Ireland’s history and culture has spread throughout the world. Nothing is more individual then our beautiful men and boys names, all of which are full of history and meaning. Our unique language, music and legends have delighted and intrigued generations of Irish people and their descendants.
Irish names hold a special meaning and beauty that give the bearer a special link with our ancient past; many associated with our ancient Gods the Tuatha de Danann and the ancient myths surrounding and engulfing this ancient land.
1 Aodhan – Prounced as ‘A-dan’
Aodhan This beautiful Irish name translates into Born of Fire, Fiery or Intelligent. It is a form of the ancient Irish name Aodh meaning fire. Aodh was a member of the Irish Pantheon of Gods the Tuatha de Danann. He was the God of the Underworld, protector of the ancestors. He was the father of Lir from the Irish Legend The Children of Lir
2. Brian – Prounced as ‘Bry-Ann’ (easy one)
Brian is a popular Irish name meaning high or noble, it can also be associated with Bru which can mean hill or mound which could translate into one of high status. It is a name most commonly associated with the last High King of Ireland Brian Boru.
The most famous High King in the history of Ireland. He was a fearless ancient warrior who upon the death of his brother became King of the ancient Irish Kingdom of Munster. He fought for years to unseat the Ui Neill dynasty who had completely dominated the Kingship of Ireland.
He eventually succeeded in his countrywide battle to win Ireland. He fought Vikings and Gael. He was eventually crowned High King of Ireland, started the O’Brien Dynasty. Brian was killed in the infamous Battle of Clontraf but his memory and tales of greatness live on. He is preserved in our ancient written texts the Annals of the Four Masters, The Irish Annals
3. Darragh – Prounced as ‘Dar-a’
Darragh is a beautiful Irish name. it translates into the word Oak, the most sacred tree of the ancient Irish. This name can be used for a boy or a girl, however for a girl it is usually spelled as Dara.
It is also thought to be connected to the ancient Dagda, the father of the Tuatha de Danann, their King and highest Druid. A name associated with ancient magic and wisdom.
The Dagda was said to hold the life and death of mortals in his hands. He was also the father of time, seasons and life in the world of the ancient Irish.
4. Cian – Prounced as ‘Key-Ann’
Cian is ancient Irish origins and translates to mean Ancient and or enduring. Cian Mac Mael Muad was the son in law and General of the Irish High King and Warrior Brian Boru, Cian lead the armies of the Kingdom of Munster to victory over The Viking invaders during the Battle of Clontarf in 1014.
Unfortunately both Cian and Brian Buru were killed during this famous historical battle. Cian has a very prominent role in Irish Mythology, he was the physician of the Tuatha de Danann, he is best known as the father of one of Ireland’s most important Gods Lugh.
5. Eoghan – Prounced as ‘O-an’
Eoghan means of noble birth and born of the yew tree.
A name given to Kings and Princes. The County of Tyrone derives its name from this ancient name originally Tir Eoghan, the Land of Eoghan. Most often associated with Eoghan O’Neill a warrior from the mid 1600’s.
Eoghan was also the name of one of Irelands most important historical figures, Niall of the nine hostages.
6. Fionn – Prounced as ‘Fee-un’
Fionn This is possibly one of the most ancient names within Ireland culture. Fionn means fair or white, but is known as the name of Irelands most famous warrior Fionn Mac Cumhail. Fionn was the leader of Irelands ancient warriors The Fianna, giving their name to the Fenian Cycle of Irish Mythology and associated with the ancient Gods of Irealnd the Tuatha de Danann.
He is associated with many of Irelands’s ancient Legends he battled Formorians and monsters.
The character of Fionn is associated with the best known legends of Ireland such as “The Salmon on Knowledge” where Fionn accidently obtains the knowledge of the world. And all the wonderful tales of the ancient Fianna. The foundation of the Giant’s Causeway, the tales and deads of Fianna. He was also the father of Oisin.
7. Niall – Prounced as ‘Ny-al’ (easy one)
Niall is an ancient Irish name who’s exact meaning is not quite clear, but it is thought to mean warrior or champion. It is a name deep rooted in Irelands history. It is a name associated with ancient kings and champions. Most notably Niall of the Nine Hostages.
The ancient Irish High King who’s descendants went on to become on of Ireland’s most powerful in influential ancient dynasties the Ui Neill’s. He is mentioned in the Ancient Annals of the Four Masters and is deeply associated with the ancient and sacred Hill of Tara.
8. Lugh – Prounced as ‘Lou’
Lugh is one of the ancient names of Ireland. Lugh was the Irish god of the sun and the Irish god of war. Lugh was the most important god in Irish Mythology. Lugh was a member of the ancient pantheon of Irish gods the Tutha de Dannann. The ancient god Lugh was a warrior king with many astounding attributes. The Harvest Festival Lughnasadh derives its name from the god Lugh.
Lugh was the son of Cian of the Tuatha de Dannann and Ethliu of the Formorian, the Tuatha de Danann were at constant war with the Formorians and Lugh killed one of the most powerful Formorians his Grandfather Balor. Lugh was the father of Irelands most famous warrior Cu Chulainn.
Lugh is deeply associated with Tara and legend says that his moral life came to an end when he was drowned by the Son’s of Cermait in Lough Lugborta at the Hill of UIsneach. Lugh had Killed Cermait for having an affair with his wife, Cermait was brought back to life by his father The Dagda. Lughs tales and legends are interwoven into the fabric of ancient irish culture and the mythology that shaped it.
9. Padraig – Prounced as ‘Pawd-rig’
Padraig Is the Irish for the name Patrick. Patrick has it origins in the Latin name Patrrician deriving from the higher class in society in the Roman society it can be associated with the word Noble. A name made famous in Ireland by our Patron Saint Patrick. Who is credited with bring Christianity to Ireland in a time when Ireland was deep rooted in Pagan belief systems.
10. Odhran – Prounced as ‘Or-an’
Odhran is an ancient Irish name that is said to mean “Dark Haired” or “little pale green one” This ancient name is most commonly associated with the ancient Saints of Ireland. Odhran was said to be from Silvermines Co Tipperary. This ancient holy Irish Saint was one of the 12 saintly men who accompanied Saint Colomba to the remote Island of Iona. He died soon after arriving on the remote island.
St Colomba is said to have said the angles and Devils fought over his soul. A church in his honor was built over his grave in 520. The Viking Invaders that conquered this beautiful choose St Odhran to be the patron Saint of Waterford. This could have been because of the similarity between the name Odhran and the ancient Viking God Odin.
11. Oisin – Prounced as ‘Ush-een’
Oisin This ancient name means little deer. Oisin is one of the most famous characters from the Fenian Cycle of Irish Mythology.
He is the son of the leader of the ancient Irish warriors the Fianna, Fionn Mac Cumhall and the beautiful Sadhbh. Oisin is the most famous of all Irish poets and story tellers, and it is assumed that the entire Fenian Cycle of Irish Mythology is narrated by Oisin.
The most famous story of Oisin is the Legend of Tir-na-nOg. Oisin went to Tir-Na-nOg. Home sick for his beloved Ireland after what seemed like a few years, Oisin wanted to visit his father.
Niamh agreed but warned him not to touch the ground, as he would not be able to return to her. Oisin returned on the White Horse through the waves of the Ocean.
He found that hundreds of years had passed and the Fianna were long dead. He stopped to help a man move a stone, when be bent down to lift the stone the belt on the saddle snapped and he hit the ground, turning into an old man. The legend says that Oisin met Saint Patrick and told him the stories of ancient Ireland
12. Tadgh – Prounced as ‘Tie-ig’
Tadgh is an ancient Irish name that means Poet or story teller. It is a name that is deeply associated with the ancient Kings of Ireland Tadgh is a name that features strongly in the Fenian Cycle of Irish Mythology.
Tadgh or Tadg mac Nuadat was an ancient and respected Druid of these ancient lands and he was said to be the grandfather of the ancient Finian Warrior Fionn mac Cumhail.