Old Irish Name Generator

Early medieval Irish names in their original spelling

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Generate Old Irish names as they were written between roughly 600 and 1000 AD: kings and saints, warriors of the Ulster Cycle, women with ingen patronymics, and bare given names like Áed, Gormlaith and Muirchertach. Ideal for historical fiction, genealogy, Celtic fantasy and roleplay set in early Ireland.

About Old Irish names

Old Irish is the language of the annals, saints' lives and the Ulster Cycle as written down between about 600 and 900 AD, and its names look different from the modern Irish that descends from them. Áed became Aodh, Domnall became Dónall, Gormlaith stayed but Derbforgaill softened into Dearbháil, and the vowel fada marked length just as it does today. Consonants that later lenited to h are still written plain, so you get Cathal and Muirchertach rather than anything an anglicising clerk would recognise. This list keeps that early spelling throughout.

Names of this period rarely stand alone in the record. A man is Niall mac Áedo, son of Áed, with his father's name in the genitive, or he carries an epithet earned in life: Niall Noígíallach (of the Nine Hostages), Áed Findliath (white-grey), Congal Cáech (the squinting). A woman is Gormlaith ingen Flainn, daughter of Flann. Churchmen were often named by their foundation, Ciarán Saigre or Máel Ruain Tamlachtai, or by a tribal moccu. Máel and Gilla names such as Máel Sechnaill and Gilla Pátraic mean devotee or servant of a saint.

The list runs from high kings and provincial dynasties through the legendary heroes and gods of the sagas, saints and poets, women of the royal houses, and then bare given names for characters who need just one.

How to choose Old Irish names

  • Build a full name the way the annals did: given name + mac (son) or ingen (daughter) + the father's name in the genitive, so Áed's son is Niall mac Áedo and his daughter Eithne ingen Áedo; the bare-name section gives you the raw material.
  • Use an epithet instead of a surname for a character who has earned one: Cóel (slender), Dub (black), Finn (fair), Cáech (one-eyed), Bél (mouth) or a place name like Caisil or Cnogba.
  • Keep the Old Irish spelling consistent: Áed not Aodh, Domnall not Dónall, Cathal with a hard th. Mixing in modern forms like Seán or Siobhán instantly breaks the period feel.
  • For clergy and scholars, name them by their church (Cóemgen Glinne dá Locha, Senán Insi Cathaig) or give them a Máel or Gilla name such as Máel Brigte, meaning devotee of Brigit.
  • Women's names pair well with royal fathers and husbands: Gormlaith ingen Flainn was queen to three kings, and names like Órlaith, Sadb, Dúnlaith and Bé Binn all belong to documented princesses of the ninth and tenth centuries.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Old Irish and modern Irish names?

Old Irish (roughly 600 to 900 AD) and the Middle Irish that followed used spellings that predate lenition marks and later sound changes. Áed, Domnall, Diarmait, Eógan, Sadb and Derbforgaill are the period forms of Aodh, Dónall, Diarmaid, Eoghan, Sadhbh and Dearbháil. The sounds were also closer to the spelling: the th in Cathal was a real th, and the final consonants were pronounced.

How did surnames work in Old Irish?

They did not exist yet. People were identified by patronymics, so mac Néill means son of Niall and ingen Flainn means daughter of Flann, with the father's name in the genitive case. Hereditary Ó and Mac surnames such as Ó Briain and Mac Cárthaigh only became fixed around the tenth to twelfth centuries, at the very end of this period.

Are these names real historical people?

Many are. The kings, queens, saints and poets come from the Irish annals, genealogies and hagiography, and the heroes and gods come from the Ulster Cycle, the Fenian Cycle and the Mythological Cycle. The bare given names are drawn from the same sources so you can build original characters with authentic names.

How do I pronounce Old Irish names?

Roughly: Áed is like 'eyth', Niall 'nee-al', Domnall 'dov-nal', Gormlaith 'gorm-la', Sadb 'sav', Derbforgaill 'derv-or-gal', Muirchertach 'mwir-cher-tach' with a throaty ch, Óengus 'oyn-gus'. The accent (fada) marks a long vowel, and a consonant followed by h or written as th, ch or dh is softened.

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All 500 Old Irish 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: 35 names

  • Adomnán mac Rónáin
  • Áed
  • Áed Allán
  • Áed Balb
  • Áed Bennán mac Crimthainn
  • Áed Dub mac Suibni
  • Áed Findliath
  • Áed mac Echach Tirmcharna
  • Áed mac Néill
  • Áed Oirdnide
  • Áed Sláine
  • Áed Uaridnach
  • Áedán mac Gabráin
  • Affraic
  • Aífe
  • Ailbe
  • Ailbe Imlig
  • Ailbe ingen Cormaic
  • Áilgenán mac Donngaile
  • Ailill
  • Ailill Aulom
  • Ailill Inbanda
  • Ailill mac Cathail
  • Ailill mac Máta
  • Ailill Medraige
  • Ailill Molt
  • Ainder
  • Ainnle mac Uisnig
  • Airbertach mac Cosse
  • Amairgen Glúngel
  • Amlaíb Cuarán
  • Ardán mac Uisnig
  • Art Óenfer
  • Artrí mac Cathail
  • Athairne Ailgesach

B: 23 names

  • Báetán
  • Báetán mac Cairill
  • Balor Birugderc
  • Bé Binn
  • Bé Binn ingen Cellaig
  • Bé Binn ingen Murchada
  • Bécc
  • Becfhola
  • Blathmac mac Áedo Sláine
  • Blathmac mac Con Brettan
  • Bláthnat ingen Minn
  • Bodb Derg
  • Bran
  • Brandub mac Echach
  • Brénainn
  • Brénainn Birra
  • Brénainn moccu Alti
  • Bres mac Elathan
  • Brian Bóruma
  • Brian mac Tuirenn
  • Bricriu Nemthenga
  • Brigit
  • Brigit Cille Dara

C: 97 names

  • Cacht
  • Cacht ingen Ragnaill
  • Caílte mac Rónáin
  • Cainnech moccu Dalann
  • Caíntigern
  • Caíntigern ingen Cellaig
  • Cairbre Nia Fer
  • Cairell
  • Cairenn Chasdub
  • Cairpre Cromm
  • Cairpre Lifechair
  • Cathal
  • Cathal Cú-cen-máthair
  • Cathal mac Áedo
  • Cathal mac Finguine
  • Cathal mac Muirgiusa
  • Cathbad drui
  • Cathussach mac Eterscéoil
  • Cellach
  • Cellach ingen Dúnchada
  • Cellach mac Máele Coba
  • Cellach mac Rogallaig
  • Cellachán Caisil
  • Celtchar mac Uthechair
  • Cenn Fáelad
  • Cenn Fáelad mac Ailella
  • Cenn Fáelad mac Blathmaic
  • Cenn Fáelad mac Colgan
  • Cennétig mac Lorcáin
  • Cerball
  • Cerball mac Dúnlainge
  • Cet mac Mágach

C, continued

  • Cethern mac Fintain
  • Cían mac Dían Cécht
  • Ciar
  • Ciarán mac int Saír
  • Ciarán Saigre
  • Cillíne
  • Cimbáeth mac Fintain
  • Cináed
  • Cináed mac Alpín
  • Cináed ua hArtacáin
  • Clothru
  • Clothru ingen Echach
  • Cobflaith
  • Cobflaith ingen Conaing
  • Cobthach Cóel Breg
  • Cóemell
  • Cóemgen Glinne dá Locha
  • Colmán
  • Colmán Elo
  • Colmán mac Cobthaig
  • Colmán mac Lénéni
  • Colmán Már
  • Colmán Rímid
  • Colum Cille
  • Comgall Bennchair
  • Conaire Mór
  • Conall
  • Conall Cernach
  • Conall Cóel
  • Conall Corc
  • Conall Gulban
  • Conán Máel

C, continued

  • Conchenn
  • Conchenn ingen Cellaig
  • Conchobar
  • Conchobar mac Donnchada
  • Conchobar mac Nessa
  • Congal
  • Congal Cáech
  • Congal Cendmagair
  • Congalach Cnogba
  • Conn Cétchathach
  • Cormac
  • Cormac Cond Longas
  • Cormac mac Ailello
  • Cormac mac Airt
  • Cormac mac Cuilennáin
  • Cormac ua Liatháin
  • Cred
  • Credne
  • Créide
  • Créide ingen Guairi
  • Crimthann
  • Crimthann Srem
  • Crínóc
  • Cú Chuimne
  • Cú Chulainn mac Sualtaim
  • Cú Roí mac Dáiri
  • Cúán
  • Cumall mac Trénmóir
  • Cumman
  • Cumman ingen Congalaig
  • Cumméne Find
  • Cummíne Fota
  • Cúscraid Mend Macha

D: 52 names

  • Dáire
  • Dáire Doimthech
  • Dallán Forgaill
  • Damnat
  • Dauí Tenga Uma
  • Dechtire
  • Dechtire ingen Cathbad
  • Deirdriu
  • Deirdriu ingen Feidlimthe
  • Der Ailbe
  • Derb Áil
  • Derb Áil ingen Taidc
  • Derbforgaill
  • Derbforgaill ingen Donnchada
  • Derbforgaill ingen Taidc
  • Dían Cécht
  • Dianaim
  • Diarmait
  • Diarmait mac Áedo Sláine
  • Diarmait mac Cerbaill
  • Diarmait mac Máel na mBó
  • Diarmait ua Duibne
  • Dícuil
  • Domnall
  • Domnall Brecc
  • Domnall Ilchelgach

D, continued

  • Domnall mac Áedo
  • Domnall mac Cellaig
  • Domnall ua Néill
  • Donn Cothaid
  • Donnchad
  • Donnchad Donn
  • Donnchad mac Briain
  • Dub Choblaig
  • Dub Choblaig ingen Máele Sechnaill
  • Dub Essa
  • Dub Lemna
  • Dub Lemna ingen Tigernáin
  • Dub-Indrecht mac Cathail
  • Dubthach
  • Dubthach Dóeltenga
  • Dubthach moccu Lugair
  • Dúinsech
  • Dúnchad
  • Dúnchad Muirisci
  • Dúnflaith ingen Flaithbertaig
  • Dúngal
  • Dúnlaith
  • Dúnlaith ingen Flaithbertaig
  • Dúnlaith ingen Fogartaig
  • Dúnlaith ingen Muirchertaig
  • Dúnlang mac Muiredaig

E: 32 names

  • Eachtach
  • Éber Finn
  • Echthigern
  • Echu Tirmcharna
  • Eithne
  • Eithne ingen Bresail
  • Eithne ingen Domnaill
  • Eithne ingen Fergusa
  • Eithne Uathach
  • Elatha mac Delbaíth
  • Emer
  • Emer ingen Forgaill
  • Énna
  • Énna Airne
  • Eochaid
  • Eochaid Buide
  • Eochaid Feidlech
  • Eochaid mac Óengusa
  • Eochaid Mugmedón
  • Eochu Airem
  • Eógan
  • Eógan Bél
  • Eógan Mór
  • Ercc
  • Ercnat
  • Érimón mac Míled
  • Étaín
  • Étaín ingen Ailella
  • Étan
  • Eterscél mac Máele Umai
  • Ethne ingen Áeda
  • Ethne Tháebfhota

F: 66 names

  • Fáelán
  • Faílenn
  • Fand
  • Fand ingen Áeda Abrat
  • Fedelm banfili
  • Feidelm
  • Feidelm Noíchrothach
  • Feidlimid mac Crimthainn
  • Feidlimid mac Tigernaig
  • Feidlimid Rechtmar
  • Fer Rogain
  • Feradach
  • Ferchar Fota
  • Ferchertne file
  • Ferdiad mac Damáin
  • Ferdomnach
  • Fergal
  • Fergal Aidne
  • Fergal mac Máele Dúin
  • Fergus
  • Fergus Foga
  • Fergus mac Léti
  • Fergus mac Rogallaig
  • Fergus mac Róich
  • Fergus Mór mac Eirc
  • Fergus Scandal
  • Fiacc Sléibte
  • Fiachnae
  • Fiachnae mac Báetáin
  • Fiachra
  • Fiachu Fer Mara
  • Fiachu Findolaid
  • Fiachu Muillethan

F, continued

  • Fiachu Sraiptine
  • Fíal
  • Findabair
  • Findabair ingen Medba
  • Findelb
  • Fíne
  • Fíngen mac Áedo Duib
  • Finguine mac Cathail
  • Finn mac Cumaill
  • Finnech
  • Finnechta
  • Finnguala
  • Finnguala ingen Flainn
  • Finnio moccu Telduib
  • Fínsnechta Fledach
  • Fintan Clúana Eidnech
  • Fintan mac Bóchra
  • Flaithbertach
  • Flann
  • Flann Fína
  • Flann ingen Dúngaile
  • Flann Sinna
  • Flannacán mac Cellaig
  • Flannat
  • Fogartach
  • Fogartach mac Cathail
  • Fogartach mac Néill
  • Forlaith
  • Fothad na Canóine
  • Fráech mac Idaith
  • Fuinche
  • Furbaide Fer Bend
  • Fursa

G: 12 names

  • Gelgéis
  • Gnáthnat
  • Goibniu
  • Goll mac Morna
  • Gormán
  • Gormlaith
  • Gormlaith ingen Donnchada
  • Gormlaith ingen Flainn
  • Gormlaith ingen Murchada
  • Gráinne
  • Gráinne ingen Cormaic
  • Guaire Aidne

I: 9 names

  • Illann
  • Indrechtach
  • Indrechtach mac Dúnchado
  • Indrechtach mac Muiredaig
  • Ingcél Cáech
  • Ír mac Míled
  • Íriel Fáid
  • Íte
  • Íte Chluana Credail

L: 32 names

  • Labraid
  • Labraid Loingsech
  • Laidcenn mac Baíth Bannaig
  • Lann
  • Lann ingen Dúngaile
  • Lasair
  • Lasairfhína
  • Lasairfhína ingen Cathail
  • Lassar
  • Lerben
  • Lí Ban
  • Lí Ban ingen Echach
  • Líadan
  • Líadan Chorco Duibne
  • Ligach
  • Ligach ingen Flainn
  • Loarn mac Eirc
  • Lóegaire Búadach
  • Lóegaire Lorc
  • Lóegaire mac Néill
  • Loingsech mac Óengusso
  • Lorcán
  • Lorcán mac Lachtnai
  • Luccreth moccu Chíara
  • Luchta
  • Lug Lámfhota
  • Lugaid
  • Lugaid Lága
  • Lugaid mac Con
  • Lugaid mac Lóegairi
  • Lugaid Riab nDerg
  • Luigsech

M: 56 names

  • Mac Dathó
  • Macha
  • Macha Mongrúad
  • Máel Coba mac Áedo
  • Máel Dúin
  • Máel Dúin mac Áedo
  • Máel Dúin mac Conaill
  • Máel Mórda mac Murchada
  • Máel Muire ingen Cináeda
  • Máel Muire Othna
  • Máel Ruain Tamlachtai
  • Máel Ruanaid mac Donnchada
  • Máel Sechnaill
  • Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill
  • Máel Sechnaill mac Máele Ruanaid
  • Máenach mac Fíngin
  • Manannán mac Lir
  • Mathgamain mac Cennétig
  • Matudán
  • Medb
  • Medb ingen Echach
  • Mell
  • Midir
  • Míl Espáine
  • Mincloth
  • Mo Chutu
  • Mo Laisse Daiminse
  • Mo Ling

M, continued

  • Mo Lua
  • Mongfhinn
  • Mongfhinn ingen Fidaig
  • Mór
  • Mór ingen Cathail
  • Mór ingen Donnchada
  • Mór Muman
  • Muadnat
  • Mug Nuadat
  • Mugain
  • Mugain ingen Conchraid
  • Muirchertach
  • Muirchertach mac Néill
  • Muirchú moccu Machthéni
  • Muiredach
  • Muiredach Muillethan
  • Muiredach Tírech
  • Muirenn
  • Muirenn ingen Cellaig
  • Muirenn ingen Congalaig
  • Muirgel
  • Muirgel ingen Diarmata
  • Muirgel ingen Máele Sechnaill
  • Muirgius
  • Muirgius mac Tommaltaig
  • Mumain
  • Murchad
  • Murchad mac Briain

N: 13 names

  • Nárbflaith
  • Nath Í mac Fiachrach
  • Néde mac Adnai
  • Nemed mac Agnomain
  • Niall
  • Niall Caille
  • Niall Frossach
  • Niall Glúndub
  • Niall Noígíallach
  • Niam
  • Niam ingen Celtchair
  • Noísiu mac Uisnig
  • Nuadu Airgetlám

O: 14 names

  • Óengus
  • Óengus Céile Dé
  • Óengus mac Fergusa
  • Óengus mac ind Óc
  • Óengus mac Nad Froích
  • Ogma
  • Oisín mac Finn
  • Olchobar
  • Ólchobar mac Cináeda
  • Órlaith
  • Órlaith ingen Cennétig
  • Órlaith ingen Muiredaig
  • Ornat
  • Oscar mac Oisín

P: 2 names

  • Partholón
  • Pátraic

R: 8 names

  • Ragallach mac Uatach
  • Rathnat
  • Rechtabra
  • Rogallach
  • Rónán
  • Ronnat
  • Ruaidrí
  • Ruman mac Colmáin

S: 25 names

  • Sadb
  • Sadb ingen Boidb Deirg
  • Sadb ingen Briain
  • Sadb ingen Conaill
  • Sadb ingen Donnchada
  • Samthann
  • Sárnat
  • Scandlán
  • Scáthach
  • Scáthach ingen Árdgeimme
  • Scoth
  • Sechnassach mac Blathmaic
  • Ségéne mac Fiachnai
  • Ségnat
  • Selbach mac Ferchair
  • Senán
  • Senchán Torpéist
  • Sétna
  • Sinech
  • Sitriuc mac Amlaíb
  • Sodelb
  • Suibne
  • Suibne Geilt
  • Suibne Menn
  • Suibne moccu Urthri

T: 16 names

  • Tadc
  • Tadc mac Briain
  • Tailtiu
  • Temair
  • Tigernach
  • Tigernán
  • Tírechán
  • Tnúthgal
  • Tnúthgal mac Donngaile
  • Tommaltach mac Murgaile
  • Torna Éices
  • Tuathal
  • Tuathal Máelgarb
  • Tuathal Techtmar
  • Tuathflaith
  • Tuathflaith ingen Congalaig

U: 8 names

  • Uallach
  • Uallach ingen Muinecháin
  • Uallgarg
  • Úathach
  • Úathach ingen Scáthaige
  • Uatu mac Áedo
  • Úgaine Mór
  • Ultán moccu Conchobair