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Irish Names
 

 

Eithne


Eithne or Eitna pronounced 'en + ya' means "kernel of a nut or seed" but it may also be related to Aidan meaning 'little fire'. There are at least nine St. Eithnes. One 6th century St. Eithne was the mother of St. Columba.

Eithne Ní Bhraonáin has been ranked as the 12th biggest-selling female artist in the world in 2006.


Dechtire


"deck + tir + ra"

Dechtire was the sister of Conchubar and the mother of Cuchulainn. Deich means ten and perhaps she was the tenth child. The fairies, "Sive" in Irish, transformed her into a bird but at times she was able to be a woman again and conceived Cuchulainn with the sun-god Lugh.


Nollaig

"null + ig"

Used for both male and female it is the Irish word for Christmas, as in Noel or Noelle.


Alannah

Alannah, Alanna or Alana pronounced "a + lan + a"
Adding 'a' to leanbh, the word for "child" in Irish, brings a sense of warmth – "O child" or "darling child."
A favoured name in Ireland with all three spellings.
Toronto singer Alannah Myles


Kyna

"key + na"
From cion "love, affection, esteem."


Sheenagh




"she + na"


An Irish form of Jane "God is gracious" and may be a shortened form of Sinead.


Ida

Ida pronounced 'ee + da' means 'thirst' as in "thirst for goodness or knowledge."

St. Ide and St. Brigid are considered the most influential woman saints of early Irish Christianity. Associated with education, Ide founded a monastery in Killeedy in County Limerick where a holy well is dedicated to her. In an earlier legend she was the foster-mother of the infant Jesus.


Carin


Carin means a friend in Gaelic, love in Cornish and beloved one in Italian.


Iona




Iona pronounced "i + o + na"

St. Colmcille founded his monastery on Iona, the island between Ireland and Scotland in 563 AD and thus the name is associated with "blessed."


Ryanne



Ryanne is pronounced "rye + an"


It comes from ri + the diminutive in meaning "little king" and has become a female form of Ryan.


Regan

Regan comes from ri "sovereign, king" and the diminutive -in.

It means "the king's child" or may come from riogach which means impulsive and furious.

Regan may be used for a boy or a girl.


Aileen


Aileen or Ailene is pronounced "ay + leen"

This ancient Irish name from ail which means "noble"


Bernadette

A feminine diminutive of Bernard.
Used in memory of St Bernadette (1844-79), the visionary at Lourdes.
It is a popular name in Irish communities throughout the world.


Muirgheal

Muirgheal or Meryl pronounced 'mur + el'

Means "bright as the sea." The Irish form of the name Muriel.