Irish Saint Names: A Guide to Meaningful and Historic Names

Looking for a unique and meaningful name for your child? Look no further than the rich tapestry of Irish saint names! These names, often steeped in history and tradition, offer a beautiful blend of spirituality and cultural significance. From the familiar to the more obscure, this list delves into the meanings behind these cherished names, providing a captivating journey through Irish history and faith.
1. **Aidan:** Little fire, fiery one; a popular Irish name, often associated with Saint Aidan, a 7th-century bishop known for his piety and missionary work.
2. **Ailbe:** Bright, shining one; a name linked to Saint Ailbe, the patron saint of Emly, renowned for his wisdom and healing powers.
3. **Ailbhe:** Bright, shining one; a feminine variation of Ailbe, often associated with Saint Ailbhe, a 5th-century abbess known for her piety and devotion.
4. **Alphonsus:** Willing, eager; a name linked to Saint Alphonsus Liguori, an 18th-century Italian priest known for his writings on moral theology and spiritual direction.
5. **Anna:** Grace, favor; a name of Hebrew origin, often associated with Saint Anna, the mother of the Virgin Mary, revered for her piety and devotion.
6. **Anne:** Grace, favor; a common English variation of Anna, often associated with Saint Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary.
7. **Anthony:** Priceless, praiseworthy; a name of Greek origin, often associated with Saint Anthony of Padua, a 13th-century Italian friar known for his preaching and miracles.
8. **Bartholomew:** Son of Talmai; a name of Aramaic origin, often associated with Saint Bartholomew, one of the twelve apostles, renowned for his missionary work.
9. **Benedict:** Blessed; a name of Latin origin, often associated with Saint Benedict of Nursia, a 6th-century Italian monk known for his monastic rule.
10. **Brigid:** Strong, exalted one; a name of Celtic origin, often associated with Saint Brigid, a 5th-century Irish abbess renowned for her healing powers and charitable work.
11. **Caoimhe:** Gentle, beautiful; a name of Irish origin, often associated with Saint Caoimhe, a 10th-century Irish abbess known for her piety and devotion.
12. **Catherine:** Pure, undefiled; a name of Greek origin, often associated with Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a 4th-century Christian martyr known for her intelligence and faith.
13. **Colm:** Dove; a name of Irish origin, often associated with Saint Colm Cille, a 6th-century Irish monk known for his missionary work and founding of monasteries.
14. **Conleth:** Strong will; a name of Irish origin, often associated with Saint Conleth, a 6th-century Irish bishop known for his piety and devotion.
15. **Daniel:** God is my judge; a name of Hebrew origin, often associated with Saint Daniel, a prophet and biblical figure known for his wisdom and faith.
16. **David:** Beloved; a name of Hebrew origin, often associated with King David, a biblical figure known for his courage, leadership, and musical talent.
17. **Declan:** Full of devotion; a name of Irish origin, often associated with Saint Declan, a 5th-century Irish bishop known for his missionary work and founding of churches.
18. **Dominic:** Belonging to the Lord; a name of Latin origin, often associated with Saint Dominic de Guzman, a 12th-century Spanish priest known for founding the Dominican order.
19. **Eamon:** Rich protector; a name of Irish origin, often associated with Saint Eamon, a 6th-century Irish abbot known for his piety and devotion.
20. **Eibhlin:** Bright, shining one; a name of Irish origin, often associated with Saint Eibhlin, a 5th-century Irish abbess known for her piety and devotion.
21. **Eleanor:** Light, shining one; a name of Greek origin, often associated with Saint Eleanor of Aquitaine, a 12th-century queen of England known for her political influence and piety.
22. **Elizabeth:** My God is abundance; a name of Hebrew origin, often associated with Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, a 13th-century princess known for her charitable work and devotion to the poor.
23. **Emily:** Industrious, rival; a name of Latin origin, often associated with Saint Emily, a 3rd-century Roman martyr known for her faith and courage.
24. **Finbarr:** Fair-haired, white hair; a name of Irish origin, often associated with Saint Finbarr, a 6th-century Irish bishop known for his missionary work and founding of churches.
25. **Francis:** Free man; a name of Latin origin, often associated with Saint Francis of Assisi, a 12th-century Italian friar known for his love of nature and devotion to poverty.
26. **Gabriel:** God is my strength; a name of Hebrew origin, often associated with the archangel Gabriel, known for his role in announcing the birth of Jesus and the Virgin Mary.
27. **Gerald:** Ruler of the spear; a name of Germanic origin, often associated with Saint Gerald of Wales, a 12th-century Welsh cleric known for his historical writings.
28. **Gerard:** Spear ruler; a name of Germanic origin, often associated with Saint Gerard Majella, an 18th-century Italian lay brother known for his piety and devotion to the poor.
29. **Gillian:** Youthful, young; a name of Greek origin, often associated with Saint Gillian, a 3rd-century Roman martyr known for her faith and courage.
30. **Helen:** Light, torch; a name of Greek origin, often associated with Saint Helen, the mother of the Roman emperor Constantine, known for her role in finding the True Cross.
31. **Henry:** Ruler of the house; a name of Germanic origin, often associated with Saint Henry II, a 10th-century Holy Roman Emperor known for his piety and devotion.
32. **Hugh:** Mind, spirit; a name of Germanic origin, often associated with Saint Hugh of Lincoln, a 13th-century English bishop known for his devotion to the poor and his miracles.
33. **Iarlaith:** Strong, brave; a name of Irish origin, often associated with Saint Iarlaith, a 5th-century Irish bishop known for his piety and devotion.
34. **James:** Supplanter; a name of Hebrew origin, often associated with Saint James the Great, one of the twelve apostles, renowned for his missionary work.
35. **Jeremiah:** The Lord will exalt; a name of Hebrew origin, often associated with the prophet Jeremiah, known for his prophecies and messages of warning.
36. **John:** God is gracious; a name of Hebrew origin, often associated with Saint John the Baptist, known for his role in baptizing Jesus.
37. **Joseph:** God will increase; a name of Hebrew origin, often associated with Saint Joseph, the husband of the Virgin Mary, revered for his piety and devotion.
38. **Julian:** Downy-bearded; a name of Latin origin, often associated with Saint Julian of Norwich, a 14th-century English anchoress known for her mystical writings.
39. **Kevin:** Handsome, beautiful; a name of Irish origin, often associated with Saint Kevin, a 6th-century Irish abbot known for his piety and devotion.
40. **Kieran:** Little dark one; a name of Irish origin, often associated with Saint Kieran, a 6th-century Irish bishop known for his missionary work and founding of churches.
41. **Laura:** Laurel, victory; a name of Latin origin, often associated with Saint Laura, a 4th-century Roman martyr known for her faith and courage.
42. **Leo:** Lion; a name of Latin origin, often associated with Saint Leo the Great, a 5th-century pope known for his leadership during a time of crisis.
43. **Liam:** Strong-willed warrior; a name of Irish origin, often associated with Saint Liam, a 6th-century Irish bishop known for his piety and devotion.
44. **Louise:** Famous warrior; a name of German origin, often associated with Saint Louise de Marillac, a 17th-century French nun known for her work with the poor and her founding of the Daughters of Charity.
45. **Lucas:** Light, shining one; a name of Latin origin, often associated with Saint Luke, a physician and evangelist known for writing the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts.
46. **Maeve:** Intoxicating; a name of Irish origin, often associated with Queen Maeve, a legendary queen of Connacht known for her strength and courage.
47. **Margaret:** Pearl; a name of Greek origin, often associated with Saint Margaret of Antioch, a 3rd-century Christian martyr known for her faith and courage.
48. **Mary:** Bitter; a name of Hebrew origin, often associated with the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, revered for her piety and devotion.
49. **Matthew:** Gift of God; a name of Hebrew origin, often associated with Saint Matthew, one of the twelve apostles, known for writing the Gospel of Matthew.
50. **Michael:** Who is like God?; a name of Hebrew origin, often associated with the archangel Michael, known for his role in fighting against evil and his protection of the faithful.
51. **Monica:** Advisor; a name of Latin origin, often associated with Saint Monica, the mother of Saint Augustine, known for her piety and devotion.
52. **Patrick:** Nobleman; a name of Latin origin, often associated with Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, known for converting the Irish to Christianity and establishing the Catholic Church in Ireland.
53. **Paul:** Small; a name of Latin origin, often associated with Saint Paul the Apostle, known for his missionary work and writings in the New Testament.
54. **Peter:** Stone; a name of Greek origin, often associated with Saint Peter, one of the twelve apostles, known for his leadership and role in the early Church.
55. **Philip:** Lover of horses; a name of Greek origin, often associated with Saint Philip the Apostle, known for his missionary work and role in the early Church.
56. **Ronan:** Little seal; a name of Irish origin, often associated with Saint Ronan, a 6th-century Irish bishop known for his piety and devotion.
57. **Séan:** God is gracious; a name of Irish origin, a variation of John, often associated with Saint John the Baptist.
58. **Stephen:** Crown, garland; a name of Greek origin, often associated with Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr, known for his faith and courage.
59. **Theresa:** Harvester; a name of Greek origin, often associated with Saint Theresa of Avila, a 16th-century Spanish nun known for her mystical writings and her founding of the Discalced Carmelites.
60. **Thomas:** Twin; a name of Aramaic origin, often associated with Saint Thomas the Apostle, known for his doubting faith and his later conversion.
61. **Timothy:** Honoring God; a name of Greek origin, often associated with Saint Timothy, a companion of Saint Paul, known for his role in spreading the Christian faith.