We are a nation of immigrants, and when it comes to naming your new little one, what better place to look for inspiration than the gorgeous country of Ireland . We put together a list of Irish baby names that are sure to make you swoon. Here’s to all the future little Bridgets and Aidans out there and may the luck of the Irish be with you always!
Bridget
Bridget is an adorable baby name that means powerful and strong. Many shorten it with the nickname “Bridge”. The name became quite popular when the movie Bridget Jones’ Diary was released in 2001.
Colleen
Colleen is a traditional girl’s name of Irish origin. The name peaked in the ‘60s, but giving your little lady such a moniker could be perfect for parents who are vintage and nostalgic about the past. Modern parents can spell the name with a twist too—think Collene or Kolleen.
Saoirse
Pronounced “Seer-sha,” this girl’s name wasn’t used until the 1920s, when it became a statement of freedom (the name means “liberty”). The name was relatively unheard of in the U.S. until actress Saoirse Ronan made her mark in movies like Atonement and Brooklyn. Since then, many who want to pay homage to their Irish heritage have been naming their children Saoirse.
Ailish
Speaking of Brooklyn, the name Ailish (pronounced AY-lish) was the name of Saoirse Ronan’s character. The Celtic Irish name comes from Hebrew origin and is actually a form of the name Elizabeth, in case you are bucking against more traditional names. The name isn’t popular in the U.S., so your child will have a unique and interesting name.
Casey
The name Casey is of Gaelic origin and means “brave.” It can be a unisex name, so this is a great choice for those parents who don’t want to know whether they’re having a boy or girl. While Casey’s popularity peaked in the ‘70s-‘90s, it is still known to be a great choice for those who swoon when Irish names are introduced as baby name possibilities.
Aidan
The name Aidan skyrocketed to stardom in the baby name world (it jumped a whopping 400 places on baby name charts in just 10 years) in the early 2000s. The name meaning “little and fiery” was originally a pet name for the Irish name Aodh (pronounced as “ee). Of course, many millennial moms may recall their Sex and the City obsession and the iconic Aidan character.
Callahan
A grown-up name for a baby, this Irish male moniker can be shortened to Cal for an adorable nickname. The name is the phonetic spelling of the traditional Irish “Callaghan.” The name is especially helpful for families with shorter last names, creating a pleasant flow.
Cullen
The name Cullen means “son of the holy one.” Its popularity has had its ups and downs and ended up making baby name charts in the late ‘70s. Moving into the ‘80s, when using last names as first names surged in popularity, the name Cullen did too. Since 2009, it has grown in popularity yet again.
Declan
The name Declan is the name of a saint and also means “full of goodness.” The name is actually the real first name of the singer Elvis Costello and the name of multiple athletes like rugby coach Declan Kidney and retired Irish footballer Declan O’Sullivan. Common nicknames for Declan include Dec and Dee.
Finn
The name Finn is generally known as a masculine baby name. The name means “fair.” For parents who wish to be more formal, the name could be lengthened to Finnegan or Finneas. For a bit of a historic legend, in Irish mythology, Finn Mac Cumhail was a legendary Irish 3rd century war hero. He was likened to Robin Hood. Now there’s a good Irish name that will make you swoon!