Top Baby Names in Ireland 2025

"Wild, untamed — from the old Irish word for a wild deer or wild animal"

Fiadh has rocketed to the top of Irish girls' names over the past several years and shows no sign of slowing down. Short, distinctive, and deeply Irish, it's become the name of a generation. Despite its simplicity, it has a raw, natural energy that resonates with modern parents.

"Beautiful; radiant — from the Irish word "aoibh" meaning beauty or radiance"

One of the most beloved Irish girls' names of the past two decades, Aoife remains firmly in the top tier. In Irish mythology, Aoife was a great warrior queen — fierce, independent, and formidable. The name has a timeless quality that feels both ancient and contemporary.

"Liberty; freedom — a political and poetic word at the heart of Irish identity"

Saoirse carries significant weight in Irish culture — it's the word for freedom, used throughout the Irish independence movement. As a name it gained international recognition thanks to actress Saoirse Ronan, but its roots are deeply Irish. A name full of meaning.

"Gentle, beautiful, precious — from the Irish word "caomh" meaning kind or gentle"

Caoimhe is one of those names that looks intimidating on the page but sounds like a gentle breeze. Consistently popular in Ireland, it's a name that feels soft and warm while being distinctly Irish. Many Irish parents appreciate that it has a natural English equivalent — Keeva — for extended family.

"Bright, radiant — from the old Irish word for brightness"

Niamh of the Golden Hair is one of the most beautiful figures in Irish mythology — a princess of the Otherworld who swept the hero Oisín away on a magical horse. The name has all of that luminous quality packed into just five letters. Clean, elegant, and unmistakably Irish.

"Lover of hounds; high will — from "cú" (hound) and "conn" (desire or intelligence)"

Conor has been one of the most consistently popular Irish boys' names for decades, and 2025 is no different. It's accessible internationally while feeling genuinely Irish. Conor mac Nessa, High King of Ulster, is the most famous bearer of the name in Irish mythology.

"God is gracious — the Irish form of John, from the Hebrew Yochanan"

The Irish equivalent of John, Seán has been a cornerstone of Irish male naming for generations. Classic, dignified, and unmistakably Irish — it's the name of countless poets, rebels, and GAA legends. The fada (accent) over the é is important: it's what makes it Seán, not Sean.

"Fair, white, bright — from the Old Irish "find", meaning bright or fair-haired"

Fionn mac Cumhaill — the legendary warrior and leader of the Fianna — is the most famous bearer of this name in Irish mythology. The simpler spelling "Finn" is used internationally, but the traditional Irish form Fionn has been growing in popularity among parents who want to honour their heritage fully.

"Poet, philosopher — from an old word associated with wisdom and learning"

One of the most distinctly Irish names on this list — you'll rarely encounter Tadhg outside Ireland. It's a name with real character: strong, earthy, and rooted in Gaelic culture. The pronunciation (rhymes with "tiger" without the er) surprises those unfamiliar with Irish, which many parents see as a mark of distinction.

"Dark one; little dark one — from "ciar" meaning dark or black"

Ciarán has a lovely, rolling sound that trips easily off the tongue. Two of Ireland's most beloved saints bore the name — St Ciarán of Clonmacnoise and St Ciarán of Saighir — giving it strong spiritual associations. The anglicised form Kieran is used internationally, but the Irish spelling is increasingly chosen by parents in Ireland.