Illustration: MomJunction Design Team
You do have an Irish heritage and want to share the love you have for the Emerald Isle with your child? Then explore Irish baby names with meanings. Giving your bundle of joy an Irish name can be a good choice as the country has a rich culture and traditions. Irish names are known for their adorable sounds and powerful meanings. Whether you opt for anglicized or traditional, Irish baby names, they drip with charm and beauty. Lyrical and lilting Irish names conjure images of magnificent castles, beautiful landscapes, and lovely people. These names are unique in their own rights, which explains their popularity in the US. In fact, most of the top American monikers have Irish roots. This country of leprechauns, shamrocks, and green beer follows an old Gaelic tradition when it comes to naming babies. In Ireland, the first-born son has to be named after the father’s father, the second-born has to be named after the mother’s father, the third born after the father, and the fourth born after the father’s oldest brother. In the case of daughters, the firstborn is named after the mother’s mother, the second born after the father’s mother, the third born after the mother, and the fourth born after the mother’s oldest sister. A first name can be changed by an adjective to differentiate its bearer from other people with the same name. Mór (big) and Óg (young) are used to distinguish the father and son. They are similar to English epithets 'senior' and 'junior' but are placed between the personal or first name and the surname. Also, Irish people have significant accent diversity (1). There are four different accents with different pronunciation norms in Ulster, Connacht, and Munster. In this post, we have compiled an extensive list of Irish baby names with meanings. You can use the advanced search option to narrow down your search.
| Name | Gender | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Kaydn |  |  Unisex | Companion; Gentle; Round |
| Kaydyn | | Unisex | Variant spelling of the name Caden |
| Kayleah | |  Girl | Pure |
| Kaylin | | Girl | Waterfall; Pure; Keeper of the keys; Rejoicer |
| Kayloni | | Girl | Summer forest |
| Kaysha | | Unisex | Pure; Rejoice |
| Kaysie | | Unisex | Watchful; Brave |
| Keagan | | Unisex | Son of Aodhagán; Fiery |
| Keaira | | Girl | The little and dark one |
| Kealan | | Unisex | Slender |
| Kealey | | Unisex | Warrior; Protector |
| Kealy | | Unisex | Slender |
| Kean | |  Boy | Battle |
| Keana | | Girl | She is ancient |
| Keane | | Boy | Very old |
| Keanna | | Girl | Very old |
| Keanne | | Unisex | Ancient or enduring |
| Keannen | | Boy | He is very old |
| Keano | | Unisex | Strong, fearless, leader |
| Keara | | Boy | The name of a saint |
| Kearney | | Boy | Darkness; The fighter |
| Keating | | Boy | Urbane |
| Keean | | Unisex | Ancient; Enduring |
| Keegan | | Boy | Son of Aodh; Son of Fire |
| Keela | | Unisex | Beautiful, fierce, independent |
| Keelan | | Unisex | Slender |
| Keelin | | Girl | Delicate |
| Keelty | | Girl | She is from the woods |
| Keely | | Girl | Slender; Fair |
| Keelyn | | Girl | She is lively |
| Keen | | Boy | A sharp one |
| Keena | | Girl | Brave girl or woman |
| Keenan | | Boy | Ancient; The descendant of the brave one |
| Keene | | Boy | He who is tall, handsome, and sharp |
| Keenen | | Boy | Ancient; Possession |
| Keera | | Unisex | Dark-haired; Black |
| Keeria | | Boy | Boy with dark hair |
| Keeva | | Girl | Gentle; Beautiful |
| Keevan | | Unisex | Ancient; Mysterious; Strong |
| Kehan | | Unisex | Ancient; Old |
| Keiani | | Girl | She is ancient |
| Keiffer | | Boy | Noble and brave leader |
| Keigan | | Unisex | Small and fiery |
| Keilee | | Girl | She is a warrior and a fighter |
| Keiley | | Unisex | Slender; Beautiful |
| Keilin | | Unisex | Slender; Fair |
| Keion | | Boy | He is noble-born |
| Keir | | Girl | Dark; Thicket |
| Keira | | Girl | Little dark-haired one |
| Keiran | | Girl | Dark-haired |
| Keirnan | | Boy | Little; Black-haired |
| Keiron | | Unisex | Dark-haired warrior |
| Keiry | | Unisex | Dark-haired |
| Keiryn | | Boy | Black |
| Kelan | | Boy | Slender; Thin |
| Keli | | Girl | War; Strife |
| Kella | | Girl | Warrior |
| Kellagh | | Boy | War |
| Kellam | | Unisex | Dependable; Strong; Protective |
| Kellan | | Boy | Slender; Beautiful; Little rock; Young one |
| Kelland | | Boy | Strife |
| Kellee | | Girl | War; Strike |
| Kelleigh | | Girl | Aggressive |
| Kells | | Unisex | Ancient and historical |
| Kellyn | | Girl | Descendent of the brightheaded one |
| Kelsee | | Girl | The brave one |
| Kelsi | | Girl | Courageous |
| Kelyn | | Unisex | Powerful and courageous |
| Kennet | | Boy | Handsome, intelligent and courageous |
| Kenny | | Boy | Handsome; Fiery |
| Kenon | | Unisex | Strong, intelligent, determined |
| Kenora | | Unisex | Beautiful meeting place |
| Kenzee | | Unisex | Unique; Modern; Feminine |
| Keondra | | Boy | Unique, strong, and feminine |
| Keoni | | Boy | God is gracious |
| Kerian | | Boy | Descendents of Ciar |
| Keridwen | | Girl | Dusky; Dark |
| Kerigan | | Unisex | Dark-haired; Dusky |
| Kern | | Boy | Son Of Dermot |
| Kerrell | | Girl | Dusky; Dark |
| Kerri | | Unisex | The descendants of Ciar; Name of a county in Ireland |
| Kerria | | Boy | Descendent of Ciar |
| Kerrick | | Girl | King's rule |
| Kerrie | | Girl | Descendants of Ciar; A variant spelling is Kerry |
| Kerrim | | Boy | Dark |
| Keston | | Unisex | Town of the birds; Where birds nest |
| Keva | | Girl | Precious; Gentle |
| Key | | Boy | He is made of Fire |
| Keylan | | Unisex | Slender; Fair |
| Keylen | | Unisex | Variant of Keilan |
| Khyla | | Girl | Crowned |
| Kian | | Boy | Ancient |
| Kiandra | | Girl | Archaic |
| Kiandre | | Girl | Ancient; Old |
| Kiane | | Unisex | Place of peace |
| Kiann | | Unisex | Ancient |
| Kianna | | Girl | Grace of God |
| Kianne | | Girl | Centuries old; Ancient |
| Kianu | | Unisex | Cool breeze over the mountains |
Irish names are famous for their distinct sounds and timeless appeal. Hopefully, this list of Irish baby names with meanings will inspire you to find a great name for your boy or girl. When you choose one, ensure to study its pronunciation. This is because although they seem like English words, their pronunciation differs significantly. Speak the names aloud after knowing their meanings and find out if they will match your young one's personality. Browse through the list and take your pick.
Infographic: Exquisite Irish Baby Names
The popularity of Irish names is compounding with each passing year. If you’ve been blessed with a baby and wish to honor your Irish roots, this is the right time to explore names from this ancient culture. These names are strong, unique, and packed with deep meanings. Check out the infographic we have compiled below and pick your favorite one.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which Irish name means love?
Áine is the goddess of love and fertility, according to Irish legend. This feminine name means radiance or brilliance. Caomhán is a masculine name, meaning ‘beloved in Irish.’ It is the name of an early Irish saint.
2. Which name means gold in Irish?
Órfhlaith, Orla, Orlagh, and Órlait are some of the Irish names commonly associated with gold.
3. Which Irish name means darling?
Muirne, Caoimhe, Caomh, and Caomhán are some Irish names that reflect the meaning of ‘beloved’ or ‘darling.’
4. Which Irish name means angel?
Aingeal is the Irish cognate of Angela, derived from the Greek Angelos, meaning ‘the divine heavenly messenger.’
5. What is the Irish name for happiness?
Suibhne is derived from the Old Irish Suibne, meaning ‘joy,’ ‘pleasure,’ and ‘happiness.’ The name was a notable title borne by many famous Irish personalities in their early history.
References
- Irish word of the week
https://irishartscenter.org/event/irish-word-of-the-week-chapter-2
