“Wee Little One… May you always walk in sunshine, may you never want for more, may Irish angels post their wings beside your nursery door.” – Irish Bedtime Blessing
In honor of Irish Heritage Month and the St. Patrick’s Day holiday, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most popular Irish names, for any of those families who would like to pass on their Irish roots to the next generation (or perhaps you’re not Irish at all but just love the sound of these traditional monikers).
Ireland is know for its beauty, rain, and the lyrical names of its citizens. Irish baby names have gained popularity and some of them have a distinctive, magical sound. Niall Horan from the popular boy band, One Direction, has all the ladies looking for their own Niall. Actor Ciaran Hinds from Harry Potter who played Aberforth Dumbledore also holds an ever-popular Irish name.
Here are a few of the most popular names:
Boys:
Niall
• Meaning: Passionate
• Pronounced: Nye + Al
Aiden
• Meaning: Born of Fire
• Pronounced: Aid + an or aid + on
Breandan
• Meaning: The Navigator
• Pronounced: Bren + dawn
Clooney
• Meaning: an intriguing rogue
• Pronounced: clue + nee
Finn
• Meaning: Fair Headed
• Pronounced: Fin
Girls:
Tegan
• Meaning: Beautiful
• Pronounced: TAY-gan or Teh-gan
Sile
• Meaning: pure and musical
• Pronounced: she + la
Cliona
• Meaning: From clodhna meaning “shapely.”
• Pronounced: klee + ona
Siobhan
• Meaning: God is gracious
• Pronounced: shiv + awn
Roisin
• Meaning: Little rose
• Pronounced: Ro + sheen