Top 25 Irish Boys Names
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Picking Irish boys names may seem easy. After all they are just little babies. They look like such angels in their cribs. Wait until they are about two or three years old. You'll swear they have a bit of the Devil in them. They like to test you. They really like to test you.
That's why it's such a challenge to name a little boy, with a name that fits. I think the best way is to have several Irish boys names in mind. The day he is born you should be able to judge his personality by the strength of his cry and the look in his eyes. That's if his eyes are open. They tend to sleep a lot. Being born is hard work, for Mom and baby.
This is your first test. Pick from the list of Irish boys names for your newborn. It may be a tough decision. So take your time, relax and have fun. No pressure.
What follows on this page is the top 25 Irish boys names and their meanings from 2005. This is the latest release from the Central Statistics Office of Ireland. The Irish boys names are listed from most popular on down.
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Celtic Names Book |
If all else fails, here is the traditional method for Irish boys names.
- Oldest son named after the father's father.
- Second son named after the mother's father.
- Third son named after the father.
- Fourth son named after the father's oldest brother.
Let's begin the Irish boys names challenge!
1. Jack (jak) Pet form of the name John. Derived from Latin meaning "God is Gracious". John has been a very popular name in Ireland for years. Jack seems to be the new John. A pet form of the name Jackin.
2. Sean (shawn) Irish form of the name John. Derived from the French Jehan orJean. Other forms of the name are Eoin, Seon, Shawn, Shaun or Shane. I like the S-e-a-n spelling the best. That's just me. I have a nephew named Sean. (Number 2 on the Irish boys names list. Way to go Sean!)
3. Adam (a-dam) Hebrew for the word "man". Could also be Hebrew meaning "to be red" or "ruddy". The name is not used by the Hebrews themselves. The use of the name most likely started with early Irish and Scottish Christians.
4. Conor (kahn-ur) Gaelic from the name Conchobhar meaning "dog lover" or "wolf lover". Shortened form Connor. In the 19th century this name was almost successfully anglicised with the name Cornelius.
5. James (jaymz) Devived from the name Jacob which is from the Latin jacomus. Possible meanings are "holder of the heel" or "may God protect". Seamus is the Gaelic form of James. Pet names are Jim or Jimmie. Jem or Jemser are sometimes found in the Dublin area.
6. Daniel (dan-yul) From Hebrew meaning "God is my judge". It was used to anglicise the common name of Donal. Gaelic forms are Daineal and Dainial.
7. Cian (kee-n, keen) From Gaelic meaning "ancient". Other forms are Kian and Kean. It was sometimes anglicised as Cain.
8. Luke (louk) From Greek meaning "of Lucania". Lucania was a region in Italy. This name was most likely brought to Ireland in the twelfth century by the Anglo-Normans.
9. Aaron (er-un) Possibly Egyptian meaning "high mountain" From the Bible Aaron was the brother of Moses. This, I think, is why some believe this name is Egyptian.
10. Michael (mie-kul) From Hebrew meaning "who is like God". In the Bible Michael the archangel is the leader of Heaven's armies. This is why he is called the patron saint of soldiers. This happens to be my favorite name on the list. That's because it is my first name. Very Irish, don't you think.
11. Dylan (dil-un) From Welsh meaning "great sea". Dylan was the god of the sea in Welsh mythology.
12. Ryan (rie-an) From the Gaelic Surname O'Riain meaning "little king". Used as a Christian name in America for years. It has now caught on in Ireland.
13. Jamie (jay-mee) Pet form of the name James See number 5 on this list.
14. Ben (ben) Can be the short form of Benjamin from Hebrew meaning "southerner". Also, the short form of Benedict from the Latin meaning "blessed". Benedict is anglicised from the Gaelic Maolbheannachta meaning "hoper for blessing".
15. David (day-vid) From Hebrew meaning "beloved". Daibhead in Gaelic. Another Gaelic form is Daibhi.
16. Thomas (tom-as) From Aramaic meaning "twin". Anglicised form of the Gaelic name Tomhas. This name is used extensively in my family, both in current and past generations.
17. John (jahn) Derived from Latin meaning "God is Gracious". This name has been quite popular in Ireland for years. It has been used by many Popes. As well as many Kings of several European counties.
18. Patrick (pat-rik) From the Roman name Patricius, in Latin this means "nobleman". St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. He Christianized the country in the 5th century. The Gaelic form of the name is Padriag. Other Gaelic forms are Padraic, Patric and Peyton. Pet names are Pat, Patsy, Paddy and Pa.
19. Matthew (math-yew) From Hebrew meaning "gift of God". Used to anglicise the Gaelic name Mahon.
20. Darragh (dar-rah) From Gaelic meaning "oak tree". Another form of the name is Dara. The anglicised form of the Gaelic name Daire.
21. Eoin (o-in) Another form of the name Sean. See Number 2 on this list.
22. Oisin (uh-sheen) From Gaelic meaning "little deer". In Celtic mythology Oisin was the son of Fionn mac Cumhail (Finn MacCool). He was also a mythical warrior and a poet.
23.Shane (shayn) Yet another form of Sean. See number 2 on this list, again.
24. Alex (al-eks) Short form of Alexander. From Greek meaning "helper of man". Alastar, Alsander, Alastrann and Alastrom are Gaelic forms of Alexander.
25. Evan (ev-an) Anglicised from the Welsh name Iefan. The Welsh version of John.
I hope this list of Irish boys names will give you a start on the search for the perfect name for your little boy.
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