We’re going to take a look at Irish names through a series of posts starting with Boys’ A-C. Be sure to subscribe to receive future articles.
Aban (Irish: Abban *ab-awn*) Meaning “the little abbot” in Irish. St. Abban was an Irish Saint who settled in England during the 5th century. As a hermit, he attracted quite a following, however little is known about Abban, and his year of death is not recorded.
Aiden, Aidan, Hayden (Irish: Aedan, Aedhan, Aodan, Aodhan, Aedan, Aodhan, *aid-awn* or *aye-den*) Aedan is a Gaelic name that translate into “little fiery one” or similar. These names (and their derivatives) have soared in popularity in the US and UK over recent years. Famous namesakes include Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne and St. Aedan of Ferns.
Ailill *al-ill* Ailill means “elf” or “elf-like” and according to Irish mythology, Ailill was the King of Connacht, and husband to Quenn Maebh. He was the owner of an extremely fertile bull called Finnbhennach. The bull had apparently been born into the herd owned by Maebh, but transferred itself into Ailill’s ownership in order to increase its status. Maebh soon discovered that this caused an inequity in wealth between herself and her husband, so she started the Cattle Raid of Cooley in order to steal another bull by the name of Donn Cuailnge so that they would both be on equal terms again.
Alvy, Alby (Irish: Ailbe, Ailhbe *all-bay*) Meaning “white” or “noble” or “king”. Saint Ailbe is credited with having founded an important monetary in Emly, a village in County Tipperary during the 6th century. Legend has it that he was left in the forest as a baby, and was protected and raised by wolves. Saint Ailbe remains the patron saint of Emly to this day.
Alan, Allan, Allen, Alen (Irish: Ailin *al-een*) Thought to mean “rock” or “handsome”. The anglicized version of Ailin, Alan, has always been a very popular name, but was particularly popular in the earlier part of the 20th century. In addition, it was the middle name of the 21st US President, Chester Alan Arthur, a President of Irish descent.
Angus (Irish: Aengus, Aonghus, Oengus *an-gus*) Meaning “one choice.” Derives its roots from two Celtic words, oino “one” and guss “choice”. Also thought to refer to great strength. Said to be the god of love, youth and poetry in Irish mythology.
Ardan *awrd-awn* Means “self-esteem” or “elation” in Irish. The name dates back to the times of Irish mythology where Ardan was an Irishman who traveled to Scotland as part of a party that fled Ireland to protect his brother’s true love, Deirdre. Ardan and his brothers won great fame as as warriors, but were eventually tricked into returning to Ireland where they met with their demise.
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Barry (Irish: Bairre, Barra *bawr-a*) In Irish, Fionnbhar means “white or fair haired.” That, serves as the origin for other derivations such as Bairre and Bairrfhionn. There are many famous namesakes in Irish history that have been named with this, or a derivation. One of the most popular was St. Finbarr, who later took the name Fionnbhar, who was an Irish Bishop in Cork during the 6th century. In modern day Cork, a cathedral now carries his name. It is said that the sun did not set for two weeks following his death.
Basil (Irish: Boidhiobhadh) King of Ireland during the 2nd or 3rd century and ruled for approximately a decade. There was a great cow plague during his reign, which is the origin of his surname. “Bo” is the Irish word for a cow.
Bearach, Berach, Berrach *ber-ak* Meaning “pointed” or “sharp.” The most famous namesake is St. Berach, a popular 6th century Irish Saint, and is still remembered to this day in County Roscommon. Many miracles were attributed to St. Berach, the MacCoilidh family (now the Cox family) was appointed as custodians of goods related to him. (unrelated: Barack O’Bama)
Berrin (Irish: Bairrfhionn *bar-fion*) See Barry
Bradley, Brodie (Irish: Aibhne *av-nee*) Is a name used mainly in County Derry, although its exact meaning is unclear. Was anglicized in different forms depending on where people with the name moved to.
Brayden (Irish: Bradan, Braeden *bray-den*) Derived from an old Irish surname “Ó Braidan” meaning “salmon.” The salmon is an extremely important animal symbol in Irish mythology and represented knowledge. There is an old Irish story about the Salmon of Knowledge. It was caught from the River Boyne as he who ate it first would receive all of the salmon’s knowledge. However, as it was being cooked, a servant burnt his thumb on the fish, and quickly put his finger in his mouth to ease the pain. That actually made the servant the first man to taste the Salmon of Knowledge and it was the servant that received the benefits. That same servant would become known as Finn McCumhail (McCool), one of Ireland’s most famous mythical figures. Any name ending in -aden proved extremely popular in the US during the 1990′s and the early 2000′s.
Breacan, Breccan *brek-awn* Meaning “freckled” or “speckled.” and was a fairly common name in early Ireland. More than a dozen saints have held this name, but probably the most well-known namesake was an Irish trader who routinely traveled between Ireland and Scotland. On one voyage with 50 ships, the entire fleet was destroyed and all perished by a natural whirlpool just off the coast of Scotland.
Breasal (Irish: Brassal *bray-sol*) Meaning “brave” and was also another term for “Land of the young.”
Brendan (Irish: Breandan *bren-dawn*) Meaning “prince” or “king.” An old Irish tale tells of St. Brendan’s journey to Tir na nOg (Land of Eternal Youth) encountering a sea monster along the way. There are many variants of the story with some surmising the St. Brendan reached the Americas. It is thought that, as time passed, perhaps the legend of St. Brendan has overshadowed the actual events. A beautiful sculpture of St. Brendan exists today in County Cork, and St. Brendan is the patron saint of the US Navy.
Brian (Irish: Brion *bree-an*) Meaning “strong” and/or “noble.” Brian Boru was one of Ireland’s most famous Kings and defeated the Vikings during the Battle of Clontarf, just outside of Dublin, in 1014. In earlier Irish history, Brion was half-brother to Niall Noigiallach (Niall of the Nine Hostages).
Broccan (Irish: Brogan *bro-gawn*) Although often used as a surname, Brogan is also used as a first name. There are at least two Irish saints that have borne this name. One of them was reputed to have been scribe to St. Patrick.
Brock (Irish: Brocc, Broc *bruk*) Means “badger” or “sharp-faced” in Irish. The word “broc” is Irish for a badger. The anglicized name of “Brock” is the more common variant of the name.
Canice, Kenneth (Irish: Coinneach, Cainneach *kon-ach*) In Irish, this means “the handsome one.” Saint Canice is now remembered as the patron saint of Kilkenny.
Carney, Cearney, Kearney (Irish: Cearnaigh *ke-yar-nee*) Means “victorious” or “successful,” generally in battle Also used as an Irish surname, Ó Cearnaigh.
Carrick (Irish: Carrig *ka-rig*) In Irish, means “rock.” Also used as a place name (i.e. Carrick-On-Shannon).
Carroll (Irish: Cearbhall *kare-val* or Cearul *kare-ul*) Means “brave in fighting” and “valorous in battle.” The most recent famous namesake was Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh, who served as the 5th President of Ireland. He was a political radical and an intellectua, and challenged many of the conventions that had been previously taken for granted.
Cassair, Ross (Irish: Cas, Cass *kahs* or Cassan *kahs-awn*) The old Irish word cas meant “curly-haired.” The most famous namesake of this name was Cas mac Conall Echlúath, an ancient king of Munster in Ireland.
Casey *kay-see* Meaning “watchful” or “brave” in Irish.
Cathair, Cahir, Cathaoir *kaw-hear* Means “battle lord” or “warrior.” There was a Saint Cahir in Donegal, Ireland, although little is actually known about him.
Cleary (Irish: Clearie *klee-ree*) Meaning “scholar” in Irish. The anglicized version of Cleary has proved quite popular. Also used as a surname – O’Clearie and O’Cleary.
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Charles, Calvagh (Irish: Calbhach *cal-vach* or Cathal, Cahal, Cahill *kaw-hal*) Calbhach means “bald” or “shaved head” in Irish. Was also the name of an ancient king of Ui Falgha, An Calbhach mac Taidhg who ruled that area from 1517 to 1525. Ui Falgha was an old kingdon in Ireland that was later absorbed into what we now call County Offaly. Cathal comes from the old Irish, means “strength or rule in battle.” This has always been a popular name in Ireland. Cathal Brugha was an Irish revolutionary who was very active in the fight for Ireland’s independence. He became the first Ceann Comhairle (Head of the Council) fo Dail Eirinn. Other namesakes of note include the legendary king of Leinster, reported to have had thiry-three sons.
Cole, Cowal (Irish: Comhghall, Comgall *koh-awl*) Derived from an old Irish term meaning “fellow hostage.” In those days, people were often traded as part of peace agreements between fighting sides. Saint Comhgall was the founder of the monastery in Bangor, Ireland.
Colin, Collin (Irish: Coilin, Coilean *koh-lin*) In Irish, refers to “pup” or “cub.” A popular Irish name, that is also gaining more use in the US.
Colmcille *koh-lum-kill* See Columb. Note: the addition of “cille” at the end means “church” so Colmcille is “dove of the church.”
Columb, Colman (Irish: Columba *koh-lum-bah* or Colm, Colum *koh-lum*) Although a very famous Irish name, this name bears its roots in Latin and means “dove.” Saint Columba was a very influential Irish missionary and is descended from Nial of the Nine Hostages on his father’s side. According to tradition, Saint Columba copied a manuscript containing the Book of Psalms, and was refused permission to keep it. As a result, a great battle erupted, killing many men. In order to seek forgiveness for these deaths, Saint Columba banished himself to the Isle of Iona, in Scotland during the year 563. His mission there would be to convert as many as possible to Christianity. The Iona Abbey became a powerhouse for Christianity during these times. It was often visited by royalty seeking advice in religious and political matters. Saint Columba only returned to Ireland once after he exiled himself from Ireland. He died on the ISle of Iona and is buried there.
Conan *koh-nawn* Believed to mean “wolf” or “hound” in Irish. Conan mac Morna was a close ally of Fionn cac Cumhail in Irish mythology. While often thought of as a bit of nuisance, his loyalty to Fionn was immense, particularly during a fght.
Connell (Irish: Conail, Conall *koh-nal*) Means “great” or “all mighty” in Irish. According to Irish mythology, Conall Cernach was a great Ulster warrior and was said to always sleep with the head of a man from Connacht under his knee. When once invited to a feast hosted by Cet mac Magach (a warrior from Connacht with which Connall had an ongoing rivalry), he told of some of the feats that he had accomplished. Cet admired those feats, but stated that if Cet’s brother were present, his feats would easily outshine Connall’s. At that point, Connall tossed Cet his brother’s severed head. Connal eventually met his demise in the town of Ballyconnell, in County Cavan.
Conor, Connor, Conchobar, Conn (Irish: Conchobhar *kohn-koh-var*) Meaning “lover of hounds.” Conchobar Maenmaige Ua Conchobhair was the King of Connacht who defended his part of Ireland during an attempted Norman invasion. The invasion was unsuccessful, and the Normans hurriedly retreated. His reign lasted from 1186 to 1189, when he was assasinated.
Conley, Conleth (Irish: Connlaodh *kon-lay* or Connloath *kon-lay*) Thought to mean “pure fire” in old Irish.
Connla (Irish: Conlaoch *kon-lah*) Means “high chief.” In Irish mythology, Conlaoch was the son of Cuchulainn, King of Ulster. Cuchulainn had never set eyes on his son, but when the son grew older, he invited him to visit. Conlaoch was under a curse from his mother never to reveal his name, even under penalty of death. Upon arrival in Ulster, Conlauch was confronted by Cuchulainn, who demanded his name. Conlaoch refused and was mortally wounded by the King’s magic spear. It was only then that Cuchulainn recognized his son by the gold ring that Conlaoch was wearing.
Cormack, Cormick (Irish: Cormac *kohr-mac*) Means either “chariot driver” or “raven.” Many famous namesakes exist in Irish history including two bishops, an archbishop, a prince, and a king. The most well-known is likely Cormac Ulfada (also called Cormac mac Airt) who was High King of Ireland from 227-266. Like much of Irish history at this time, there is a blurring between historical fact and legend. Cormac was known for his fairness, wisdom, and generosity, becoming one of Ireland’s most famous ancient Kings. He is also credited with leading the first raids on the Romans in Britian. He eventually died from choking on a fish bone.
Cronin (Irish: Cronan *krohn-awn*) Means “small dark one.” Saint Cronan is an Irish Saint who, in the year 610, founded an Abbey in Roscrea as well as a school. One of the miracles attributed to him was that he caused the sun to shine continuously for 40 days and nights in order to allow one of the monks to transcribe all four Gospels in a single sitting.
Cuchulainn *koo-kul-inn* Means “Cullan’s hound” in Irish. Thought to be the son of gods in Irish mythology, Cuchullain is a legendary figure. He earned his name as a young boy when he killed the fierce hound in self-defense that belonged to Cullan. He then took the hound’s place until a new hound could be reared and trained.
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March 17, at noon, is a three kilometer parade, which has been known to attract 500 thousand spectators. Stake out a position on O’Connell Street on the north side or College Green outside Trinity on the south before 10 a.m. for a respectable view. Want something more comfortable? Grandstand seats available for €60. This year’s parade theme, ‘The Sky is the limit’, should serve to deliver the biggest and best yet. Irish street theatre companies, ceremonial groups and international marching bands will create a spectacular carnival atmosphere. 
That hardly covers the festivities with an official walk through Dublin, a race, endless concerts and live music, and even literary performances featuring one of Ireland’s great authors and a presentation of Darby O’Gill and the Little People.