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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Seireadan |  |  Boy | He who is untamed |
| Sellers | |  Unisex | Merchant, salesperson, trader |
| Senan | | Boy | Little old one |
| Sennett | | Unisex | Gift of God |
| Setanta | | Boy | Mythical son of Sualtam |
| Severide | | Boy | serious or strict |
| Shadyn | |  Girl | He who is supplanting |
| Shaelynn | | Girl | Graceful; From the fairy place |
| Shaena | | Girl | A gorgeous and beautiful woman |
| Shaexon | | Girl | A pretty and noble one |
| Shaffer | | Unisex | Cloth shearer |
| Shahad | | Unisex | Witness or testimony |
| Shaiden | | Unisex | Peaceful warrior |
| Shain | | Boy | Influential, charismatic, and determined |
| Shalene | | Girl | A woman who comes from a magical fairy place |
| Shan | | Boy | An old and wise man |
| Shanaia | | Girl | Beautiful; Talented |
| Shanan | | Girl | One who is old and wise like a river |
| Shaneen | | Unisex | Gift of god |
| Shanel | | Unisex | A variant of Chanel; Pipe; Channel |
| Shanie | | Girl | She who believes that the God is gracious |
| Shanley | | Unisex | A hero's child |
| Shann | | Unisex | Gift of God |
| Shannan | | Girl | One who has many years |
| Shannessy | | Unisex | One who lives next to a channel |
| Shannit | | Girl | A hawk-like woman |
| Shannondoeh | | Girl | The daughter of a wise river |
| Sharday | | Unisex | Joyful; Radiant |
| Shashaw | | Boy | One wh defends |
| Shaughn | | Boy | God is gracious |
| Shaughnessy | | Unisex | Descendant of Seachnasach |
| Shavan | | Unisex | Humble |
| Shavaughn | | Boy | The Lord's mercy and grace |
| Shayanne | | Unisex | God's gift; Beautiful; Feminine |
| Shayen | | Unisex | Strong and courageous |
| Shaylah | | Girl | Joyful, radiant, and graceful |
| Shaylan | | Boy | A gift from god |
| Shayleen | | Girl | A girl from a fairy land; A girl from a magical place |
| Shayleigh | | Girl | She is full of majesty |
| Shaylen | | Unisex | Strong and talented |
| Shaylene | | Girl | Noble and gracious woman |
| Shaylie | | Girl | An admirable woman |
| Shaylin | | Unisex | Respected; Admired |
| Shaylyn | | Unisex | Admirable; Beautiful |
| Shealyn | | Girl | Palace where the fairies are |
| Shealynn | | Girl | One from the fairy palace |
| Shean | | Unisex | God is gracious |
| Sheana | | Unisex | God is gracious |
| Shee | | Unisex | Descendant of Séaghdha; Chinese surname |
| Sheelagh | | Girl | A Roman clan name |
| Sheigh | | Girl | One who is seizing by the heel |
| Sheilagh | | Girl | A blind woman |
| Sheilah | | Girl | A Roman clan name |
| Shela | | Girl | She is blind |
| Shelia | | Girl | Heavenly, noble, strong |
| Shella | | Girl | Variant of Sheila; Blind; Heavenly |
| Shenae | | Girl | God is gracious |
| Shenna | | Girl | God's gift; Gift from God |
| Shepleigh | | Boy | One from the sheep meadow |
| Sheridon | | Boy | He who is untamed |
| Sherley | | Unisex | Bright meadow; Bright clearing |
| Sherrod | | Boy | A wild man |
| Shevon | | Unisex | God is gracious |
| Shey | | Girl | She who is courteous |
| Shiela | | Girl | Heave; Dim sighted |
| Shields | | Boy | One who is protected |
| Shillelagh | | Boy | The thonged willow |
| Shivon | | Unisex | God is gracious |
| Shivonne | | Unisex | God is gracious |
| Shon | | Girl | God is gracious |
| Shoneah | | Unisex | God is gracious |
| Shoney | | Unisex | God's graciousness |
| Shonn | | Boy | The kindness of God |
| Shontae | | Girl | The kindess and graciousness of God |
| Shontal | | Girl | One who is like a rock |
| Shovon | | Boy | The Lord;s graciousness and kindness |
| Shuanna | | Girl | She is a present of the God |
| Siar | | Unisex | Warrior, leader |
| Sibeal | | Girl | One who is a Prophetess |
| Sier | | Unisex | Strength; Independence; Determination |
| Siersha | | Girl | Enigmatic; independent; strong-willed |
| Sifan | | Unisex | Clear; Bright |
| Silar | | Unisex | Vibrant; Mysterious |
| Sile | | Girl | She who is full of youth |
| Simms | | Unisex | Son of Simon |
| Sine | | Girl | One who has felt God's graciousness |
| Sinead | | Girl | God is gracious; God gratified |
| Siofra | | Girl | Elf; Fairy |
| Siomha | | Girl | One who is like good peace |
| Siona | | Unisex | Enlightenment, purity, spiritual strength |
| Sionn | | Boy | He who is cunning like a fox |
| Sionna | | Unisex | Graceful; Mystical river |
| Siri | | Unisex | Beautiful victory |
| Skyleigh | | Unisex | Heavenly; Celestial |
| Slane | | Girl | She who has good health |
| Slany | | Girl | To be in good health |
| Slevin | | Unisex | Mountain man |
| Slone | | Boy | To be a warrior |
| Solas | | Unisex | Light; Comfort |
| Sonnagh | | Unisex | One who is like the Rampart's mound |
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
