These are the hottest modern Irish boy names that are taking over in 2022.
Are you currently trying to decide on the perfect name for your baby boy, or are you just curious like the rest of us about what boy names are popular right now?
Irish names have been around for centuries and have slowly made their way around the world to countries like Australia, New Zealand, and the US.
We’re all familiar with the popular Irish boy names such as Seán, Dónal, and so on. However, now there is a new crop of names that are becoming increasingly popular all over Ireland and abroad too.
If you’re in search of a name for your baby boy, make sure to take some notes. Here are the top 20 hottest modern Irish boy names right now.
20. Senan
Derived from the Irish name Sean, this name means ‘little wise person’ or ‘old’. It is pronounced ‘Se-nan’.
The name has proved that it is growing in popularity, coming in at number 56 on the Irish boy names chosen last year.
19. Dara
This name comes from the Irish name Daire which means ‘fruitful’ or ‘fertile’. It can also be spelt as Darragh. This is one of the hottest modern Irish boy names right now.
18. Finn
At number 13 on the list of most popular boy names for 2021 was Finn. The name means ‘fair’ or ‘white’ and is actually the older version of the Irish name Fionn.
17. RÃan
This name jumped nearly 30 places in popularity on the list of Irish boy names between 2019 and 2020. It means ‘little king’. The English version of this name is Ryan.
16. Charlie
The 7th most popular boy name in Ireland last year, Charlie was normally a nickname for Charles or Charlotte for a girl, but now it has become a name all by itself.
Charlie in Irish is Cathal.
15. Tiernan
Another gorgeous Irish name, Tiernan means ‘little lord’. It’s slowly gaining popularity, being ranked at number 92 of most popular boy names last year.
14. Riley
This is a modern take on the Irish surname O’Reilly. Becoming a popular first name, it is one of the hottest modern Irish boy names right now.
13. Caolan
Can be pronounced as ‘Kee-lin’ or ‘Kayl-in’, this Irish boy’s name is derived from the Irish word ‘caol’, which means slender. A unique Irish name that is gaining popularity.
12. Odhran
This name can also be spelt as Oran and is pronounced as ‘Or-an’. 82 babies in total were named Odhran last year. The name means ‘white’, ‘light’, or ‘pale’.
11. Flynn
Another name that was originally a surname, Flynn. It is now being widely used as a first name. This gorgeous Irish name means ‘son of the red-haired one’.
10. Donnacha
One of the more challenging pronunciations, Donnacha pronounced ‘Don-acka’, means ‘brown-haired warrior’.
A strong name, it comes from the Irish words ‘donn’, which means brown and ‘cath’, meaning battle.
9. Shay
This name can also be spelt as Sé or Shea, like the surname.
Turning surnames into first names is a great idea if a woman would like to have her maiden name represented somewhere in her child. In Irish, this name means ‘hawk’ or ‘noble’.
8. Lorcan
46 baby boys were named Lorcan last year. It can either mean ‘silent’ or ‘fierce’. It was the name of two of the High Kings of Leinster and the 10th century King of Ireland, Brian Boru’s grandfather.
7. Tadhg
Another tricky pronunciation for you. Tadhg, meaning ‘poet’ or ‘bard’, is pronounced ‘tie-ge’.
It is one of the hottest modern Irish boy names right now, being ranked as the 10th most popular Irish boy name last year.
6. Daithi
Pronounced ‘da-hee’, this beautiful Irish name means ‘swiftness’ or ‘nimbleness’.
If you’re looking for a unique name that no one else will have for your baby, only three boys in Ireland were named this last year.
5. Cillian
Coming in as the 9th most popular Irish boy name in 2021, Cillian, pronounced ‘kill-ee-an’, is a lovely name for a baby boy.
The name has several meanings such as ‘war’, ‘strife’, or ‘bright-headed’. Cillian can also begin with a ‘K’ instead of a ‘C’.
4. Ruairi
The Irish spelling of the name Rory, this name means ‘red’ or ‘rust coloured’. If you like the name Rory but want a more unique spelling, Ruairi is the perfect option.
It is pronounced ‘roor-ri’, and comes from the Irish words ‘rua’, meaning red, and ‘ri’, meaning ‘King’.
3. Teagan
If you’re wondering how this is pronounced, just think of Hollywood star Chrissy Teigen. This stunning Irish name can be a boy’s or a girl’s name.
The name means ‘attractive’ or ‘beautiful’. Not a bad meaning to have behind your name.
2. Fionn
Similar to Finn, this name means ‘fair-headed’, ‘white’, or ‘clear’. It is pronounced as ‘fee-yon’.
This name comes from Irish folklore in the form of Fionn MacCool, the leader of Na Fianna and creator of The Giants Causeway. The name is one of the hottest modern Irish boy names right now.
1. Noah
This name which means ‘rest’, ‘comfort’, ‘wanderer’, and ‘peaceful’ has quickly become a very popular name in Ireland. It was the second most popular boy name in 2021. The Irish version of Noah is ‘Nóe’.
