How to Give Your Baby an Irish Name

Molly or Moira? Patrick or Phinean? With a little luck o' the Irish, you'll find a name from Eire that will suit your child well.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Baby Names
• Genealogy Books
• Internet Access
• Computers
• Genealogy Software

1. Go for a name that symbolizes strength. Try Aron, Quinlan or Melvin for a boy, or Renny for a small but strong boy. Bernadette, Bridget or Treasa are good choices for girls. Kacey means brave and can be used for either a girl or a boy.

2. Select a name that means grace or graceful. These include Grace, Hannah and Sinead (pronounced Shinade) for girls, and Sean (pronounced Shawn) for boys.

3. Opt for a name that symbolizes intelligence and knowledge, such as Dara or Ida for a girl, or Conn, Conan or Quinn for a boy.

4. Decide on a noble name, such as Nolan or Ailin, for a boy. The American version of Ailin is Alan. Try Ailis (pronounced Aylish) for a girl, or the American version, Adelaide.

5. Choose a name that means "gift from God," such as Eoin (pronounced Owen) for a boy, or Shauna or Siobhan (pronounced Shivon) for a girl.

6. Give your child a name synonymous with wisdom: Earnan (pronounced Air-nawn - Ernest in America) for a boy, or Bec or Becca for a girl.

7. Try a spiritual name, such as Fainne (pronounced Faw-in-nye), which means halo, for a girl. Also consider Aingeal (pronounced Ang-ell), which means angel, and Ado, which means blessed. For a boy, choose Nevan or Nevin, which mean saint or holy one.

8. Select a name that means beautiful, such as Caronwyn or Eavan for a girl, or Kevin or Keeley for a boy.

Tips & Warnings

• Keeley can also be used for a girl.
• Celtic names have many spellings and can be confusing to people without an Irish background. Consider the American version of an Irish name, such as Dermot, rather than the Irish spelling, Diarmad.
• Keep in mind that these names come from various parts of the country and can be derived from different cultures. The spellings and meaning may vary slightly from region to region - check with your family or other resources if this is important in naming your child.

[tom12]

on 2/4/2009 Total rubbish, written by Americans, for Americans. Half those names aren't Irish and the ones that are, are invariably spelled incorrectly. For shame. >:(

[ClayPot]

on 2/4/2009 Lovely, well written article for those of us who love all things Irish.

[waiting4rain]

on 12/16/2008 My grandson's name, Saoirse (Sare-sha) means freedom. A friend from Ireland suggested the name and so I know it's a boy's name, even though it is used in the US as a girl's name.

[psychonurse]

on 10/7/2008 VERY helpful article, especially withe pronounciations, which are tricky! *S*

[boltonsgirl]

on 7/8/2007 I love the name Caronwyn, even though it isn't Irish! And I love the name Erin too.