You’re probably familiar with popular Irish baby names like Megan, Sean, Tara and Conor, but our list of 20 vintage Irish baby names includes some more unusual names that aren’t as familiar.
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Irish baby names have always been a popular choice for many new parents, carrying on family traditions and embracing the history of these Celtic names. However, many Irish names are still considered unusual, perhaps due in part to the unique spelling and pronunciation.
We’ve rounded up 20 great choices for Irish baby names that still have plenty to offer when it comes to choosing a name for your new bundle!
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Irish Baby Names for Boys
#1. Bradán
Pronounced “braw-don”, from the Irish for salmon
#2. Colman
Means “little dove”
#3. Ardgal or Ardghall
Pronounced “ard-gawl” or “ard-awl”, the name means “high valour” and is derived from the Irish ‘ard’ (high) and ‘gal’ (valour).
#4. Cairbre
Pronounced kahr-bra, meaning charioteer in Gaelic.
#5. Proinsias
Pronounced “pron-she-iss”. The Irish form of Francis, originating from St. Francis of Assisi and means “little French man”.
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#6. Dagda
Pronounced “dag-daw”, means “good god”. In Irish myth, Dagda (called also The Dagda) was the powerful god of the earth, knowledge, magic, abundance and treaties.
#7. Cadán
Pronounced “cay-dawn”, meaning “little battle”.
#8. Eirnin
Pronounced “air-nin”, meaning “iron”.
#9. Lorcan
Means “silent” or “fierce” and was possibly used as a nickname for a brave warrior.
#10. Ferdia
Fear Dhia means “man of God”. Ferdia was a warrior of Irish mythology.
Irish Baby Names for Girls
#11. Beibhinn
Pronounced “bay-vinn”, meaning “fair lady” in Irish.
#12. Íde
Pronounched “ee-dah”, possibly derived from Old Irish ‘ítu’ (thirst).
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#13. Aurnia
Pronounced “aw-n-eeah”, this is a Latinized form of the name of Orflath, a daughter of the 12th-century Irish chieftain Donal Óg McCarthy.
#14. Síomha
Pronounced “she-vah”, meaning “good peace” from Irish ‘síth’ (peace) and ‘maith’ (good).
#15. Étaín
Pronounced “e-tane”, from ‘et’ (jealousy). She was a sun and horse goddess who was the lover of Midir.
#16. Daimhín
Pronounced “daw-veen”, meaning “little deer” from ‘damh’ (deer) and the diminutive ‘in’.
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#17. Sláine
Pronounced “slaw-na”. She was the daughter of Brian Boru.
#18. Aíbreann
Pronounced “ab-rawn”, meaning April in Irish.
#19. Neasa
Pronounced “nyass-ah”. In Irish legend she was the mother of Conchobhar, king of Ulster. According to some versions of the legend she was originally named Assa meaning “gentle”, but was renamed Ni-assa “not gentle” after she sought to avenge the murders of her foster fathers.
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#20. Muirne
Pronounced “mor-nah”, meaning “high-spirited, festive”. Muirne loved Conall who was 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 be the legendary warrior Fionn Mac Cool and who later avenged the death of his father.
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Are you looking for Irish baby names for your child? Leave a comment below and let us know – we’d love to hear from you!