154 Modern & Traditional Irish Girl Names with 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 154 modern and traditional Irish girl names. Their meanings are also included.

List Of 154 Traditional and Modern Irish Girl Names With Meanings:

Brónach

Brónach comes from brón, ”sadness” or ”sorrow.” Brónach is the mother of Saint Mo Chóe of Nendrum.

Súsanna

”Lily”.

Eileanóra

”Light.”

Nollaig

”Christmas,” and I recommend it for girls who are born around December 25.

Eithne

Eithne is pronounced “EH-nyeh” and is meaning ”kernel.” Singer Eithne Ní Uallacháin released the album ‘Lá Lugh in 1991.

Odharnait

“Little tanned one.”

Dympna

”Poet” or “little fawn.”

Luíseach

Luíseach means ”light” or ”light-bringer.”

Muireann

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

Pádraigín

Pádraigín is the female variant of Pádraig, noble.

Crístíona

From Latin Christiana, follower of Christ.

Éala

Swan.

Irish feminine names with dark meanings:

Name	Meaning	Pronunciation
Badb	crow	BAHV
Scáthach	”shadowy one”	SKAW-hakh
Macha	she cursed Ulster	MAH-khuh
Uathach	”terrible.”	OO-uh-hakh
Morrígan	phantom queen	MOR-ee-gan or mor-REE-un
Fuamnach	the jealous sorceress	FOOM-nakh
Nemain	frenzy, or panic	NEV-in
Cethlenn	crooked tooth	KETH-len
Sín	storm, in Irish	SHEEN
Fand	”a tear”	FAWND
Dearbhfhorgaill	blamed for invasion	DAR-uv-or-gil
Cailleach	veiled one	KAL-yokh
Dubhóg	”little dark one.”	DOO-vohg
Mongfhionn	poisoned her brother	MONG-yun
Dubh Lacha	black duck	DOOV LAKH-uh

The list continues.

Aingeal

Aingeal is a variant of the Greek Angela which comes from the word ángelos (‘messenger’ or ‘envoy’).

Iúile

”Devoted to Jupiter.”

Shayla

In Hebrew Shayla comes from Shailah (“to ask” or “to inquire”). In Irish, Shayla is from Síle.

Caoilainn

”Pure” or ”slender.”

READ MORE: One Syllable Middle Names For Girls

Bridie

”Lofty” or ”exalted.” Bridie has its origins in the Irish ”Brd.”

Faoiltiarna

It combines faol, wolf, with tiarna, lord.

Uallach

”Proud,” and the first woman recorded as chief poet of Ireland.

Cara

”Friend.” Save

Fionnuala

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

Líle

Lily.

Irish mythology baby girl names:

Name	Meaning	Pronunciation
Grian	sun	GREE-un
Fionnabhair	”white phantom”	fin-OO-ar
Danu	flowing one	DAH-noo
Neasa	ungentle, or fierce	NASS-uh
Líban	beauty of women	LEE-ban
Ériu	Ireland, in Old Irish	AY-roo
Caer	”yew berry.”	KYRE
Muirne	beloved	MWIR-nyeh
Clíodhna	shapely one	KLEE-uh-nuh
Scota	woman of the Scoti	SKOH-tuh
Éadaoin	”jealousy”	AY-deen or AY-tawn
Banba	Ireland’s old name	BAN-uh-vuh
Sinann	she sought wisdom	SHIN-un
Dáirine	”fruitful.”	DAW-rin-eh
Flidais	wild doe	FLITH-ish

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Réalta

”Star”.

Iseult

”Fair lady”.

Mairéad

Mairéad is the Scottish Gaelic equivalent of Margaret, one with Iranian roots (”pearl”). Variations that I love include Máighréad and Máiréad. Margaret also gave the world the marguerite, the daisy.

Toiréasa

“Torch” or “flame.” Save

Boann

Boann is a goddess of the River Boyne (“white cow”). It is from the word bainne, ”milk.”

Fionnuisce

It combines fionn, clear, with uisce, water.

Annábla

”Lovable.”

Stiofáinín

Crown.

Mallaidh

“Drop of the sea” or ”beloved.” Mallaidh is an Irish Gaelic diminutive form of Mary.

Rathnait

”Grace.”

Celtic Irish girl names:

Name	Meaning	Pronunciation
Rónait	seal	ROH-nit
Lasairfhíona	flame of wine	LAS-er-EE-nuh
Mór	”great.”	MOHR
Caireann	beloved one	KAR-un
Fial	modest, or generous	FEE-ul
Gobnait	”little smith”	GUB-nit
Ainnir	maiden, in Irish	AN-yir
Deirbhile	poet’s daughter	DER-vil-eh
Úna	”lamb.”	OO-nuh
Muirgheal	shining sea	MWIR-yal
Ealga	noble	AL-guh
Fainche	she is free	FAN-kheh
Flannait	”ruddy”	FLAN-it
Aodhnait	fire	AY-nit or EE-nit
Ceara	red, or fiery	KAR-uh

Even more below.

Ailís

”Noble.”

Mckenna

From Mac Cionaodha, son of the fire-born.

Eimear

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

Kerry

”People of Ciar”. Kerry Blue Terrier pups are born black before silvering.

Proinséas

From Franciscus, Frenchman.

Cobhfhlaith

”Victorious princess.”

Róis

Róis is a form of Rose, which is from the late Latin ”rosa.”

Mona

”Noble”.

Gearóidín

Spear rule.

Searlait

It has roots in Charlotte, free.

Eibhlín

Eibhlín is a variantion of Evelyn and is meaning “desired child.” Eibhlín Dubh Ní Chonaill wrote the poem “The Lament for Art Ó Laoghaire.”

Síofra

”Elf” or ”changeling,” Síofra is pronounced ”SHEE-fra.”

Alastríona

Alastriona has roots in Alistair (“defender of the people”).

Isibéal

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

Mairsile

Warlike.

Kelly

”Bright-headed.”

Scoithniamh

It combines scoth, flower, with niamh, bright.

Béatrais

”Bringer of joy,” and Beatrice guides Dante through Paradise.

Éabha

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

Aoibheall

”Radiant,” and also a fairy queen who judges men in The Midnight Court.

Buadhnait

”Victorious.”

Eistir

Eistir is a variation of Esther, from a Persian word for star.

Fianna

”Warrior band,” and the name of Fionn mac Cumhaill’s followers.

Báirbre

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

Tara

”Hill,” and the Hill of Tara was the seat of Ireland’s high kings.

Gelgéis

It is made of gel, white, and géis, swan.

Póilín

Small.

Neala

”Champion.”

Caoimhe

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

Ríonach

“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

Ciannait means “beautiful, fair.”

Croía

Croía is derived from croí, “heart.” Croía is ranked in the top 20 most used names in the Republic of Ireland.

Nóinín

Daisy.

Saorlaith

”Free princess.”

Labhaoise

Labhaoise is a variant of Louise, famous warrior.

Saoirse

”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

”Little rose.” Róisín comes from ‘róis.’

Aoife

“Beauty” or “radiance.”

Sinéad

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

Aisling

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

Áine

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

Niamh

“Bright” or “radiant” and is from the Old Irish niam. In the Fenian tales, Niamh of the Golden Hair rode a white horse out of the sea.

Órlaith

“Golden princess”. Órlaith was the 4th most recorded woman’s name in the Irish annals of the 1100s.

Gráinne

Gráinne is connected to grán (“grain”).

Deirdre

“Sorrowful” or “daughter.”

Sadhbh

“Sweet” or “goodly.”

Fiadh

“Wild” in the sense of a wild deer.

Doireann

“Sullen” or “tempestuous.” Poet Doireann Ní Ghríofa won the James Tait Black Prize.

Gormlaith

Gormlaith is made of the elements gorm (“blue” or “illustrious”) and flaith (“sovereign”). Gormlaith ingen Murchada married 3 kings during her life.

Bláthnaid

”Blossom.”

Íde

Íde comes from ítu, “thirst.” Saint Íte of Killeedy ran a school that fostered other young saints. It is Anglicized as Ita or Ida.

Sorcha

“Brightness” or “light.” In Ireland it was swapped for Sarah.

Ailbhe

Ailbhe is made of the elements ail (“rock”) and albho (“white”).

Aoibheann

“Radiant beauty.”

Ciara

Ciara is the feminine of Ciarán (“dark”). Saint Ciara founded a monastery in Tipperary.

Líadan

Líadan is symbolizing “grey lady.”

Bébhinn

Bébhinn is composed from bé (“woman”) and finn (“fair”) and means “melodious lady.”

Laoise

“Radiant girl.”

Onóra

Onóra is a form of Honora and comes from the Latin honor. Variants that I like are Nóra and Noreen.

Aifric

“Pleasant” or “agreeable.” Aifric Keogh won Olympic bronze at Tokyo in 2021. TG4 produced a teen drama around a girl called Aifric.

Clár

From clár, a flat plain.

Finnchaomh

”Fair and lovely,” and the mother of Conall Cernach.

Ráichéal

”Ewe.” Rachel’s Tomb is situated on the road outside Bethlehem.

Sláine

Sláine has its roots in sláinte, the word you raise a glass to and is meaning “health.” One of Brian Boru’s daughters was known as Sláine. She married the Norse king of Dublin, Sigtrygg.

Madailéin

”Of Magdala.”

Léan

”Bright one.”

Sciath

From sciath, shield.

Seosaimhín

Seosaimhín has origins in Josephine, God will add.

Brianna

Brianna is the feminine of Brian, high or noble.

Finnseach

”Fair woman.”

Caitríona

Caitríona (”pure”) Balfe plays Claire in Outlander.

Colleen

From Irish cailín, girl.

Fionnait

”Little fair one.”

Síomha

Good peace.