180+ Irish Girls’ Names: A Complete Guide with Meanings, Origins, and Celtic Magic

The Emerald Isle has gifted the world some of the most lyrical, soul-stirring names in existence. Irish girls’ names carry centuries of myth, poetry, and resilience whispered in ancient Gaelic, sung in ballads, and etched into the rugged cliffs of the Atlantic coast.

From the fierce queens of Celtic legend to modern heroines, these names evoke misty moors, emerald valleys, and the unbreakable spirit of Ireland. Whether you’re expecting a cailín beag (little girl), honoring your heritage, or simply enchanted by the melody of the Irish language, this guide is your treasure trove.

Why Choose an Irish Name?

• Musical Pronunciation: Even complex spellings dance off the tongue.
• Deep Mythology: Many names are tied to goddesses, saints, and folklore.
• Global Appeal: Names like Saoirse and Maeve are trending worldwide.
• Heritage & Identity: A direct link to Ireland’s 1,000-year naming tradition.

“A name is the blueprint of the soul.” – Irish proverb (adapted)

How to Use This Guide

• Alphabetical Order: 180+ names from A to S (Gaelic names rarely begin with T–Z).
• Pronunciation Guide: Phonetic spelling in bold.
• Meaning & Origin: Gaelic root + cultural significance.
• Popularity: ⭐ = Globally trending | 🇮🇪 = Beloved in Ireland | 🏛️ = Ancient/mythological

A

• Aoife (EE-fa) – Beauty, radiance ⭐ Warrior princess in the Children of Lir legend. #1 in Ireland (2024).
• Aisling (ASH-ling) – Dream, vision 🏛️ Poetic genre of 17th-century Irish literature.
• Aine (AWN-ya) – Brightness, splendor 🏛️ Queen of the fairies in Munster folklore.
• Aoibhinn (EE-vin) – Beautiful sheen Variant of Aoife; rising in Connemara.
• Alannah (ah-LAN-ah) – Dear child Anglicized; popular in Irish diaspora.
• Aoibheann (EE-vin) – Radiant beauty Ancient spelling of Aoibhinn.
• Ailbhe (AL-va) – White, bright Unisex; saint name.
• Aifric (AF-rik) – Pleasant Irish form of Africa (yes, really!).
• Aurnia (OR-nee-a) – Golden lady Rare Munster name.
• Ashlyn (ASH-lin) – Dream Modern Irish-American blend.

B

• Brigid (BRIJ-id) – Exalted one 🏛️ ⭐ Goddess of poetry, healing, and fire; St. Brigid of Kildare.
• Bridget (BRIJ-it) – English form of Brigid
• Bláithín (BLAW-heen) – Little flower
• Briar (BRY-er) – Thorny patch Nature name; Irish rose hip.
• Bidelia (bi-DEE-lia) – Exalted Rare diminutive of Brigid.
• Béibhinn (BAY-vin) – Fair lady
• Bronagh (BRO-nah) – Sorrow 🇮🇪 Patron saint of Kilbroney.
• Breda (BRAY-da) – Dutch-Irish blend of Brigid
• Brígh (BREE) – Power, strength Root of Brigid.
• Bree (BREE) – Modern short form

C

• Caoimhe (KEE-va / KWEE-va) – Gentle, beautiful ⭐ Top 5 in Ireland.
• Ciara (KEER-ah) – Dark-haired ⭐ St. Ciara of Kilkeary.
• Clodagh (CLO-da) – River name 🇮🇪 County Tipperary river; chic and rare.
• Caitlín (kat-LEEN) – Irish form of Catherine
• Caoilfhionn (KEE-lin) – Slender and fair
• Ceara (KEER-ah) – Variant of Ciara
• Clíona (KLEE-na) – Shapely 🏛️ Mythical queen of the Munster fairies.
• Croía (KREE-a) – Heart Conor McGregor’s daughter; now trending.
• Cáit (KAWT) – Short form of Caitlín
• Corrine (kor-EEN) – Maiden

D–E

• Deirdre (DEER-dra) – Sorrowful 🏛️ Tragic heroine of the Ulster Cycle.
• Doireann (DOR-an) – Sullen or tempest Ancient princess name.
• Eabha (AY-va) – Irish form of Eve ⭐
• Eimear (EE-mer) – Swift 🏛️ Wife of hero Cú Chulainn.
• Eilis (AY-lish) – Irish Elizabeth
• Eimhear (EE-ver) – Variant of Eimear
• Eirinn (AIR-in) – Poetic form of Éire (Ireland)
• Éadaoin (AY-deen) – Jealousy 🏛️ Mother of Irish hero Fraoch.
• Eithne (ETH-na) – Kernel, grain Mother of Lugh in mythology.
• Emer (EE-mer) – Anglicized Eimear

F

• Fiadh (FEE-a) – Wild, deer ⭐ #1 in Ireland 2023–2025. Nature name explosion.
• Fionnuala (fin-NOO-la) – White shoulder 🏛️ Swan princess in Children of Lir.
• Fiona (fee-OH-na) – Fair, white ⭐ Created by Scottish poet; now Irish icon.
• Finola (fi-NOH-la) – Variant of Fionnuala
• Flannery (FLAN-er-ee) – Red valor Surname-turned-first-name (think Flannery O’Connor).
• Fíona (FEE-na) – Gaelic form of Fiona
• Faoileann (FWEE-lan) – Seagull Coastal Connemara name.
• Fallon (FAL-un) – Leader Irish surname; unisex.
• Feenat (FEE-nat) – Little deer
• Fiadhnait (FEE-a-nat) – Variant of Fiadh

G–K

• Gráinne (GRAWN-ya) – Love or grain 🏛️ Pirate queen Gráinne Mhaol (Grace O’Malley).
• Gormlaith (GORM-lee) – Blue princess 10th-century Irish queen.
• Ide (EE-da) – Thirst St. Ide, founder of Killeedy.
• Isleen (ish-LEEN) – Vision Modern blend of Irish roots.
• Keeva (KEE-va) – Anglicized Caoimhe
• Keela (KEE-la) – Beauty
• Kylie (KY-lee) – Graceful Irish-Australian crossover.
• Kyna (KAI-na) – Intelligence
• Kieran (KEER-an) – Little dark one (unisex)
• Katelyn (KAYT-lin) – Irish-American blend

L

• Laoise (LEE-sha) – Radiant girl ⭐ Rising fast in Leinster.
• Liadan (LEE-a-dan) – Grey lady Tragic poetess in Irish legend.
• Líle (LEE-la) – Irish form of Lily
• Lughnasa (LOO-na-sa) – Harvest festival Rare seasonal name.
• Lasairfhíona (LAH-sir-EE-na) – Flame of wine Fiery and poetic.
• Lorelei (LOR-eh-lie) – Murmuring rock Irish-German myth crossover.
• Liriel (LEER-ee-el) – Daughter of Lir Mythological invention.
• Luiseach (LOO-shakh) – Light-bringer
• Líadan (LEE-a-dan) – Variant of Liadan
• Líobhan (LEE-vahn) – Beauty

M

• Maeve (MAYV) – Intoxicating 🏛️ ⭐ Queen of Connacht; warrior goddess.
• Muireann (MWIR-an) – Sea white, fair Mermaid in Irish folklore.
• Máirín (maw-REEN) – Little Mary
• Meadhbh (MAYV) – Gaelic form of Maeve
• Muirne (MWIR-na) – Beloved Mother of Fionn mac Cumhaill.
• Máire (MOY-ra) – Irish form of Mary
• Mairéad (mar-AYED) – Irish Margaret
• Meadow (MED-oh) – Field Nature name with Irish lilt.
• Moya (MOY-a) – Variant of Máire
• Mairead (mar-AYD) – Variant spelling

N–O

• Niamh (NEEV) – Bright, radiant 🏛️ ⭐ Princess who rode to Tír na nÓg.
• Nuala (NOO-la) – Short form of Fionnuala
• Neala (NEE-la) – Champion
• Nóirín (noh-REEN) – Little Nora
• Nessa (NESS-a) – Not gentle 🏛️ Mother of King Conchobar.
• Orla (OR-la) – Golden princess ⭐
• Orlaith (OR-la) – Gaelic form of Orla
• Oonagh (OO-na) – Lamb or unity
• Órlaith (OR-lah) – Variant
• Oisin (uh-SHEEN) – Little deer (traditionally male, now unisex)

R

• Róisín (ro-SHEEN) – Little rose ⭐ Ireland’s unofficial anthem: Róisín Dubh.
• Ríona (REE-uh-na) – Queenly
• Róis (ROHSH) – Short form of Róisín
• Ronit (ROH-nit) – Little seal
• Ríoghnach (REE-uh-nakh) – Queen
• Riada (REE-a-da) – Pathfinder
• Rowan (ROH-an) – Little redhead (unisex)
• Riona (ree-OH-na) – Variant
• Ríonach (REE-uh-nakh) – Variant
• Rosaleen (ROZ-a-leen) – Little rose

S

• Saoirse (SEER-sha) – Freedom ⭐ Iconic since Saoirse Ronan; #1 globally for Irish names.
• Siobhán (shi-VAWN) – God is gracious ⭐
• Sadhbh (SIVE) – Sweet, good 🏛️ Deer goddess; mother of Oisín.
• Sorcha (SOR-ka) – Bright, radiant
• Siofra (SHEE-fra) – Fairy, sprite
• Sinéad (shin-AYD) – God is gracious
• Shauna (SHAW-na) – Anglicized Siobhán
• Sheila (SHEE-la) – Further Anglicized
• Siofra (SHEE-fra) – Variant
• Sláine (SLAW-nya) – Health Mythical healer king (feminine form).

Bonus: 70+ More Irish Gems

• Tara (TAH-ra) – Hill of kings
• Teagan (TEE-gan) – Beautiful, poet
• Tuilelaith (TWIL-ah-lah) – Abundance
• Ula (OO-la) – Gem of the sea
• Una (OO-na) – Lamb 🏛️
• Vevina (veh-VEEN-a) – Sweet lady
• Wren (REN) – Little bird
• Yseult (ee-SOOLT) – Irish form of Isolde
• Zaira (ZAY-ra) – Princess (Irish-Arabic blend)

Top 20 Irish Girls’ Names in Ireland (2025)

Rank	Name	Meaning
1	Fiadh	Wild deer ⭐
2	Aoife	Beauty ⭐
3	Caoimhe	Gentle ⭐
4	Saoirse	Freedom ⭐
5	Éabha	Life ⭐
6	Róisín	Little rose ⭐
7	Maeve	Intoxicating ⭐
8	Clodagh	River name 🇮🇪
9	Niamh	Bright ⭐
10	Orla	Golden princess ⭐

Pronunciation Cheat Sheet

Name	Sounds Like
Caoimhe	KEE-va / KWEE-va
Sadhbh	SIVE
Niamh	NEEV
Saoirse	SEER-sha
Aisling	ASH-ling
Gráinne	GRAWN-ya

Tips for Choosing an Irish Name

• Honor Pronunciation – Teach family how to say it!
• Spelling vs. Sound – Saoirse is beautiful but tricky.
• Middle Name Flow – Pair with a short classic (e.g., Fiadh Rose).
• Myth vs. Saint – Decide if you want pagan or Christian roots.
• Global Use – Maeve and Fiona travel better than Lasairfhíona.
• Nicknames – Niamh → Neevy, Caoimhe → Kee.

Final Thoughts

Choosing an Irish name for your little girl means giving her a name filled with soul, tradition, and timeless beauty. These names carry whispers of Celtic legends, lush landscapes, and a proud heritage that has endured through centuries.

Each Irish girl’s name holds its own story one of bravery, love, and connection to nature. No matter which name you choose, it will be a piece of Ireland’s heart carried forward into a new generation.