You’re probably familiar with popular Irish baby names like Megan, Sean, Tara and Conor. But if you’re after something a little more unusual, there’s a whole world of vintage Irish baby names waiting to be rediscovered.
Irish names have always been a popular choice for parents, whether it’s to carry on a family tradition or to connect a new arrival to Celtic history and mythology. Many of these older names have fallen out of everyday use, partly because their spelling and pronunciation can look unfamiliar at first glance. But once you know how to say them, they’re every bit as beautiful — and often carry a story straight out of Irish myth and legend.
We’ve rounded up 20 vintage Irish baby names you might not have heard of, split into names for boys and girls, complete with pronunciations and meanings.
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Vintage Irish Baby Names for Boys
Ardgal or Ardghall
Pronounced “ard-gawl” or “ard-awl”, this name means “high valour”, combining the Irish words ‘ard’ (high) and ‘gal’ (valour).
Bradán
Pronounced “braw-don”, from the Irish word for salmon.
Cadán
Pronounced “cay-dawn”, meaning “little battle”.
Cairbre
Pronounced “kahr-bra”, meaning “charioteer” in Gaelic.
Colman
Means “little dove”.
Dagda
Pronounced “dag-daw”, meaning “good god”. In Irish mythology, Dagda (also called The Dagda) was the powerful god of the earth, knowledge, magic, abundance and treaties.
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Eirnin
Pronounced “air-nin”, meaning “iron”.
Ferdia
From Fear Dhia, meaning “man of God”. Ferdia was a legendary warrior of Irish mythology.
Lorcan
Means “silent” or “fierce”, and was possibly used as a nickname for a brave warrior.
Proinsias
Pronounced “pron-she-iss”, the Irish form of Francis. It originates from St. Francis of Assisi and means “little French man”.
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Vintage Irish Baby Names for Girls
Aíbreann
Pronounced “ab-rawn”, meaning “April” in Irish.
Aurnia
Pronounced “aw-n-eeah”, a Latinised form of Orflath, daughter of the 12th-century Irish chieftain Donal Óg McCarthy.
Beibhinn
Pronounced “bay-vinn”, meaning “fair lady” in Irish.
Daimhín
Pronounced “daw-veen”, meaning “little deer”, from ‘damh’ (deer) and the diminutive ‘in’.
Étaín
Pronounced “e-tane”, from ‘et’ (jealousy). In mythology, Étaín was a sun and horse goddess and the lover of Midir.
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Íde
Pronounced “ee-dah”, possibly derived from the Old Irish ‘ítu’ (thirst).
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Muirne
Pronounced “mor-nah”, meaning “high-spirited, festive”. In Irish legend, Muirne loved Conall, who came from an opposing tribe. Her father, a druid, opposed the match and had Conall killed — but not before Muirne had conceived a son, who grew up to become the legendary warrior Fionn Mac Cool and later avenged his father’s death.
Neasa
Pronounced “nyass-ah”. In Irish legend, she was the mother of Conchobhar, King of Ulster. Some versions of the story say she was originally named Assa, meaning “gentle”, but was renamed Ni-assa (“not gentle”) after avenging the murders of her foster fathers.
Síomha
Pronounced “she-vah”, meaning “good peace”, from the Irish ‘síth’ (peace) and ‘maith’ (good).
Sláine
Pronounced “slaw-na”. She was the daughter of Brian Boru.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are vintage Irish names hard to pronounce?
Some can look tricky at first, simply because Irish spelling doesn’t always match English pronunciation rules. Once you know the pronunciation guide, most of these names are quick to pick up and lovely to say.
Are these names still used in Ireland today?
Many of these names are considered old-fashioned or uncommon rather than extinct — some are enjoying a quiet revival among parents looking for something distinctive with real historical roots.
Do vintage Irish names work well outside Ireland?
Yes. While the pronunciation may take a little explaining, many families outside Ireland choose Irish names specifically because they’re distinctive and carry strong cultural meaning.
More Baby Name Inspiration
If this list has you in the mood for more naming ideas, you might also like:
- 80 Adorable Vintage Baby Names That Are Due a Comeback
- 150+ Amazing Literary Baby Names for Boys and Girls
- 30 Blooming Cute Flower Baby Names for Girls
- 75 Unique Nature Baby Names You Are Sure to Love
Found a name you love? Save this page or share it with a friend who’s baby-name hunting too — it’s an easy one to come back to when you’re narrowing down your shortlist.
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