Naming your baby is the first major decision that you will make for your child. But it can get really daunting at times. Whether you should pick names that have a beautiful meaning or go with your instinct and pick the name that you love. But if you’re looking for Gaelic baby names, MomJunction can help you. Being a branch of Irish, Gaelic is one of the top three languages spoken in Ireland today. Gaelic baby names, spread across the beautiful British Isles, have a timeless, magical, and musical feel to them, which explains their position at the top of name lists. These names have their origin in Gaels or Goidels, an ethnolinguistic group dominating in the Scottish Highlands, Ireland, and the Isle of Man. A typical Gaelic name consists of a given name and a surname. These names are often nativized, which means made to fit the Gaelic sound system. The surnames are patronymic, which means they refer to the ancestor of a family. Also, the surname varies according to the bearer’s gender. Below is our extensive list of Gaelic baby names for you to choose from, along with the meanings. Almost all of these names are traditional and associated with legends and mythology.
Name | Gender | Meaning | |
---|---|---|---|
Adaire | Boy | Wealthy spear or oak grove | |
Adare | Boy | One who belongs to the oak tree ford | |
Aden | Boy | 英俊、装饰 | |
Ailen | Boy | Handsome. | |
Ailfryd | Boy | elf or magical counsel | |
Ailiue | Girl | Diminutive of Ailis | |
Ainsley | Girl | From Ann's meadow | |
Alan | Boy | Handsome; one who is like a stone; noble | |
Alanna | Girl | Form of Alana; filled with beauty and serenity | |
Alastar | Boy | Defending men; a form of Alexander | |
Allanagh | Girl | A variant form of name Alana which means precious, serene; Fair Maiden; Beautiful Maiden | |
Angis | Boy | A strong and masculine man | |
Aonghas | Boy | Celtic - One Choice; A variant of name is Angus | |
Arlan | Boy | Gaelic - A Pledge; Old Norse - Foreigner, Stranger; A variant of name Arien | |
Arland | Boy | Gaelic - A Pledge; A variant of name Arien | |
Aven | Boy | Iniquity; Force; Riches; Sorrow; Gaelic - Powerful River | |
Bainbridge | Boy | One who lives by the bridge near stream | |
Bainbrydge | Boy | One who lives bear white water | |
Banagher | Boy | Pointed Hill | |
Baran | Boy | Gaelic - Noble Warrior; Russian - Ram; Forceful; Virile; Teutonic - Noble Fighter | |
Bayrd | Boy | One who Sings Ballads | |
Beagan | Boy | Little one. | |
Beathan | Boy | Life, existance | |
Blair | Girl | Field Or Plain | |
Bow | Boy | it means a small son. it is a diminutive of the name "Bowden" | |
Boyd | Boy | one with yellow hair | |
Braden | Boy | One who is as sleek as a salmon | |
Bradene | Boy | One who is as sleek as a salmon; alternate spelling for "Braden" | |
Breandan | Boy | One who is brave, not afraid of any sort of danger | |
Breena | girl | An imaginary fairy land | |
Brenda | Select Gender | A sharp weapon; a sword | |
Brendin | Boy | Prince; the heir of the king | |
Brody | Boy | A secon-born | |
Buchanan | Boy | Irish Gaelic - House of the canon | |
Caydran | Boy | The spirit of the battle | |
Caydren | Boy | One who is in the spirit fo battle | |
Ceili | Unisex | The one who is slender and a descendant of Caollaidhe | |
Cerie | Girl | It's a made up name; delicate bird's whistle | |
Chay | Unisex | A fairy tale | |
Chevaune | Girl | The gracious God | |
Ciarran | Girl | One who is dark and dusky | |
Ciorstaidh | Girl | One who is a follower of Jesus Christ | |
Cleary | Boy | Highly educated; scholar; learned; knowledgeable; cultured | |
Clell | Boy | Descendant of the wolf family | |
Clunie | Boy | One who hails from the grasslands or meadows | |
Codie | Girl | The son of Oda, from the Oda clan | |
Coleen | Girl | Female; a young woman; a lady | |
Collan | Boy | A young Boy who is attractive, handsome and good looking | |
Conlan | Boy | Hero; one who is courageous and is admired by everyone | |
Conor | Boy | One who is strong willed and has high desires for himself | |
Conroy | Boy | Persistent knowledge in all aspects; a wise person who has knowledge in every field | |
Corey | Boy | A boiling, frothing, foaming pool | |
Cori | Boy | A turbulent, boiling pool filled with foam | |
Corwin | Boy | A very close friend who is close to the heart | |
Coulter | Boy | Foal; Playful; Energetic; Part of a plough | |
Cowell | Boy | Descendants od Pictish people; Also a lace in the Highland region of Scottish | |
Craig | Boy | It is origanted from Gaelic origin meaning Bumpy and rocks. | |
Cray | Boy | Productive; Creative; In Gaelic it means rough and bumpy rocks | |
Crighton | Boy | Derived from "Creighton" meaning lives at a rocky place,near a border | |
Cronan | Boy | Slightly dark one; Could refer to "Dark brown" | |
Cross | Boy | Cross or the Crucifix | |
Culkin | Boy | Uilcin's son | |
Cullen | Boy | Handsome boy | |
Cullin | Boy | Good looking man | |
Cully | Boy | The one who dwells in the Wood | |
Cunningham | Boy | Village with Milk; leader | |
Curra | Boy | Spear; Hero | |
Curran | Boy | A dagger | |
Currie | Boy | A dagger; Hero | |
Currin | Boy | Variant of Curran | |
Curry | Boy | A sharp dagger | |
Dace | Boy | One from the South; noble | |
Dacey | Boy | The one from noble background | |
Dacia | Girl | The one from South | |
Daeg | Boy | Daylight; first thing of the morning | |
Daegan | Boy | Hairy and black | |
Dagen | Boy | The one who is dark-haired | |
Dalas | Boy | Meadow; house | |
Dall | Boy | The wise one | |
Daly | Boy | Together forever | |
Daran | Boy | Great personality master | |
Daran | Boy | Prince or monarch | |
Darce | Boy | The dark one | |
Daren | Boy | Great and powerful | |
Daric | Boy | Oak hearted | |
Darick | Boy | Strong person | |
Darra | Girl | Wisdom; Oak tree | |
Darran | Boy | A great and superior individual | |
Darrbie | Boy | The one who is free from hatred and envy | |
Darrick | Boy | Strong one | |
Darrin | Boy | A unique and great individual | |
Darroch | Boy | Strong hearted | |
Darryn | Boy | Variant of Darren | |
Darthula | Girl | Beautiful eyes | |
Daryn | Boy | Great person | |
Dayle | Unisex | Valley; an assembly | |
Deagan | Boy | A dark-black haired guy | |
Dearan | Boy | A great solitary being; quiet one | |
Dedra | Girl | A steady, raging and versatile being | |
Deegan | Boy | A black-haired person | |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What Gaelic name means precious?
Gaelic names associated with the meaning 'precious' include Keavy, referring to someone precious or beloved, and Caoimhe or Caomh, meaning dear, beloved, or gentle.
2. What is the significance of using Gaelic names for babies?
盖尔语的名字常常作为windows to their diverse blend of Scottish and Irish culture and traditions. Thus, these names can help preserve and honor the heritage while offering individuality due to their distinctive sound or pronunciation. Moreover, Gaelic names have rich symbolism due to their association with mythology, cultural references, and history.
3. What are some famous people with Gaelic names?
Some famous people with Gaelic names include Saoirse Ronan, the acclaimed Irish actress who graces the screen with her Golden Globe Award-winning performances. Additionally, Niamh Cusack, a beloved Irish actress, enthralls audiences with her captivating performances, and Eoin Colfer, one of the bestselling Irish authors, paints vibrant worlds with his vivid imagination.
4. What is the meaning of the name Aiden in Gaelic?
The Gaelic name Aiden carries the meaning of little fire or fiery one. It originates from the Irish name Aodhán, a diminutive form of Aodh that represents the concept of fire or burning.
5. What are some Gaelic baby names with historical significance?
Gaelic baby names carry a rich historical significance rooted in ancient Celtic culture. Some notable examples include Aodh, derived from the Celtic god of fire, representing divine energy and power (1). And Fionnuala, rooted in Irish mythology, signifies a white shoulder. It was the name of one of the four children of King Lir, who were all turned into swans by their stepmother (2).
6. What are some gender-neutral or unisex Gaelic baby names?
Some Gaelic baby names that are gender-neutral or unisex include Finley, which means fair warrior, Quinn, which refers to a wise counsel; and Rowan, derived from the rowan tree known for its associations with protection and healing.
7. What are some Gaelic baby names that are suitable for twins?
The Gaelic name pair Eilidh and Ailis, which mean bright and noble, respectively, may offer a suitable choice for twins. Another option could be Finn and Aoibhinn, which means blessed and delightful. Lastly, there are Eamon and Seamus, meaning guardian and supplanter, respectively.
References:
MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in oureditorial policy.
- Jennifer Lee McKinneyhttps://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LTKF-RDC/jennifer-lee-mckinney-1968-1968
- The Children of Lir: Ireland’s Sweetheartshttps://libapps.libraries.uc.edu/liblog/2017/03/the-children-of-lir-irelands-sweethearts/