Irish King Names: A Guide to Legendary Rulers

Are you interested in the rich history and mythology of Ireland? If so, you've come to the right place! This comprehensive list explores the fascinating names of Irish kings, delving into their meanings and revealing the stories behind them. From the legendary heroes of ancient Ireland to the powerful monarchs of later centuries, these names offer a glimpse into the vibrant culture and heritage of the Emerald Isle.
1. **Aengus**: Meaning "good news" or "powerful," Aengus was a popular name for Irish kings and a prominent figure in Irish mythology. He was the king of the Tuatha Dé Danann, the mythical race of gods in Irish folklore, and was known for his beauty, music, and love for the fairy queen, Caer Ibormeith.
2. **Art**: This name, meaning "bear" or "noble," was another popular choice for Irish kings. Art mac Cuinn, also known as Artúr, was a legendary high king of Ireland, who is said to have established the famous "Law of Art" and is associated with the Arthurian legends.
3. **Brian**: Meaning "strong" or "exalted," Brian was the name of one of the most famous Irish kings, Brian Boru, who united Ireland in the 11th century. He is celebrated as a national hero for his leadership and military prowess.
4. **Conall**: This name, meaning "wolf cub," was often used for kings and warriors. Conall Cernach was a legendary hero in Irish mythology, known for his strength, bravery, and loyalty.
5. **Cormac**: Meaning "chariot warrior," Cormac was a common name for Irish kings and a significant figure in Irish mythology. Cormac mac Art, who reigned in the 3rd century, is remembered for his wisdom, justice, and cultural patronage.
6. **Cú Chulainn**: Meaning "Hound of Culann," Cú Chulainn was the greatest warrior in Irish mythology. He was known for his incredible strength, agility, and ferocity, and his feats are recounted in the epic saga Táin Bó Cúailnge (The Cattle Raid of Cooley).
7. **Daire**: Meaning "oak tree," Daire was a name often used for kings and leaders. Daire mac Fiachra was a legendary king of Connacht, known for his wisdom and generosity.
8. **Diarmaid**: Meaning "god of protection" or "god's gift," Diarmaid was a name used for kings and heroes. Diarmaid mac Cerbaill was a powerful high king of Ireland in the 6th century, known for his political skills and military prowess.
9. **Eochaid**: Meaning "horse," Eochaid was a popular name for kings and warriors. Eochaid Muigmedón was a legendary high king of Ireland, known for his reign of peace and prosperity.
10. **Fergus**: Meaning "man of strength," Fergus was a name often used for kings and warriors. Fergus mac Róich was a legendary king of Ulster, known for his courage, ambition, and loyalty.
11. **Finn**: This name, meaning "fair" or "white," is associated with the legendary hero, Finn Mac Cumhaill, leader of the Fianna, a band of warrior-hunters in Irish mythology. Finn was known for his wisdom, strength, and magical abilities.
12. **Fiachra**: Meaning "fiery" or "warrior," Fiachra was a common name for kings and leaders. Fiachra was a legendary king of Connacht, and the ancestor of many powerful families in Ireland.
13. **Garbhan**: Meaning "rough" or "strong," Garbhan was a name often used for kings and warriors. Garbhan mac Sín was a legendary king of Ulster, known for his strength and courage.
14. **Gormflaith**: Meaning "blue flower," Gormflaith was a powerful queen in Irish history. She was the wife of several Irish kings, including Brian Boru, and played an important role in Irish politics.
15. **Hugh**: This name, meaning "intellect" or "mind," is a popular Irish name with origins in the French name Hugues. Hugh O'Neill, also known as Aodh Mór, was a powerful chieftain and the last Gaelic lord to rule in Ireland.
16. **Laoghaire**: Meaning "calf" or "young bull," Laoghaire was a common name for kings and warriors. Laoghaire mac Néill was a high king of Ireland in the 5th century, known for his resistance to the spread of Christianity.
17. **Lugaid**: This name, meaning "little king" or "strong warrior," was often used for kings and heroes. Lugaid mac Con, also known as Lugaid Ré, was a legendary king of Munster, known for his wisdom and generosity.
18. **Macha**: Meaning "battle" or "warrior," Macha was a name used for queens and warrior women. Macha, the queen of Ulster, was a legendary figure known for her strength and determination.
19. **Máel Sechlainn**: Meaning "servant of the Lord," Máel Sechlainn was a common name for Irish kings. Máel Sechlainn mac Domnaill, also known as Máel Sechlainn II, was a powerful high king of Ireland in the 10th century.
20. **Manus**: This name, meaning "strong" or "bold," was often used for kings and warriors. Manus O'Donnell, also known as Manannán Mac Lir, was a powerful chieftain and a legendary figure in Irish mythology.
21. **Niall**: Meaning "champion," Niall was a common name for Irish kings and a significant figure in Irish mythology. Niall Noígíallach, the "Nine Hostages," was a legendary high king of Ireland, considered the ancestor of many of the most powerful Irish families.
22. **Óengus**: Meaning "single fire," Óengus was a popular name for kings and heroes. Óengus mac Óengusa was a legendary king of Munster, known for his wisdom and courage.
23. **Óisin**: Meaning "little fawn" or "little wolf," Óisin was the son of Finn Mac Cumhaill, a legendary hero in Irish mythology, known for his poetry, wisdom, and magical abilities.
24. **Ruaidrí**: Meaning "red king," Ruaidrí was a common name for Irish kings. Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair, also known as Rory O'Connor, was the last high king of Ireland before the Norman invasion.
25. **Sadhbh**: Meaning "happy" or "blessed," Sadhbh was a name used for queens and goddesses. Sadhbh was a beautiful fairy princess in Irish mythology, known for her kindness and compassion.
26. **Sean**: This name, meaning "old" or "ancient," is a popular Irish name with origins in the Gaelic name Seán. Sean Mac Diarmada, also known as John Mac Dermot, was a powerful chieftain and a leader of the Irish resistance against the English.
27. **Síle**: Meaning "blind" or "visionary," Síle was a name used for queens and powerful women. Síle na Gig, also known as Síle na mBan, was a legendary figure in Irish folklore, associated with fertility and protection.
28. **Sionainn**: Meaning "old" or "ancient," Sionainn was a name used for queens and goddesses. Sionainn was a powerful goddess in Irish mythology, known for her wisdom and beauty.
29. **Tadhg**: Meaning "poet" or "wise man," Tadhg was a common name for Irish kings and leaders. Tadhg mac Céin was a legendary king of Munster, known for his wisdom, generosity, and poetry.
30. **Tiernan**: Meaning "lord" or "ruler," Tiernan was a name often used for kings and warriors. Tiernan mac Luighdech was a legendary king of Ulster, known for his strength and courage.
31. **Toirdelbach**: Meaning "strong lord," Toirdelbach was a common name for Irish kings. Toirdelbach Ua Briain, also known as Turlough O'Brien, was a powerful high king of Ireland in the 12th century.
32. **Tuathal**: Meaning "people" or "nation," Tuathal was a common name for Irish kings. Tuathal Teachtmhar, also known as Tuathal the Legitimate, was a legendary high king of Ireland, known for his reforms and justice.
33. **Uí Néill**: This is a clan name, not a given name, meaning "descendants of Niall." It referred to a powerful dynasty that dominated Irish politics for centuries.
34. **Uí Conchobair**: This is another clan name, meaning "descendants of Conchobair." This powerful clan ruled the province of Connacht for centuries.
35. **Uí Briain**: Meaning "descendants of Brian," this clan name referred to a powerful dynasty that ruled Munster and eventually united Ireland under Brian Boru in the 11th century.
36. **Éamon**: Meaning "wealthy guardian," Éamon is the Irish form of the name "Edward." It was a popular name for Irish kings and leaders.
37. **Éanna**: Meaning "bright" or "radiant," Éanna was a common name for kings and warriors. Éanna mac Cairill was a legendary king of Connacht, known for his strength and courage.
38. **Éibhear**: Meaning "noble" or "exalted," Éibhear was a popular name for Irish kings and leaders. Éibhear Finn was a legendary king of Ireland, considered the ancestor of many of the most powerful Irish families.
39. **Éoghain**: Meaning "born of the yew tree," Éoghain was a name often used for kings and warriors. Éoghain mac Néill was a legendary king of Ulster, known for his strength and courage.
40. **Érin**: Meaning "Ireland," Érin is a name used for goddesses and female figures associated with the land of Ireland.
41. **Fionnuala**: Meaning "fair shoulder," Fionnuala is a beautiful name for a queen or goddess. Fionnuala was a mythical Irish princess known for her beauty and her tragic fate.
42. **Gráinne**: Meaning "love" or "grace," Gráinne is a name for a queen or powerful woman. Gráinne was a mythical Irish princess known for her beauty and her love for the warrior, Diarmaid.
43. **Mór**: Meaning "great," Mór is a name for a queen or goddess. Mór was a mythical Irish queen known for her wisdom and power.
44. **Saoirse**: Meaning "freedom," Saoirse is a popular Irish name for a queen or a powerful woman. Saoirse is also the name of the Irish goddess of liberty.
45. **Ailbhe**: Meaning "beautiful" or "fair," Ailbhe is a name for a queen or goddess. Ailbhe was a mythical Irish goddess associated with fertility and beauty.
46. **Caitlín**: Meaning "pure" or "bright," Caitlín is a popular Irish name for a queen or a powerful woman. Caitlín is also the name of the patron saint of Ireland, St. Catherine.
47. **Deirdre**: Meaning "sorrows" or "sadness," Deirdre is a name for a queen or goddess. Deirdre was a mythical Irish princess known for her beauty and her tragic love story.
48. **Emer**: Meaning "eminent" or "noble," Emer is a name for a queen or goddess. Emer was a mythical Irish princess known for her wisdom and her beauty.
49. **Maeve**: Meaning "intoxicating" or "exalted," Maeve is a name for a queen or goddess. Maeve was a powerful queen in Irish mythology, known for her ambition and her role in the Táin Bó Cúailnge (The Cattle Raid of Cooley).
50. **Muireann**: Meaning "sea-bright" or "sea-born," Muireann is a name for a queen or goddess. Muireann was a mythical Irish goddess associated with the sea.