Irish Male Names: A Comprehensive Guide to Traditional and Modern Choices

Looking for the perfect Irish name for your little boy? Whether you're seeking a traditional name with deep roots in Irish history and culture or a modern twist on a classic, this comprehensive guide will provide you with a wealth of options. From names steeped in mythology and folklore to those that embody strength, wisdom, and grace, we've compiled a list of over 40 Irish male names with their detailed meanings to help you find the perfect fit for your little one.
1. **Aiden:** Little fire, fiery one, a name of Gaelic origin meaning “little fire" or “fiery one”. It is often associated with St. Aiden, a 6th-century Irish bishop.
2. **Aidan:** Little fire, fiery one, a name of Gaelic origin meaning “little fire" or “fiery one”. It is often associated with St. Aiden, a 6th-century Irish bishop.
3. **Alistair:** Defender of mankind, a name of Scottish Gaelic origin meaning “defender of mankind.” It is a variation of the name Alexander.
4. **Alan:** Handsome, a name of Gaelic origin meaning "handsome". It is a popular choice in Ireland and Scotland.
5. **Angus:** One strength, a name of Gaelic origin meaning “one strength.” It is associated with Angus Og, a figure from Irish mythology who was known for his strength and bravery.
6. **Aron:** Mountain of strength, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "mountain of strength", which is also popular in Ireland.
7. **Barry:** Spear warrior, a name of Gaelic origin meaning “spear warrior”. It is a popular name in Ireland and is often associated with the Irish countryside.
8. **Brendan:** Prince, a name of Gaelic origin meaning “prince”. It is a popular name in Ireland and is associated with St. Brendan the Navigator, a legendary 6th-century Irish missionary.
9. **Brian:** Strong, a name of Gaelic origin meaning “strong”. It is a popular name in Ireland and is associated with Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland in the 11th century.
10. **Caelan:** Little warrior, a name of Gaelic origin meaning “little warrior”. It is a popular choice for parents seeking a strong and masculine name.
11. **Callan:** Handsome, a name of Gaelic origin meaning “handsome”. It is a popular choice in Ireland and is often associated with the Irish countryside.
12. **Caoimhín:** Gentle, a name of Gaelic origin meaning “gentle”. It is a popular choice for parents seeking a name with a softer touch.
13. **Cathal:** Battle strong, a name of Gaelic origin meaning “battle strong”. It is a popular choice for parents seeking a strong and powerful name.
14. **Ciaran:** Little dark one, a name of Gaelic origin meaning “little dark one”. It is a popular choice in Ireland and is associated with St. Ciaran, a 6th-century Irish missionary.
15. **Cian:** Ancient, a name of Gaelic origin meaning “ancient”. It is a popular choice in Ireland and is associated with the Irish god of the sea.
16. **Colm:** Dove, a name of Gaelic origin meaning “dove”. It is a popular choice for parents seeking a name with a peaceful and gentle meaning.
17. **Conall:** Wolf, a name of Gaelic origin meaning “wolf”. It is a popular choice for parents seeking a strong and masculine name.
18. **Conor:** Lover of dogs, a name of Gaelic origin meaning “lover of dogs”. It is a popular choice in Ireland and is often associated with the Irish countryside.
19. **Daire:** Oak tree, a name of Gaelic origin meaning “oak tree”. It is a popular choice for parents seeking a name with a strong and grounding meaning.
20. **Declan:** Man of prayer, a name of Gaelic origin meaning “man of prayer”. It is a popular choice in Ireland and is often associated with the Irish countryside.
21. **Eamon:** Rich protector, a name of Gaelic origin meaning "wealthy protector", a variation of the name Edmund.
22. **Eoghan:** Born of the fire, a name of Gaelic origin meaning “born of the fire”. It is a popular choice for parents seeking a name with a strong and passionate meaning.
23. **Fergus:** Strong man, a name of Gaelic origin meaning “strong man”. It is a popular choice in Ireland and is often associated with the Irish countryside.
24. **Finnian:** Fair, a name of Gaelic origin meaning “fair”. It is a popular choice for parents seeking a name with a gentle and pleasant meaning.
25. **Fiachra:** Raven, a name of Gaelic origin meaning “raven”. It is a popular choice for parents seeking a name with a strong and mysterious meaning.
26. **Finn:** Fair, white, a name of Gaelic origin meaning “fair” or “white”. It is associated with Finn Mac Cumhaill, a legendary hero in Irish mythology.
27. **Gareth:** Gentle spear, a name of Welsh origin meaning “gentle spear” which is also a popular name in Ireland.
28. **Garret:** Spearman, a name of Irish origin meaning “spearman”. It is associated with the Irish countryside and its traditional hunting heritage.
29. **Gavin:** White hawk, a name of Welsh origin meaning “white hawk”, a name that is used in Ireland as well.
30. **Ian:** God is gracious, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is gracious", a popular name in Ireland.
31. **Jack:** God is gracious, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is gracious", this is a popular name in Ireland as a shortened version of John.
32. **James:** Supplanter, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter". It is a popular name in Ireland and is often associated with the Irish countryside.
33. **John:** God is gracious, a name of Hebrew origin meaning “God is gracious”. It is a popular name in Ireland and is often associated with the Irish countryside.
34. **Kieran:** Little dark one, a name of Gaelic origin meaning “little dark one”. It is a popular choice in Ireland and is associated with St. Kieran, a 6th-century Irish missionary.
35. **Liam:** Strong-willed warrior, a name of Gaelic origin meaning “strong-willed warrior”. It is a popular choice in Ireland and is often associated with the Irish countryside.
36. **Lorcan:** Little fierce one, a name of Gaelic origin meaning “little fierce one”. It is a popular choice for parents seeking a strong and powerful name.
37. **Mark:** Warrior, a name of Latin origin meaning “warrior”, which is also a popular name in Ireland.
38. **Martin:** Dedicated to Mars, a name of Latin origin meaning “dedicated to Mars”, which is also a popular name in Ireland.
39. **Matthew:** Gift of God, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "gift of God", a popular name in Ireland.
40. **Michael:** Who is like God, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God", this is a popular name in Ireland.
41. **Niall:** Champion, a name of Gaelic origin meaning “champion”. It is a popular choice in Ireland and is often associated with Niall of the Nine Hostages, a legendary High King of Ireland.
42. **Oisin:** Little deer, a name of Gaelic origin meaning “little deer”. It is a popular choice in Ireland and is associated with the Irish hero of mythology.
43. **Padraig:** Nobleman, a name of Gaelic origin meaning “nobleman”. It is a popular choice in Ireland and is associated with St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.
44. **Paul:** Small, humble, a name of Latin origin meaning “small” or “humble”, this is also a popular name in Ireland.
45. **Rhys:** Ardent, passionate, a name of Welsh origin meaning “ardent” or “passionate”, this is also a popular name in Ireland.
46. **Sean:** God is gracious, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is gracious", this is a popular name in Ireland as a variation of the name John.
47. **Shane:** God is gracious, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is gracious", this is a popular name in Ireland as a variation of the name John.
48. **Thomas:** Twin, a name of Aramaic origin meaning “twin”. It is a popular choice in Ireland and is often associated with the Irish countryside.
49. **Tiernan:** Landlord, a name of Gaelic origin meaning “landlord”. It is a popular choice for parents seeking a name with a strong and authoritative meaning.
50. **William:** Resolute protector, a name of German origin meaning "resolute protector", a popular name in Ireland.