37 Old & Traditional Irish Girl Names & Meanings

Irish is one of the oldest and most historically written languages in the world. It is a Celtic language that is closely related to Manx Gaelic and Scottish. I have selected 37 old and traditional Irish girl names. Their meanings are also included.

Brónach

Brónach is derived from the Irish word brón, which means ”sadness” or ”sorrow.” Brónach is the mother of Saint Mo Chóe of Nendrum.

Eithne

Meaning “kernel” or “grain,” the feminine name Eithne is pronounced, “EN-ya.” Irish singer Eithne Ní Uallacháin released the album ‘Lá Lugh in 1991.

Odharnait

Odharnait means “little tanned one.”

Dympna

”Poet” or “little fawn.”

Luíseach

Luíseach is a rare Irish feminine name. Ir means ”light” or ”light-bringer.”

Muireann

Pronounced MWIR-ren, the old Irish name Muireann is interpreted as ”fair one of the sea.” Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh is an Irish singer who released 8 albums, including Daybreak/Fáinne an Lae and Róisín ReImagined.

Aingeal

Aingeal is a variant of the Greek name Angela, which comes from the word ángelos, which means ‘messenger’ or ‘envoy’.

Iúile

”Devoted to Jupiter.”

Shayla

The girl’s name Shayla has Hebrew and Irish origins. In Hebrew, Shayla comes from the name Shailah (meaning “to ask” or “to inquire”). In Irish, Shayla is from Síle.

Caoilainn

It means ”pure” or ”slender.”

READ MORE: One Syllable Middle Names For Girls

Bridie

Meaning ”lofty” or ”exalted,” the Irish traditional name Bridie has its origins in the Irish name ”Brd.”

Fionnuala

The name is anglicized as Fenella. Finnguala is symbolizing “white shoulder” or “fair-shouldered.” In Irish mythology, Fionnuala was the daughter of Lir (a sea god in Irish mythology) of the Tuatha Dé Danann (a supernatural race in Irish mythology).

Facts about the Irish language

Irish has three major dialects. In 1958, the Official Standard was published, which united the various dialects.

Gaeilge is the name of the language in Irish.

1200-1600 are the dates of Classical Modern Irish.

“Yes” and “no” are expressed by repeating the verb as a negative or an affirmative.

Mairéad

Mairéad is the Scottish Gaelic equivalent of Margaret, a name with Iranian roots (which means ”pearl”). Variations that I love include Máighréad and Máiréad.

Toiréasa

Meaning “torch” or “flame,” Toiréasa is a feminine Irish name that is pronounced ”to-REE-sah.”

Boann

Boann is the Irish goddess of the River Boyne (“white cow”). The name is from the word ”bainne” which means ”milk.”

Mallaidh

Interpreted as “drop of the sea” or ”beloved,” Mallaidh is an Irish Gaelic diminutive form of Mary.

Eimear

Eimear symbolizes ”quick” or ”swift.” Irish composer and singer Eimear Quinn won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1996 with the song The Voice.

Róis

The girl’s name Róis is the Irish form of the name Rose, which is from the late Latin ”rosa.”

Eibhlín

Eibhlín is the Irish form of Evelyn, a name with Norman-French roots, meaning “desired child.”

Síofra

Meaning ”elf” or ”changeling,” Síofra is an Irish girl name that is pronounced ”SHEE-fra.” Síofra Campbell is an Irish actress and film director.

Alastríona

The name Alastriona is rooted in Alistair, a Greek name that is symbolizing “defender of the people.”

Isibéal

Isibeal comes from the Hebrew name Elisheva, which means ”God is my oath.” Isibéal Ní Cheallaigh was named Ring’s first Irish ‘Voice of the Nation.’

How to choose a good Irish name for your baby girl

Look to your family tree and see what ideas come from there.

Say the full Irish name out loud with your partner.

It’s smart to consider sibling names at the same time.

Think about all the possible nicknames, so you dont mess your daughter future.

I recommend staying with traditional Irish girl names.

Éabha

From the Hebrew word ‘chavvâh,’ Éabha is meaning “living one.”

Báirbre

The name Baírbre is the traditional Irish Gaelic form of Barbara, which is the feminine form of the Greek word barbaros (”stranger”).

Caoimhe

”Dear” or ”kind,” Caoimhe is derived from the word caomh. It is pronounced, ”Kwee-va.”

Ríonach

Ríonach means “queenly.”

Cadhla

‘Beautiful’ or ‘graceful.’

Méabh

With origins in the word meadhbh, Méabh is symbolizing “she who intoxicates.” Variations of Méabh that I like are: Maiv, Mave, Maev, or Maeve.

Ciannait

The name Ciannait means “beautiful, fair.”

Croía

Croía is derived from the Irish word ”croí,” which means “heart.” Croía is ranked in the top 25 most used names in the Republic of Ireland.

Saoirse

Saoirse means ”freedom.” I find the meaning of Saoirse to be one of the strongest from this list.

Clodagh

Clodagh is the name of a river. It is pronounced Clo-dah.

Róisín

Meaning ”little rose,” the Irish feminine name Róisín comes from the Irish word ‘róis.’

Aoife

Aoife means “beauty” or “radiance.”

Sinéad

Sinéad is the feminine form of the Hebrew Yohanan, which means “God forgave.”

Aisling

Three decades ago, Aisling was the 9th most popular name for baby girls in Ireland. Today, it not quite as popular as it used to be, though. Aisling means ”vision” or ”dream.”

Áine

Áine is the name of an Irish Celtic goddess of wealth, and is symbolizing ”radiance.” The name Áine is pronounced ‘Awn-Ya.’