Gaelic Names

Male Names
  • Aidan (Gaelic) - Little fire [English and Gaelic speaking countries]

    Anglicized form of Aodhán. When combined with variants like Aiden, Ayden, Aydan, and Aden, Aidan was the most popular name for boys in the U.S. in 2006.

    St Aidan was the founder of the monastery of Lindisfarne in north England. He is credit

  • Brian (Gaelic) - Noble, strong, virtuous; hill [English and Gaelic speaking countries]

    The name Brian has historically enjoyed popularity in Ireland, no doubt influenced by Brian Boru, a great High King of Ireland. The name is shared by Queen guitarist Brian May, 'The Beach Boys' songwriter Brian Wilson, former Canadian Prime Minister Brian

  • Caelan (Gaelic) - Slender [English speaking countries]
  • Campbell (Gaelic) - Crooked mouth [English speaking countries]

    The surname of a Scottish clan now also used as a first name. The meaning is unsure, but the name is often taken to be derived from 'cam' (crooked) and 'beul' (mouth).

  • Cohen (Hebrew) - Priest [English and Gaelic speaking countries]

    Cohen is either a Jewish surname from the Hebrew 'kohen' (priest) or an anglicised Irish surname from 'Ó Cadhan' (descendant of Cadhan).

    Cohen is not a personal name in Hebrew. In the Jewish faith, a kohen is assumed to be a direct male de

  • Collin (Gaelic) - Dove [English speaking countries]
  • Connor (Gaelic) - Lover of hounds; hound nobleman [English speaking countries]
  • Conor (Gaelic) - Lover of hounds; hound nobleman [English and Gaelic speaking countries]

    Conor is particularly popular in Ireland - it was the 3rd most popular name there in 2006.

  • Craig (Gaelic) - Cliff; rock [English speaking countries]

    A craig or a crag is a rocky hill or mountain. A crag and tail formation is formed when a glacier passes over resilient rock (usually of the igneous kind - granite, for example) which cannot be eroded. The rock is left protruding from the terrain. An exam

  • Darragh (Gaelic) - Fertile [English and Gaelic speaking countries]
  • Donald (Gaelic) - World rule [English speaking countries]

    Donald comes from the Scottish clan name Domhnall. It is a name frequently used in both Scotland and Ireland. At one time, it's popularity in Scotland rivaled that of Ian, however, Disney's character Donald Duck lead to it's use becoming less frequent. <

  • Duncan (Gaelic) - Brown chief [English and Gaelic speaking countries]

    There have been two Scottish kings named Duncan. Duncan I was portrayed in Shakespeare's play 'Macbeth', where he is killed by Macbeth. In real life, Duncan was killed in battle.

    Duncan Fletcher is a former cricket player and coach.

  • Eoin (Hebrew) - God is gracious [English and Gaelic speaking countries]

    Popular anglicized form of the Irish form of John.
    It may also be an anglicized form of Irish Eoghan.

  • Hugh (Germanic) - Mind, heart or spirit [English speaking countries]

    Hugh was a name of several medieval rulers. There were six Dukes of Burgundy named Hugh, four Counts of Angolême, 4 kings of Cyprus and 13 of Lusignan. Several of the Hughs of Lusignan (Lusignan is a town close to Poitiers in France) were also kings of Cy

  • Kenneth (Gaelic) - Born of fire [English and Gaelic speaking countries]

    Kenneth was particularly popular from the 1930s to 1960s, when it was in the US top 20. It has since declined in popularity, and in 2006 was the 128th most popular male name. It currently retains popularity in the East coast states.

    There

  • Kevin (Gaelic) - Beautiful at birth [English and Gaelic speaking countries]

    Kevin of Glendalough was an early Irish saint who is credited for spreading the popularity of the name Kevin (originally Caoimhín).

    Perhaps the most famous Kevin today is Kevin Bacon, an American actor to whom - it is alleged - anyone in

  • Lachlan (Gaelic) - Warrior from the Land of the Lochs [English speaking countries]

    This spelling is more commonly used in North America and Australia.

  • Quill (Gaelic) - Descendant of Coll [English and Gaelic speaking countries]
  • Ross (Gaelic) - Bluff or Cliff [English speaking countries]

    Ross is a region of north Scotland. The Ross Ice Shelf is the largest ice shelf in Antarctica, it was named after Captain James Ross who discovered it in 1841. It was the place where James Scott and his party died, having failed to become the first people

  • Roy (Gaelic) - Red [English speaking countries]

    Originally a Scottish name, representing an Anglicized spelling of the Gaelic nickname "Ruadh" (red). It has since spread to other parts of the English-speaking world, where it is often reanalysed as Old French "roy" (king).

  • Sean (Hebrew) - God is gracious [English and Gaelic speaking countries]

    The Irish form of John. Famous bearers include actors Sean Connery - the first James Bond, Sean Bean, Sean Astin - Samwise Gamgee in the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy, Sean "Puffy" or "P. Diddy" Combs and Sean Penn.

  • Troy (French) - Troyes [English speaking countries]

    Troy, as a surname, derives from the French city of Troyes. The ancient Greek island of Troy is, presumably, why Troy has become popular as a first name. The meaning is unknown. The name can also be an anglicisation of the Gaelic Troightheach, which me

Female Names
  • Aislinn (Gaelic) - Dream [English speaking countries]

    Respelling of the Gaelic word 'aisling'.

  • Alanna (Gaelic) - Rock [English and Hawaiian speaking countries]

    Variant spelling of Alana, possibly influenced by the name 'Anna'. This spelling highlights the Gaelic pronunciation of Alana.

    The name is borne by actress Alanna Ubach and journalist Alanna Nash.

  • Aoife (Gaelic) - Beautiful; radiant; joyful [English and Gaelic speaking countries]

    According to Irish legend, Aoife was the greast female warrior in the world. This is currently a very popular name in Ireland.

  • Caoimhe (Gaelic) - Gentleness; beauty [English speaking countries]
  • Cara (Gaelic) - Friend [English speaking countries]
  • Deirdre (Gaelic) - Uncertain, perhaps "sorrow, grief" [English and Gaelic speaking countries]

    Deirdre was a character of legendary beauty from the Ulster Cycle, a compilation of ancient Irish lore. Deirdre was engaged to marry Conchobar, the king of Ulster, but instead fell in love with his nephew, Naiose. Deirdre and Naiose fled to an isolated

  • Edna (Gaelic) - Kernel; nut [English speaking countries]

    Derived from the Hebrew, Edna is found in the apocryphal book Tobit, as the name of the mother of Sarah and stepmother of Tobias.

    Edna is also an anglicized form of Irish Eithne.

  • Eileen (Gaelic) - Form of Helen; Evelyn; Aveline; pleasant [English speaking countries]

    Anglicized form of Eibhlín.
    Originally used in Ireland as a form of Helen or Evelyn. Could also be related to Gaelic in which it means 'pleasant'.

  • Fiona (Gaelic) - Fair, white, beautiful [English and Gaelic speaking countries]

    Famous bearers include actress Fiona Shaw, singer Fiona Apple, British journalist Fiona Bruce and Princess Fiona from the 'Shrek' films.

    Fiona pinnata is the name of a species of sea slug. It is the only species belonging to the Fiona genu

  • Kathleen (Greek) - Pure [English and Gaelic speaking countries]

    In the USA, there are currently two state governors named Kathleen: Kathleen Blanco of Louisiana and Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas.

    Kathleen Turner is an American actress.

  • Maeve (Gaelic) - Intoxicating [English speaking countries]

    Anglicization of the Gaelic name Maebh (also Méabh, Madhbh, Medb).

    Medb was the great warrior queen of Connacht in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. Her name might be related to mad (child), or to meisce and mean "the cause of great into

  • Makenzie (Gaelic) - Son of Coinneach; son of the fair one [English speaking countries]
  • Rhiannon (Welsh) - Nymph [English and Welsh speaking countries]

    Rhiannon is the goddess of horses in Welsh mythology. Rhiannon is also the title of a Fleetwood Mac song.

  • Roisin (Latin) - Little rose [English and Gaelic speaking countries]

    Diminutive form of Róis, the Irish form of Rose.

Gender Neutral Names
  • Blair (Gaelic) - Plain [English speaking countries]

    The meaning of "plain", suggests that Blair is someone who comes from the plains, and not that he is plain-looking.

    In recent years, Blair has gained popularity as a girl's name.

  • Cameron (Gaelic) - Crooked nose [English speaking countries]

    Cameron is used both as a surname and a given name; the Camerons are a clan from the Scottish Highlands. The name is believed to be from the Gaelic 'cam' (crooked) and 'srón' (nose).

    Cameron Crowe is a film director, and Cameron Mackintosh

  • Cassidy (Gaelic) - Curly [English speaking countries]

    Anglicised form of the Gaelic surname Ó Caiside ('descendant of Caiside'). This surname is currently also used as a first name for both genders. It was the surname of Wild West bank and train robber Butch Cassidy, and American singer Eva Cassidy.

  • Dara (Hebrew) - Mother-of-pearl [English speaking countries]

    As a Hebrew male name, Dara may be derived from 'dar' meaning "mother-of-pearl", if written with the letters Dalet Resh Hey. Dara may also be written with the letters Dalet Resh Ayin. It is in such case a Biblical name of unknown meaning. Dara was a son o

  • Evelyn (German) - Uncertain, possibly desired [English speaking countries]

    Of German roots, Evelyn is an English variant of Aveline. Aveline is itself related to Ava, Medieval short form of Germanic names beginning with the element "avi", of unknown meaning, possibly "desired".

    It can also be considered a cognate

  • Kara (Gaelic) - Friend [English and Turkish speaking countries]

    As a female name, Kara is derived from Cara - which has roots in Gaelic and Italian. As a male name it is Turkish.

    Kara refers to several geographical places.

    It is a character in the novel 'Benim Adým Kýrmýzý' by the Turki

  • Mackenzie (Gaelic) - Son of Coinneach; son of the fair one [English and Gaelic speaking countries]

    MacKenzie is a common Scottish surname, traditionally denoting membership in the MacKenzie clan. The MacKenzies have been a significant clan in Scotland for at least 700 years.

    MacKenzie itself is an Anglicization of the Gaelic MacCoinneach

  • McKenzie (Gaelic) - Son of Coinneach; son of the fair one [English speaking countries]

    McKenzie is the name of a river in Oregon which flows into the Willamette. In British law, a "McKenzie friend" is someone who assists a person in court who does not have official legal representation. McKenzie is also a popular British clothing line.

  • Sheridan (Gaelic) - Long lived treasure [English speaking countries]