As Saint Patrick’s Day approaches, Irish baby names are often on the minds of parents-to-be. Some Irish names are becoming more popular, but don’t fret — there are plenty of uncommon ones to choose from.
Give the luck of the Irish To your baby
No matter what time of year it is, Irish baby names are a popular choice for moms and dads. However, with March 17 quickly approaching, more parents may be turning to Irish names to fill out the last few spots on their baby name list.
You may find that some Irish baby names are becoming pretty popular. Aiden, for example, was number 10 on the 2012 most popular baby name list after catapulting itself to the top 20 just four years prior. And what are Aiden’s linguistic roots? Irish and Scottish, of course. It is the anglicized version of the Irish given name of Aodhán.
So, if you’re looking for a name with Irish origins that is a little bit off the beaten path, look no further. Many of these are the anglicized version of their harder-to-pronounce Irish versions or they otherwise stem from Irish roots. We think these names are awesome, though, and hope you do too.
Unusual Irish baby names for boys
- Aengus: Irish version of Angus
- Bly: Anglicized version of an Irish name
- Brogan: An Irish name meaning “sturdy shoe”
- Caelan: Anglicized form of Caolán
- Conlan: This Irish name means “hero”
- Declan: Anglicized version of Deaglán
- Doran: Meaning “stranger,” this name has Irish roots
- Eion: Version of the name John
- Girvin: This Irish name means “small rough one”
- Keon: Another form of John
- Lorcan: This name means “little fierce one”
- Lunn: Meaning “strong, warlike”
- Mannix: Anglicized version of Munchin
- Oisin: This name is pronounced OH-sheen
- Phelan: This name means “like a wolf”
- Riordan: An Irish name meaning “bard”
- Rogan: Meaning “red-headed”
- Seamus: This is the Irish form of James and is pronounced SHAY-mus
- Tadhg: Pronounced TEIG, this name means “poet”
- Tor: Refers to a craggy hilltop
Unusual Irish baby names for girls
- Agneis: An Irish form of Agnes
- Blaine: This name means “yellow”
- Caitrín: Irish form of Katherine
- Calla: Form of the Irish name Caoilainn
- Derry: This name means “oak grove”
- Eithne: Pronounce this name EE-na
- Elva: Anglicized version of Ailbhe
- Ita: The name of a 6th century Irish saint
- Kiana: This Irish name means “ancient”
- Mab: In Irish stories, Queen Mab is monarch of the fairies
- Maeve: Anglicized form of Meadhbh
- Morna: This name means “affection”
- Neala: Feminine form of the Irish Neal
- Nola: Form of Fionnula, which means “white shoulder”
- Oona: Pretty name meaning “one”
- Riona: An Irish name that means “queenly”
- Saoirse: Pronounce this name SEER-sha
- Siobhan: Meaning “God is gracious,” this name is pronounced sha-VAHN
- Sorcha: This name means “bright, shining”
- Tierney: This name means “lord”
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