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Top Irish baby names in America

Looking for an Irish name? We've got them all here!

By
ANTOINETTE KELLY
,
IrishCentral.com Staff Writer
Published Thursday, March 19, 2009, 4:29 PM
Updated Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 9:58 PM
Read more: Ireland, Culture and Lifestyle, Irish Ancestry, Irish Culture


"Ryan" is the most popular Irish-inspired boy's name in the U.S.
"Ryan" is the most popular Irish-inspired boy's name in the U.S.

Aidan, Brayden, Colin, Riley; Kayla, Morgan, Megan, Kaitlyn - you've probably come across a newborn in the past decade with at least one of these names.

What do they all have in common? These top names in the U.S. all have Irish roots!

For example, the trendy name "Aidan" is the Anglicization of the Gaelic word Aodhán, meaning "little fire," while "Kayla" is a modern creation inspired by the Irish man’s name Cadhla, meaning "slender."

If you're an expectant parent looking for an Irish name, or you just want to figure out what your own means, you've come to the right place.

We've done all the hard work of gathering the top Irish names in America into one place. All you have to do is sit back and choose one, or two...

Boys

  1. Ryan: Anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Ríain, meaning "descendent of the little king"

  2. Brandon: Anglicization of Breanainn, which possibly means "sword.” Also an English surname meaning “hill top”

  3. Logan: From the Irish surname O’Loughan, which is often mistranslated to mean “duck,” which is actually from the Gaelic word “lacha”

  4. Austin: Anglicization of the name Aghaistín, the Irish form of Augustine, a Latin name meaning “great” or “magnificent”

  5. Kevin: Anglicization of the Irish name Caoimhín, meaning “beautiful birth”

  6. Connor: Modern form of the Irish name Conchobhar, meaning “dog lover.” Usually spelled Conor in Ireland

  7. Kyle: Anglicization of the Irish word “coil” meaning “woods.” More commonly used in Scotland, where it is from a place name meaning "narrow.”

  8. Aidan: Anglicization of Aodhán, meaning “little fire”

  9. Brian: Anglicization of the Irish name Brion, meaning “noble”

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    Top Irish baby names in America | IrishCentral


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Most recent comments - See all comments

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Posted by kilarney06 on Mar 14, 2010, 10:23 AM EDT
We named our son CALLEN, (found a book of names at our church). That said St. Callen has Irish roots. Does anyone know the meaning or if there was a Saint Callen?
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Posted by kleckert on Mar 11, 2010, 05:08 PM EST
my brothers are Kevin, Kerry, Shawn I am Kelly
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Posted by LinLinisme on Mar 11, 2010, 11:15 AM EST
How can I find information on the name CARDIN
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Posted by howareya on Mar 11, 2010, 11:01 AM EST
I've got a Casey, Corie and Shane! Casey was my grandmothers maiden name. After the fact, I thought I should have named my daughter Kelly (my other grandmothers maiden name) but thought of it too late!
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Posted by sheiladd on Mar 11, 2010, 09:47 AM EST
I LOVED this section of names... so many in my Family have irish root names it seems.... Now I know why I have such poor eye sight.. it's my name! Sheila= blind :)
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Posted by timjpalmer on Mar 11, 2010, 09:22 AM EST
Out of our 7 siblings you got only 3 names: Patrick, Michael and Brian and missed 4: Duffy, Shaun, Casey and Timothy. Ahh, the luck, or is it pluck, of the Irish.






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