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Irish boy names: 140+ Irish male names with meanings and pronunciation

148 names · Updated · By The Nomezo Editors · Save to Pinterest

Popular Irish boy names include Rían (REE-an), Oisín (uh-SHEEN) and Tadhg (TYG), and anglicized names such as Liam, Rowan, Rory and Finn are favorites well beyond Ireland: Liam has been the top US boys' name since 2017. Most native Irish names carry a meaning in Irish, from little king to little deer.

Below are 140+ Irish boy names, most in Irish spelling, each with its meaning, origin and a simple pronunciation. They are grouped into names popular in Ireland now, names from myth and history, saints' names, nature names, traditional Irish men's names, Irish forms of classic names, English spellings and Irish surnames. We left out famous names whose meaning is uncertain, such as Diarmuid, Niall and Cormac, rather than guess.

Can't decide? Shuffle 6 random picks

  • Barra

    Short form of Fionnbharr, fair head; Irish Gaelic. Say BAR-a.

  • Tuathal

    Ruler of the people; borne by a legendary High King. Say TOO-a-hal.

  • Comhghall

    Fellow hostage; Irish Gaelic, a 6th-century saint. Roughly KOH-al.

  • Killian

    English spelling of Cillian, little church. Say KIL-ee-an.

  • Egan

    From Mac Aodhagáin, son of Aodhagán, a double pet form of Aodh, fire. Say EE-gan.

  • Faolán

    Little wolf; Irish Gaelic, a saint who worked in Scotland. Say FAY-lawn.

Irish name tools

See an Irish surname the way a man, his daughter and his wife write it, hear how Irish first names are said, and build a traditional name chain or byname.

A surname for him, her and his wife

In English: O'Brien

A manÓ Briain
A daughterNí Bhriain
A wifeBean Uí Bhriain
A wife, short formUí Bhriain

Ó, descendant, becomes Ní for a daughter and Uí for a wife, and the next word takes an h where it can (lenition).

In Ulster, a woman who takes her husband's surname often just uses Ní or Nic with it.

How to say it

  • Saoirse SEER-shuh/ˈsˠiːɾˠ.ʃə/ · freedom · source

Name chain and byname

Seán Phóil ShéamuisSeán, child of Pól, grandchild of Séamus: each older name is in the genitive and takes an h where it can.
Máire BhánAfter a woman's name the byname takes an h, as in Máire Bhán.
Want endless ideas? Try the irish name generator and generate new names in one click.

Irish boy names from myth, legend and history

Celtic boy names borne by heroes of the old tales and by Ireland's medieval kings.

  1. Fearghus: Man of vigor; Irish Gaelic, a great Ulster hero. Say FAR-gus.
  2. Laoghaire: Calf herder; Irish Gaelic, an Ulster warrior and High King. Say LEER-ee.
  3. Cairbre: Charioteer; Irish Gaelic, two semi-legendary High Kings. Say KAR-bra.
  4. Ailill: Elf; Irish Gaelic, the king of Connacht in legend. Say AL-il.
  5. Connla: Hound warrior; Irish Gaelic, Cú Chulainn's son in legend. Say KON-la.
  6. Aonghus: Possibly one strength; Irish Gaelic, the god of love and youth. Say AYN-gus.
  7. Fiachna: Raven; Irish Gaelic, borne by several heroes of legend. Say FEE-akh-na.
  8. Cathal: Battle ruler; Irish Gaelic, a 7th-century saint and several kings. Say KA-hal.
  9. Murchadh: Sea battle, from muir and cath; a son of Brian Boru. Say MUR-a-kha.
  10. Toirdhealbhach: Instigator; Irish Gaelic, a name of medieval kings. Say TUR-a-lokh.
  11. Flann: Blood red; Irish Gaelic, a 9th-century High King. Say FLAHN (often FLAN in English).
  12. Ardghal: High valor; a rare old Irish Gaelic name. Say ARD-al.
  13. Fearghal: Man of valor; Irish Gaelic, an 8th-century king. Say FAR-gal.
  14. Lochlainn: Viking, Norseman; Irish Gaelic, from Lochlann, Scandinavia. Say LOKH-lin.
  15. Domhnall: World ruler; Irish Gaelic, a name of many High Kings. Say DOH-nal.
  16. Tiarnán: Little lord, from tiarna, lord; Irish Gaelic. Say TEER-nawn.

Irish saints' names for boys

Ireland's early saints gave the country many of its classic boy names, and most are still in use.

  1. Pádraig: Irish form of Patrick, nobleman; Ireland's patron saint. Say PAW-drig.
  2. Colm: Dove, from Latin columba; Irish form of Columba. Say KUL-um.
  3. Colmcille: Dove of the church; the Irish name of Saint Columba. Say kul-um-KIL-eh.
  4. Ciarán: Little dark one; Irish Gaelic, two 6th-century saints. Say KEER-awn.
  5. Breandán: Prince, via Welsh; Saint Brendan the Navigator. Say BRAN-dawn.
  6. Caoimhín: Gentle birth; Irish Gaelic, Saint Kevin of Glendalough. Say KEE-veen.
  7. Lorcán: Little fierce one; Saint Laurence O'Toole of Dublin. Say LOR-kawn.
  8. Fionnbharr: Fair head, from fionn and barr; Saint Finbarr of Cork. Say FIN-bar.
  9. Aodhán: Little fire; Irish Gaelic, Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne. Say AY-dawn.
  10. Colmán: Little dove; Irish Gaelic, a name of many early saints. Say KUL-a-mawn.
  11. Comhghall: Fellow hostage; Irish Gaelic, a 6th-century saint. Roughly KOH-al.
  12. Ruadhán: Little red one; Irish Gaelic, a 6th-century abbot. Say ROO-awn.
  13. Flannán: Little red one, from flann, ruddy; a 7th-century saint. Say FLAN-awn.
  14. Cianán: Little ancient one; Irish Gaelic, a 5th-century saint. Say KEE-a-nawn.
  15. Mainchín: Little monk; Irish Gaelic, patron saint of Limerick. Say MAN-kheen.
  16. Garbhán: Little rough one; Irish Gaelic, a 7th-century saint. Say GAR-vawn.
  17. Naomhán: Little saint, from naomh, holy; Irish Gaelic. Say NAY-vawn.
  18. Caolán: Slender one; Irish Gaelic saint's name. Say KEE-lawn.
  19. Ultán: Man of Ulster; Irish Gaelic, two 7th-century saints. Say UL-tawn.
  20. Éimhín: Swift, prompt; Irish Gaelic, a 7th-century saint. Say AY-veen.
  21. Seanán: Little old one, from sean, old; a 6th-century monk. Say SHAN-awn.

Irish boy names from nature

Gaelic names for animals, trees, fire and color, a favorite theme in old Irish naming.

  1. Rónán US #247: Little seal; Irish Gaelic, several early saints. Say ROH-nawn.
  2. Darach: Of oak, from dair, oak tree; Irish Gaelic. Say DAR-akh.
  3. Macdara: Son of oak; Irish Gaelic, a 6th-century saint of Galway. Say mok-DAR-a.
  4. Faolán: Little wolf; Irish Gaelic, a saint who worked in Scotland. Say FAY-lawn.
  5. Lonán: Little blackbird; Irish Gaelic, several early saints. Say LUN-awn.
  6. Damhán: Little fawn; Irish Gaelic, an early saint. Say DAV-awn.
  7. Bran: Raven; Irish Gaelic, a sea voyager in legend; rhymes with man.
  8. Art: Bear; Irish Gaelic, a legendary High King. Say AHRT.
  9. Mathúin: Bear; Irish Gaelic, a brother of Brian Boru. Say MA-hoon.
  10. Aodh: Fire; Irish Gaelic, a name of early kings. Say AY.
  11. Dubhán: Little dark one, from dubh, black; Irish Gaelic. Say DOO-awn.
  12. Lachtna: Milk-colored; Irish Gaelic, Brian Boru's great-grandfather. Say LAKHT-na.

Traditional Irish men's names

Old Gaelic names carried by Irish men for centuries, from kings and craftsmen of legend to early monks. Many are ready for a comeback.

  1. Malachy: From Máel Sechnaill, disciple of Saint Seachnall; borne by High Kings. Say MAL-a-kee.
  2. Tuathal: Ruler of the people; borne by a legendary High King. Say TOO-a-hal.
  3. Flaithrí: King of princes; a 17th-century archbishop of Tuam. Say FLAH-ree.
  4. Cathán: Little battler, from cath, battle; Irish Gaelic. Say KA-hawn.
  5. Cúán: Little wolf or little hound, from cú. Say KOO-awn.
  6. Féichín: Little raven, from fiach; a 7th-century saint of Fore. Say FAY-heen.
  7. Gobán: Little smith; the master builder of Irish legend. Say GUB-awn.
  8. Carthach: Loving; the saint who founded the monastery at Lismore. Say KAR-hakh.
  9. Caomhán: Little gentle one; a saint of Inis Oírr in the Aran Islands. Say KEE-vawn or KEE-wawn.
  10. Abbán: Little abbot, from abb; an early Leinster saint. Say AB-awn.
  11. Tadhgán: Little poet, a pet form of Tadhg. Say TYG-awn.
  12. Ríoghán: Little king, from rí, king; Irish Gaelic. Say REE-awn.
  13. Deasún: Irish short form of Deasmhumhain, South Munster. Say DAS-oon.
  14. Barra: Short form of Fionnbharr, fair head; Irish Gaelic. Say BAR-a.
  15. Mannix: English spelling of Mainchín, little monk. Say MAN-iks.

Irish male names: Irish forms of classic names

Familiar names in their Irish spelling. Each note gives the meaning of the original name.

  1. Séamus: Irish form of James: holder of the heel, supplanter. Say SHAY-mus.
  2. Mícheál: Irish form of Michael: who is like God? Say MEE-hawl.
  3. Tomás US #691: Irish form of Thomas, meaning a twin; Aramaic origin. Say toe-MAWS.
  4. Peadar: Irish form of Peter, meaning rock or stone; Greek origin. Say PAD-er.
  5. Seosamh: Irish form of Joseph: he will add; Hebrew origin. Say SHO-sav.
  6. Liam US #1: Short Irish form of William, will helmet, from will and helm, protection. Say LEE-am.
  7. Éamonn: Irish form of Edmund: rich protection; Old English origin. Say AY-mun.
  8. Proinsias: Irish form of Francis, meaning Frenchman. Say PRUN-shee-as.
  9. Risteárd: Irish form of Richard: brave ruler; Germanic origin. Say RISH-tyard.
  10. Stiofán: Irish form of Stephen, meaning crown; Greek origin. Say SHTIF-awn.
  11. Muiris: Irish form of Maurice, from Latin for Moorish. Say MWIR-ish.
  12. Labhrás: Irish form of Laurence: man from Laurentum. Say LOU-rus.
  13. Nioclás: Irish form of Nicholas: victory of the people. Say NIK-laws.
  14. Pól: Irish form of Paul, from Latin for small. Say POHL.
  15. Críostóir: Irish form of Christopher: bearer of Christ. Say KREES-tore.
  16. Aindriú: Irish form of Andrew: manly, brave; Greek origin. Say AN-droo.
  17. Uilliam: Irish form of William: will helmet. Say ILL-yam.
  18. Anraí: Irish form of Henry: home ruler; Germanic origin. Say AN-ree.
  19. Maitiú: Irish form of Matthew: gift of God; Hebrew origin. Say MAH-chew.
  20. Máirtín: Irish form of Martin, from Mars, the Roman god. Say MAWR-cheen.
  21. Dáibhí: Irish form of David, meaning beloved; Hebrew origin. Say DAW-vee.
  22. Pilib: Irish form of Philip: lover of horses; Greek origin. Say PIL-ib.
  23. Alastar: Irish form of Alexander: defender of men. Say AL-as-tar.
  24. Réamonn: Irish form of Raymond: counsel protector; Germanic origin. Say RAY-mun.
  25. Piaras: Irish form of Piers, meaning rock; Greek origin. Say PEER-as.
  26. Seoirse: Irish form of George, meaning farmer; Greek origin. Say SHOR-sha.
  27. Roibeárd: Irish form of Robert: bright fame; Germanic origin. Say ROB-ard.
  28. Séarlas: Irish form of Charles, meaning man; Germanic origin. Say SHAR-las.
  29. Uinseann: Irish form of Vincent: conquering; Latin origin. Say IN-shun.
  30. Gréagóir: Irish form of Gregory: watchful; Greek origin. Say GRAY-gore.
  31. Eadbhárd: Irish form of Edward: rich guard; Old English origin. Say AD-ward.
  32. Ionatán: Irish form of Jonathan: God has given; Hebrew origin. Say UN-a-tawn.

Irish boys' names in English spelling

Anglicized forms of Gaelic names, many of them popular around the world. Each note gives the Irish original.

  1. Aidan US #326: English spelling of Aodhán, little fire. Say AY-dan.
  2. Kevin US #221: English spelling of Caoimhín, gentle birth. Say KEV-in.
  3. Brendan: English spelling of Breandán, from a Welsh word for prince. Say BREN-dan.
  4. Kieran US #389: English spelling of Ciarán, little dark one. Say KEER-an.
  5. Rory US #199: English spelling of Ruairí, red king. Say ROR-ee.
  6. Kian US #401: English spelling of Cian, ancient and enduring; also an unrelated Persian name. Say KEE-an.
  7. Finn US #206: English spelling of Fionn, fair or white. Say FIN.
  8. Killian US #418: English spelling of Cillian, little church. Say KIL-ee-an.
  9. Shane US #636: English spelling of Seán: God is gracious. Say SHAYN.
  10. Desmond US #376: From Deasmhumhain, South Munster, an old Irish kingdom. Say DEZ-mund.
  11. Fergus: English spelling of Fearghus, man of vigor. Say FUR-gus.
  12. Fergal: English spelling of Fearghal, man of valor. Say FUR-gal.
  13. Cahal: English spelling of Cathal, battle ruler. Say KA-hal.
  14. Donal: English spelling of Domhnall, world ruler. Say DOH-nal.
  15. Oran: English spelling of Odhrán, little dun-colored one. Say OR-an.
  16. Tiernan: English spelling of Tiarnán, little lord. Say TEER-nan.
  17. Phelan: English spelling of Faolán, little wolf. Say FEE-lan or FAY-lan.
  18. Keenan: English spelling of Cianán, little ancient one. Say KEE-nan.
  19. Keelan: English spelling of Caolán, slender one. Say KEE-lan.
  20. Mahon: English spelling of Mathúin, bear. Say MA-hun.
  21. Barry: From Barra, short for Fionnbharr: fair head. Say BAR-ee.
  22. Turlough: English spelling of Toirdhealbhach, instigator. Say TUR-lokh.
  23. Murrough: English spelling of Murchadh, sea battle. Say MUR-uh.
  24. Garvan: English spelling of Garbhán, little rough one. Say GAR-van.
  25. Ardal: English spelling of Ardghal, high valor. Say AR-dal.
  26. Lochlan US #644: English spelling of Lochlainn, Viking or Norseman. Say LOKH-lan.

Irish surnames used as boy names

Irish family names that now work as first names. Ó means descendant and Mac means son.

  1. Casey US #320: From Ó Cathasaigh, from cathasach, vigilant. Say KAY-see.
  2. Keegan US #621: From Mac Aodhagáin, son of Aodhagán, little fire. Say KEE-gan.
  3. Murphy US #754: From Ó Murchadha, descendant of Murchadh, sea battle. Say MUR-fee.
  4. Doyle: From Ó Dubhghaill, descendant of the dark stranger. Say DOYL.
  5. Donovan US #496: From Ó Donndubháin, built on donn, brown, and dubh, dark. Say DON-a-van.
  6. Flynn US #828: From Ó Floinn, descendant of Flann: ruddy, red. Say FLIN.
  7. Malone: From Ó Maoil Eoin, devotee of Saint John. Say ma-LOHN.
  8. Rowan US #59: From Ruadhán, little red one; also a mountain-ash tree. Say ROH-an.
  9. Tierney: From Tighearnach, lordly, from tiarna, lord. Say TEER-nee.
  10. Reagan: From Ó Riagáin; Riagán means little king. More often a girls' name in the US. Say RAY-gan.
  11. Egan: From Mac Aodhagáin, son of Aodhagán, a double pet form of Aodh, fire. Say EE-gan.

How to pick the right name

Decide on the spelling early

Many names have an Irish and an English spelling: Ruairí or Rory, Caoimhín or Kevin, Cillian or Killian. The Irish spelling looks distinctive, while the English one is easier to spell over the phone.

Learn the sound rules

In Irish, bh and mh sound like v next to e or i and often like w next to a, o or u; dh and gh are soft or silent, and a fada lengthens the vowel. That is why Caoimhín is KEE-veen and Tadhg is TYG.

Pair it with the surname

A short name like Cian, Art or Eoin suits a long surname such as Ó Súilleabháin, and a long name like Toirdhealbhach needs a short one.

Use the meaning

Irish names often describe a person: little deer, red king, man of vigor. Pick a meaning you would be proud to explain.

Irish boy names: 148 ideas from Nomezo

Save this list for later

Pin it to a naming board, or tap the heart next to any name to keep it in your favorites on this device.

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Irish boy names in Ireland and abroad: rankings, spellings and the fada

By The Nomezo Editors · Updated October 25, 2026 · How we research names

Ireland and the US like different Irish names. In Ireland, Irish-language spellings lead: Rían became the No. 1 boys' name in 2025 for the first time since records began in 1964. In the US, anglicized forms dominate: Liam has been No. 1 since 2017, while Cillian and Cian are far rarer.

Spelling matters more than it looks. In Ireland, Seán and Sean are counted as different names, and a fada can change a word's meaning. The tools above show how a name is said and spelled.

  1. Step 1Pick Irish or English spellingCillian looks distinctive; Killian is easier to spell over the phone.
  2. Step 2Learn how it is saidbh, mh, dh and the fada follow their own rules.
  3. Step 3Check how common it isIn Ireland and in the US, the same name can rank very differently.
  4. Step 4Know what is uncertainSome famous names have no known meaning.

The most popular boys' names in Ireland, 2025

Top boys' names in Ireland, 2025
RankName
1Rían (490 babies)
2Jack
3Noah
4James
5Oisín (331)
6Fionn (321)
7Liam (313)
8Tadhg (286)
9Cillian (271)
10Leo (261)

Source: Central Statistics Office, Irish babies' names 2025. It was the first year since 2016 that Jack was not No. 1. Naoise rose fastest, from 162nd to 88th, and Levi, Dáire, Naoise, Conall, Elijah and Teidí entered the top 100 (CSO main results).

Irish and English spellings in the US

Americans mostly use the English spellings. These are the 2025 US ranks for boys:

  • In Ireland each spelling is counted separately: Seán ranked 23rd in 2025 but Sean only 141st. The Central Statistics Office has recorded fadas since 2018 (CSO).
  • The fada changes meaning: Seán is the Irish form of John, but sean means old (Wikipedia). Since December 2024, Irish public bodies must be able to record names in Irish with the fada (Official Languages Act 2003, s. 9A).
Irish boy names in the US, 2025
NameUS rank in 2025Babies
Liam#120,818
Rowan#595,212
Declan#1392,570
Connor#1662,211
Rory#1991,768
Finn#2061,702
Killian#418770
Cillian#507595
Cian#1,310148
Tadhg#3,74230

Source: US Social Security Administration, 2025 data. The US files drop accents, so Oisín is counted as Oisin and Rían as Rian.

Famous names with uncertain meanings

Many list sites give confident meanings for names whose origin nobody knows. Behind the Name calls Diarmaid and Naoise “meaning unknown”, Cormac “uncertain”, and Rían's “little king” only a traditional reading (Behind the Name). That is why some of the best-known Irish names are not on this page: we left out the ones we could not stand behind.

Irish surnames tell you their structure: Ó means descendant and Mac means son, so Murphy, from Ó Murchadha, means descendant of Murchadh. Murphy is the 65th most common surname in the US (2020 Census).

Sources

Frequently asked questions

What is the most popular Irish boy name?

Rían was Ireland's most popular boys' name in 2025, the first time it reached number one. Jack was second, followed by Noah, James and Oisín (CSO).

How do you pronounce Tadhg?

Tadhg sounds like the first part of tiger: TYG, or TEIG in Connacht. The dh is silent and the g is hard, so the name is a single syllable.

What Irish boy names mean warrior or strong?

Fearghus means man of vigor, Fearghal means man of valor, Ardghal means high valor and Murchadh means sea battle. Cathal means battle ruler.

What are traditional Irish men's names?

Traditional Irish men's names include Cathal, Tuathal, Malachy, Domhnall and Lorcán, many of them borne by Irish kings and early saints more than a thousand years ago.

Is Liam an Irish name?

Yes. Liam is the Irish short form of William, a Germanic name meaning will helmet, and it has been the most popular boys' name in the US since 2017.

What is the most popular Irish boy name in the US?

Liam, the Irish short form of William, has been the most popular boys' name in the US since 2017. Rowan, Declan, Connor, Rory and Finn are also in the US top 250, while Irish spellings like Cillian and Cian are much rarer.

Is Tadhg a good name to use outside Ireland?

Tadhg is a well-loved name, 8th in Ireland in 2025. Be aware that its old anglicized spelling, Taig, is used as an anti-Irish slur in Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland, so the Irish spelling is the usual choice.

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