>SOME IRISH NAMES

Aileen: Anglicization of the Irish name Aibhilín/Eibhilín, an Irish form of Evelyn or Helen which can mean “bright light”
Brennan: Anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Braonáin, meaning “descendent of Braonáin.” “Braonáin” can mean “sorrow”
• Quinn: Anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Cuinn, meaning “descendent of Conn.” “Conn” means “leader” or “chief”
• Micheal: Irish form of Michael, meaning “Who is like God?”
• Declan: Form of the name Deaglán, an Irish saints’ name of obscure meaning
• Dorian: Although it is based on the name Dora, which has no Irish roots, the name was coined by Irish playwright Oscar Wilde for his book, “The Portrait of Dorian Gray”

1. Brianna: Modern feminine form of Brian, an Anglicization of the Irish name Brion, meaning “noble”
2. Kayla: Even though it’s probably a modern creation, it is similar to the Irish male name Cadhla, meaning “slender”
3. Anna: Typically considered a Latin name, but Ana is also an ancient Celtic goddess known as the “Wealth Provider”
4. Megan: Though technically not a Celtic name (it’s a Welsh pet form of Margaret), it’s similar to the Irish surname O’Meegan, meaning “descendent of the brave warrior”
5. Kaitlyn: American form of the Irish Caitlín (Irish version of Catherine)

Makayla: Another modern creation possibly stemming from the Irish man’s name “Cadhla,” meaning slender
• Kaylee: This name is a modern invention based on the names Kay and Lee, but it also sounds like “céilí,” the Irish word for a gathering
• Kylie: Usually considered an Australian Aboriginal name meaning “boomerang,” but like the name Kayla, it’s also a form of Kiley, an Anglicization of the Irish name Cadhla, meaning “slender”
• Riley: Riley is an English surname meaning “rye field” or an Anglicization of the Irish surname O’Reilly, or Ó Raghaillaigh, meaning from “descendent of Raghaillaigh,” an Irish chieftan
• Erin: A poetic name for Ireland. The name is not usually used in Ireland, but it’s recently gained in popularity in the North
• Claire: This is a French name meaning “clear,” but “Clare,” an alternate spelling, is a county in Ireland
• Molly: Irish pet form of Mary, or Mallaidh in Irish, that means “star of the sea”
• Kennedy: Anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Cinnéide, meaning “helmet head”
• Kelly: Anglicization of the Irish surname “Ó Ceallaigh,” which possibly means “brave warrior”
• Cassidy: Anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Casaide, which hasan obscure meaning but may translate to “clever” or “curly-headed”
• Ashlyn: Anglicization of the Irish name Aislinn (or Aisling), meaning “dream” or “vision”
• Kiara: Form of Ciara, pronounced “KEE a ra,” an Irish name meaning “dark.” Often pronounced “see-Ahr-a” in the U.S.
• Reagan: Anglicization of the Irish surname Ó Ríagáin, which comes from “sovereign” or “king”
• Delaney: Anglicization of the Irish surname “Ó Dubhshláine, meaning “descendant of the dark-haired man of the River Slaney”