Famous Irish Names: A Guide to Meaning and Origin

Discover a treasure trove of famous Irish names, steeped in history and rich in meaning. From legendary heroes to celebrated artists, Irish names have a captivating allure. Explore this extensive list of names, each with a detailed breakdown of its origin and significance. Whether you're searching for inspiration for your own child's name or simply curious about the origins of these renowned figures, this guide offers a fascinating journey into the world of Irish names.
1. **Aidan:** Little fire, ardent; meaning "fiery one" or "little fire". Famous bearer: Aidan Turner, actor.
2. **Aoife:** Beautiful, radiant; a name of Irish origin meaning "beautiful" or "radiant". Famous bearer: Aoife Mannion, athlete.
3. **Brian:** Strong, noble; meaning "strong" or "noble". Famous bearer: Brian Boru, High King of Ireland.
4. **Ciara:** Dark, black-haired; meaning "dark" or "black-haired". Famous bearer: Ciara Quinn, actress.
5. **Conor:** Strong, lover; meaning "strong" or "lover". Famous bearer: Conor McGregor, mixed martial artist.
6. **Daniel:** God is my judge; meaning "God is my judge". Famous bearer: Daniel Day-Lewis, actor.
7. **Eamonn:** Wealthy protector; meaning "wealthy protector". Famous bearer: Eamonn Holmes, TV presenter.
8. **Fiona:** Fair, white; meaning "fair" or "white". Famous bearer: Fiona Shaw, actress.
9. **Gareth:** Gentle, spearman; meaning "gentle" or "spearman". Famous bearer: Gareth Bale, footballer.
10. **Gráinne:** Love, grace; meaning "love" or "grace". Famous bearer: Gráinne Seoige, TV presenter.
11. **Jack:** God is gracious; meaning "God is gracious". Famous bearer: Jack Gleeson, actor.
12. **James:** Supplanter; meaning "supplanter". Famous bearer: James Joyce, author.
13. **John:** God is gracious; meaning "God is gracious". Famous bearer: John Boyne, author.
14. **Katie:** Pure; meaning "pure". Famous bearer: Katie Taylor, boxer.
15. **Liam:** Strong-willed warrior; meaning "strong-willed warrior". Famous bearer: Liam Neeson, actor.
16. **Maeve:** Intoxicating; meaning "intoxicating". Famous bearer: Maeve Binchy, author.
17. **Niall:** Champion; meaning "champion". Famous bearer: Niall Horan, singer.
18. **Patrick:** Nobleman; meaning "nobleman". Famous bearer: Saint Patrick, patron saint of Ireland.
19. **Ronan:** Little seal; meaning "little seal". Famous bearer: Ronan Keating, singer.
20. **Saoirse:** Freedom; meaning "freedom". Famous bearer: Saoirse Ronan, actress.
21. **Sean:** God is gracious; meaning "God is gracious". Famous bearer: Sean Connery, actor.
22. **Tara:** Tower; meaning "tower". Famous bearer: Tara Reid, actress.
23. **Thomas:** Twin; meaning "twin". Famous bearer: Thomas Cruise, actor.
24. **Aisling:** Dream; meaning "dream". Famous bearer: Aisling Bea, comedian.
25. **Anna:** Grace; meaning "grace". Famous bearer: Anna Friel, actress.
26. **Belle:** Beautiful; meaning "beautiful". Famous bearer: Belle Gibson, wellness advocate.
27. **Blaithín:** Little flower; meaning "little flower". Famous bearer: Blaithin Ní Chofaigh, TV presenter.
28. **Caoimhe:** Gentle, lovely; meaning "gentle" or "lovely". Famous bearer: Caoimhe O'Neill, actress.
29. **Clodagh:** Meadow; meaning "meadow". Famous bearer: Clodagh McKenna, chef.
30. **Emer:** Beautiful, radiant; meaning "beautiful" or "radiant". Famous bearer: Emer Reynolds, filmmaker.
31. **Erin:** Ireland; meaning "Ireland". Famous bearer: Erin Brockovich, legal advocate.
32. **Fionnuala:** Fair, white; meaning "fair" or "white". Famous bearer: Fionnuala Flanagan, actress.
33. **Geraldine:** Ruler of the spear; meaning "ruler of the spear". Famous bearer: Geraldine McEwan, actress.
34. **Hazel:** Hazel tree; meaning "hazel tree". Famous bearer: Hazel Irvine, sports presenter.
35. **Iarlaith:** Leader of the army; meaning "leader of the army". Famous bearer: Iarlaith Kenny, musician.
36. **Jane:** God is gracious; meaning "God is gracious". Famous bearer: Jane Seymour, actress.
37. **Laura:** Laurel; meaning "laurel". Famous bearer: Laura Whitmore, TV presenter.
38. **Mary:** Star of the sea; meaning "star of the sea". Famous bearer: Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland.
39. **Michelle:** Who is like God; meaning "who is like God". Famous bearer: Michelle Dockery, actress.
40. **Niamh:** Bright, radiant; meaning "bright" or "radiant". Famous bearer: Niamh Cusack, actress.
41. **Orla:** Golden princess; meaning "golden princess". Famous bearer: Orla Brady, actress.
42. **Ruth:** Friend; meaning "friend". Famous bearer: Ruth Negga, actress.
43. **Sinéad:** God is gracious; meaning "God is gracious". Famous bearer: Sinéad O'Connor, singer.
44. **Sorcha:** Shining, bright; meaning "shining" or "bright". Famous bearer: Sorcha Cusack, actress.
45. **Valerie:** Strong, healthy; meaning "strong" or "healthy". Famous bearer: Valerie Kane, actress.
46. **Yvonne:** Yew tree; meaning "yew tree". Famous bearer: Yvonne Connolly, TV presenter.
47. **Cian:** Ancient; meaning "ancient". Famous bearer: Cian Healy, rugby player.
48. **Darragh:** Oak tree; meaning "oak tree". Famous bearer: Darragh O'Brien, politician.
49. **Fiachra:** Strong, fiery; meaning "strong" or "fiery". Famous bearer: Fiachra O'Connor, musician.
50. **Oisín:** Little faun; meaning "little faun". Famous bearer: Oisín Davis, actor.