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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 Saturday, January 15, 2011, 7:50 AM
Updated Saturday, January 15, 2011, 7:50 AM

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"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”

  10. Sean: Irish form of John, which means “gift from God”

  11. Owen: Usually a Welsh name. It can be an Anglicization of the Irish names Eoin (form of John) and Eoghan, meaning “born of the yew”

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9 Comments

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bogsidebunny | Jul 29, 2011, 04:34 AM EDT
I be naming my Irish daughter Shareea after that celtic God of Islamic studies, racial tolerance and multiculturalism.

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Liamkeyes | Jul 27, 2011, 10:17 AM EDT
Liam is the Gaelic for Wiliam and pronounced Lee-am. The Girls seem to like it a lot.

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TiocfaidhArmani | Jun 20, 2011, 03:26 AM EDT
I love how Irish Americans gives their kids Irish names. Long may you keep the flame lit!

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billie061 | May 22, 2011, 03:42 PM EDT
My daughter is Dearbhla pronounced dervala a very old Irish name meaning Ireland, my grandsons are Lee and Callum, am eldest of ten in my family 9 brothers and mise and am the only one without an Irish name mine is Italian, my dad William loves everything Italian.

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bethmurphy | May 15, 2011, 05:18 PM EDT
Love all Irish names - especially the ones I chose for my 3 children: Sean (19 yrs), Patrick 18 (yrs) and Megan (14 yrs). All protected by the luck of the Irish from our Lord.

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Irishlassred | Jan 17, 2011, 06:15 PM EST
The first grandchild in our family, born just a month ago, is named Liam - great name for a great child!

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maryemoore | Jan 16, 2011, 11:22 PM EST
My friends just had a baby seven months ago and named him Liam. Love that name.

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Laura Wilson | Jan 16, 2011, 09:47 PM EST
i like this post

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JimThompson | Jan 16, 2011, 11:21 AM EST
Enjoyable reading. Have a grandson named Aiden as a different spelling of Aidan.

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