Learn about some of the most popular Irish baby names.
Bailey: Currently popular in the U.S. and Ireland, Bailey means law enforcer or steward in English tradition. This name is also found in French and German with the meanings "public servant" and "able." Variations of Bailey include Bailee, Baylee, Bayley and Baylie.
Brianna: Meaning strong, the Irish name Brianna has been one of the most popular girls' names in the United States through the 1990s and 2000s. Variants include Briana and Breanna.
Brigid: Meaning strong in Celtic tradition, Brigid is a more unusual variant of Brigette or Briget.
Caitlin: Caitlin is one of myriad spelling variations for this commonly used Irish girls' name meaning pure and innocent.
Colleen: Derived from the Celtic word for girl, Colleen has been a popular name in the United States for many years. Despite its roots it is not a top name in Ireland, however. Variants include Coleen and Collene.
Erin: In Gaelic traditions Erin means peace, but in Irish Erin is a poetic name for Ireland and was often used to denote one from Ireland.
Kylie: The origins of the Irish name Kylie come from the Gaelic for lovely; it may also be related to the Gaelic for victorious. In Celtic the name means a narrow channel or strait. Variants include Kylee and Kyleigh.
Kyra: From the Latin for light, Kyra and Kira are popular names in the United States and Ireland. The name also traces its roots to the Greek word meaning enthroned.
Maureen: The origins of the name Maureen can be either traced to the Irish word for bitter or the Celtic word for great.
Quinn: Originally a surname, Quinn comes from the Celtic word for wise. It has become a popular first name for both girls and boys.
Riley: Another unisex name with Irish roots, Riley means brave and valiant. Variations of the name include Rylie, Ryleigh and Reilly.
Shannon: The longest river in Ireland is the Shannon. The name means wise in Irish tradition.
Shea: Meaning majestic, Shea and Shay are popular Irish names for girls. It is believed the root word referred to hawks and hawk-like birds.
Tara: From the Irish for a rocky hill, Tara is recognized by most people as the name of the plantation in the epic "Gone with the Wind."
BOYS' NAMES
Aidan: Two Celtic saints are named Aidan which means fiery in Irish tradition. The name was very popular in medieval times but has experienced a resurgence in recent times.
Brendan: The royally popular name Brendan has Irish origins and means prince. Variants of the name include Brendon and Brennon.
Casey: This Celtic name meaning "brave" is more commonly used for boys, but is considered unisex.
Cole: The name Cole has English roots and means darkness.
Colin: The male version of the name Colleen, Colin means cub or little one. It is Gaelic in origin.
Conan: The Celtic name Conan means intelligent or wise. Comedian and talk show host Conan O'Brien is one of the most well known people with this name.
Connor: This Irish name for lover of wolves and its variants Conor and Conner are currently some of the most popular names in the United States, ranking in the top 100 in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Declan: Declan means full of goodness. One of the most renowned Irish saints was Saint Declan who founded a monastery.
Griffin: The name Griffin comes from Welsh and is a mythological winged beast.
Keegan: Keegan has Gaelic and Celtic roots, meaning small and fiery and sometimes referring to the historical son of Egan.
Liam: A diminutive of the classic name William, Liam means defender and protector. This name has been a classic in Ireland for some time and has recently increased in usage in the U.S.
Ryan: This name with Celtic and Gaelic roots means kingly and ruler. Popular variants include Ryne and Rian.
Sean: Extremely popular in the United States and Ireland, this version of John means grace of God. Common variants are Shawn and Shane.
