; Riot
heart image Trevet heart image baby boy sign Boy One who is from the mouth or three hills
heart image Tristan heart image baby boy sign Unisex Sad; Melancholy
heart image Tristana heart image baby boy sign Girl One who is sad or sorrowful
heart image Trosta heart image baby boy sign Boy A tumult or an outcry; Knight
heart image Trysten heart image baby boy sign Unisex Noise; Tumult
heart image Valan heart image baby boy sign Unisex Mysterious; Strong; Brave
heart image Wood heart image baby boy sign Unisex Strong, natural, resilient
heart image Zaley heart image baby boy sign Unisex Sea strength; Genre of music of the Zarma and Songhay people of Niger
heart image Zayden heart image baby boy sign Boy God; Divinity
heart image Zenevieva heart image baby boy sign Girl White wave

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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