A list of names for newborn babies, including names with Celtic origins and meanings, separated by modern versus traditional.
The Celts were a dominant society. Their empire once covered the entire continent of Europe. Locations like Eastern Europe, Greece, Spain, Northern Italy, Western Europe, England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland were occupied by the Celts. Their existence can be traced over more than 25 centuries. The Celtic people have remained an enigma for generations. They were a non-literate society, so any preservation of their history and culture was orally communicated from generation to generation. The only written documentation of their civilization was by ancient authors. These accounts may be inaccurate, but they are important key to understanding this rich cultural tradition.
Let's start with very traditional Celtic names that have lasted throughout mythology. These names are very rare and unique with strong meanings behind them. Many of these names are open to be shortened or pronounced in any way the parent's see fit.
FOR BOYS:
Abenzio (Ben)- Son of my right hand
Adalardo - Noble
Ahearn - Lord of the horses
Amon - The hidden
Anwell - Beloved or dear one
Anyon - An anvil
Arland - Pledge
Bardon- Singer or poet
Beacan - Small one
Bevan- Youthful warrior
Briac - Esteemed
Cadman - A man of battle
Camlin -Crooked line
Carden - From the black fortress
Carrick - Dweller on a rocky cape
Coalan - Slender
Conall - As strong as a wolf
Condon - Dark-haired wise man
Dallas - Skilled, or from the field of water
Derry - Great lover or an ancient hero
Deverell - From the riverbank
Drostan - Noisy one
Druce - Manly, courageous
Drystan - Also means noisy one
Duer - Hero
Dunham - A dark man
Dunn - Brown
Edan - Flame, fiery
Egan - Ardent, little fire
Ennis - From an island
Farrell - Valorous one
Fergal - Man of strength
Fionn - White and fair
Gawain - A battle hawk
Gilroy - Servant of the King
Gower - Pure
Herne - Mythical hunter of God
Innes- An island in the river
Ion - Moon man
Jarman - A man from Germany
Keir - Dark
Kembell - Warrior chief
Lann - A sword
Lorne - Of Lorne
Melor - Cornish placename
Newlyn - Dweller at the new pool
Ogilvie - From the high hill
Pembroke - A broken hill
Perth - A thornbush thicket
Renfrew - From the still river
Sayer - A carpenter
Tor - A rock
Torin - Chief
Tremayne - From the town encircled in stone
Turi - Bear
Urien - Privileged birth
Varney - Residence
Vortigern - A great king
Weylin - The son of the wolf
York - The farm of the Yew tree
FOR GIRLS:
Africa - Pleasant
Aine - Joy
Aislinn - A dream, vision or inspiration
Aithne - Little fire
Amena - Honest woman
Bevin - Lady with a sweet song
Birkita - Strength
Brietta - Strong
Brina - Protector
Brites - Strength
Cerdwin - The mother Goddess
Cinnia - Great beauty
Cuyler - Chapel
Devnet - Poet
Dorsey - A tribe
Edana - Zealous and fiery
Eilis - God's oath
Elsha - Noble
Ena - Passion or fiery
Erea - From Ireland
Etain - Shining, a fairy
Fainche - Saint's name
Fenella - Of the white shoulders
Galena - Calm
Ginebra - White as foam
Idelle - Bountiful
Isolde - Beautiful
Lavena - Joy
Morgance - Sea-dweller
Morgandy - Little one from the edge of the sea
Morna - Affection or beloved
Nola - Noble or Famous
Rhoswen - White rose
Saraid - Excellent
Seanna - God's grace
Sorcha - Bright
Treva - Prudent
Tully - Peaceful one
Ula - Sea jewel
Wynne - Light complexioned
There are also many modern and popular baby names that come from the Celtic language.
FOR BOYS:
Allyn - Handsome, cheerful and noble
Angus - Superb and unique
Arthur - Noble follower
Blaine- Thin or lean
Boyd, Boyden - Blond or yellow
Bram - Raven
Brian - Strong
Brice - Swift, quick-moving
Bryant - Strong
Cary - Honest one, shy
Casey - Brave, watchful
Chad, Chadwick - Warrior
Clancy - Offspring of red-headed soldier
Cody - Assistant, a cushion, possessions
Colin - Youth, child, victor
Con, Conan - Wise
Conner - Desire, wise aid
Corey - Raven, from the hollow
Craig - From near the crag
Dermot - Free of envy
Desmond - Man of the world, society
Donnel - World leader
Donnelly - A brave black man
Doran - A stranger
Doug - From dark water
Doyle - Dark stranger
Driscol - An interpreter
Duane - Wagoner
Duncan - Dark-skinned warrior
Evan - Young warrior and well-born
Ewan - Young
Ferris - Rock, iron
Floyd - The hollow
Flynn - Son of the red-haired man
Fynn - Fair or blond
Gallagher - Eager aide
Galvyn - Sparrow
Gervase - Servant spear
Greg - Fierce
Irving - Handsome
Kegan - Fiery
Keith - Wood, wind or wood-dweller
Kelvin - From the narrow river
Kevin- Gentle and lovable
Kendall - Ruler of the valley
Kyle - Handsome, near the chapel
Maddox - Beneficient
Malvin, Melvin - Servant
Marvin - Beautiful sea or good friend
Melvin - Chief
Merlin - Sea
Monroe - Mouth of the river
Murray - Sailor
Reilly- A small stream
Reghan - Nobility
Sean - God's grace
Sheridan - The wild man, untamed
Sloane - Warrior
Tegan - Doe
Tiernan- Lord
Tierney- Lordly
Torrance - Tender and gracious
Torrey - Residence
Trevor - Cautious
Vaughan - Little or small
FOR GIRLS:
Aileen - A light green meadow
Aine (Anne)- Joy
Alanna - Fair
Annabelle - Joy
Arleen - A Pledge
Bree - Broth
Brenna - Raven maid, dark-haired
Briana - Strong
Bridget - Resolute, strong or saintly
Caitlin - Pure
Cary - Honest one, shy
Colleen - Girl
Dana - Mother of the Gods in myths
Dierdre - Young girl, one who rages, broken-hearted
Enid - Quiet woman
Erin - Peace
Evelyn - Lively and pleasant
Evette - Life-giver
Fiona - White or fair
Gale - A stranger
Gilda - God's servent
Gwendolyn - White brow
Gwynne - White or fair
Kaitlyn - Little darling
Kathleen - Little darling
Kendall - Ruler of the valley
Kyna - Wise
Lorna - Of lore
Maureen - Great
Moira - Bitter or great
Morgan - Sea-dweller
Rhona - Rough island
Rhonda - Grand
Shauna - God's grace
Shanon - Wise one
Shayla - Fairy palace
Shela - Musical
Tara - Rocky hill, tower
Teresa - Strong
