In this guide, we’re tackling Irish boys names – the most traditional, the most popular and the most unusual. Meaning: It is derived from the Latin word Patricius which means “of the noble class”. Famous Darren’s: Darren Clarke (Irish golfer). The Irish variation is usually Padraig. Popular diminutives are Des and Dessie. ADDERGOOLE: from between two fords. Now, if you’re thinking to yourself, ‘wait, I’ve seen this before’, you have… We covered the Irish version of the name earlier in the guide. Here at The Bump, we have some of the top Irish baby names for you. Cormac is another old Irish boys name, although it’s meaning is not exactly clear. Tradition has it that he was born in County Kerry, set sail in a small boat with a group of monks in the early 6th century, visited an island inhabited by birdmen, rode on the back of a whale and was the first European to set foot on the shores of the Americas, nearly a thousand years before Columbus. Finn is a more modern variation of the old Irish boys name Fionn, which is most well-known as being the name of the greatest hero in Irish mythology, Fionn Mac Cumhaill. Known as St. Cathaldus, he is still venerated in the area and a fresh water stream in the bay is known as “l’annello di san Cathaldo,” “the ring of St. Cathaldus,” as it marks the place where he is believed to have stilled a storm by throwing his ring into the water. However, as you’ll see below, plenty of people struggle to say even the more common Irish boys names. Many well-known Irishmen have been called Seamus including the 1995 Nobel poet laureate Seamus Heaney. This name has been popular throughout Irish history and is often considered a less common alternative to Conor. DESCRIPTION: From ardanach meaning “high aspiration.” Ardan was one of the sons of Usna who helped Deirdre escape to Scotland so that she would not be forced to marry King Conchobhar MacNessa. This unique Irish boy names is befitting to any little boy who will eventually grow up to be a big hero. This traditional Irish boys name appears in Irish mythology and was also the name of two early Irish saints. The people built five churches in St. Ailbe’s honor at the best fishing spots along the river. He made a pilgrimage to Rome and was ordained there before returning to establish ten monasteries on the Aran Islands, off the west coast of Ireland. The city of Wurzburg still celebrates a festival of mystery plays each year, known as Killianfest. DESCRIPTION: Means “lover of hounds.” Conchobhar MacNessa was the king of Ulster and, according to legend, was born on the same day as Christ. DESCRIPTION: muir “sea” and ceardach “skilled” implying “skilled in the ways of the sea.” The name of three High Kings and one of the greatest Irish military commanders known as “Murtagh of the Leather Cloak,” he set out in mid-winter, wearing leather cloaks against the bitter cold, and turned back the maurauding Vikings. It has a history as an Aramaic name from the Middle East and a Gaelic variation traditionally spelt Odran or Odhran, with Oran being a more modern version. One night he went to where the serpent was sleeping and sprinkled it with holy water. But she can’t forget her husband and children and can even be seen swimming close to the shore, keeping a watchful eye on them. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Meaning: Although it’s meaning is not exactly clear, many believe that it means “charioteer” or “raven”. In Irish mythology, Cian was the son-in-law of Brian Boru, the King of Muster who was killed in the battle of Clontarf. Irish Background. Below, you’ll find everything from lists of strong Irish baby boy names to further insight into certain names and their origins. This name belonged to several kings, including the grandfather of the most famous king, Brian Boru. Meaning: It is derived from Irish names Barrfind or Bairrfhionn which mean “fair haired”. ABRACHAM, BRAM: Irish form of Abraham (father of many) ADAMNAN, AWNAN: little Adam. When the “seal child” is swept ashore by a huge wave, she becomes trapped in a human form, known as a “Selkie” or “seal maiden.” Although she lives as the wife of a fisherman and bears him children, known as “ronans” or “little seals,” she never quite loses her “sea-longing.” Eventually she finds the “seal-skin” which the fisherman has hidden and slips back into the ocean. DESCRIPTION: gleann “valley, glen” and dun “a settlement, fortress” implying “one from the settlement or fortress in the glen.”. Meaning: The name means ”fair” or “white” in Irish. They fought so bitterly that the river itself fled its bed in terror to give them room for their warfare. These are the popular Irish names for boys including the Gaelic meanings, origins and spellings. He remained at prayer, motionless, until the eggs had hatched. DESCRIPTION: From dubh “black” and lan “blade, sword” means “black sword.” Dubhlainn loved the fairy queen and legendary harpist Aoibhell who gave him her cloak of invisibility to wear in battle. DESCRIPTION: From the Irish word cearbhall and means “fierce in battle.”. ENGLISH: Darragh, Daragh, Dara (pron. Known … The name is popular in Ireland with both spellings Fionn and Finn. This girl’s name means “the stately, dauntless one,” and that’s a high bar to live up to from the … In art Aidan is usually represented as a stag, a reference to the legend that he saved a deer that was being hunted by making it invisible. Meaning: The name translates to “little seal” in Irish. Some Irish-language names derive or are adapted from the English-language — Éamon = Edmund or Edward. Meaning: It means “born of the tree” or more simply, “youth”. Lorcan. DESCRIPTION: The Irish form of Francis, a name originating from the figure of St. Francis of Assisi. Meaning: It means “white” or “fair headed”. 6. It’s believed to come from Conchobhar or Conaire, which are names that frequent many tales from Irish folklore. The city of Derry in Northern Ireland comes from Doire Colmcille, the name of a 6th century monastery. It’s a name that has been used throughout history until today, although relatively rarely. DESCRIPTION: From dealan “a flash of lightning” or it may come from an Irish word for “faithful, loyal.” A common surname it is the Irish form of the Welsh name “Dylan.” As Dylan it was the tenth most popular name for Irish baby boys in Ireland for 2003. If you read our bumper guide Irish last names, you’ll know that we embarked on a project recently to cover all things Irish names. DESCRIPTION: Comes from the Norman French name “Piers” and is still very popular as it is given to honor Patrick Pearse, one of the leaders of the Easter Rising of 1916 when Ireland won its independence from England. It is also the Irish derivation of the name William. When Deirdre and Naoisi eloped to Scotland Iollan went with his father to persuade them to return to Ireland, believing that Conchobhar really had forgiven them. It’s unclear where the name Darren originated from, but it has been a common name in Ireland, with a variety of spellings. It never ceases to surprise me the number of emails that we receive asking how to pronounce certain old Irish boys names, in particular. (From the “Ballad of Douglas Bridge” by Francis Carlin.). As time wore on they grew thirsty and approached a well guarded by a hideously ugly woman. This name was common in the early 20th century but is far less popular today. Aidan is the modern variation of the old Gaelic name Aodhan. Famous Eoghan’s: Eoghan McDermott (TV Presenter). He asked one of his pupils, St. Breandan the Navigator, to drive his chariot east and when the chariot broke a wheel at Tuam in County Galway he took it as a sign that that was where he should end his journey, founding a church that became a great center of learning and art. Ailbe may be used for a boy or a girl. Beacan means ‘tiny one’. Next up is another very popular boys name. Howaya! Famous Finn’s: Finn Balor (Irish wrestler). Cillian is a popular Irish boys name that was borne by several early saints and missionaries. My-kill. ADERRIG, AGHADERG: from the red ford. As traditional quartermasters to the O’Neills, the kings of Ulster for over four centuries, Quinns were responsible for arms and provisions in both war and peace. DESCRIPTION: The name could come from “passionate, vehement” or from nel”a cloud.” Niall of the Nine Hostages (read the legend) was a fourth-century king of Tara who gained the throne because of a test – he and his brothers had to enter the forest and find their own food and shelter. Credit: commons.wikimedia.org. Redmond, his three brothers and a band of about 50 followers took to the hills. Meaning: The old Irish spelling of the name Brenainn had Welsh origins and means “prince”. As a young man he was captured by pirates and taken to the British king who placed him in the monastery of Rosnat in England. It’s most famous figure in history is Saint Patrick, the 5th-century apostle and patron saint of Ireland. Both Patrick and Padraig are very popular names in Ireland. Famous Lorcan’s: Lorcan Cranitch (Irish actor). So, it makes sense that Irish baby names are just as magical and full of whimsy. AENGUS, ANGUS, AONGHUS, OENGUS, UNGUS, ENOS, HUNGAS: vigorous one. Before she would allow them to have a drink she asked for a kiss. DESCRIPTION: ciar “dark” and the diminutive -in it means “little dark one.” Popular for over 1500 years, at least 26 saints have borne the name. One Lorcan was the grandfather ofBrian Boru, two kings of Leinster bore the name and St. Lorcan O’Tuathail, better known as St. Laurence O’Toole, was an influential bishop of Dublin and an important mediator between the Norman invaders and the Irish in the twelth century. Oisin is a famous name from Irish mythology. This is a traditional name that is almost unheard of outside of Ireland. Michael. Famous Daithi’s: Dáithí Ó Sé (tv presenter) Daithí Ó Drónaí (musician). You'll find everything from. But a prayer from Declan and, miraculously, the stone carried the bell over the waves back to Waterford. DESCRIPTION: Comes from the word bradan meaning “a salmon” in Irish and the bradan feasa, the “Salmon of Knowledge” (read the legend) is central to the tales of Fionn MacCool (read the legend). According to legend, on a trip back from Wales one of his disciples, Runanus, forgot Declan’s sacred bell. It’s updated regularly through our relationship with more than 1,500 U.S. hospitals and always showing the latest name trends. Famous Cathal’s: Cathal Pendred (actor) Cathal McCarron (Gaelic footballer). If you are searching for Irish Boy Baby Names, you are in the right place. Whether you have Irish blood or simply love the green countrysides of Ireland, you might want to choose an Irish baby boy or baby girl name. Meaning: The name comes from the word Aodh which means “fiery” or “bringer of fire”. This modern Irish boys name has risen in popularity in recent years, likely due to the rise of boy band One Direction and its member, Niall Horan. Girl. Learn how your comment data is processed. Meaning: Donal comes from the Gaelic word Domhall which is said to mean “world leader”. boy Shortened form of any name begin... + Add to my list Related names. Meaning: The original Gaelic word Cuilen translates to “young pup”. This is yet another old Irish boys name that appears in Irish legend as the name of one of Niall of the Nine Hostages’ sons. It was believed he had magical powers and is reputed to protect the environment at Lough Gur, where he had a castle in County Limerick. The name was given to twelve saints throughout history, as well as, appearing in Irish legends. His monks created “The Book of Kells” and he himself may have illuminated some of the manuscripts. 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