Irish Names and Surnames: A Comprehensive Guide to Meaning and Origin

Discover the rich history and cultural significance of Irish names and surnames. From ancient Gaelic traditions to modern interpretations, this guide provides an in-depth exploration of the meanings behind these unique and evocative names. Whether you're researching your family history, searching for the perfect baby name, or simply interested in the beauty of the Irish language, this list offers a comprehensive understanding of the origins and meanings of some of the most popular and intriguing Irish names.
1. **Aisling:** Dream, vision, inspiration
2. **Aoife:** Beautiful, radiant, graceful
3. **Caoimhe:** Gentle, beautiful, fair
4. **Ciara:** Dark haired, little dark one
5. **Cora:** A maiden, a girl, a heart
6. **Eimear:** A beautiful woman, a sea goddess
7. **Fiona:** Fair, white, radiant
8. **Gráinne:** Beloved, precious, dear
9. **Isla:** Island, God is my oath
10. **Niamh:** Bright, radiant, beautiful
11. **Saoirse:** Freedom, liberty
12. **Síle:** Blind, but also associated with grace and beauty
13. **Tara:** A place name, referring to the ancient hill of Tara
14. **Aoibheann:** Beauty, radiance, joy
15. **Bronagh:** Sorrowful, melancholy, but also associated with love
16. **Cliona:** A fierce warrior, a goddess
17. **Emer:** A goddess, a queen, a warrior
18. **Fionnuala:** Fair haired, white, radiant
19. **Maeve:** A queen, a warrior, a leader
20. **Orla:** Golden haired, golden princess
21. **Roisin:** Little rose, small rose
22. **Siobhán:** God is gracious, God is merciful
23. **Bernadette:** Strong as a bear
24. **Brigid:** A powerful goddess, associated with fire, healing, and poetry
25. **Catriona:** A pure and beloved one
26. **Deirdre:** Sorrowful, sorrowful one
27. **Eilis:** A variation of Elizabeth, meaning "my God is abundance"
28. **Erin:** Ireland, peace, tranquility
29. **Fíona:** Wine, a symbol of life and joy
30. **Meabh:** A queen, a warrior, a leader
31. **Ríona:** Queen, ruler, sovereign
32. **Aiden:** Little fire, fiery one
33. **Aidan:** Little fire, fiery one
34. **Brian:** Strong, noble, powerful
35. **Conor:** Strong, wise, a leader
36. **Darragh:** Oak tree, strength, resilience
37. **Fiachra:** A warrior, a fighter, a leader
38. **Liam:** Strong-willed, determined, protective
39. **Oisin:** Little fawn, a young deer
40. **Sean:** God is gracious, God is merciful
41. **Cian:** Ancient, wise, powerful
42. **Declan:** Man of the people, follower of the people
43. **Eoin:** God is gracious, God is merciful
44. **Finnian:** Fair, white, radiant
45. **Kieran:** Little dark one, small dark one
46. **Lorcan:** Strong, mighty, powerful
47. **Niall:** Champion, warrior, leader
48. **Rory:** Red king, red-haired king
49. **Tiernan:** Lord, ruler, sovereign
50. **Barra:** A place name, referring to an island off the coast of Ireland
51. **Brendan:** A traveler, a pilgrim, a wanderer
52. **Colm:** Dove, peace, tranquility
53. **Dara:** Oak tree, strength, resilience
54. **Fergal:** Strong man, brave man
55. **Garret:** Fierce, strong, warrior
56. **Jack:** God is gracious, God is merciful
57. **Kevin:** Handsome, beautiful, fair
58. **Mark:** A warrior, a fighter, a leader
59. **Neil:** Champion, warrior, leader
60. **Patrick:** Nobleman, aristocrat, a defender of the faith
61. **Ryan:** Little king, small king
62. **Tadhg:** Poet, a lover of poetry, a scholar
63. **Arlene:** Pledge, oath, promise
64. **Brenda:** A sword, a warrior, a fighter
65. **Carmel:** A vineyard, a garden, a place of peace
66. **Colleen:** Girl, maiden, young woman
67. **Gráinne:** Beloved, precious, dear
68. **Kathleen:** Pure, holy, innocent
69. **Máire:** A bitter sea, a goddess of the sea
70. **Nuala:** A shining light, a radiant one
71. **Sheila:** Blind, but also associated with grace and beauty
72. **Sinéad:** God is gracious, God is merciful
73. **Aileen:** Bright, radiant, beautiful
74. **Bernadette:** Strong as a bear
75. **Eileen:** Bright, radiant, beautiful
76. **Geraldine:** A strong ruler, a warrior
77. **Imelda:** Strong, mighty, powerful
78. **Irene:** Peace, tranquility, serenity
79. **Maura:** Bitter sea, a goddess of the sea
80. **Morrigan:** A powerful goddess, associated with war and magic
81. **Rosaleen:** Little rose, small rose
82. **Suzanne:** Lily, purity, innocence
83. **Theresa:** A reaper, a harvester, a worker
84. **Anne:** Grace, favor, mercy
85. **Catherine:** Pure, innocent, holy
86. **Claire:** Bright, clear, radiant
87. **Eleanor:** Light, radiance, beauty
88. **Fiona:** Fair, white, radiant
89. **Jane:** God is gracious, God is merciful
90. **Julie:** Youthful, youthful one
91. **Mary:** Bitter sea, a goddess of the sea
92. **Michelle:** Who is like God?
93. **Natalie:** Christmas, born on Christmas Day
94. **Sarah:** Princess, noblewoman, a leader
95. **Victoria:** Victory, conqueror, triumphant
96. **Abigail:** My father is joy, my father is happy
97. **Amelia:** Hardworking, industrious, a worker
98. **Charlotte:** Free man, a free woman
99. **Evelyn:** A bird, a symbol of freedom and grace
100. **Hannah:** Grace, favor, mercy