To people who are used to English names and word sounds, some of the pronunciations of these Irish boy names could be interpreted as being quite feminine. While there are still absolutely perfect names for boys, we think some would be so charming on a baby girl.
In a world where girls are happily called Shane, James and Blake, where names like Charlie, Bobby, and Alex are all perfectly acceptable, whatever your gender, we think these Irish names that were traditionally given to boys would perfectly suit girls, too.
Ailbhe
This gorgeous-sounding name is pronounced 'al-va' and can alternatively be spelled Alva (Anglicized version). It means ‘light’ or ‘white’ or ‘rock’, from the Irish word ail.
While most Ailbhes you know are probably girls, it started as a boy’s name.
Blain
A Gaelic name that’s popular in Scotland, Blain means ‘slender’. We think it’s a cool alternative to the popular unisex name, Blake.
Dáire
Pronounced da-ra, this name can also be spelt Daire, without the fada, Dara or Daragh. It means ‘oak tree’ (from the Irish word for oak, doire) or ‘fertile’.
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Éanna
This name is pronounced either ay-na or enna. It means bird-like and comes from the Irish word for bird, éan. A lovely Irish slant on the name Anna, perhaps?
Éimhín
Pronounced ev-inn, this name can also be spelt without the fadas. It means ‘swift’ and we think it’s a very cool name for a girl or boy.
Finn
Pronounced fin, Finn is a hugely popular name for boys in and outside Ireland. It means ‘fair’. Finn on its own is a cool name for a girl, but it could be a shortened version of the Irish girl name Fionnuala (fin-oola).
Iarlaithe
The Irish version of the boy name Jarlath, Iarlaith (or Iarla) is pronounced Ear-la and means ‘ruler’.
Laoghaire
People living in Ireland will probably be familiar with the place name Dún Laoghaire, which translates to "fort of Laoghaire." Laoghaire was a High King of Ireland – his name is pronounced leary.
Lochlainn
Alternative spellings for this name that means ‘land of the Vikings’ could be Loughlin or Lachlan, to reflect its pronunciation, lock-lin.
Naoise
Naoise, pronounced nee-sha, was an ancient Irish warrior.
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Nollaig
Nollaig is the Irish word for Christmas, from the name Noel. It’s pronounced null-ig.
Rian
Rian is the original Irish version of the surname Ryan. Ryan is now, of course, a very popular boy name all around the world, with many girl Ryans in the mix too. Rian is pronounced reen. It derives from the Irish word for ‘King’, which is rí.
Rory
Rory is the Anglicised spelling of the Irish name Ruairi, which comes from the Irish word for "red" (ruadh). Rory is already a popular derivative of the feminine name Aurora, and it would be a lovely nudge to an Irish connection.
Suibhne
Pronounced suv-na, this name is the original Irish for the surname Sweeney. It means ‘pleasant’.
Sláine
This name is pronounced slaw-nyuh, meaning ‘health’.
* This article was initially published on Extra.ie.
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