Famous and Accessible Irish Names for Babies
Ancient Native Legends to Gaelicized Versions Inspire Irish Names
Sep 21, 2009
The names found in Ireland owe their originality to the unique blend of ancient mythology, strong Catholic history, and major movements revitalizing Irish tradition and the Gaelic language.
Girls’ Names From Irish History and Legendary Heroines
Women in Irish mythology and documented history often exhibit great physical strength and cunning. Some of the older heroines include Aoife (Ee fa), which means Eva and was the name of a mythological Irish princess who warred against her sister. Deirdre (Deer dre) is an ancient Irish name and also the name of the heartbroken girl in the saga of the Sons of Uisneach.
Irish Queens of the Land and Sea
Grainne (Graw nya), or Grace, proves its strength through the link to Grainne ni Mhaille, or Grace O’Malley, the pirate queen who troubled English monarch Elizabeth I during the sixteenth century. Iseult (E solt), or Isolde, is the name of the unfortunate young woman who fell in love with Tristan in the tragic love story. Maeve (also known as Meadhbh) is a popular Irish name reaching from the towering legend of Queen Maeve to present-day best-selling fiction writer Maeve Binchy.
Irish Names From Pop Culture
More recently, Sinead (Shin aid) received global recognition in the late 1980s with the rise of singer Sinead O’Connor. This is the Irish version of Janet, Jane, or Jenny. Siobhan (Shiv awn) reflects the popularity of Hannah, Joan or Julia and was the name of Irish actress Siobhan McKenna.
Boys’ Names From Irish Legends and Revered Saints
There are some names that have stood the test of time and are still common today. Often the names of heroes in Irish mythology, some of these names can work in non-Gaelic societies as well. Cathal (ka hal) is an ancient and common form of Charles which has regained popularity. One famous Cathal was a seventh century saint. Cieran (keer in) is the English version of Kieran, and the name of St. Cieran from the sixth century who founded a monastery near the River Shannon. Aedan , or the anglicized version of Aidan, and most famously from seventh century St. Aiden of Iona. Finn refers to Finn McCool, the giant with the very wise wife who helped him trick a much larger giant.
Modern Revolutionaries With Links to Traditional Names
Other names’ popularity extends from history to modern Irish heroes, especially during the push in the 1900s to return Gaelic and Irish traditions back to popular culture during the movement for Irish autonomy and complete separation from England. Eamon, similar to Edward or Edmond, finds its history stretches from the King of East Anglia to former Irish president, Eamon de Valera. Padraic is the Gaelic version of Patrick. Besides St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, namesakes can respect Padraic Pearse, one of the leaders in the Easter Rising of 1916.
Making New Connections With Old Ties to Ireland
Parents worried about tricky spellings of the original Gaelic often modify these names with different spellings to better fit their needs, especially if the attraction to the name is its pronunciation rather than a need to replicate a family's cultural ties. Still, these names can help connect the special new child with the strong and lovely reminders of ancient Gaelic with a modern twist.
Source:
Patrick Woulfe, Irish Names for Children (Dublin: Gill and MacMillan 1991)
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