60+ Irish Baby Boy Names That Are Popular In the United States

If Irish boy names are trending, then there’s a good chance Liam is leading the way. 

After all, Liam — the Irish short form of William (Uilliam) — has been the No. 1 most popular boy’s name in the U.S. every year since 2017, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA). 

It’s also the eighth most popular boy’s name in Ireland, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO). 

RELATED: 55+ Irish Girls Names With Beautiful and Inspiring Meanings

But if it’s Irish boys names you want, then why stop your search at Liam? 

Owen, which means “born from the yew tree” in Irish, was the 26th most popular boy’s name in the U.S. in 2024, while Aiden, which means “little fire” in Irish, ranked 47th, according to the SSA. 

Nolan (64th), Rowan (71st) and Ryan (87th) also cracked the top-100 in the U.S. last year. 

In Ireland, the names Rian (Irish form of Ryan), Cillian (“chuch” in Irish), Tadhg (“poet” in Irish), Fionn (“blessed” in Irish) and Oisin (“deer” in Irish) all finished inside the top-10 in 2024, according to the CSO. 

Other Irish names for boys popular in Ireland include Finn, Sean, Patrick and Conor. 

These names carry history and stories — from ancient warriors and saints to poets and kings. 

Many reflect Ireland's deep connection to nature, with meanings that evoke everything from mighty oaks to flowing rivers. Others honor spiritual traditions or celebrate qualities like bravery, wisdom and strength.

To discover more Irish boy names and meanings that are popular in the U.S., continue reading below!

Rowan

Origin: English; Irish

Meaning: Little red one; Rowan tree

Rowan, pronounced ROH-win, is the Anglicized form of Ruadhán, which derives from the Old Irish element rúad, meaning “red.” It can also refer to the rowan tree, known for its distinct red berries. 

Liam

Origin: Irish; Germanic

Meaning: Will to protect; Desired protection

Liam, pronounced LEE-um, is the Irish short form of the Germanic name William, which is composed of the Germanic elements willo, meaning “will” or “desire,” and helm, meaning “helmet” or “protection.”

Connor

Origin: Old Irish

Meaning: Dog-lover; Lover of wolves

Connor, Conor and Conner, all pronounced KAH-ner, come from the Irish name Conchobhar, composed of the Old Irish elements cú, meaning "hound" or "wolf," and cobar, meaning "desiring" or "helping." 

Aiden

Origin: Irish

Meaning: Little fire; Little flame

Aiden, pronounced AY-din, comes from the Irish name Áedán, which is derived from the Old Irish word áed, meaning “fire.” In the United States, it’s also commonly spelled Ayden, Aidan, Adyn, Adin and Eydin.

Declan

Origin: Old Irish

Meaning: Full of good; Man of prayer

Declan, pronounced DEK-lyn, is the Anglicized form of the Old Irish name Declán and modern Irish name Deaglán, which is believed to mean “full of good” or “man of prayer.” Saint Declan is the patron saint of the Déisi.

Mac

Origin: Irish; Scottish

Meaning: Son

Mac, pronounced MACK, originated as a prefix in Scottish and Irish surnames meaning "son of." It has evolved to become a standalone given name, often used as a nickname for names beginning with "Mc" or "Mac.”

Finn

Origin: Old Irish

Meaning: White; Blessed

Finn, pronounced FIN, is the Old Irish form of Fionn, which comes from the Old Irish word finn, meaning “white” or “blessed.” Fionn (Finn) mac Cumhaill is one of the most legendary heroes in Irish mythology. 

Rory

Origin: Old Irish

Meaning: Red-haired king

Rory, pronounced ROR-ee, is the Anglicized form of the Irish name Ruaidhrí, which is composed of the Old Irish elements rúad, meaning “red,” and rí, meaning “king.” Together, it means “red-haired king.” 

Rafferty

Origin: Irish

Meaning: Flood tide; Wielder of prosperity

Rafferty, pronounced RAF-er-tee, originated as a surname derived from the Irish given name Rabhartach, which is believed to mean “flood tide” or “"wielder of prosperity.” This is the name of actor Jude Law’s son. 

Redmond

Origin: English; Irish; Germanic

Meaning: Wise protector

Redmond, pronounced RED-mind, is the Anglicized form of Réamonn, which is the Irish form of Raymond and is composed of the Germanic elements regin, meaning “advice,” and munt, meaning “protection.” 

Cillian

Origin: Irish; Gaelic

Meaning: Little church

Cillian, pronounced KILL-ee-an, comes from the Irish name Cillín and is believed to be derived from the Irish word cell, meaning “church,” with a diminutive suffix. It was popularized in the U.S. by Irish actor Cillian Murphy. 

Cian

Origin: Irish

Meaning: Ancient; Enduring

Cian, pronounced KEE-ihn, comes from an Irish word meaning “ancient” or “enduring.” In Irish mythology, a member of the Tuatha Dé Danann and the father of the hero Lugh. It can also be a variant of Cyan. 

Rian

Origin: Irish

Meaning: Little king

Rian, pronounced RYE-in or REE-ahn, is the Irish form of Ryan, which is believed to come from the Irish word rí, meaning “king,” combined with a diminutive suffix. It’s traditionally translated to mean “little king.” 

Callahan

Origin: Irish; Gaelic

Meaning: Bright-headed; War; Strife; Church

Callahan, pronounced KAL-ə-han, is derived from the Irish Gaelic surname Ó Ceallacháin, which comes from the Old Irish name Cellach, meaning “bright-headed,” “war” or “church,” depending on its derivative. 

Mack

Origin: Gaelic; Irish

Meaning: Son

Mack, pronounced MACK, originated as a diminutive and nickname for names beginning with "Mc" or "Mac," the Gaelic and Irish prefix meaning "son of." It has since evolved to become a standalone name.

Sullivan

Origin: Irish

Meaning: Black eye; Dark eye

Sullivan, pronounced SUHL-ih-vin, originated as an Irish surname derived from the Irish given name Súileabhán, which is composed of the elements súil, meaning “eye,” and dubh, meaning “dark” or “black.” 

Ryan

Origin: English; Irish

Meaning: Little king

Ryan, pronounced RYE-in, is the Anglicized form of Rian, which is believed to come from the Irish word rí, meaning “king,” combined with a diminutive suffix. It’s traditionally translated to mean “little king.”

Oisin

Origin: Irish

Meaning: Little deer

Oisin, pronounced OH-sheen, derives from the Irish word os, meaning "deer." In Irish mythology, Oisín was the greatest poet in Ireland and the son of the warrior Fionn mac Cumhaill and the goddess Sadhbh.

Sean

Origin: Irish; Hebrew

Meaning: God is gracious; God’s grace

Sean, pronounced SHAWN, is the Irish form of John (Jehan in Old Irish), which comes from the Hebrew name Yohanan and is composed of the elements yo, meaning “God,” and hanan, meaning “gracious.”

Paddy

Origin: Irish; Latin

Meaning: Nobleman

Paddy, pronounced PAD-ee, is an Irish diminutive of Patrick (Pádraig in Irish), which comes from the Latin name Patricius, meaning “nobleman.” It’s a popular name right now thanks to UFC fighter Paddy Pimblett.

Caelan

Origin: Old Irish

Meaning: Little slender one

Caelan, pronounced KAY-lin, is the Anglicized form of Caolán, which derives from the Irish word caol and Old Irish word cáel, meaning “slender,” combined with a diminutive suffix. It means “little slender one.” 

Cormac

Origin: Old Irish

Meaning: Son of a charioteer

Cormac, pronounced KOR-mik or KOR-mak, comes from the Old Irish names Cormacc and Corbmac, which are believed to derive from the Old Irish element corb, meaning “chariot,” and mac, meaning “son.”

Nolan

Origin: Irish

Meaning: Famous; Loud

Nolan, pronounced NUHL-ihn or NOH-lin, originated as a surname derived from the Irish given name Nuallán, which is derived from the Irish word nuall, meaning “famous” or “loud,” with a diminutive suffix.

Arlo

Origin: Irish

Meaning: Between two highlands

Arlo, pronounced AHR-loh, is believed to derive from the Irish place name Aherlow, meaning “between two highlands.” It was popularized as a place name in Edmund Spenser’s 1590 poem “The Faerie Queene.” 

Caden

Origin: Irish Gaelic; Modern English

Meaning: Son of Cadain

Caden, pronounced KAY-din, was once believed to come from the Irish surname Mac Cadáin, meaning “son of Cadain,” but its use today is likely inspired by similar-sounding names such as Hayden, Aidan and Braden. 

Riley

Origin: Irish; Old English

Meaning: Unknown; Rye clearing

Riley, pronounced RYE-lee, is a variant of Reilly, which is the Anglicized form of the surname Raghailligh and given name Raghailleach, of unknown meaning. In Old English, Riley translates to “rye clearing.” 

Kenneth

Origin: English; Old Irish

Meaning: Handsome; Beautiful; Born of Fire

Kenneth, pronounced KEH-nith, is the Anglicized form of Coinneach, which derives from the Old Irish word caín, meaning “handsome” or “beautiful.” It can also derive from Cináed, meaning “born of fire.” 

Finley

Origin: Old Irish

Meaning: Blessed warrior; Fair warrior

Finley, pronounced FIN-lee, is a variant of Finlay and, ultimately, Fionnlagh or Findláech, which is composed of the Old Irish elements finn, meaning “white” or “blessed,” and láech, meaning “warrior.”  

Owen

Origin: English; Old Irish

Meaning: Born of the yew tree

Owen, pronounced OH-win, is the Anglicized form of Eoghan, which is composed of the Old Irish words eó, meaning “yew,” and the suffix gan, meaning “born.” It can also mean “well born” in Greek and Latin.

Casey

Origin: Old Irish

Meaning: Vigilant; Watchful

Casey, pronounced KAY-see, comes from the Irish surname Ó Cathasaigh and Old Irish given name Cathassach, meaning “vigilant” or “watchful.” It was popularized in the U.S. by Casey Jones, a locomotive engineer in the late-1800s.

Tadhg

Origin: Old Irish

Meaning: Poet

Tadhg, pronounced TYG, comes from the Old Irish name Tadg, meaning “poet.” In Irish mythology, Tadhg is primarily known as a druid and the maternal grandfather of the legendary hero Fionn mac Cumhaill.

Brady

Origin: Irish

Meaning: Spirited; Thieving

Brady, pronounced BRAY-dee, derives from the Irish surname Ó Brádaigh meaning "descendant of Brádach.” Brádach is believed to be derived from the Irish word bradach, meaning “spirited” or “thieving.”

Kieran

Origin: English; Irish

Meaning: Black

Kieran, pronounced KEER-in, is the Anglicized form of Ciarán and, ultimately, Ciar, which comes from the Irish word ciar, meaning “black.” In Irish mythology, Ciar was a son of Fergus mac Róich and Medb.

Shawn

Origin: English; Irish; Hebrew

Meaning: God is gracious

Shawn, pronounced SHAWN, is the Anglicized form of Seán, which is the Irish form of John derived from the Hebrew name Yohanan, and is composed of the elements yo, meaning “God,” and hanan, meaning “gracious.” 

Balor

Origin: Irish; Mythological

Meaning: Giant King

Balor, pronounced BAIL-ohr, comes from the name of the giant king of the Fomorians in Irish mythology. His eye was powerful enough to destroy opposing armies, but he was eventually killed by the hero Lugh.

Lugh

Origin: Irish; Mythological

Meaning: Light; Skilled warrior; Hero

Lugh, pronounced LOO, is believed to be the Irish form of Lugus, meaning “light.” In Irish mythology, Lugh Lámfada was a hero known for his association with the sun, light, and his gifts as a highly-skilled warrior.

Niall

Origin: Old Irish

Meaning: Hero; Cloud

Niall, pronounced NYE-uhl, is the Irish form of Neil, which is believed to be derived from the Old Irish word nia, meaning “hero,” or nél, meaning “cloud.” It was popularized in the U.S. by singer Niall Horan.

Barry

Origin: Old Irish

Meaning: White-haired

Barry, pronounced BAIR-ee, is the Anglicized form of Barra, which is a diminutive of Bairrfhionn and Finbar, both of which come from the Old Irish words barr, meaning “head,” and finn, meaning “white.” 

Brennan

Origin: Irish

Meaning: Rain; Moisture; Drop

Brennan, pronounced BREH-nin, originated as a surname derived from the Irish byname Braonán, which comes from the Irish word braon, meaning “rain,” “moisture” or “drop,” combined with a diminutive suffix. 

Desmond

Origin: Irish; English

Meaning: South Munster; From Desmond

Desmond, pronounced DEZ-mund, comes from the Irish name Deasmhumhain, meaning “south Munster” and referring to the region of Desmond in southern Ireland. It was originally a surname for those from this region.

Alby

Origin: Irish; Celtic

Meaning: White; World; Light

Alby, pronounced AL-bee, is the Anglicized form of Ailbhe, which is believed to derive from the Celtic root albiyo, meaning “white” or “world.” It has also been linked to the Old Irish word ail, meaning “rock.” 

Brian

Origin: Old Celtic

Meaning: High; Noble

Brian, pronounced BRY-an, comes from the Old Celtic element brigh meaning "high" or "noble." The name has historical significance through Brian Boru, High King of Ireland in the 10th-11th centuries.

Brendan

Origin: Latin; Old Irish; Old Welsh

Meaning: Prince; King

Brendan, pronounced BREN-din, is the Latinized form of the Old Irish name Bréanainn, which derives from the Old Welsh word breenhin, meaning “prince” or “king.” Saint Brendan was a 6th-century Irish abbot.

Conley

Origin: English; Old Irish

Meaning: Constant fire

Conley, pronounced KON-lee, is the Anglicized form of Conleth, which comes from the Old Irish name Conláed and is composed of the Old Irish elements cunnail, meaning “constant,” and aed, meaning “fire.”

Shea

Origin: English; Old Irish

Meaning: Fine; Good; Favorable; Learned

Shea, pronounced SHAY, is the Anglicized form of Séaghdha, which comes from the Old Irish name Ségdae and is derived from the Old Irish word segda, meaning “fine,” “good,” “favorable” or “learned.” 

Conleth

Origin: English; Old Irish

Meaning: Constant fire

Conleth, pronounced KON-leth or KON-let, is the Anglicized form of Conláed, which is composed of the Old Irish elements cunnail, meaning “constant” or “prudent,” and aed, meaning “fire” or “flame.” 

Dessie

Origin: English; Irish

Meaning: South Munster

Dessie, pronounced DEH-see or DEH-zee, is a diminutive or nickname of Desmond, which comes from the Irish name Deasmhumhain, meaning “south Munster” and referring to the region in southern Ireland.

Keenan

Origin: English; Irish

Meaning: Ancient; Enduring

Keenan, pronounced KEE-nin, is the Anglicized form of Cianán, which is a diminutive of Cian that comes from an Irish word meaning “ancient” or “enduring.” Cianán is the name of a 5th-century Irish saint. 

Kennedy

Origin: Gaelic; Old Irish

Meaning: Armoured head; Misshapen head

Kennedy, pronounced KEH-nih-dee, derives from the Gaelic surname Ó Cinnéidigh and Old Irish byname Cennétig, itself composed of Irish elements cenn (“head) and étig (“misshapen”) or étiud (“armor”). 

Kevin

Origin: English; Old Irish

Meaning: Beloved birth

Kevin, pronounced KEH-vin, is the Anglicized form of Caoimhín, which comes from the Old Irish name Cóemgein and is composed of the elements coem, meaning “beloved,” and gein, meaning “birth.”

Neil

Origin: Old Irish

Meaning: Hero; Cloud

Neil, pronounced NEEL, is the Anglicized form of Niall, which is believed to derive from the Old Irish word nia, meaning “hero” or nel, meaning “cloud.” The name was popularized by astronaut Neil Armstrong.

Nelson

Origin: English; Irish

Meaning: Son of Neil

Nelson, pronounced NELL-sun, is a patronymic name meaning “son of Neil,” with Neil coming from the Irish name Niall and believed to derive from the Old Irish word nia, meaning “hero,” or nél, meaning “cloud.”

Orrin

Origin: English; Old Irish

Meaning: Dun-colored; Tan

Orrin, pronounced OHR-in, is the Anglicized form of Odhrán, which comes from the Old Irish name Odrán and is derived from the Old Irish element odar, meaning “dun-colored” or “tan,” with a diminutive suffix. 

Seamus

Origin: Irish; Hebrew

Meaning: Holder of the heel; Supplanter

Seamus, pronounced SHAY-muss or SHAY-miss, is the Irish form of James, which comes from the Hebrew name Ya’aqov and is said to mean “holder of the heel” and “supplanter,” according to the Bible.

Shay

Origin: English; Old Irish

Meaning: Fine; Good; Favorable; Learned

Shay, pronounced SHAY, is a variant of Shea and Anglicized form of Séaghdha, which comes from the Old Irish name Ségdae and Old Irish word segda, meaning “fine,” “good,” “favorable” or “learned.” 

Quinn

Origin: Irish Gaelic; Old Irish

Meaning: Sensical; Reasonable; Chief; Leader

Quinn, pronounced KWIN, comes from the Irish Gaelic surname Ó Cuinn, which derives from the Old Irish given name Conn and word conn, meaning “sense” or “reason,” or cenn, meaning “head” or “chief.” 

Keegan

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Meaning: Little flame; Born of fire

Keegan, pronounced KEE-gin or KEE-gan, originated as an Irish Gaelic surname, Mac Aodhagáin, which derived from the given name Aodhagán and, ultimately, Aodh, meaning “fire” from the Irish word aed. 

Blaine

Origin: Scottish; Old Irish

Meaning: Yellow

Blaine, pronounced BLAYN, comes from a Scottish surname derived from the Old Irish name Bláán, which comes from the Old Irish word blá, meaning “yellow, combined with a diminutive suffix. 

Dara

Origin: Irish; Khmer; Persian

Meaning: Fruitful; Fertile; Wealthy; Star

Dara, pronounced DAHR-uh or DAH-ruh, is the Anglicized form of Dáire, which is said to mean “fruitful” or “fertile” in Irish. It can also be derived from the Khmer word for “star” and Persian word meaning “wealthy.”  

Padraig

Origin: Irish; Latin

Meaning: Nobleman

Padraig, pronounced PAH-dreg, is the Irish form of Patrick, which comes from the Latin name Patricius, meaning “nobleman.” The name was largely popularized today by professional golfer Pádraig Harrington.

Shane

Origin: English; Irish; Hebrew

Meaning: God is gracious

Shane, pronounced SHAYN, is another Anglicized form of Seán, which is the Irish form of John derived from the Hebrew name Yohanan, and is composed of the elements yo, meaning “God,” and hanan, meaning “gracious.” 

What Are the Most Popular Irish Boy Names in Ireland?

Aside from Liam, did you know the names Jack, Noah, James and Charlie are all popular in Ireland? 

In fact, all four of those names — Jack, Noah and James are Hebrew names, while Charlie is a Germanic name — ranked inside the top-10 most popular boy names in Ireland in 2024, according to the CSO. 

Irish boy names Rian, Cillian, Tadhg, Fionn and Oisin rounded out the top-10 last year. 

Other Irish baby boy names that are popular in Ireland (but maybe too foreign for American parents) include Páidí (22nd), Darragh (26th), Senan (59th), Donnacha (65th), Odhrán (81st) and Ruairí (98th). 

Whether you’re interested in Irish classics or English equivalents, Irish boy names are a great choice! 

ALSO ON MOD MOMS CLUB: TikTok star known for her children's unique names shares options she considered for baby no. 4

But if you’re still struggling to find the right name for your son, then don’t worry — Mod Moms Club is here to help. Not only do we publish new baby name lists weekly, but we also have a baby name generator!