There’s nothing more fascinating that the long history of Ireland, and Irish boy names give a glimpse into the spellbinding legends, stories, and mythology of that brawny island.
Irish literature is amongst the oldest in Europe (preceded by only Latin and Greek) and includes a great saga of myths and tales with strapping Irish male names to fit them, and they’re all included on this list.
Many Irish boy names come in different variations, diminutives, as well as Anglicized versions that are more common today. This only gives you a greater range of names to choose from.
Let’s dive into this list of Irish boy names with rich and powerful meanings and history!
Irish Names for Boys
Most Common Irish Boy Names
Aidan.
Aidan is the anglicized name for Aodhan, which itself came from the Old Irish name Aedan and means “little fire.”
Brendan & Breandan.
These Irish boy names have Old Welsh roots and mean “king and prince.” Breandan is a Gaelic form of Brendan.
Brian.
Brian means “might and power” through Old Irish roots.
Conan.
This famous name means “little wolf” or “little hound” in Old Irish.
Connor & Conor.
These Irish boy names come from the name Conchobar, which is a combination of meanings: “hound” and “desiring.” The name Conchobar has been borne by Irish kings and has been present in Irish mythology.
Keenan.
Keenan is the anglicized form of Cianan, which means “ancient.”
Kevin.
Kevin is related to the name Caoimhin which means “beloved birth” in Old Irish.
Kieren, Kieron, Kyron.
These Irish boy names are related to the Old Irish name Ciar which means “black.”
Liam.
Liam is the short form of William which has become one of the most popular names in its own right. The name William means “will, helmet” through Germanic roots.
Read more: Nicknames for William: Plus Middle Names, and 24 Unexpected Variations
Lucas.
This name is derived from Latin, and means “from Lucania” a region in Italy.
Michael.
This old name means “who is like God’ through old biblical origins.
Read more: 21 Nicknames for Michael
Neil.
The name Neil is connected to the Celtic word for “fury and passion” as well as an Old Irish word for “hero.”
Owen.
Owen is the Anglicized form of Eoghan, which means “born from the yew tree.”
Patrick, Paddy, Patsy, Pardraig, Padraic.
Patrick and its variations mean “nobleman” through Latin roots.
Rian.
Rian, the Irish form of Ryan, means “little king” through Irish roots.
Rory.
This name means “red king” through Old Irish roots.
Sean.
Sean, along with Shawn and Shaun are the Irish variants of John, which means “God is Gracious.”
Shamus & Seamus.
These Irish boy names are variants of the name James or Jacob, which mean “may God protect.”
Shane.
Shane is an Anglicized form of Sean.
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Boy Names in Irish Mythology
Ailbhe.
This name means “white world” from Old Celtic roots. In Irish mythology there was a female warrior of the Fianna whose name was Ailbhe.
Aodh.
This name, which is sometimes Anglicized to Hugh, means “fire” in Old Irish. There are numerous figures in Irish mythology, as well as several Irish kings bearing that name.
Aonghus.
This name means “force and strength” in Old Irish. In Irish mythology Aonghys was the god of love and youth.
Bran.
Bran means “raven” in Irish. In Irish mythology, there was a man named Bran Mac Feball who was on a quest to find the Otherworld.
Cian & Cianan.
These Irish boy names mean “ancient.” This name comes up in Irish mythology by the father of Lugh Lamhfada.
Ciar & Ciaran.
These Irish boy names mean “black.” Ciar was the son of Fergus Mac Roich of the Ciarraige tribe in Irish legends. \
Conall.
Conall means “rule of a wolf” in Old Irish. There are several people with that name in Irish mythology.
Conn.
The name Conn means “reason” in Old Irish. King Conn of the Hundred Battles comes up in Irish Legends.
Cormac.
There are several men named Cormac in Irish legends, including kings and saints.
Daire.
This name means “fruitful” in Irish and has come in in Irish Legends by Daire Mac Fiachna in the Irish epic – The Cattle Raid of Cooley.
Diarmaid, Diarmuld, Dermot, Derry.
The name Diarmaid and its variants mean “without envy” and has been borne by several Irish kings. In mythology this was the name of a legendary warrior.
Eoghan.
This name means “born from the yew tree” and comes up in legends as the son of king Niall of the Nine Hostages.
Fachtna.
This name means “malic’ in Old Irish, and comes up in mythology by a legendary high king.
Fiachra.
This name combines the meanings of “battle” and “king” and comes up in mythology as one of the four children of Lir who was transformed into a swan.
Fintan.
This name means “white fire.” In Irish mythology this name comes up for the only man who survived the great flood.
Naoise.
This name comes from an Irish legend by a young man who fled to Scotland with Conchobar’s fiance. He was later killed.
Oisin.
This name means “little deer” in Irish, and comes up in legends as a warrior hero and a poet.
Taghd, Tadgh, Tadghan, Teague, Teige, Teigue, Tighe,
The name Tadhg and its variants mean “poet.” In Irish mythology Tadhg was the grandfather of Fionn mac Cumhaill. This name was also borne by several Irish kings.
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More Irish Boy Names
A – Irish Boy Names
Adhamh.
This is the Irish form of Adam, which is a biblical name of the first man created.
Aindreas.
This is the Irish form of Andrew, which means “manly” through Greek origins.
Aindriu.
This is also the Irish form of Andrew.
Alastar.
This lovely and classic name is the Irish form of Alexander, which means “defender” through Greek roots.
Alby.
This is the Anglicized form of the name Ailbhe which is tied to an Old Irish root for “rock.” In Irish mythology, Ailbhe was the name of a female warrior.
Angus.
Angus is one of the most recognizable of Irish boy names, and it means “strength.”
Anrai.
Anrai is the Irish form of Henry, which means “home ruler” through Germanic roots.
Read more: Nicknames for Henry. 42 Charming Variations, Meanings, and Middle Names
Aodhan.
This name means “little fire” and has been Anglicized to Aidan.
Aran.
This cool name comes from the west coast of Ireland – the Aran islands.
Ardal & Ardghal.
These Irish boy names mean “high valor.” Ardal is the Anglicized form of Ardghal.
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B – Irish Boy Names
Bairre, Barra, Barry.
These Irish boy names came from the Old Irish name Bairrfhionn, which means “fair-haired.”
Bran.
This classic name means “raven” in Irish.
Brogan.
This cool Irish name comes from the word for shoe.
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C – Irish Boy Names
Cahal & Cathal.
These Irish boy names are derived from the Old Irish words for “battle” and “rule.” These names have been borne by kings and saints. Interestingly, Cathal is sometimes Anglicized to Charles.
Cahir.
This is a very interesting-sounding name meaning “battle man” from Old Irish origins.
Cairbre.
Cairbre means “charioteer” and has been borne by two kings of Ireland.
Caoimhin.
Caoimhin is the Anglicized name for Kevin, and means “beloved birth.”
Caolan.
This name means slender.
Carroll.
This name comes from the Old Irish Cerball, which means sharp.
Cillian & Cillin.
These Irish boy names mean “church.”
Colm & Colum.
These names mean “dove” through Latin roots.
Colman & Coleman.
These Irish boy names are related to the name Colum, and were borne by many Irish saints.
Conley & Conleth.
These Irish boy names mean “constant fire.”
Criostoir.
The is the Irish name for Christopher, which means “bearing Christ.”
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D – Irish Boy Names
Daibhi.
Daibhi is the Irish form of David – a biblical name that means “beloved.”
Daithi.
This name means “swift and nimble” in Old Irish, and was borne by a king of Ireland.
Damhan.
This name means “calf.”
Daire & Dara,
These names mean “fruitful” in Old Irish.
Darach.
Darach means “from on oak” in Irish.
Daragh & Darragh.
These Irish boy names are Anglicized versions of Daire and Darach.
Deaglan & Declan.
Declan is the Anglicized version of Deaglan named after a 5th-century priest who founded a monastery and became a saint.
Deasun & Desmond.
These names refer to the Desmond region in Southern Ireland.
Donal & Domhnall.
These are the Irish version of the name Donald, which means “ruler of the world” through Gaelic origins.
Donagh, Donnacha, Donncha, Donnchadh.
These Irish boy names have Gaelic roots that mean “battle.” Duncan is the Anglicized version of these names.
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E – Irish Boy Names
Eadbhard.
This name is the Irish version of Edward, which means “rich guard.”
Eamon.
Eamon is the Irish version of Edmund, which means “rich protection.”
Eanna & Enda.
These Irish boy names mean “bird” in Old Irish, and were borne by several Irish kings.
Eimhin.
This name means “swift” through Old Irish roots.
Einri.
This name is an Irish version of Henry, which means “ruler of his home.”
Eoin.
Eoin is the Irish form of John used in the bible.
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F – Irish Boy Names
Faolan & Filin.
Faolan means “little wolf” and was borne by an Irish saint. Filin is a version of Faolan.
Fergal & Fearghal,
These Irish boy names mean “man of valor” and were borne by an early king of Ireland.
Fergus & Fearghas, Fearghus,
Fergus and its variants means “man of vigor”.” Several early Irish Kings bore that name.
Feidhlim & Feidhlimidh, Feilim, Felim
These Irish boy names and variations mean “forever good” and were borne by Irish kings and saints.
Finbar, Finnbar & Finbarr.
These names are a combination of the words that mean “white” and “top.” Other versions include Fionnbarra and Fionnbharr.
Finn & Fionn.
The Irish boy names Finn and Fionn mean “white, blessed.” The names are common throughout Irish history, legends, and mythology. Fionnan is another diminutive of Fionn.
Finnian.
Another “Finn” name that means “white, blessed.”
Flann & Flannan.
These old Irish boy names mean “blood red” and were borne by kings and saints of Ireland.
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G – Irish Boy Names
Garvan & Garbhan.
These old Irish boy names mean “little rough one.”
Gearalt & Gearoid.
These names are the Irish version of Gerald, which means “power of the spear” through Old Germanic roots.
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I – Irish Boy Names
Iarfhlaith, Iarlaith, Jarlath.
These ancient Irish boy names are related to the word for faith.
Ionatan.
This is an Irish version of Jonathan, which means “God has given” through Hebrew origins.
Ivor & Iomhar.
This comes from the Old Norse name Ivarr which refers to “an army of warriors.”
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K – Irish Boy Names
Keelan.
Keelan is the anglicized version of Caolan which means “slender.”
Kelly.
This name is the anglicized form of an old Irish name Ceallach, which means “bright headed.”
Kennedy.
Related to the Gaelic name Connetig, which means “armored head.”
Kilian & Killian.
These names are derived from the Irish word for church.
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L – Irish Boy Names
Labhras.
This name is the Irish version of Laurence, which means “laurel” through Latin origins.
Laoghaire & Leary.
These old Irish names mean “calf herder.”
Lochlainn & Lochlann.
These cool Irish boy names mean “Viking.” Loch is the Irish word for lake, and Lochlann means from the land of lakes which is how the Irish referred to Scandinavia.
Lonan.
This cute name means “little blackbird” and was borne by several Irish saints.
Lorcan.
This name means “little fierce one.”
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M – Irish Boy Names
Maghnus & Manus.
These Irish boy names are versions of Magnus, which means “the great” in Latin and was popularized in Scandinavia.
Mairtin.
This name is the Irish version of Martin, which means “from Mars” through Latin origins.
Maitiu.
This is the Irish version of Matthew, which means “gift from God” through Hebrew roots.
Malachy.
This is a biblical name that means “my messenger” or “my angel.”
Mannix.
This cute Irish name means “little monk.”
Marcas.
The Irish version of Mark, which means “from Mars” through Latin roots.
Mellan.
This delightful name means “delightful” in Irish.
Murrough.
This name means “sea battle” in Old Irish.
Murtagh.
This name means “mariner” in Old Irish.
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N – Irish Boy Names
Naomhan & Nevan.
These Irish boy names mean “little saint.”
Niall.
Niall is a form of Neil, which means “fury and passion.”
Nicolas.
The Irish form of Nicholas, which means “victory of the people” through Greek origins.
Nollaig.
This name means “Christmas” in Irish, as a translation of Noel.
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O – Irish Boy Names
Oran, Orrin, Odran, Odhran.
These Irish boy names are derived from the word odar, which means “grayish-brown.” Odrhan was also the name of an Irish saint.
Oscar.
This old name means “deer friend” through Old Norse origins.
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P – Irish Boy Names
Padraigin, Padraig, Paidi.
These Old Irish boy names are actually forms of the name Patrick, which “nobleman” through Latin roots.
Peadar.
This cool name is the Irish form of Peter, which means “stone” through Greek origins.
Piaras.
This is the Irish form of Piers, which itself is a medieval form of Peter.
Pilib.
Pilib is the Irish form of Philip, which means “horse’s friend” through Greek roots.
Pol.
This name is the Irish form of Paul, which means “small and humble” through Latin roots.
Proinsias.
This cool name is the Irish version of Francis, which means “French man.”
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R – Irish Boy Names
Raghnall.
This cool name comes from Old Norse roots, and means “ruler.”
Reamann, Reamonn, Redmond.
These Old Irish names mean “advice and protection” through Old Germanic roots.
Rioghan.
This Old Irish name means “king.”
Risteard.
This name is the Irish version of Richard, which means “brave ruler” through Old Germanic roots.
Roibeard.
Roibeard is a cool Irish version of Robert, which means “bright fame” through Germanic origins.
Read more: Robert Nicknames, Middle Names, And 17 Other Variations. From Classic to Unexpected
Ronan.
This name means “little seal” in Old Irish.
Rowan.
Rowan is a version of the name Ruadhan which means “red” in Old Irish.
Ruaidhri, Ruairi.
These Irish boy names mean “red king” in Old Irish. Rory is a version of this name as well.
Ruarc.
Ruarc, the name of a 9th-century Irish king, comes from Old Norse roots and means “red hero.”
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S – Irish Boy Names
Seachlann & Seachnall.
These Irish boy names mean “second” through Latin origins. Seachnall was also a 5-th century Irish saint who was assistant to Saint Patrick.
Seafra.
Seafra is the Irish version of Geoffrey, which means “peace” through Old German roots.
Seamus.
Seamus is the Irish version of James and Jacob.
Seanan & Senan.
These Irish boy names mean “little old one.”
Searlas.
Searlas is the Irish form of Charles, which means “man” through Germanic roots.
Searoise.
This is the Irish form of George, which itself means “farmer” through Greek origins.
Seosamh.
This is the Irish name for Joseph, an old biblical and Hebrew name that means “he will add.”
Steafan & Stiofan.
These are the Irish versions of Stephen, which mean “crown” in Greek.
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T – Irish Boy Names
Tiarnach, Tiarnan, Tiernan, Tierney
These Old Irish boy names mean “lord.”
Tomas.
This is the Irish version of Thomas, which means “twin.”
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U – Irish Boy Names
Uilliam.
This is the Irish version of William, which means “will helmet” through Old Germanic roots.
Uinseann.
This is the Irish version of Vincent, which means “to conquer” through Latin origins.
Ultan.
This Irish name means “of Ulster” which is a region in Northern Ireland. Ultan was also the name of two Irish saints.
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Did you like this list of names? We know that name trends will always change, but our growing list of baby names will always have you covered!
