Irish and Celtic Boys Names
Aodhán, Aidan
Means 'little fire' and is associated with strength of mind and courage. The name is derived from Aedh, the name of the Celtic sun god and the Anglicised version Aidan is popular in Ireland and Scotland
Aílíll (pronounced 'All + yill')
Was the King of Connaught and the husband of queen Madhbh (Maeve). Among the legends about Ailill is the story of The Cattle Raid of Cooley. Ailill and Maeve were very competitive and they argued about who had the strongest herd. In order to win the argument, Maeve needed the brown bull of Cooley and she to war to get it
Ardal
An old Celtic name associated with warrior like strength and courage; it is linguistically related to the name 'Arthur'. In recent years the name has been popularised by the comedian Ardal O'Hanlon who played the simple minded but funny priest Father Dougal McGuire in the television series Father Ted
Bran
This is the old Celtic word for 'Raven'. In the Celtic world the Raven was thought to bringer of death and the bird had sacred status
Brendan
Many saints share this name but the most famous one was Brendan the Navigator who was said to have sailed to America in a small curragh (boat) and to have ridden on the back of a whale. Brendan is a popular name in almost all Celtic regions
Brian, Bryan
Meaning noble and virtuous, Brian was the name of Brian Boru, one of the great Irish Warrior kings, who defeated the Danes at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014 and then later died from his wounds
Cahal,Cathal (pronounced 'ka + hall')
Strong in Battle
Cahir (pronounced 'ka+here')
The name means 'guard' Cahir is also a town in South Tipperary that is known for it's castle and the Swiss cottage which was built in 1810. There was also a high king of Ireland called Cahir
Cian, Kane
Meaning 'ancient and legendary' Cian was the father of the sun god Lugh. According to legend Cian seduced Ethniu, the daughter of King Balor of The Evil Eye in an act of revenge for Balor stealing his magic cow
Ciarán, Kieran
The name means 'little dark one'. Many saints have been called Ciaran and one of the most famous was St Ciaran of Clonmacnoise who founded an abbey there in the 6th century. He was one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland and his feast day is celebrated in Brittany, France on 5th March
