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Irish Names and Meanings
Browse 27 Irish names and surnames with their meanings and origins. Irish heritage is found in Ireland. Names are clues, not proof of ancestry, because many families carry names shaped by migration, religion or history.
| Name | Meaning or origin |
|---|---|
| Aoife | Beauty, radiance |
| Brennan | Irish Ó Braonáin |
| Byrne | Irish Ă“ Broin, linked to the Leinster UĂ Bhroin |
| Cian | Ancient |
| Ciaran | Little dark one |
| Conor | Lover of hounds |
| Declan | Irish saint’s name |
| Doyle | Irish Ă“ Dubhghaill, dark foreigner |
| Fionn | Fair, white |
| Fitzgerald | Norman Irish, son of Gerald |
| Gallagher | Gallchobhair, foreign helper |
| Kelly | Irish Ă“ Ceallaigh, possibly bright-headed |
| Kennedy | Irish Ó Cinnéide, helmeted head |
| McCarthy | Mac Cárthaigh, loving |
| Murphy | From Ó Murchadha, often read as “sea warrior”; one of Ireland’s most common surnames. |
| Niamh | Bright, radiant |
| Oisin | Little deer, legendary poet |
| O’Brien | From Ó Briain, linked to the descendants of Brian Boru. |
| O’Connor | Descendant of Conchobhar |
| Padraig | Irish form of Patrick |
| Roisin | Little rose |
| Ryan | Irish Ă“ Riain |
| Saoirse | Freedom |
| Seamus | Irish form of James |
| Siobhan | Irish form of Joan |
| Sullivan | Irish Ó Súilleabháin, perhaps dark-eyed or hawk-eyed |
| Walsh | Breathnach, meaning Briton or Welshman |
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