Nickname help!
We want to name our baby Penelope but we can’t decide on a nickname? Help!
Maybe it’s your Celtic roots, or maybe you just can’t resist that lyrical Gaelic flair. of the emerald isle.
Whatever your inspiration, there’s something undeniably magical about Irish girl names.
Rooted in the ancient cultures of the Vikings and Celts, Irish female names are bursting with a mystical sparkle that makes them oh-so special.
Intrigued?
You’re in the right place!
We’ve got the ultimate list of over 200 unique Irish girl names to honor the heritage of your babóg nua, each with its own story to tell.
Because if there’s one thing the Irish excel at — besides great music and cozy pubs — it’s the art of enchanting storytelling.
(A note on pronunciations: we’ve added phonetic hints where the traditional Irish spelling might throw off English speakers — as always, with huge respect for the Irish language and all its beautiful regional nuances.)
In this article: 📝
- Popular Irish girl’s names
- Rare Irish girl names
- Pretty Irish girl names
- Traditional Irish girl names
- Modern Irish names for girls
Popular Irish girl’s names
So which Irish girl names come out on top?
These are the top 10 that have captured hearts around the world, thanks to their roots in nature, beauty, and a dash of enchantment.
- Aisling: Meaning “imagination”. Pronounced “ash-lin”.
- Aoife: Meaning “charming”. Pronounced “ee-fah”.
- Brianna: Meaning “noble”. Pronounced “bree-ah-nah”.
- Fiona: Meaning “fair”. Pronounced “fee-oh-nah”.
- Kiara: Meaning “girl with beautiful dark hair”. Pronounced “kee-ah-rah”.
- Meabh (or Maeve): Meaning “intoxicating”. Pronounced “may-v”.
- Niamh: Meaning “shining”. Prounced “neev”
- Roisin: Meaning “rose”. Pronounced “roh-sheen”.
- Saoirse: Meaning “independence”. Pronounced “sur-shuh”.
- Shannon: Meaning “mystical river”.
Rare Irish girl names
But what if you are searching for a more unique Irish name for your special one?
Irish girl names may be popular all over the world, but Ireland has some rare titles kept hidden in the native tongue.
Here are some of the most unusual:
- Aednat: Meaning “little fire”. Pronounced “ed-nat”. 🔥
- Aibreann: Meaning “April”. A unique girl’s name for an Aries or Taurus baby. Pronounced “ab-rawn”.
- Aithne: Meaning “kernel” (sometimes “fire”). Pronounced “eh-nye”.
- Airmed: Meaning tied to “healing” or “measure”. Pronounced “ar-mid”.
- Alastríona: Meaning “to defend, help”. Pronounced “al-as-tree-na”.
- Aoibheann: Meaning “fairness and beauty”. Pronounced “eev-een”.
- Bebhinn: Meaning “fair lady”. Pronounced “bev-in”.
- Blathnaid: Meaning “flower in bloom”. Pronounced “bla-nid”.
- Clíodhna: Meaning “shapely”, Clíodhna is steeped in Irish mythology. The name is inspired by the queen of the banshees who reigns over the fairy women of South Munster. Other myths remember Clíodhna as the goddess of love and beauty. Pronounced “klee-oh-na”.
- Daimhin: Meaning “little stag”. Pronounced “dav-een”.
- Daire: Meaning “oak tree”. Pronounced “daw-ra”.
- Dervila: Meaning “daughter of the poet” (a variant of Dearbhla). Pronounced “der-vil-ah”.
- Dympna: Meaning “little poet” (linked to a legendary saint). Pronounced “dimp-nah”.
- Ealga: Meaning “noble”. Pronounced “ale-ga”.
- Eimear: Meaning “swift”. Pronounced “ee-mer”.
- Etain: Meaning “jealousy” or “passion” (mythological name). Pronounced “eh-tawn”.
- Fedelma: Meaning “ever good,” “enduring,” or “constant”. Pronounced “feh-del-ma”.
- Gobnait: Meaning “bringer of joy” (sometimes “little smith”). Pronounced “gub-nit”.
- Hiolair: Meaning “happy” or “cheerful”, from Greek hilaros. Pronounced “hill-air”.
- Ite: Meaning “thirst for knowledge”. Pronounced “ee-ta”. 🤓
- Líadan: This Old Irish name means “gray lady” and belonged to a 7th century traveling Irish poetess. Rejecting the love of fellow poet Cuirithir in pursuit of her craft, Líadan became a nun before eventually dying of a broken heart. Pronounced “lee-uh-din”.
- Macha: Meaning “battle” or “plain” (famed warrior goddess). Pronounced “mah-kah”.
- Mavourneen: Meaning “my beloved”. Pronounced “ma-voor-neen”.
- Maoliosa: Meaning “follower of Jesus”. Pronounced “may-lisa”.
- Moyna: Meaning “noble” (variant of Muadhnait or Mona). Pronounced “moy-nah”.
- Neala: Meaning “champion”. Pronounced “nee-ah-la”.
- Nollaig: Meaning “Christmas” (festive). Pronounced “null-ig”.
- Rathnait: Meaning “grace” or “prosperity”. Pronounced “ra-nit”.
- Sadhbh: Meaning “sweet and lovely” (can also mean “wise”). Pronounced “sive” or “sigh-v”.
- Sheelin: Meaning “lake of the fairies”, after the magical waters of Lough Sheelin in Co. Cavan. Pronounced “she-lin”.
- Siomha: Meaning “good peace”. Pronounced “shee-va”.
- Toireasa: Meaning “strong”. Pronounced “tur-is-a”.
- Trevina: Meaning “prudent”.
Pretty Irish girl names
Ireland may be small but its rich in beauty.
Between the landscape, stories, and mythology, there is plenty of inspo for some pretty gorgeous Irish girl’s names.
Here are some that caught our eye:
- Adare: From the place in Co. Limerick, often translated as “ford of the oak”. Pronounced “ah-dair”.
- Áeb: Meaning “beauty” or “brightness”. Pronounced “abe”.
- Ailine: Meaning “bright, shining one” (variant of Eileen). Pronounced “al-in-eh”.
- Ailionóra: Irish version of Eleanor, meaning “shining light.”
- Áine : Meaning “radiance.” Pronounced “aw-ne”.
- Aisín: Meaning “little dream/vision” (a variant of Aisling). Pronounced “ash-een”.
- Alana: Meaning “my child” (sometimes “little rock”). Pronounced “uh-lah-nah”.
- Aoibh: Meaning “beauty” or “radiance”. Pronounced “eve”.
- Aurnia: Meaning “golden lady”. Pronounced “or-nee-ah”.
- Bedelia: Meaning “the exalted one” (from Brigid). Pronounced “beh-deel-yah”.
- Brenna: Meaning often given as “little raven” or “dark-haired”. Pronounced “bren-nah”.
- Brighid: Meaning “strength” or “exalted”. Pronounced “breed”.
- Cadhla: Meaning “graceful”. Pronounced “ky-la”.
- Caladh: Meaning “harbor” or “haven”. Pronounced “kah-lah”.
- Cara: Meaning “friend”.
- Ceola: Meaning “music” (from Irish ceol). Pronounced “kyoh-lah”.
- Croía: Meaning “little heart”. Pronounced “cree-ah”.
- Dearbhla: Meaning “daughter of the poet.” Pronounced “derv-la”.
- Deora: Meaning “tears”. Pronounced “dyo-ra”.
- Eabha: Meaning “life”. Pronounced “ava”.
- Edana: Meaning “fire”. Pronounced “eh-dah-nah”.
- Eilidh: Meaning “light” (Scottish Gaelic, but sometimes used in Ireland). Pronounced “ay-lee”.
- Fionnuala: Meaning “white shoulder”. Pronounced “fin-oo-lah”.
- Geileis: An old Celtic name of Irish and Scottish origin that means “shining” or “bright”. Pronounced “gay-leesh”.
- Gráinne: Possibly from ghrian meaning “sun”, or grá meaning “love”. Many fearless and legendary Irish women have worn the title Gráinne, from the daughter of a high king (and romantic heroine) to the famous pirate queen Gráinne Ní Mháille. The title is also rooted in the Celtic sun goddess Grian. Pronounced “grawn-ya”.
- Imogen: Meaning “maiden” or “innocent”. Pronounced “im-uh-jen”.
- Kayleigh: Meaning “slender and fair”.
- Keara: Meaning “little dark one” (variant of Ciara). Pronounced “keer-rah”.
- Keela: Meaning “beautiful”.
- Kinsella: Meaning “proud” or “fierce”. Pronounced “kin-sell-ah”.
- Laoise: Meaning “radiance”. Pronounced “lee-sha”.
- Leah: Meaning “delicate”, this Hebrew feminine name is a popular choice in Ireland.
- Liadh: Meaning “gray” or “dusky”. Pronounced “lee-ah”.
- Mairead: Irish form of Margaret, meaning “pearl”. Pronounced “mah-rade”.
- Mara: Meaning “sea”. Pronounced “mah-rah”.
- Mealla: Meaning “lightning” or “pleasant”. Pronounced “mel-ah”.
- Meara: Meaning “happy,” “lively,” or “merry”. Pronounced “meer-ah”.
- Mona: Meaning “little noble one” (sometimes “aristocratic”).
- Myrna: Meaning “tender” or “beloved”. Pronounced “mur-nah”.
- Muireann: Meaning “sea fair”. Pronounced “mwir-in”. 🧜♀️
- Nuala: A short form of Fionnuala meaning “fair shoulder”. Pronounced “noo-la”.
- Órnait: Meaning “ornamented” or “adorned”. Pronounced “or-nit” (sometimes “or-natch”).
- Seoidín: Meaning “little jewel.” Pronounced “show-deen”.
- Shauna: Feminine form of Sean; means “God is gracious”. Pronounced “shaw-na”.
- Sibéal: Meaning “my God is an oath” (Irish form of Isabel). Pronounced “shih-BAYL”.
- Sorcha: Meaning “radiant” or “bright”. Pronounced “sor-cha” or “sur-kha”.
- Tara: Meaning “elevated place” or “star” in Sanskrit.
What Irish girl’s names mean princess?
Once the land of high kings, Ireland has plenty of legendary Irish names for girls befitting your little princess:
- Donnfhlaith: Meaning “brown princess” or “lady”. Pronounced “done-lah” or “dun-lah”.
- Gormlaith: Meaning “illustrious princess” or “illustrious ruler”. This was also the name of Brian Boru’s wife — the famous 11th century High King of Ireland. Pronounced “gor-m-lagh”.
- Morrigan: Meaning “phantom queen” or “great queen”. Pronounced “mor-rig-uhn”.
- Narbhfhlaith: Meaning “noble princess”. Pronounced “nar-oo-lah”.
- Orla or Órlaith: Meaning “golden princess”.
- Riona: Meaning “queenly”. Pronounced “ree-oh-nah”.
- Saorla: Meaning “free princess” (short form of Saorlaith). Pronounced “sur-la”.
- Saorlaith: Meaning “noble princess”. Pronounced “sur-lah”.
- Sarah: Meaning “princess”.
- Talulah: Meaning “princess of abundance”. Also means “leaping water” in Native American.
Traditional Irish girl names
Want something with a bit of history?
Check out these traditional, old Irish girl names for your little cailín:
- Aghna: Gaelic form of Agnes, meaning “chaste” or “pure”. Pronounced “agh-nah”.
- Aibell: Meaning “beautiful spark” or “fairy sprite”. Pronounced “ay-bell”.
- Aislinn: A variant of Aisling, meaning “dream” or “vision”. Pronounced “ash-lin”.
- Becfola: Meaning “small (bec)” + “fola” (disputed ‒ possibly “ruler” or “vision”). Pronounced “beck-foh-lah”.
- Cainnear: Meaning uncertain (possibly “little warrior” or “holy woman”). Pronounced “kan-yer”.
- Caoimhe: Meaning “dear” or “beautiful”. Pronounced “kee-va”.
- Caoilfhionn: Meaning “slender and fair”. Pronounced “keel-in” or “kweel-in”.
- Caragh: Meaning “beloved” or “friend”. Pronounced “ka-ra”.
- Ceithleann: Meaning possibly “battle” or “injury”. Pronounced “keh-len” or “keth-len”.
- Cessair: Meaning “sorrow” or “affliction” (legendary granddaughter of Noah). Pronounced “sess-air”.
- Cobhlaith: Meaning “victorious sovereignty”. Pronounced “cove-la”.
- Credhe or Creidhne: Meaning “heart” or “love”. Pronounced “cray-ha”.
- Danu: Meaning “flowing one” or “mother”. Pronounced “dan-oo”.
- Darerca: Meaning “fruitful” or “fertile”. Pronounced “dar-er-ka”.
- Derbfhorgaill: Meaning “daughter of Forgall” or “true testimony”. Pronounced “derv-for-gahl”.
- Dílís: Meaning “loyal” or “faithful”. Pronounced “dill-iss”.
- Eachna: Meaning “horse” (mythological figure known for beauty and skill). Pronounced “ahk-na”.
- Ealga: Meaning “noble” or “brave”. Pronounced “al-gah”.
- Eithne: Meaning “kernel”. Pronounced “en-ya”.
- Eithniu: Meaning “kernel” or “grain” (a rare variant of Eithne). Pronounced “en-yoo”.
- Fainche: Meaning unclear, sometimes linked to “free one”. Pronounced “FAN-cha”.
- Fainne: Meaning “ring” or “circle”. Pronounced “FAWN-yeh”.
- Feidelm: Meaning “poet” or “prophetess”. Pronounced “fed-elm”.
- Fiadh: Meaning “wild”. Pronounced “fee-ah”.
- Fiannait: Meaning “little warrior” (related to Fianna). Pronounced “fee-an-it”.
- Fíne: Meaning “vine” or “vineyard”. Pronounced “fee-neh”.
- Fionnghuala: Meaning “white shoulder” (another older form of Fionnuala). Pronounced “fyun-oo-lah”.
- Iuchra: Meaning unclear, possibly “mysterious” or “enchanted”. Pronounced “ook-rah”.
- Labhaoise: Meaning “famous warrior”. Pronounced “lah-weesh-ah”.
- Lasair: Meaning “flame”. Pronounced “lah-sir”.
- Lasairfhíona: Meaning “flaming wine” or “fiery wine”. Pronounced “lah-sir-ee-na”.
- Luighseach: Meaning “bringer of light” or “torch”. Pronounced “lee-shakh”.
- Mallaidh: A Gaelic form of Molly, meaning “bitter”. Pronounced “mol-ee” or “mal-ee”.
- Mór: Meaning “great” or “tall”. Pronounced “mohr”.
- Móirín: Meaning “great” or “majestic”. Pronounced “moor-een”.
- Moninne: Linked to an early Irish saint, sometimes interpreted as “little nun”. Pronounced “muh-NIN-eh”.
- Mughain: Meaning “wife of the high king” (in old legends). Pronounced “moo-in”.
- Muirín: Meaning “little sea” or “of the sea”. Pronounced “mur-een”.
- Muirne: Meaning “high-spirited” or “beloved”. Pronounced “mur-neh”.
- Muadhnait: Meaning “little noble one”. Pronounced “moo-ah-nit”.
- Muirgheal: Meaning “bright sea”. Pronounced “mur-yell”.
- Nainsí: Irish for Nancy, meaning “grace” or “favor”. Pronounced “nan-see”.
- Odharnait: Meaning “pale green one” (old Gaelic). Pronounced “oh-ar-nit”.
- Oonagh: Meaning “lamb”. Pronounced “oo-na”.
- Pádraigín: Feminine form of Patrick, meaning “noble”. Pronounced “paw-drig-een”.
- Sadhbhín: Diminutive of Sadhbh, meaning “little sweet/lovely one”. Pronounced “sive-een”.
- Síomha: Meaning “good peace”. Pronounced “shee-va”.
- Sláine: Meaning “health” or “well-being”. Pronounced “SLAW-nya”.
- Taise: Meaning uncertain (“silence,” “gentleness,” or “charm”). Pronounced “tash-eh” or “tass-eh”.
- Tlachtga: Meaning possibly “earth spear” or “earth mark”. Pronounced “tlock-da”.
- Tuiren: Meaning “the transformed one”. Pronounced “tur-in”.
- Uallach: Meaning “proud” or “noble pride”. Pronounced “oo-ahl-akh”.
Modern Irish names for girls
If you still haven’t made up your mind, here are more gorgeous female Irish names:
- Abaigeal: Meaning “joy of the father”. Pronounced “ab-ih-gail”.
- Ailbhe: Meaning “bright” or “noble”. Pronounced “al-va”.
- Arlene: Meaning “oath” or “pledge”.
- Alannah: Meaning “little child” from the Gaelic word a leanbh.
- Betha: Of Celtic origin, Betha means “life”.
- Blaine: Meaning “yellow” or “slender”. Pronounced “blayn”.
- Bronagh: Meaning “sorrowful”. Pronounced “bro-na”.
- Caireann: Meaning “little friend” or “little beloved”. Pronounced “care-in” or “karen”.
- Caitlin: Meaning “pure”.
- Caitria: From Caitríona/Katherine, meaning “pure”. Pronounced “kat-ree-ah”.
- Claire: Meaning “clear”.
- Clodagh: Meaning “river” after the River Clodaigh in Tipperary. Pronounced “cloh-da”.
- Cordelia: A sweet water baby name meaning “daughter of the sea”.
- Deirdre: Meaning “sorrowful” or “broken-hearted”, named for the legendary Irish heroine Deirdre of Sorrows. Pronounced “deer-druh” or “deer-dree”.
- Delaney: Meaning “dark challenger”.
- Eileen: Meaning “little bird”.
- Éireann: Meaning “Ireland”. Pronounced “air-in”.
- Ethna: Variant of Eithne, meaning “kernel” or “grain”. Pronounced “eth-na”.
- Emlyn: A Celtic variation of Emily meaning “rival”.
- Enya: Meaning “fire”.
- Finley: Meaning “fair-haired warrior”. A great pick for a little blonde baby.
- Gael: Meaning “Irish person” or “of Ireland” from the ancient Gaelic word Goídel.
- Haisley: Meaning “hazelnut clearing”.
- Inis: Meaning “island”. Pronounced “in-ish”.
- Jilleen: Inspired by the Latin name Julianne meaning “youthful”.
- Keelin: Meaning “slender” or “fair”. Pronounced “kee-lin”.
- Kelly: Meaning “warrior”.
- Kerrigan: Meaning “dark” or “black-haired”. Pronounced “ker-ih-gan”.
- Kiley: Meaning “graceful” (from older Gaelic “Ó Cadhla”). Pronounced “ky-lee”.
- Kira: Meaning “black” or “lord” from the Irish surname Kiernan.
- Leianne: Meaning “graceful meadow”. Pronounced “lee-ann”.
- Logan: A Scottish name meaning “small hollow”.
- Lorna: Meaning “fox”. 🦊
- Maire: Meaning “star of the sea” or “beloved”. Pronounced “moy-ra”.
- Mairenn: Meaning “of the sea” (linked to Muireann). Pronounced “mah-ren”.
- Maureen: Meaning “of the sea”.
- McKenna: Meaning “fiery love”.
- Meghan: Meaning “pearl”.
- Mirren: Meaning “drop of the sea” or “beloved” (variant of Muireann). Pronounced “mirr-uhn”.
- Naomh: Meaning “holy” or “sacred”. Pronounced “neev” or “nayv”.
- Nessa: Meaning “rough” or “not gentle”. Pronounced “ness-ah”.
- Nora: Meaning “honor”.
- Quinlan: Meaning “fit, strong” or “comely shape”. Pronounced “kwin-lan”.
- Quinn: Meaning “wise”.
- Raicheal: Irish form of Rachel, meaning “ewe”. Pronounced “ray-kal”.
- Reilly: Meaning “valiant” or “courageous”. Pronounced “rye-lee”.
- Riegan: Meaning “little ruler”. Pronounced “ree-gan”.
- Rowan: From the Irish Ruadhán, meaning “red-haired”.
- Séarlait: Meaning “free man” (the Irish form of Charlotte). Pronounced “shar-lat”.
- Shalene: Meaning “modest”.
- Shay: Meaning “fortunate” or “admirable”.
- Sile: Meaning “blind”. Pronounced “shee-la”.
- Sinead: Meaning “God is gracious”. Pronounced “shin-aid”.
- Siobhan: Meaning “God’s grace”. Pronounced “shiv-awn”.
- Taryn: Meaning “the hills of Ireland” (modern usage). Pronounced “ta-rin”.
- Teagan: A female variation of the boy’s name Tadhg meaning “poet” or “philosopher”.
- Tierney: Meaning “lord”. Pronounced “teer-nee”.
- Tracy: Meaning “war-like” or “more powerful”.
- Ula: A unique nautical name meaning “gem of the sea”.
Craving more Irish girl names — or any other inspo?
You’ll find plenty of ideas in our top girl names lists on Peanut.
Or come chat with real mamas on Peanut for tips, stories, and a supportive community of name-lovers.
May your search for the perfect name be as magical as Ireland itself! Sláinte!