Baby names: celtic name ideas for boys and girls

Naming your child can be one of the most joyous events in a parent's life. Many mothers and fathers want a unique and meaningful name for their baby. When weighing all the options, why not look into traditional and modern Celtic names? Parents-to-be across the globe are choosing Celtic names for their offspring. Some names are derived from ancient legends while others are commemorative of saints or locations.

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.

Names of a Celtic origin are powerful, beautiful and extremely diverse. They are also unique, authentic, and brimming with historical and mythical associations.

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