Celtic Boy Names and Irish Boy Names
The Celtic culture is steeped in rich history and tradition, as ancient as it is beautiful, and this history and culture is reflected in the names given to boys in communities with Celtic heritage, like Ireland. Many of these names have strong roots in mythology, nature, and ancient history, and are still popular today, both at home in Ireland, and wider afield with the Irish diaspora.
If you came here to find Celtic names for boys, Celtic baby boy names, ancient Celtic boy names, Celtic Pagan boy names, or Celtic Christian boy names, you came to the right place!
Whether it is Patrick or Peader, Brian or Brody, you will find Irish and Celtic boy names and meanings here. If you have any suggestions, please let us know by commenting below!
Irish Boy Names and Meanings
Celtic Irish Boy Names beginning with ‘A’
ABBAN: abbot
ABRACHAM, BRAM: Irish form of Abraham (father of many)
ADAMNAN, AWNAN: little Adam
ADARE: from the ford of the oak tree
ADDERGOOLE: from between two fords
ADERRIG, AGHADERG: from the red ford
ADHAMH: of the earth
AENGUS, ANGUS, AONGHUS, OENGUS, UNGUS, ENOS, HUNGAS: vigorous one
AGHAMORE: from the great field
AGHY: friend of horses
AGUISTIN: majestic
AHANE: from the little ford
AHERN, AHEARN: lord of the horses
AICHLIN: meaning unknown
AIDRIAN: from the Adriatic
AILFRID: wise
AILIN: handsome
AINDREAS: strong
AINEISLIS: glorious stand
AINMIRE: great lord
AIRLEAS, ARLEN, ARLYN: pledge
ALABHAOIS: famous soldier
ALBAN: pale
ALPHONSUS: noble, ready
ALROY: red-haired
ALSANDAIR: defender of man
AMALGITH: meaning unknown
AMBLAOIBH: relic
AMBROS: divine
ANGUISH: myth name
ANLON, ANLUAN: champion
ANMCHA, AMNCHADH: brave
ANNADUFF: from the black marsh
ANNTOIN, ANN: priceless
AODHFIN, AODHFIONN: white fire
ARALT: leader
ARDAGH: from the high field
ARDAL, ARTEGAL, ARTHGALLO: high honor
ARDKILL: from the high church
ARTUR, ART: noble bear
ASSAN: waterfall
AULEY, AULIFFE, AMHLAOIBH: Irish form of Olaf (ancient)
AVONMORE: from the great river
Ancient Celtic Boy Names beginning with ‘B’
BAETHAN, BEOLAGH: foolish
BAILINTIN: valiant
BAIRD: bard
BALLINAMORE: from the great river
BALLINDERRY: from the town of oak wood
BANAN: white
BANBHAN: piglet
BARRAM, BAIRRFHOINN: handsome
BEARNARD: brave as a bear
BEARTLAIDH: from Barts meadow
BELLINAGAR: meaning unknown
BENEN: kind
BIRR: from Birr
BLAINE, BLIAN: thin
BLAIR, BLAR: from the fields
BLATHMA: flower, sun
BOYNTON: from the town by the river Boyn
BRADY, BRADAIGH: spirited
BRAN: myth name
BRANDAN: saint name
BRANDUFF, BRANDUBH: black raven
BREANDAN: prince
BREASAL: pain
BREEN, BRAOIN: sadness
BRENNAN: little drop
BRODY: from the muddy place
BRONE: sorrowful
BUAGH, BUACH: victorious
BUCKLEY: boy
Celtic Boys Names beginning with ‘C’
CACANISIUS: son of Nis
CADHLA: handsome
CAFFAR: helmet
CAHIR, CATHAOIR: warrior
CAIRBRE: myth name
CAITH: from the battlefield
CALEY, CALY, CAOLAIDHE: slender
CALHOUN, COILLCUMHANN: from the narrow forest
CALLAGHAN, CEALLACHAN: strife
CALLOUGH, CALVAGH, CALBHACH: bald
CANICE: handsome
CAOLAN: slender
CAOMH: lovable
CARLIN: little champion
CARNEY, CEARNACH: victorious
CARRICK, CARRAIG: from the rocky headland
CARROLL, CEARBHALL: manly
CARTHAGE, CARTHACH: loving
CASHEL, CAISEAL: from Cashel
CATHAL: battle strong
CATHMOR, CATHMORE: great fighter
CAVAN: from Cavan
CELSUS: saint name
CIAN, CEIN, CAIN, CIANAN: archaic
CIARRAI: county
CILLIAN: battle
CINNEIDE: helmeted
CLARENCE, CLARRIE, CLANCY: ruddy warrior
CLEARY: scholar
CLUNY: from the meadow
COGHLAN, COCHLAIN, COUGHLAN: hooded
COINNEACH, CANICE: handsome
COIREALL: lordly
COLLA, CONARY, CONAIRE: ancient Irish name
COLLIN, COILIN: virile
COLM, COLMAN, COLEMAN, COLUMBO: dove
COLMCILLE: dove of the church
COMAN: bent
COMHGHAN, COWEN, COWAN, COWYN: twin
COMYN: shrewd
CONCHOBHAR, CONOR, CONNOR, CONNY, CONNIE, CORNELIUS: strong-willed, wise
CONLAN: hero, wise
CONNLAIO, CONLEY,CONLETH: ardent, wise
CONNOLLY, CONNACHT: brave, wise
CONROY, CONAIRE: wise, red
CONWAY: hound of the plain
COONEY, CUANAIC: handsome
CORCORAN: reddish-skin
COREY, CORI, CORY: from the round hill
CORMAC, CORMICK, CORBMAC, CORMIC: charioteer
CREVAN: fox
CROGHER, CROHOORE: loves hounds
CRONAN: little dark one
CROWLEY, CRUADHLAOICH: hunch-backed
CUINN: intelligent
CUMHEA, COOEY, COVEY: hound of the plains
CuUladh, COOLEY, COOLIE, CULLO: hound of Ulster
CUYLER: chapel
Ancient Celtic Boy Names beginning with ‘D’
DAGHDA: myth name
DAIBHEID: dearly loved
DAIRE, DARY, DARRAGH, DARRY: wealthy
DAITHI, DAHY: quick and agile
DALLAN: blind
DAMHLAIC: meaning unknown
DAMON, DAMAN: tame
DAITHI: beloved
DECLAN, DEAGLAN: saint name
DELANEY: from the river Slaney
DEMPSEY: proud
DERMOT, DERMOD, DARBY: free
DESMOND, DES, ESMOND: from south Munster
DEVINE, DAIMHIN: bard
DONNAN, DONN: brown
DON, DONNY, DONOVAN: From surname originally used as first name, itself meaning “dark brown”, referring to color of hair, eyes, or skin.
DORAN, DEORADHAIN: exile
DIARMAID: of unknown origin, but perhaps combining di, “without,” and airmait, “envy”
DOUGAL, DUBHGHALL, DOUGLAS, DOYLE, DOWLE: dark stranger
DOW, DUBG: black-haired
DRISCOL, DRISCOLL: mediator
DUANE: Irish/Gaelic name meaning “little black-haired one; dark; swarthy.” Some variants include Dewain, Dewayne, Duwain, Duwayne, Dwain, Dwan, and Dwayne.
DUBHAN, DOWAN, DUGGAN, DUBHAGAIN: black
DWYER: black
Celtic Irish Boy Names beginning with ‘E’
EACHAN: horseman
EAMON, EAMONN: guardian
EARNAN: knowing
EGAN, EGON, EAGON: fiery
EIMHIN, EIMAR, EVIN: swift
ELHE: legend name
ELROY: red-haired youth
ENAN, EANAN: meaning unknown
ENDA: saint name
EOGHAN, EOIN: gift of God
EOIN BAISTE: named for John the Baptist
ERC, EARC: red
ERNAN: Irish form of Ernest (serious)
ETH: fire
EVOY: blond
Irish Celtic Boy Names beginning with ‘F’
FACHNAN: saint name
FAGAN, HAGAN: little Hugh
FAHEY, FAHY: from the green field
FALLON, FALLAMHAIN: ruler
FAOLAN, FELAN: wolf
FARDORAGH: dark
FARRY: manly
FAY, FEICH: raven
FIACHRA, FEARY, FIACH: myth name
FINEEN: beautiful child
FINBAR: handsome. Variants include Finghin, Fineen, Finnin, and Fionnbarr.
FINIAN: fair. Variants include Finnian, Fionan, Fionn, Phinean, and Phinian.
FLANN: ruddy. Variants include Flainn, Floinn, Flannan, Flannery, Flanagan, Flannagain, and Floinn.
FLYNN: Son of the ruddy man. Variants include Flin, Flinn, and Flyn.
FOGARTY, FOGERTY, FOGARTAIGH: exiled
FOLEY: plunders
FORBA: owns the fields
Unique Celtic Boy Names beginning with ‘G’
GAFFNEY: calf
GAIR, GEAR: short; small one
GALE, GAEL, GAILE: stranger
GALL: rooster
GARA, GADHRA: mastiff
GARBHAN, GARVAN: rough
GARVEY, GAIRBITH: rough peace
GEAROID: spear brave
GERAGHTY: from the court
GERALT: farmer
GILCHRIST: Irish/Gaelic name meaning “Christ’s servant.”
GILIBEIRT: pledge
GILLEAN: Gaelic name meaning “servant of Saint John.” Variants include Gillan, Gillen, and Gillian. Name is related to Gilchrist, Gillespie, and Gilmore.
GILLESPIE: Gaelic name meaning “son of the bishop’s servant.”
GILLEY, GILVARRY, GIOLLA CHRIOST, GIL, GILVARRY: serves Christ
GILMORE: Gaelic name meaning “servant of the Virgin Mary.” Variants include Gillmore, Gillmour, and Gilmour.
GIOLLABRIGHDE, GILBRIDE: serves Saint Bridget
GIOLLABUIDHE: blond
GIOLLADHE, GILDEA: golden
GLAISNE, GLASNY: meaning unknown
GLALEANNA: dwells in the glen
GOFRAIDH, GODFREY, GORRY, GORRIE: peace from God
GOGARTY: banished
GORMAN, GORMAIN: blue
GOTHFRAIDH: peaceful
GRADY: Gaelic name meaning “noble” or “renowned.” Variant, Gradey, exists.
GREAGOIR, GRIOGHAR: watchful
GRUAGH: giant
GUTHRIE: Gaelic name meaning “windy spot.” Variant, Guthry exists.
Unusual Celtic Boy Names beginning with ‘H’
HALEY: ingenious
HANRAOI: rules the home
HEGARTY: unjust
HEREMON: myth name
HEWNEY: meaning unknown
HICKEY: healer
HIERO: saint name
HIGGINS: intelligent
HOIREABARD: soldier
HROTHREKR: famous ruler
HURLEY: sea tide
IARFHLAITH: meaning unknown
INERNEY: steward of church lands
INNIS, INIS, INYS, INNES, INISS: from the river island
IRIAL: meaning unknown
Awesome Celtic Boy Names beginning with ‘J’
JARLATH: tributary lord
JUSTIN: judicious
Beautiful Celtic Boy Names beginning with ‘K’
KALEN, KAILEN, KALAN, KALLAN, KHEELAN, KELLEN: Irish/Celtic name meaning “warrior.”
KEALAN, KELAN: slender
KEALLACH, KILLIAN: battle
KEEFE: handsome
KEEGAN, KEAGAN: fiery
KEELY, KEALY: handsome
KEENAN, KEANAN: ancient
KEITH: from the battlefield
KELLACH, KILLIAN, CEALLACH: strife
KELLEHER: loving husband
KENNEDY: helmeted
KENNY, KAVAN, KAVEN: handsome
KERRY, KEARY: from county Kerry
KERWIN, KERWYN: small, black one
KIAN, KEAN, KIENAN, KENAN: archaic
KIERAN, KYRAN, KIERON: dark
KILLDAIRE, KILDARE, KILDAIRE: from county Kildare
KINSELLA, KINSALE: meaning unknown
Best Celtic Boy Names beginning with ‘L’
LALOR, LEATHLOBHAIR: half-leper
LAOGHAIRE: shepherd
LAUGHLIN, LANY, LEACHLAINN, LOUGHLIN: servant
LEARY: cattle keeper
LEE, LAOIDHIGH: poetic
LOCHLAIN, LAKELAND, LOCHLANN: home of the Norse
LOMAN: bare
LORCAN: little wild one
LUGAIDH: famous warrior
LUGH: myth name
LUNN, LUN: strong
Boy Names that are Celtic beginning with ‘M’
MACARTAN: son of Artan
MACAULEY, MACAULIFFE: son of Olaf
MACBRIDE: son of Bridget, Bride
MACCORMACK: son of Cormac
MACELROY: son of Elroy
MACMURRA, MACMAUREADHAIGH: son of Murray
MACQUAID: son of Quaid
MADDEN: small dog
MAELEACHLAINN, MALACHY, MILOS, MILES, MYLES: servant
MAELISA: serves Christ
MAGO, MANE: great
MAHER: generous
MAHON: bear
MALONE, MALONEY: serves Saint John
MANNIX, MAINCHIN: monk
MANNUSS: great
MAOLRUADHAN, MELRONE: serves Saint Ruadhan
MAUGHOLD: saint name
MEARA, MEADHRA: happy
MELCHIOR: meaning unknown
MELVIN, MELVYN, MALVIN, MAL: chief
MIACH: myth name
MOGUE: saint name
MOLAN: servant of the storm
MOLLOY, MALLOY: noble chief
MONOHAN: monk
MOONEY, MAONAIGH: wealthy
MORAN, MORAIN: great
MORIARTY, MUIRCHEARTAIGH: expert seaman
MOROLT: legend name
MORRISSEY: choice of the sea
MUIREADHACH, MURRY, MURRAY: lord of the sea
MULCAHY: battle chief
MULCONRY: hound of prosperity
MUNDY: from Reamon
MURCHADH, MURROUGH, MORGAN: fighter of the sea
MURPHEY, MURCHADH, MURPHY: sea warrior
Celtic and Gaelic Boy Names beginning with ‘N’
NAAL: saint name
NALLY: poor
NAOMHAN, NEVAN, NEVYN: holy
NEASON, NESSAN: saint name
NOLAN: noble
NULTY, NULTE: from Ulster
Celtic Boy Names beginning with ‘O’
ODANODAN: of the red earth
ODHRAN, ORAN, ODRAN: pale green
OSSIAN: fawn
OWNEY, ONEY: meaning unknown
Celtic Male Names beginning with ‘P’
PADRIAC, PADRAIG: noble
PARLAN, PATHOLON: legend name
PHELAN: joyful
Celtic Irish Names for Boys beginning with ‘Q’
QUAID: Irish form of Walter (strong warrior)
QUERAN: dark
QUIGLEY: unruly hair
QUINLAN: graceful
QUINN, QUIN: intelligent
Celtic Warrior Names beginning with ‘R’
RAGHNALL: strong
REGAN, RIAGAN: little king
RENNY, RAIGHNE: mighty
RIDDOCK, REIDHACHADH, RIDDOC: from the smooth field
RIOBARD: bright
RIORDAN, RIORDAIN: royal bard
ROARK, RUARC, RUARK, RORKE, RUAIDHRI: famous ruler
ROGAN, RUADHAGAN, ROWE, ROWEN, ROWYN, ROWIN, ROWAN, RUADHAN: red-haired
ROIBHILIN, RAVELIN, RAVELYN, REVELIN: meaning unknown
ROIBIN, ROIBEARD: robin
RONAN: little seal
ROONEY, RUANAIDH: hero
RORY, RUAIDHRI: red
RUADHAN: saint name
RYAN, RIAN: little king
Celtic-Irish Boy Names beginning with ‘S’
SCANLON, SCANNALAN, SCANLAN: scandal
SCULLY, SCOLAIGHE: herald
SEAFRA, SHEARY, SEAFRAID: peace from God
SEARBHREATHACH: judicious
SHAMUS, SEAMUS, SHEMUS: supplanter
SHANAHAN, SEANACHAN: wise
SHANLEY, SEANLAOCH: old hero
SHANNON, SEANAN: little old wise one
SHAUGHNESSY, SEACHNSAIGH: meaning unknown
SHEA, SEAGHDA: majestic
SHEARY, SHERON: Irish form of Geoffrey (peace of God)
SHEEHAN, SIODHACHAN: little peaceful one
SHERIDAN, SEIREADAN: untamed
SORLEY: Viking
STRAHAN, SRUTHAN: poet
STRUTHERS, SRUTHAIR: from the stream
SULLIVAN, SUILEABHAN: black-eyed
SWEENEY, SUIDHNE: little hero
Irish Boy Names beginning with ‘T’
TADHG, TADLEIGH: bard
TEAGUE, TEAGHUE: poet
TERRENCE: tender
TERRISS, TERIS: son of Terrence
TIARCHNACH, TIERNEY, TIER, TIGHEARNACH, TIERNAN: regal
TIBBOT: Irish form of Theobald (strong for the people)
TORIN, TORYN: chief
TORMEY, TORMAIGH: thunder spirit
TORRANCE, TORRENCE, TORRANS, TORY: from the knolls
TREACY, TREASIGH, TREASACH: fighter
TREVOR, TREABHAR: prudent
TULLY, TAICLIGH: peaceful
Irish Boy Names beginning with ‘U’
UAID: Irish form of Walter (strong warrior)
UAINE: meaning unknown
UALTAR: strong fighter
UTHER: myth name
Irish and Celtic Boy Names beginning with ‘W’
WARD: bard
WHELAN: joyfull