Irish Dog Name Generator

Irish words, legends and places for dogs

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Generate Irish dog names, each with a short meaning: Irish-language words like Madra (dog), Rua (red-haired) and Sionnach (fox), hounds of legend like Bran and Sceolan, places like Tralee and Kerry, and funny food names like Spud, Boxty and Coddle.

About Irish dog names

Most of these 1,000 names are words from Irish (Gaeilge), spelled with the fada, the accent that marks a long vowel, and followed by a short meaning in parentheses. Where English speakers tend to misread a word, a rough hint in capitals follows the meaning: Sionnach (fox, SHUN-ukh), Aoife (radiant, EE-fa). The hints are approximate, because Munster, Connacht and Ulster say many words differently.

The list runs through coat and look words such as Rua, Dubh and Riabhach, animals and nature, weather, character words, and endearments such as A Stór and Mo Chroí. Legend supplies real hounds: Bran and Sceolan ran with Fionn mac Cumhaill, and the name Cú Chulainn means the Hound of Culann. Around them are given names and surnames, counties, towns, rivers and islands, music and sport, folklore, and everyday Hiberno-English such as Craic and Gansey. Food is the funny share: Spud, Boxty, Coddle, Crubeen.

Two habits of the language help when you choose. The fada changes the word, so Sean means old while Seán is the name John. And the adjective comes second: a big dog is Madra Mór and a little one Madra Beag. English spellings of Irish words, such as Shamrock and Macushla, are marked, and so is Selkie, a Scots word.

How to choose Irish dog names

  • Say the name out loud before you decide. Short words with a clear vowel carry well across a field: Rua, Bran, Cú, Spud, Tralee.
  • Let the coat choose the word: Rua for a red dog, Dubh for a black one, Bán for white, Riabhach for brindle, Catach for curls and Breac for speckles.
  • Keep the fada when you write the name on a tag or a vet form. It changes the sound and sometimes the word: Sean is old, Seán is John.
  • The name is the part before the parentheses. The meaning and the hint in capitals are there to help you choose it and say it.
  • If someone near you speaks Irish, try the word on them first. The hints here are rough, and the dialects do not always agree.

Frequently asked questions

What are funny Irish dog names?

The humor comes from the words themselves, and food is the best source: Spud, Boxty, Coddle, Colcannon, Crubeen and Blaa are all in the list. Everyday Hiberno-English works too, such as Craic, Eejit, Yoke and Himself. In Irish, try Smugairle Róin, the word for jellyfish, which literally means seal's snot.

What is the Irish word for dog?

Madra is the everyday word. Cú is a hound, Gadhar is a hunting dog and Coileán is a pup. Irish puts the adjective second, so Madra Beag is a little dog, and Madra Rua, literally red dog, is a name for the fox.

How do I pronounce the names?

Where a spelling misleads English speakers, the entry carries a rough hint with the stressed part in capitals: Aoife is EE-fa, Tadhg is TYGE and Sionnach is SHUN-ukh. These are approximations. Speakers in Munster, Connacht and Ulster differ, so ask an Irish speaker if you can.

Are these real Irish words?

That is the aim. The list was de-duplicated and screened for filler, and it sticks to Irish words, names and places with their usual meanings, plus Hiberno-English words and English spellings that are labeled as such. Look a word up in an Irish dictionary before you engrave it on a tag.

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All 1,000 Irish dog names

This is the complete list the generator above draws its random batches from, sorted A to Z and grouped by first letter.

Plain text, one name per line.

A: 50 names

  • A Chroí (dear heart)
  • A Chuisle (my pulse, a KHUSH-la)
  • A Ghrá (my love, a GHRAW)
  • A Rún (my dear, literally my secret, a ROON)
  • A Stór (my treasure, a STORE)
  • A Thaisce (my treasure, a HASH-ka)
  • Abhac (dwarf, OW-uk)
  • Abhaile (homeward, a-WAL-ya)
  • Abhainn (river, OW-in)
  • Abú (forever, as in a cheer, a-BOO)
  • Achill (Ireland's largest island, off Mayo)
  • Adare (Limerick village of thatched cottages)

A, continued

  • Ádh (luck, AW)
  • Ádh Mór (good luck, literally big luck)
  • Adhnuall (another hound of Fionn)
  • Aengus (god of youth and love)
  • Aerach (lively, carefree)
  • Aibhleog (ember)
  • Ailbe (the great hound of Mac Dathó, AL-va)
  • Áine (radiance, AWN-ya)
  • Aingeal (angel)
  • Airgead (silver, money, AR-ig-id)
  • Aisling (dream, vision, ASH-ling)
  • Aiteann (gorse)
  • Álainn (beautiful, AW-lin)

A, continued

  • Alanna (from a leanbh, child)
  • Amach (out, a-MOKH)
  • Amergin (poet of the Milesians)
  • Amhrán (song, OW-rawn)
  • Anois (now, a-NISH)
  • Anraith (soup)
  • Ansacht (beloved)
  • Aodh (fire, AY)
  • Aodhán (little fire, AY-dawn)
  • Aoibheall (fairy queen of Clare, EE-val)
  • Aoibhinn (delightful, EE-veen)
  • Aoife (radiant, EE-fa)

A, continued

  • Aoine (Friday, EE-neh)
  • Aoire (shepherd, EE-reh)
  • Ar Bís (on tenterhooks, all eager)
  • Ar Mire (in a frenzy of excitement)
  • Arán (bread, a-RAWN)
  • Aran (the three islands across Galway Bay)
  • Ard (tall)
  • Ardara (tweed town in Donegal)
  • Arís (again, a-REESH)
  • Art (bear, in the old language)
  • Asal (donkey)
  • Áthas (joy, AW-hus)
  • Avoca (the Wicklow vale where the rivers meet)

B: 100 names

  • Badb (the battle crow, BYVE)
  • Bagún (bacon)
  • Baile (home, BAL-ya)
  • Báinín (the undyed white wool of Aran, BAW-neen)
  • Bainne (milk, BON-ya)
  • Báisteach (rain, BAWSH-tukh)
  • Ballach (spotted)
  • Balor (Balor of the Evil Eye)
  • Bán (white, BAWN)
  • Banba (a poetic name for Ireland)
  • Banbh (piglet, BON-uv)
  • Banjaxed (broken, worn out)
  • Banlaoch (heroine)
  • Bann (the longest river in Ulster)

B, continued

  • Banphrionsa (princess)
  • Banríon (queen, BAN-reen)
  • Banshee (the English spelling of bean sí)
  • Bard (poet of the old courts)
  • Barmbrack (the fruit loaf of Halloween)
  • Barróg (hug, BAR-ohg)
  • Barrow (one of the Three Sisters rivers)
  • Bastible (the iron pot once used to bake bread)
  • Batch (a Dublin loaf)
  • Beacán (mushroom)
  • Beach (bee, BAKH)
  • Beag (small, BYUG)
  • Beag Bídeach (teeny tiny)
  • Bealtaine (May, and the May festival)

B, continued

  • Bean Feasa (wise woman)
  • Bean Sí (banshee, woman of the fairy mound, ban SHEE)
  • Beannacht (blessing, BAN-ukht)
  • Béar (bear)
  • Beara (the peninsula shared by Cork and Kerry)
  • Bébhinn (fair lady, BAY-veen)
  • Beith (birch, BEH)
  • Belfast (Béal Feirste, mouth of the sandbar ford)
  • Benbulben (Sligo's flat-topped mountain)
  • Beoga (lively)
  • Bia (food, BEE-a)
  • Biabhóg (rhubarb, BEE-uh-vohg)
  • Bídeach (tiny)
  • Bile (a sacred tree, BILL-eh)

B, continued

  • Birr (castle town in Offaly)
  • Blaa (the soft white roll of Waterford)
  • Blackwater (An Abhainn Mhór, the big river of Munster)
  • Blarney (Cork village of the famous stone)
  • Blasket (the islands off the Dingle Peninsula)
  • Bláth (flower, BLAW)
  • Bláthach (buttermilk)
  • Blather (cheerful nonsense talk)
  • Bláthnaid (little flower, BLAW-nid)
  • Bó (cow)
  • Boann (goddess of the River Boyne)
  • Bodhrán (the goatskin frame drum, BOW-rawn)
  • Bog (soft)
  • Bogha Báistí (rainbow, literally rain bow, boh BAWSH-tee)
  • Bóín Dé (ladybug, BOH-een DAY)

B, continued

  • Bóithrín (little road, boreen, BOH-reen)
  • Bold (naughty, in the Irish usage)
  • Boreen (a narrow country lane)
  • Borróg (bun)
  • Boru (after the high king Brian Boru)
  • Bosca Ceoil (accordion, literally music box)
  • Bóthar (road, BOH-her)
  • Boxty (potato pancake)
  • Boyne (the river of Meath, named for Boann)
  • Bradán (salmon)
  • Bradán Feasa (the Salmon of Knowledge)
  • Bran (Fionn's favorite hound)
  • Brandon (the mountain of the Dingle Peninsula)
  • Braon (drop)

B, continued

  • Brat (cloak, mantle)
  • Bray (seaside town in Wicklow)
  • Breá (fine, BRAW)
  • Breac (speckled, also a trout)
  • Bréagán (toy, BRAY-gawn)
  • Breakfast Roll (a fry-up in a bread roll)
  • Breandán (the Irish form of Brendan)
  • Brehon (a judge of the old Irish law)
  • Bricín (freckle)
  • Bricriu (the mischief-maker of the feast)
  • Bríd (the modern form of Brigid, BREED)
  • Brigid (goddess of poetry, healing and smithcraft)
  • Brionglóid (dream, BRING-lohd)
  • Briosca (cookie)

B, continued

  • Broc (badger)
  • Brocaire (terrier)
  • Bród (pride)
  • Bródúil (proud)
  • Bróg (shoe, BROHG)
  • Brogan (an old Connacht surname)
  • Brogue (a stout shoe, from bróg)
  • Bua (victory, BOO-a)
  • Buachaill (boy, BOO-khil)
  • Buachaill Maith (good boy)
  • Buí (yellow, BWEE)
  • Bullet (the iron ball of road bowling)
  • Bumbóg (bumblebee)
  • Bundoran (surf town in Donegal)
  • Burren (the limestone country of Clare)

C: 164 names

  • Cabáiste (cabbage)
  • Cáca (cake)
  • Cáca Milis (sweet cake)
  • Cahir (castle town in Tipperary, CARE)
  • Cailín (girl, ka-LEEN)
  • Cailín Maith (good girl)
  • Cailleach (the divine hag of winter, KAL-yukh)
  • Cainteach (chatty)
  • Caipín (cap, KAP-een)
  • Cairdeas (friendship)
  • Cairdiúil (friendly)
  • Cairéad (carrot)
  • Cáis (cheese, KAWSH)
  • Caiseal (stone fort, the root of Cashel)

C, continued

  • Caisearbhán (dandelion)
  • Caitlín (the Irish form of Catherine, kat-LEEN)
  • Camán (hurling stick, kuh-MAWN)
  • Camogie (the women's game of hurling)
  • Cantalach (cranky)
  • Caoilte (the swiftest runner of the Fianna, KWEEL-cha)
  • Caoimhe (gentle, lovely, KEE-va)
  • Caoimhín (the Irish form of Kevin, KWEE-veen)
  • Caol (slender)
  • Caonach (moss)
  • Caora (sheep)
  • Caorthann (rowan)
  • Capaillín (pony)
  • Capall (horse)
  • Capall Mara (seahorse)

C, continued

  • Cara (friend)
  • Carlingford (Louth village on its lough)
  • Carn (cairn, heap of stones)
  • Carrageen (the seaweed used to set puddings)
  • Carraig (rock)
  • Carrauntoohil (Ireland's highest peak)
  • Carrick (from carraig, rock, in many town names)
  • Cas (curly, twisted)
  • Casey (surname, watchful)
  • Cashel (the Rock of Cashel in Tipperary)
  • Cassidy (surname, from cas, curly)
  • Cat Crainn (pine marten, literally tree cat)
  • Catach (curly)
  • Cathal (strong in battle, KA-hal)
  • Cathbad (druid of the Ulster court)

C, continued

  • Causeway (the Giant's Causeway of Antrim)
  • Céad (hundred, also first, KAYD)
  • Céadsearc (first love, sweetheart)
  • Ceannann (white-faced)
  • Ceanndána (headstrong, KYAN-daw-na)
  • Ceanúil (affectionate)
  • Ceapaire (sandwich)
  • Cearc (hen, KYARK)
  • Céilí (a dance gathering, KAY-lee)
  • Ceo (fog, KYOH)
  • Ceol (music, KYOHL)
  • Ceol Sí (fairy music)
  • Ceolmhar (musical, KYOHL-war)
  • Ceoltóir (musician)
  • Champ (mashed potato with scallions)

C, continued

  • Chancer (one who tries his luck)
  • Chipper (a chip shop)
  • Cian (ancient, enduring, KEE-an)
  • Ciar (dark)
  • Ciara (dark-haired, KEER-a)
  • Ciarán (little dark one, KEER-awn)
  • Ciardhubh (jet black)
  • Cillian (an early saint's name, KIL-ee-an)
  • Ciotach (left-handed, awkward)
  • Cith (shower, KIH)
  • Ciúin (quiet, KYOO-in)
  • Ciúnas (silence, quiet please)
  • Claddagh (the ring of heart, hands and crown)
  • Cladhaire (rascal)
  • Claí (ditch, stone fence, KLEE)

C, continued

  • Claíomh Solais (the Sword of Light, kleev SUL-ish)
  • Cláirseach (harp, KLAWR-shukh)
  • Clare (An Clár, the plain)
  • Cleas (trick)
  • Cleasaí (trickster)
  • Cléire (Cape Clear Island off west Cork)
  • Cleite (feather)
  • Clifden (the main town of Connemara)
  • Clíodhna (Otherworld queen of Munster, KLEE-uh-na)
  • Cliste (clever, KLISH-ta)
  • Cloch (stone)
  • Clodagh (from a river name, KLOH-da)
  • Cloigín (little bell)
  • Clonmel (Cluain Meala, honey meadow)
  • Clover (the lucky leaf)

C, continued

  • Cluas (ear)
  • Cluasa Móra (big ears)
  • Cluasach (long-eared)
  • Cluiche (game, KLIH-ha)
  • Clúmh (fluff, down)
  • Clúmhach (fluffy)
  • Cnaipe (button)
  • Cnámh (bone)
  • Cneasta (kind)
  • Cnó (nut)
  • Cnoc (hill)
  • Cobh (harbor town in Cork, COVE)
  • Coddle (Dublin stew of sausages and rashers)
  • Codladh (sleep, KUL-a)
  • Codlatach (sleepy)

C, continued

  • Codlatán (sleepyhead)
  • Coileach (rooster)
  • Coileáinín (little pup)
  • Coileán (pup, KWIL-awn)
  • Coill (wood, KWILL)
  • Cóiméad (comet)
  • Coinín (rabbit, kun-EEN)
  • Colcannon (mashed potato with cabbage or kale)
  • Coll (hazel)
  • Colleen (girl, from cailín)
  • Colm (dove)
  • Colúr (pigeon, KUL-oor)
  • Compánach (companion)
  • Conairt (pack of hounds)
  • Conán Maol (Conán the Bald, the Fianna's joker)

C, continued

  • Concertina (the squeezebox of Clare music)
  • Conchobar (king of Ulster in the old tales)
  • Coney (an island off Sligo, named for its rabbits)
  • Cong (Mayo village between two lakes)
  • Conn (chief, and one of the Children of Lir)
  • Connacht (the western province)
  • Connemara (the wild west of Galway)
  • Cork (Corcaigh, marsh)
  • Corr Réisc (heron)
  • Corrib (Galway's river and lake)
  • Cosa Bána (white feet)
  • Cosa Fada (long legs)
  • Cosantóir (defender)
  • Craic (fun, good company, CRACK)
  • Crann (tree)

C, continued

  • Crannóg (a lake dwelling on a made island)
  • Crios (the woven belt of the Aran Islands, KRISS)
  • Cróga (brave, KROH-ga)
  • Croí (heart, KREE)
  • Croiméal (moustache)
  • Croíúil (hearty, KREE-ool)
  • Crón (tawny, dark brown)
  • Crotach (curlew)
  • Crú Capaill (horseshoe)
  • Crúb (paw, claw)
  • Crubeen (pig's trotter, from crúibín)
  • Cruit (small harp)
  • Cú (hound, KOO)
  • Cú Chulainn (the Hound of Culann, koo-KHUL-in)
  • Cú Faoil (Irish wolfhound, koo FWEEL)

C, continued

  • Cuach (cuckoo)
  • Cuan (harbor)
  • Cuán (little hound, KOO-awn)
  • Cuideachta (company, good fellowship)
  • Cúig (five, KOO-ig)
  • Cuileann (holly, KWIL-in)
  • Cúilín (a point over the bar)
  • Cúl (goal, KOOL)
  • Culann (the smith whose hound gave the hero his name)
  • Cumann (affection, sweetheart)
  • Cupán Tae (cup of tea)
  • Cúr (foam)
  • Curach (the tarred canvas rowing boat, KUR-ukh)
  • Curragh (the open plain of Kildare)
  • Cúthail (shy, KOO-hil)

D: 65 names

  • Dagda (the Good God, father figure of the old gods)
  • Dair (oak)
  • Dáithí (the name of an early king, DAW-hee)
  • Dalba (bold, a Munster word for naughty)
  • Dalkey (seaside village south of Dublin)
  • Damhán Alla (spider)
  • Damhsa (dance, DOW-sa)
  • Dán (poem, DAWN)
  • Dána (bold, DAW-na)
  • Danu (mother goddess of the Tuatha Dé Danann)
  • Dara (oak, DA-ra)
  • Darcy (surname, from dorcha, dark)
  • Dathúil (good-looking)

D, continued

  • Deadly (brilliant, in Dublin talk)
  • Dearbhla (an old given name, DERV-la)
  • Dearcán (acorn)
  • Dearg (red)
  • Deas (nice)
  • Deatach (smoke)
  • Deirdre (Deirdre of the Sorrows)
  • Delaney (a Leinster surname)
  • Dempsey (surname, proud)
  • Derg (a great lake on the Shannon)
  • Derry (Doire, oak grove)
  • Diabhailín (little devil)
  • Diarmuid (Diarmuid of the love spot, DEER-mid)

D, continued

  • Dílis (loyal, DEE-lish)
  • Dillisk (dried seaweed snack, from duileasc)
  • Dingle (harbor town in the far west of Kerry)
  • Divil (a fond word for a rascal)
  • Dó (two, DOH)
  • Dobharchú (otter, literally water hound)
  • Dóchas (hope, DOH-khus)
  • Dóighiúil (handsome, an Ulster word)
  • Doireann (an old given name, DIR-in)
  • Dolmen (a stone tomb with a great capstone)
  • Domhan (world, DOW-un)
  • Dónal (world ruler, DOH-nal)
  • Donard (Slieve Donard, highest of the Mournes)

D, continued

  • Donegal (Dún na nGall, fort of the foreigners)
  • Donn (brown)
  • Donn Cuailnge (the Brown Bull of Cooley)
  • Donnacha (brown warrior, DUN-uh-kha)
  • Donovan (surname, from donn, brown)
  • Dooley (surname, dark hero)
  • Doolin (Clare village known for its music)
  • Dote (an adorable little thing)
  • Doyle (surname, dark stranger)
  • Dragan (dragon)
  • Draíocht (magic, DREE-ukht)
  • Draoi (druid, DREE)
  • Dreancaid (flea)

D, continued

  • Dreoilín (wren, DROH-leen)
  • Drisheen (a Cork blood pudding)
  • Drúcht (dew)
  • Druid (starling)
  • Dub Sainglend (Cú Chulainn's black chariot horse)
  • Dubh (black, DUV)
  • Dublin (Dubh Linn, black pool)
  • Duffy (surname, from dubh, black)
  • Duilleog (leaf, DIL-yohg)
  • Dullahan (the headless rider of folklore)
  • Dún (fort, DOON)
  • Dunquin (the village that faces the Blaskets)
  • Dursey (the island reached by cable car)

E: 24 names

  • Éabha (the Irish form of Eve, AY-va)
  • Eala (swan, AL-a)
  • Éamonn (the Irish form of Edmund, AY-mun)
  • Éan (bird, AYN)
  • Éanna (a saint of the Aran Islands, AY-na)
  • Earrach (spring)
  • Eas (waterfall)
  • Eejit (a silly one, said fondly)
  • Eilís (the Irish form of Elizabeth, AY-leesh)
  • Eilit (doe)
  • Éinín (little bird)
  • Éire (Ireland, AIR-eh)

E, continued

  • Eireaball (tail, ER-uh-bul)
  • Eithne (mother of Lugh in the tales, EN-ya)
  • Emer (wife of Cú Chulainn, EE-mer)
  • Enbarr (Manannán's horse of the flowing mane)
  • Ennis (Clare's county town, from inis, island)
  • Eoghan (an old royal name, OH-in)
  • Eoin (an Irish form of John, OH-in)
  • Erin (a poetic name for Ireland)
  • Ériu (the goddess who gave Ireland its name)
  • Erne (Fermanagh's river and lakes)
  • Errigal (Donegal's highest peak)
  • Étaín (heroine of a tale of rebirth, AY-deen)

F: 67 names

  • Fada (long)
  • Fadge (potato bread, an Ulster word)
  • Failinis (the hound of Lugh)
  • Fáilte (welcome, FAWL-cha)
  • Fáinleog (swallow)
  • Fáinne (ring, FAWN-ya)
  • Fáinne an Lae (dawn, literally the ring of day)
  • Fairy Fort (a ring of earth best left alone)
  • Fairy Thorn (a lone hawthorn nobody cuts)
  • Fánaí (wanderer)
  • Faoi Dhraíocht (under a spell, fwee GHREE-ukht)
  • Faoileán (seagull, FWEE-lawn)
  • Faolán (little wolf, FWAY-lawn)

F, continued

  • Faolchú (wolf, FWAYL-khoo)
  • Farl (a quarter round of soda bread)
  • Farraige (sea, FAR-ig-eh)
  • Fastnet (the lighthouse rock off Cork)
  • Fata (potato, the Connacht word)
  • Fathach (giant, FAH-hukh)
  • Feadóg (tin whistle, FAD-ohg)
  • Feamainn (seaweed)
  • Féar (grass)
  • Fear Grinn (clown, literally man of fun)
  • Fearghal (valorous, FAR-gal)
  • Féasóg (beard, FAY-sohg)
  • Féileacán (butterfly, FAY-luh-kawn)

F, continued

  • Feis (a festival of dance and music, FESH)
  • Feochadán (thistle)
  • Ferdia (foster brother who fought at the ford)
  • Fergus (exiled Ulster hero of the Táin)
  • Fia (deer, FEE-a)
  • Fiach Dubh (raven)
  • Fiachra (one of the Children of Lir, FEE-uh-khra)
  • Fiadh (wild, like a deer, FEE-a)
  • Fiáin (wild, FEE-awn)
  • Fial (generous)
  • Fianna (Fionn's band of warrior-hunters)
  • Fidchell (the board game of kings in the tales)
  • Fidil (fiddle)
  • Fidléir (fiddler)

F, continued

  • File (poet, FILL-eh)
  • Finbarr (fair-haired)
  • Finnbhennach (the white-horned bull of Connacht)
  • Finnegan (surname, from fionn, fair)
  • Finnegas (the poet who caught the Salmon of Knowledge)
  • Fintan (the wise survivor of the Flood in legend)
  • Fionn (fair, bright, FYUN)
  • Fionn mac Cumhaill (leader of the Fianna, fyun mak KOOL)
  • Fionnadh (coat of fur, FYUN-a)
  • Fionnuala (eldest of the Children of Lir, fin-OO-la)
  • Fiosrach (curious, nosy)
  • Flaithiúil (lavish, generous, FLA-hool)
  • Flanagan (surname, little ruddy one)

F, continued

  • Fleadh (music festival, FLAH)
  • Fliuch (wet, FLUKH)
  • Flynn (surname, from flann, ruddy red)
  • Fódla (a poetic name for Ireland, FOH-la)
  • Foghlaí Mara (pirate)
  • Fómhar (autumn, harvest, FOH-war)
  • Foyle (the river of Derry)
  • Fragarach (the Answerer, Manannán's sword)
  • Fraoch (heather, FRAYKH)
  • Fraochán (bilberry)
  • Fuar (cold)
  • Fuinniúil (energetic, FWIN-yool)
  • Fuinseog (ash tree)
  • Fuiseog (lark, FWISH-ohg)

G: 65 names

  • Gabha (blacksmith, GOW-a)
  • Gabhar (goat, GOW-er)
  • Gadaí (thief, GAH-dee)
  • Gadhar (hunting dog, GUY-er)
  • Gae Bolg (Cú Chulainn's spear)
  • Gaeltacht (an Irish-speaking district)
  • Gaineamh (sand)
  • Gáire (laugh, GAW-ra)
  • Gairleog (garlic)
  • Gaiscíoch (warrior, champion, GASH-kee-ukh)
  • Galánta (elegant)
  • Gallagher (surname, foreign helper)
  • Galore (plenty, from go leor)

G, continued

  • Galway (Gaillimh in Irish, GOL-iv)
  • Gansey (sweater, from geansaí)
  • Gaoth (wind, GWEE)
  • Garbh (rough, GAR-uv)
  • Garbhán (little rough one, GAR-vawn)
  • Garraí (garden)
  • Garryowen (rugby's high kick, named for a Limerick club)
  • Garsún (young lad)
  • Gas (great fun, a good laugh)
  • Gasta (fast, smart)
  • Gé (goose)
  • Geal (bright, GYAL)
  • Gealach (moon, GYAL-ukh)

G, continued

  • Gealbhan (sparrow)
  • Geansaí (sweater, GAN-zee)
  • Gearr (short)
  • Geimhreadh (winter, GEV-ra)
  • Geis (a taboo laid on a hero, GESH)
  • Gilhooly (a Connacht surname)
  • Giobach (scruffy)
  • Giorria (hare, GIR-ee-a)
  • Glas (green or grey)
  • Glas Gaibhnenn (the magic cow of plenty)
  • Gleann (glen)
  • Glencar (the waterfall glen in a Yeats poem)
  • Glendalough (Gleann Dá Loch, valley of two lakes)

G, continued

  • Gleoite (cute, GLOH-cha)
  • Glic (cunning, clever)
  • Gliomach (lobster)
  • Glórach (noisy)
  • Go Deo (forever, guh DYOH)
  • Gob (beak)
  • Gobnait (the beekeepers' saint, GUB-nit)
  • Goll (one-eyed champion of the Fianna)
  • Goody (bread soaked in warm milk and sugar)
  • Gorm (blue, and of a coat, dark)
  • Gormlaith (a queen's name of old, GURM-la)
  • Gossoon (boy, from garsún)
  • Grá (love, GRAW)

G, continued

  • Grá Geal (bright love)
  • Grá mo Chroí (love of my heart)
  • Gráinne (who ran away with Diarmuid, GRAWN-ya)
  • Gráinneog (hedgehog, GRAWN-yohg)
  • Grámhar (loving)
  • Grand (fine, the all-purpose word of approval)
  • Granuaile (the sea captain Gráinne Mhaol of Mayo)
  • Greann (humor, fun)
  • Greannmhar (funny, GRAN-war)
  • Gréasaí (shoemaker)
  • Grian (sun, GREE-an)
  • Gur Cake (a Dublin pastry slice)
  • Gweedore (an Irish-speaking district of Donegal)

H: 9 names

  • Halloran (surname, from over the sea)
  • Heel (the end of the loaf)
  • Herself (the mistress of the house)
  • Himself (the master of the house)
  • Hogan (surname, from óg, young)
  • Hooley (a lively party)
  • Howth (harbor village on Dublin Bay)
  • Hurley (the ash stick of hurling)
  • Hy-Brasil (the phantom island of the western sea)

I: 17 names

  • Iarla (earl, EER-la)
  • Iascaire (fisherman)
  • Im (butter)
  • Imaal (the Wicklow glen of the Glen of Imaal terrier)
  • Imbolc (the festival that opens spring)
  • Inis (island)
  • Inis Mór (the big island of Aran)
  • Inis Oírr (the smallest Aran island, in-ish-EER)

I, continued

  • Inishbofin (island of the white cow)
  • Innisfree (the lake isle in Lough Gill)
  • Iolar (eagle, UL-er)
  • Iománaí (hurler)
  • Iontach (wonderful, EEN-tukh)
  • Iora (squirrel)
  • Iora Rua (red squirrel)
  • Ispín (sausage)
  • Iúr (yew)

J: 2 names

  • Jambon (ham and cheese pastry of the deli counter)
  • Jig (a dance tune in six-eight time)

K: 12 names

  • Kavanagh (a Leinster surname)
  • Keegan (surname, from Aodh, fire)
  • Kells (Meath town of the famous gospel book)
  • Kenmare (Neidín in Irish, little nest)
  • Kerry (Ciarraí, the people of Ciar)
  • Kerry Blue (the blue-grey terrier of Kerry)
  • Kildare (Cill Dara, church of the oak)
  • Kilkenny (Cill Chainnigh, church of Canice)
  • Killarney (Kerry town among lakes)
  • Killybegs (fishing port in Donegal)
  • Kinsale (harbor town in Cork)
  • Kinvara (harbor village in Galway)

L: 51 names

  • Lá (day)
  • Labhraidh (the king with a horse's ears, LOW-ree)
  • Lách (kindly, LAWKH)
  • Lacha (duck)
  • Lagan (Belfast's river)
  • Lahinch (surf town in Clare)
  • Láidir (strong, LAW-dir)
  • Lao (calf)
  • Laoch (hero, LAYKH)
  • Laois (a midland county, LEESH)
  • Laoise (an old given name, LEE-sha)
  • Lapa (paw)

L, continued

  • Lasair (flame)
  • Lasair Choille (goldfinch, literally flame of the wood)
  • Leaba (bed, LAB-a)
  • Leanbán (little child, darling)
  • Leanbh (child, LAN-uv)
  • Lee (Cork's river)
  • Léim (jump, LAYM)
  • Leinster (the eastern province)
  • Leipreachán (the fairy shoemaker of folklore)
  • Leisciúil (lazy, LESH-kyool)
  • Leite (porridge)
  • Leitrim (Liatroim, grey ridge)
  • Leoithne (breeze)

L, continued

  • Lí Ban (the woman who became a mermaid of Lough Neagh)
  • Lia Fáil (the Stone of Destiny at Tara, LEE-a FAWL)
  • Liath (grey, LEE-a)
  • Liath Macha (the Grey of Macha, Cú Chulainn's horse)
  • Liathróid (ball, LEE-uh-rohd)
  • Liffey (Dublin's river)
  • Lilt (to sing a tune without words)
  • Lios (fairy fort, LISS)
  • Lir (father of the children turned to swans)
  • Líreacán (lollipop)
  • Lismore (castle town in Waterford)
  • Loch (lake)
  • Lochán (pond, little lake)

L, continued

  • Lochlann (Viking, LOKH-lun)
  • Lon Dubh (blackbird)
  • Lonrach (shining)
  • Lorcán (little fierce one, LOR-kawn)
  • Luch (mouse)
  • Lúchair (joy, delight, LOO-khir)
  • Luchóg (little mouse)
  • Lucky (the plain English of it)
  • Lúfar (agile)
  • Lug (hill walkers' short name for Lugnaquilla)
  • Lugh (the many-skilled god, LOO)
  • Lughaidh (from the god Lugh, LOO-ee)
  • Lúnasa (August, and the harvest festival)

M: 68 names

  • Mac Tíre (wolf, literally son of the land, mok TEER-eh)
  • Macánta (gentle, honest)
  • Macha (the goddess who outran the king's horses)
  • Macushla (the English spelling of mo chuisle)
  • Madden (surname, from madadh, an old word for dog)
  • Madigan (surname, from madadh, dog)
  • Madra (dog, MOD-ra)
  • Madra Beag (little dog)
  • Madra Caorach (sheepdog)
  • Madra Maith (good dog)
  • Madra Mór (big dog)
  • Madra Rua (fox, literally red dog)
  • Madra Uisce (otter, literally water dog)

M, continued

  • Maeve (the English spelling of Medb)
  • Mag Mell (the Plain of Delight of the tales)
  • Maidin (morning)
  • Maidrín (doggy, MOD-reen)
  • Maighdean Mhara (mermaid, sea maiden, MY-jun WAR-a)
  • Máire (the Irish form of Mary, MAW-ra)
  • Mairéad (the Irish form of Margaret, muh-RAYD)
  • Maith Thú (well done, MAH hoo)
  • Malin (the head at Ireland's northern tip)
  • Mall (slow)
  • Manannán (god of the sea)
  • Mavourneen (the English spelling of mo mhuirnín)
  • Mayo (Maigh Eo, plain of the yew)
  • McNamara (surname, hound of the sea)

M, continued

  • Meán Oíche (midnight)
  • Meangadh (smile, MAN-ga)
  • Mear (quick, nimble)
  • Meath (An Mhí, the middle)
  • Medb (warrior queen of Connacht, MAYV)
  • Meidhreach (merry, MY-rukh)
  • Merrow (the English spelling of murúch)
  • Messer (one who is always messing about)
  • Micheál (the Irish form of Michael, mee-HAWL)
  • Mil (honey)
  • Míle (thousand, also a mile, MEE-la)
  • Milis (sweet)
  • Milseán (a piece of candy)

M, continued

  • Mín (smooth, MEEN)
  • Miotóg (mitten)
  • Misneach (courage, MISH-nukh)
  • Mizen (the head at Ireland's southwest tip)
  • Mo Chara (my friend, muh KHAR-a)
  • Mo Chroí (my heart, muh KHREE)
  • Mo Ghrá (my love)
  • Moher (the great cliffs of Clare)
  • Móin (turf, peat)
  • Mooney (surname, from maoin, wealth)
  • Mór (big, MORE)
  • Moriarty (a Kerry surname)
  • Morrígan (the phantom queen of battle)
  • Mothall (mop of hair)

M, continued

  • Mothallach (shaggy)
  • Mourne (the mountains of Down)
  • Moy (the salmon river of Mayo)
  • Muc (pig)
  • Muc Mhara (porpoise, literally sea pig)
  • Muckish (flat-topped Donegal mountain, from muc, pig)
  • Muir (sea)
  • Muireann (sea-fair, MWIR-in)
  • Muirnín (darling, MUR-neen)
  • Mulligan (surname, from maol, bald)
  • Munster (the southern province)
  • Murchadh (sea warrior, MUR-uh-kha)
  • Murphy (surname, sea warrior)
  • Murúch (mermaid, merrow)

N: 17 names

  • Naoise (Deirdre's beloved, NEE-sha)
  • Naomhóg (the Kerry word for a curach, NAY-vohg)
  • Nead (nest)
  • Neagh (the largest lake in Ireland, NAY)
  • Néal (a nap, also a cloud, NAYL)
  • Neantóg (nettle)
  • Neasa (mother of King Conchobar in the tales, NASS-a)
  • Néata (neat)

N, continued

  • Niall (a name of early high kings, NEE-al)
  • Niamh (bright, NEEV)
  • Niamh Chinn Óir (Niamh of the golden hair, neev khin OHR)
  • Nóinín (daisy, NOH-neen)
  • Nóirín (little Nóra, no-REEN)
  • Nolan (surname, noble, famous)
  • Nollaig (Christmas, December)
  • Nuada (the king with the silver hand)
  • Nuala (short for Fionnuala, NOO-la)

O: 19 names

  • O'Malley (the seafaring clan of Mayo)
  • Ocrach (hungry)
  • Odhar (dun)
  • Odhrán (little dun one, OH-rawn)
  • Óg (young, OHG)
  • Ogham (the old alphabet of strokes cut in stone, OH-um)
  • Ogma (champion and god of eloquence)
  • Oíche (night, EE-ha)
  • Oighear (ice, EYE-er)

O, continued

  • Oileán (island, IL-awn)
  • Oilliphéist (the great serpent of legend, UL-uh-faysht)
  • Oinniún (onion, UN-yoon)
  • Oisín (poet son of Fionn, little deer, ush-EEN)
  • Ollamh (master poet, highest rank of the learned, UL-uv)
  • Ómra (amber)
  • Ór (gold, ORE)
  • Órga (golden)
  • Órla (golden princess)
  • Oscar (grandson of Fionn, the Fianna's best fighter)

P: 38 names

  • Pádraig (the Irish form of Patrick, PAW-drig)
  • Páirc (field, park)
  • Paiste (patch)
  • Pampootie (a hide shoe of the Aran Islands)
  • Pancóg (pancake)
  • Peata (pet, PAT-a)
  • Peata Beag (little pet)
  • Peig (the Irish form of Peg, PEG)
  • Peil (football)
  • Penny (a lucky coin)
  • Phoenix (Dublin's great park, from fionn uisce)
  • Piasún (pheasant)

P, continued

  • Pingin (penny, PING-in)
  • Píobaire (piper)
  • Piscín (kitten, pish-KEEN)
  • Piseog (a superstition or charm, PISH-ohg)
  • Plámás (flattery, soft talk, PLAW-mawss)
  • Planxty (a harp tune written for a patron)
  • Pluid (blanket)
  • Poc (a puck of the ball)
  • Poc Fada (the long puck contest)
  • Pocaire Gaoithe (kestrel, literally wind frolicker)
  • Póg (kiss, POHG)
  • Poitín (homemade spirit, literally little pot, puh-CHEEN)
  • Pónaire (bean)

P, continued

  • Port (jig, tune)
  • Portach (bog)
  • Portán (crab)
  • Porter (the dark beer older than stout)
  • Porter Cake (fruit cake made with dark beer)
  • Práta (potato, PRAW-ta)
  • Préachán (crow, PRAY-khawn)
  • Prionsa (prince)
  • Púca (the shape-shifting spirit, POO-ka)
  • Púcán (a small Galway sailing boat)
  • Puifín (puffin)
  • Puiteach (mud)
  • Putóg (pudding)

Q: 1 name

  • Quinn (surname, from Conn, chief)

R: 37 names

  • Rafferty (a surname of Ulster and Connacht)
  • Raithneach (fern, RAH-nukh)
  • Ramhar (plump)
  • Rann (verse, rhyme)
  • Rás (race, RAWSS)
  • Rasher (a slice of bacon)
  • Ráth (ringfort, RAW)
  • Rathlin (the island off the Antrim coast)
  • Réalta (star, RAYL-ta)
  • Réalta Reatha (shooting star)
  • Réaltóg (little star)
  • Reathaí (runner)

R, continued

  • Reek (the local name for Croagh Patrick)
  • Reel (a fast dance tune)
  • Rí (king, REE)
  • Rí Rua (chaffinch, literally red king)
  • Riabhach (brindled, REE-vukh)
  • Rían (little king, REE-an)
  • Ribín (ribbon)
  • Ridire (knight)
  • Rince (dance, RINK-a)
  • Rinceoir (dancer)
  • Ríona (queenly, REE-uh-na)
  • Ríordán (royal poet, REER-dawn)

R, continued

  • Rith (run, RIH)
  • Rógaire (rogue)
  • Róisín (little rose, ro-SHEEN)
  • Rón (seal)
  • Rónán (little seal, ROH-nawn)
  • Rooney (a surname of County Down)
  • Rory (red king)
  • Rover (the wanderer of the old song)
  • Rua (red-haired, ROO-a)
  • Ruadhán (little red one, ROO-awn)
  • Ruairí (the Irish spelling of Rory, RUR-ee)
  • Ruball (tail)
  • Rún (secret, darling)

S: 129 names

  • Sadhbh (Oisín's mother, turned into a deer, SYVE)
  • Saileach (willow)
  • Salach (dirty)
  • Sally (the Sally Gap in the Wicklow Mountains)
  • Samhain (the festival that opens winter, SOW-in)
  • Samhradh (summer, SOW-ra)
  • Santach (greedy)
  • Saoi (sage, SEE)
  • Saoirse (freedom, SEER-sha)
  • Saor (free)
  • Sásta (content, SAWS-ta)
  • Savage (excellent, in everyday talk)
  • Scadán (herring, SKOD-awn)
  • Scáil (shadow, phantom)

S, continued

  • Scallion (spring onion)
  • Scamall (cloud)
  • Scáth (shadow, SKAW)
  • Scáthach (the warrior woman who trained heroes, SKAW-hukh)
  • Sceach (hawthorn bush, SHKAKH)
  • Sceach Gheal (whitethorn, the lone fairy tree)
  • Scéal (story, SHKAYL)
  • Sceallóg (chip, french fry)
  • Sceolan (Fionn's second hound, SHKYOH-lan)
  • Schull (harbor village in west Cork, SKULL)
  • Sciathán (wing)
  • Sciobtha (swift, SHKIB-ha)
  • Scléip (high jinks)
  • Scully (surname, from scolaí, scholar)

S, continued

  • Sé (six, SHAY)
  • Seabhac (hawk, SHOWK)
  • Seacláid (chocolate, SHOK-lawd)
  • Sealgaire (hunter)
  • Seamair (clover)
  • Seamróg (shamrock, SHAM-rohg)
  • Séamus (the Irish form of James, SHAY-mus)
  • Sean (old, SHAN)
  • Seán (the Irish form of John, SHAWN)
  • Sean-nós (the old unaccompanied style of song)
  • Seanchaí (storyteller, SHAN-uh-khee)
  • Seanfhocal (proverb, literally old word, SHAN-uk-ul)
  • Seangán (ant)
  • Searc (love, beloved, SHARK)
  • Searrach (foal)

S, continued

  • Seilide (snail, SHEL-id-eh)
  • Séimh (gentle, SHAYV)
  • Seisiún (a music session)
  • Selkie (seal-person, a Scots word for a tale Ireland shares)
  • Seoid (jewel, SHOHD)
  • Setanta (Cú Chulainn's boyhood name)
  • Setter (the red bird dog of Ireland)
  • Shamrock (from seamróg, little clover)
  • Shannon (Ireland's longest river)
  • Shenanigans (mischief)
  • Sí (the fairy mound and its people, SHEE)
  • Sí Gaoithe (a fairy wind, a sudden whirl, shee GWEE-ha)
  • Siamsa (entertainment, SHEE-um-sa)
  • Sicín (chicken)

S, continued

  • Síle (the Irish form of Cecilia, SHEE-la)
  • Silín (cherry, SHIL-een)
  • Sinéad (the Irish form of Jane, shin-AYD)
  • Siobhán (the Irish form of Joan, shi-VAWN)
  • Sioc (frost, SHUK)
  • Síocháin (peace, SHEE-uh-khawn)
  • Síoda (silk, SHEE-da)
  • Síofra (sprite, changeling, SHEE-fra)
  • Síog (fairy, SHEE-ohg)
  • Sionann (the woman the Shannon is named for)
  • Sionnach (fox, SHUN-ukh)
  • Siorc (shark)
  • Siúlóid (a walk, SHOO-lohd)
  • Siúlóir (walker)

S, continued

  • Skellig (the rock islands off Kerry)
  • Sláinte (health, the toast, SLAWN-cha)
  • Slán (safe, and goodbye, SLAWN)
  • Slane (Meath village on the Boyne)
  • Slaney (Wexford's river)
  • Sliabh (mountain, SHLEEV)
  • Sliabh Liag (the great sea cliffs of Donegal, shleev LEE-ug)
  • Slievenamon (Sliabh na mBan, mountain of the women)
  • Sligo (Sligeach, the shelly place)
  • Sliogán (shell)
  • Sliotar (the hurling ball, SHLIT-er)
  • Slip Jig (a dance tune in nine-eight time)
  • Slua Sí (the fairy host)
  • Sméar (blackberry)
  • Smithereens (little bits, from smidiríní)

S, continued

  • Smólach (thrush)
  • Smugairle Róin (jellyfish, seal's snot, SMUG-er-la ROH-in)
  • Snag Breac (magpie)
  • Snámh (swim, SNAWV)
  • Sneachta (snow, SHNAKH-ta)
  • Sneem (Kerry village, from snaidhm, knot)
  • Soc (muzzle)
  • Socair (steady, settled)
  • Solas (light)
  • Sona (happy)
  • Sorcha (bright, SUR-uh-kha)
  • Sotar (setter)
  • Sound (decent, reliable)
  • Spéir (sky)

S, continued

  • Spice Bag (takeout fries tossed with spiced chicken)
  • Spiddal (Irish-speaking village west of Galway)
  • Spideog (robin, SPID-yohg)
  • Splanc (spark)
  • Spota (spot)
  • Spraíúil (playful, SPREE-ool)
  • Spraoi (fun, play, SPREE)
  • Spud (potato)
  • Srón (nose)
  • Srón Dhubh (black nose)
  • Sruthán (stream, SRUH-hawn)
  • Stirabout (porridge)
  • Stobhach (stew, STOH-ukh)
  • Stoca (sock)

S, continued

  • Stóirín (little treasure, STORE-een)
  • Stoirm (storm)
  • Stout (dark beer)
  • Strawboy (a straw-masked guest at old weddings)
  • Stríoc (stripe)
  • Suaimhneach (calm, SOO-iv-nukh)
  • Suaimhneas (calm, SOO-iv-nus)
  • Suairc (cheerful, SOO-irk)
  • Suantraí (lullaby, SOON-tree)
  • Subh (jam, SUV)
  • Súgradh (playing, SOO-gra)
  • Súile Donna (brown eyes)
  • Suir (one of the Three Sisters rivers, SHOOR)
  • Sullivan (a great Munster surname)
  • Sweeney (surname, from Suibhne, pleasant)

T: 40 names

  • Tadhg (poet, TYGE like tiger)
  • Tae (tea)
  • Taibhse (ghost, TYV-sha)
  • Táin (the cattle raid of the epic, TAWN)
  • Taisce (treasure, TASH-ka)
  • Taoiseach (chieftain, TEE-shukh)
  • Tapa (fast)
  • Tara (seat of the high kings)
  • Tarbh (bull, TAR-uv)
  • Téagartha (sturdy)
  • Thar Barr (tip-top)
  • Tiarna (lord)
  • Tiarnán (little lord, TEER-nawn)

T, continued

  • Tierney (surname, from tiarna, lord)
  • Tine (fire, TIN-eh)
  • Tine Ghealáin (will o' the wisp, the bog light)
  • Tinteán (hearth)
  • Tintreach (lightning)
  • Tíogar (tiger)
  • Tipperary (Tiobraid Árann, well of the Ara)
  • Tír na nÓg (the Land of the Young, teer na NOHG)
  • Tobar (well)
  • Toifí (toffee)
  • Toirneach (thunder)
  • Tonn (wave)
  • Tóraíocht (chase, pursuit, TOH-ree-ukht)

T, continued

  • Torc (wild boar)
  • Tornapa (turnip)
  • Tory (a far-out island off Donegal)
  • Trá (beach, TRAW)
  • Trad (short for traditional music)
  • Tralee (Kerry's county town)
  • Tramore (Trá Mhór, big beach)
  • Trí (three, TREE)
  • Tuar (omen)
  • Tuar Ceatha (rainbow)
  • Tuiren (mother of Bran and Sceolan)
  • Turlough (a lake that comes and goes with the season)
  • Tweed (the woven wool of Donegal)
  • Tyrone (Tír Eoghain, Eoghan's land)

U: 12 names

  • Uachtar (cream)
  • Uachtar Reoite (ice cream)
  • Uan (lamb)
  • Uasal (noble)
  • Ubh (egg, UV)
  • Uilleann (elbow, as in the uilleann pipes, ILL-in)
  • Uisce (water, ISH-ka)
  • Uisneach (the hill at the center of Ireland, ISH-nukh)
  • Ulchabhán (owl, UL-uh-khuh-wawn)
  • Úll (apple, OOL)
  • Ulster (the northern province)
  • Úna (an old given name, OO-na)

V: 1 name

  • Valentia (an island off Kerry)

W: 10 names

  • Water Spaniel (the curly Irish retrieving breed)
  • Westport (Mayo town on Clew Bay)
  • Wheaten (northern brown soda bread)
  • Wheaten Terrier (the soft-coated breed the color of wheat)
  • Whelan (surname, from faol, wolf)
  • Whisht (hush)
  • Whiskey (from uisce beatha, water of life)
  • Wicklow (Cill Mhantáin in Irish)
  • Wolfhound (the tallest of the Irish breeds)
  • Wren Boy (a St Stephen's Day house-visitor)

Y: 2 names

  • Yellowman (honeycomb toffee of the Antrim fairs)
  • Yoke (a thingamajig)