Top 20 ADORABLE GAELIC IRISH boy names you will love

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Did your favourite Irish boy names make the list? See where it ranked on our definitive list of Gaelic Irish boy names and their meanings!

Across the globe, Gaelic Irish names are all the rage right now. But Irish people have known for centuries that the language makes for some impressive and unique names of Gaelic origin.

Looking for some inspiration in naming your little baby boy? Look no further than our list of Irish names for boys. Share in the heritage of ancient Irish kings, warriors, and wise-folk by choosing from these beautiful Gaelic Irish boys names.

(Note: Many of these names include fadas in the traditional Irish spelling, however, for this article we have used the anglicised spelling, where there is one, for each.)

20. Odhran (orin)

Odhran means little pale one and has been borne by seventeen saints.

Meaning: “little pale green one”. Seventeen saints have shared this popular Gaelic name. But be warned, the silent ’d’ may confuse those who do not hail from the Emerald Isle (this is a common theme with Irish boy names).

Famous Odhrans include Saint Odhran of Iona, the sixth-century Irish saint of Silvermines, Tipperary and Irish Gaelic football player Odhran O’Dwyer.

19. Rory (roar-ee)

Meaning: “red” or “rust coloured”. Now a popular masculine and feminine name in the U.S. and Canada, this traditional Gaelic name has been popular in Ireland for centuries. It was shared by the last high king of Ireland, Rory O’Connor, whose reign lasted 1166-1170.

Thus, it is often translated to mean ‘red-haired king’. This is a sure choice of Irish boy names for your red-headed little one.

Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy, English actor Rory Kinnear, and Irish rugby union player Rory Best are just some well-known men with the name Rory.

The Irish version of this name is often spelt Ruaidhrí or Ruairí.

18. Tadhg (tag)

Meaning: “bard/poet”. This name was shared by many Gaelic Irish kings from the 10^th to the 16^th centuries, particularly in the provinces of Connacht and Munster.

American actor Tadhg Kelly and Irish footballer Tadhg Kennelly are two famous owners of the Irish origin name.

17. Senan (sennin)

If your child is a little wise person, then pick Senan for their name.

Meaning: “little wise person”, “old/ancient”. This name is true to its meaning, having been in use throughout the Emerald Isle for centuries.

Some famous Senans are South African rugby union player Senan Declan Clint van der Merwe and Irish Gaelic footballer Senan Connell. This is one of our favourite Irish boy names.

16. Cathal (ka-hal)

Cathal means "strong in battle" and is a strong name in itself.

Meaning: “strong in battle.” The name is derived from two Celtic elements: the first, ‘cath’, means “battle”; the second element, ‘val’, means “rule”. It was one of the most popular names in medieval Ireland.

Irish theologian Cathal Daly, and Irish singer and 1979 Eurovision contestant Cathal Dunne are two famous Cathals.

15. Ronan

Meaning: “little seal”, this is one of the most popular Irish baby boy names. This ancient Irish name is of Gaelic origin and was shared by an ancient pagan king who ruled over Leinster.

Ronan Keating is one of the most well known owners of this name, as well as English pop singer Ronan Parke and American journalist and son of Mia Farrow and Woody Allen, Ronan Farrow.

14. Aodhan (Aid-an)

Aodhan is an Irish name meaning little fiery one.

Meaning: ‘little fiery one’, this is one of the greatest Irish baby boy names. Known also in its anglicised version, Aidan, this name was borne by multiple figures in Irish mythology, as well as a 7^th-century saint.

Famous Aodhans include Irish Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin and American soccer player Aodhan Quinn.

13. Callum

Callum means dove and is the Gaelic form of Columba.

Meaning: “dove”. This name is the Gaelic form of the Latin “columba,” which shares its meaning. This name has seen a surge of popularity beyond the Emerald Isle, particularly in the United Kingdom.

Some famous Callums include English actor Callum Blue and Australian cricketer Callum Ferguson.

12. Oscar

Meaning: “deer lover” or “friend of deer”, this is one of the most popular Irish boy names worldwide.

Thanks to one the country’s finest writers, Oscar Wilde, this name is quintessentially Irish. It is derived from the Gaelic “os” (deer) and “cara” (friend). It also has its roots in Irish mythology, as the grandson of the hero Fionn Mac Cool had this name.

Aside from Oscar Wilde, Ireland’s most well-known Oscar, the name belongs to American basketball player Oscar Robertson.

11. Eoin (ow-in)

Eoin is a great name for a child and is one of our top Gaelic Irish boys names.

Meaning: “young”, Eoin is just one Irish variation of this name. You might recognise this name in its various forms, for example, the anglicised version Owen and the Irish variation Eoghan.

Some famous Eoins are Irish scholar and politician Eoin MacNeill, Irish novelist Eoin Colfer, and Irish model and actor, Eoin Christopher Macken.

10. Rian (ree-an)

Rian is another of the top Gaelic Irish boys names, isn't it beautiful.

Meaning: “king/kingly”, this is one of the most popular Irish baby boy names today. Not much is known about this mysterious name, but it is believed to be a diminutive form of the Irish word for “king”.

Drummer of All Time Low Rian Dawson, American football Rian Lindell, and Australian actor Rian McLean are three famous Rians.

Ryan, another Irish variation of this name, is also a common surname,

9. Fionn (finn, fee-in, or fyon)

Fionn is another of our top Gaelic Irish boys names.

Meaning: “fair-headed” or “clear.” This name is shared by Fionn Mac Cool, one of the most important characters in Irish mythology. Thus, it is often associated with the strong warrior.

Also often spelt Finn, Fionn is the most common Irish variation. Irish singer-songwriter Fionn Regan and Irish rugby union player Fionn Carr are two famous Fionns.

8. Cillian (kill-ee-an)

Meaning: “war,” “strife,” and “bright-headed”, Cillian is rising the ranks of popular baby names. There are religious connotations to name, with the word ‘cille’ meaning “associated with the church”.

Irish Actor Cillian Murphy is one of the most famous owners of the name, as well as Irish footballer Cillian Sheridan.

7. Darragh (darra)

Darragh is another one of our top Gaelic Irish boys names.

Meaning: “oak tree” or “dark oak”, another Irish variation of this name is Dara. While usually used in Ireland as a masculine forename, this name can sometimes occur as a surname or feminine forename.

Irish football chairman Darragh McAnthony and and Irish rugby union player Darragh Leader are two famous Darraghs.

6. Liam (lame)

Meaning: “a strong-willed warrior” and “protector”, Liam is a one of the most well-known Irish boy names. This is the Irish variation of the anglicised ‘William’. This name has proven particularly popular among American parents in recent years.

Famous Liams include Northern Irish actor Liam Neeson, One Direction member Liam Payne, and Australian actor Liam Hemsworth.

According to the Central Statistics Office list of Irish baby boy names, Liam was the seventh most popular name given to boys in Ireland in 2020.

5. Cian (kee-an)

Cian is another of the top Gaelic Irish boys names.

Meaning: “ancient,” or “enduring.” Like many Irish names, this one is rooted in Irish folklore. The figure of Cian is best known as the father of Lugh Lamhfada, one of the most prominent gods in Irish mythology.

Irish equestrian Cián O’Connor and Irish rugby union player Cian Healy are two famous Cians.

4. Padraig (paw-drig)

Padraig is one of our top Gaelic Irish boys names, related to Patrick.

Meaning: “nobly born”, this is unsurprisingly one of the most popular Irish baby boy names. The Irish version of the anglicised ‘Patrick’, this name is perhaps most famously linked to the patron saint of Ireland.

One of the most famous Padraigs is Irish revolutionary leader and signatory Pádraig Pearse, as well as Irish painter Padraig Marrinan and Irish poet Padraig Rooney.

3. Oisín (uh-sheen or o-sheen)

Oisín is one more to add to our list of top Gaelic Irish boys names.

Meaning: “little deer.” Oisín is a central figure in Irish mythology. Known as a poet-hero, he was the son of the Goddess Sive and the mythical warrior Fionn MacCool.

Some famous Oisíns include Irish horse racing jockey Oisín Murphy and Irish Gaelic footballer Oisín McConville. Another Irish variation of this name is Ossian.

2. Sean (shawn)

Another of our top Gaelic Irish boys names is Sean.

Meaning: “God is Gracious”, Sean is one of the hugely popular Irish baby boy names. This Gaelic Irish boys name endures in Ireland and beyond and is the Irish counterpart to ‘William’.

It is closely linked to the Gaelic girls name ‘Sinead’, which has the same meaning.

Famous Seans include Jamaican rapper Sean Paul and American rapper, Scottish actor Sean Connery, and musician Sean John Combs (Diddy).

1. Conor

Meaning: “lover of hounds”/“high desire”, the Irish variation of this name is Concobhar. Conor is the most popular Gaelic Irish boys name out there right now. It has managed to storm the seas and oceans and make its way pretty much everywhere.

The name is derived from the Irish origin word “coachuhhar” and is linked to the ancient King of Ulster, Conchobhar mac Nessa.

Famous Conors include the ‘notorious’ Irish mixed martial artist Conor McGregor and English singer-songwriter Conor Maynard.

Similar names, such as Connor and O’Connor are popular Irish surnames.

Did your name make the list? Not to fear if not. Names of Irish descent seem to be causing endless fascination for many parents all over the world. In essence, it’s only a matter of time until they get through them all!

Check out our list of the top Gaelic Irish baby names for girls here.

FAQs about Irish boy names

What is the rarest Irish boy name?

It’s hard to know what the rarest Irish boy name is. However, some unusual (but lovely) Irish baby boy names are Aban, Gealbhan, and Taveon.

What is the most common male name in Ireland?

Fun fact: the most popular male name in Ireland is, in fact, not one of the top Irish boy names. Rather, the most popular name given to boys in Ireland in 2020 was Jack!

What is the most common full name in Ireland?

As the most popular name given to boys in Ireland is Jack and the most common surname in Ireland is Murphy. Statistically, the most common male full name in Ireland should be Jack Murphy!