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Celtic baby names are rich in history, culture, and symbolism. With roots in ancient Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and other Celtic regions, these names carry deep meanings tied to nature, mythology, and strength. Parents often choose Celtic baby names for their lyrical sounds and timeless appeal, offering a beautiful connection to heritage and tradition.
Celtic Boy Names with Meanings
Celtic boy names often draw inspiration from bravery, nature, and mythology, making them strong yet poetic choices for little boys.
1. Aidan – Means “little fire,” symbolizing warmth and energy.
2. Bran – Refers to “raven,” a bird often linked with wisdom.
3. Cian – Means “ancient” or “enduring.”
4. Declan – Stands for “man of prayer” or “full of goodness.”
5. Ewan – Refers to “born of the yew tree.”
6. Fergus – Means “man of strength” or “powerful.”
7. Gwyn – Symbolizes “fair” or “blessed.”
8. Kieran – Means “little dark one.”
9. Lorcan – Refers to “silent” or “fierce.”
10. Malachy – Stands for “messenger of God.”
11. Niall – Means “champion” or “passionate.”
12. Oisin – Refers to “little deer,” tied to Celtic legends.
13. Padraig – A Celtic form of Patrick, meaning “nobleman.”
14. Ronan – Means “little seal.”
15. Seamus – Celtic version of James, meaning “supplanter.”
16. Tadhg – Refers to “poet” or “philosopher.”
17. Tristan – Means “sorrowful” or “bold knight.”
18. Ulick – Means “wolf ruler.”
19. Conall – Stands for “strong wolf.”
20. Fionn – Means “fair” or “white.”
21. Dermot – Refers to “free from envy.”
22. Cathal – Means “battle ruler.”
23. Eoghan – Symbolizes “youth” or “born of the yew.”
24. Donal – Stands for “ruler of the world.”
25. Tiernan – Means “lordly” or “regal.”
26. Aengus – Refers to “one strength” or “unique choice.”
27. Breccan – Means “freckled” or “speckled.”
28. Colm – Stands for “dove,” symbolizing peace.
29. Dara – Refers to “oak tree,” symbol of strength.
30. Eirian – Means “bright” or “shining.”
31. Faolan – Refers to “little wolf.”
32. Gavan – Means “white hawk.”
33. Ivor – Stands for “archer” or “yew wood.”
34. Keane – Means “fighter” or “keen.”
35. Lugh – Celtic god of light, associated with skills.
36. Manus – Refers to “great” or “strength.”
37. Nevan – Means “holy” or “little saint.”
38. Piran – Patron saint of Cornwall, meaning “little rock.”
39. Rafferty – Means “prosperous” or “wealthy.”
40. Senan – Stands for “old” or “wise.”
41. Taliesin – Refers to “shining brow,” a famous bard.
42. Torin – Means “chief” or “thunder.”
43. Ultan – Refers to “man from Ulster.”
44. Cormac – Stands for “son of the charioteer.”
45. Daire – Means “fruitful” or “fertile.”
46. Kavan – Refers to “handsome” or “graceful.”
47. Murchadh – Means “sea warrior.”
48. Riordan – Refers to “royal poet.”
49. Taran – Stands for “thunder.”
50. Cael – Means “slender” or “narrow.”
Celtic Girl Names with Meanings
Celtic girl names often reflect nature, beauty, and powerful feminine energy, making them enchanting and elegant.
1. Aisling – Means “dream” or “vision.”
2. Brigid – Refers to the Celtic goddess of poetry and healing.
3. Caoimhe – Symbolizes “gentle” or “beautiful.”
4. Deirdre – Means “sorrowful” yet represents strength in legend.
5. Eira – Refers to “snow,” symbolizing purity.
6. Fiona – Means “fair” or “white.”
7. Grainne – Symbolizes “grain” or “love.”
8. Isla – Refers to an island in Scotland.
9. Keira – Means “little dark-haired girl.”
10. Maeve – Stands for “she who intoxicates.”
11. Niamh – Means “bright” or “radiant.”
12. Orla – Refers to “golden princess.”
13. Rhiannon – A goddess associated with horses and power.
14. Saoirse – Means “freedom” or “liberty.”
15. Tara – Refers to “hill” or sacred place in Ireland.
16. Una – Means “lamb” or “one.”
17. Aine – Celtic goddess of love and summer.
18. Bethan – Refers to “house of God.”
19. Clodagh – Named after a river in Ireland.
20. Dervla – Means “daughter of a poet.”
21. Eithne – Refers to “kernel” or “seed.”
22. Ffion – Means “foxglove flower.”
23. Gwenda – Symbolizes “blessed” or “good.”
24. Iona – A sacred island in Scotland.
25. Kyna – Refers to “wise” or “learned.”
26. Liadan – Means “grey lady.”
27. Morwenna – Stands for “maid of the sea.”
28. Neve – Refers to “snow.”
29. Oona – Means “one” or “lamb.”
30. Riona – Symbolizes “queenly.”
31. Seren – Means “star.”
32. Tegan – Refers to “fair” or “beautiful.”
33. Yseult – A legendary Celtic princess, symbolizing love.
34. Alannah – Means “darling child.”
35. Brianna – Stands for “noble” or “strong.”
36. Cara – Means “friend” or “beloved.”
37. Eilis – Celtic form of Elizabeth, meaning “pledged to God.”
38. Fallon – Refers to “leader” or “superior.”
39. Gwendolyn – Means “white ring” or “blessed bow.”
40. Imogen – Stands for “maiden” or “innocent.”
41. Liriel – Means “song of the sea.”
42. Mairi – Celtic version of Mary, meaning “bitter.”
43. Nola – Refers to “famous” or “noble.”
44. Orna – Means “sallow” or “golden.”
45. Roisin – Refers to “little rose.”
46. Siobhan – Celtic form of Joan, meaning “God is gracious.”
47. Tierney – Stands for “lordly.”
48. Wynne – Means “fair” or “pure.”
49. Elva – Refers to “leader of the elves.”
50. Moira – Celtic form of Mary, symbolizing “star of the sea.”
Most Common Celtic Surnames or Last Names
Celtic surnames often reflect family heritage, occupations, and ancestral origins, preserving deep historical and cultural connections.
1. O’Brien – Means “descendant of Brien.”
2. MacCarthy – Refers to “son of Carthach.”
3. O’Connor – Means “descendant of Conchobhar.”
4. Kennedy – Refers to “helmeted head” or “armored.”
5. O’Sullivan – Means “descendant of Súileabhán.”
6. Gallagher – Symbolizes “descendant of the foreign helper.”
7. O’Neill – Means “descendant of Niall.”
8. Doyle – Refers to “dark stranger.”
9. MacGregor – Means “son of Gregor.”
10. Flanagan – Refers to “red” or “ruddy.”
11. Donnelly – Means “descendant of Donnghal.”
12. Byrne – Refers to “descendant of Bran.”
13. Murphy – Means “sea warrior.”
14. Kelly – Refers to “bright-headed” or “warrior.”
15. Walsh – Symbolizes “foreigner” or “Welshman.”
16. Nolan – Means “noble” or “famous.”
17. Brady – Refers to “spirited” or “energetic.”
18. Duffy – Means “dark” or “black.”
19. McMahon – Refers to “son of the bear.”
20. Reilly – Means “courageous” or “valiant.”
21. Fitzpatrick – Refers to “son of Patrick.”
22. Kavanagh – Means “born handsome.”
23. Quinn – Refers to “descendant of Conn.”
24. Maguire – Means “son of the beige-colored one.”
25. MacDonald – Refers to “son of Donald.”
26. McDermott – Means “son of Diarmuid.”
27. Lynch – Refers to “seafarer.”
28. Tierney – Symbolizes “lordly” or “royal.”
29. Finnegan – Means “fair” or “white.”
30. Shea – Refers to “admirable” or “dauntless.”
31. McDonagh – Means “brown warrior.”
32. Brody – Refers to “ditch” or “muddy place.”
33. Farrell – Means “man of valor.”
34. Keegan – Refers to “descendant of Egan.”
35. Hennessy – Means “descendant of Angus.”
36. Rafferty – Refers to “prosperous” or “wealthy.”
37. Madden – Means “little dog.”
38. Callaghan – Refers to “bright-headed.”
39. Hogan – Means “young” or “youthful.”
40. Power – Symbolizes “poor man” or “pilgrim.”
41. O’Donnell – Means “descendant of Domhnall.”
42. Clancy – Refers to “red warrior.”
43. Carrick – Means “rock” or “cliff.”
44. Fagan – Refers to “little ardent one.”
45. Cullen – Means “handsome” or “holly tree.”
46. McKenna – Refers to “son of Cionaodh.”
47. Lavin – Means “little blade.”
48. Rowan – Refers to “little red one.”
49. Tracey – Means “fighter” or “warlike.”
50. Monaghan – Refers to “from Monaghan, Ireland.”
FAQs on Celtic Baby Names
What makes Celtic baby names unique?
Celtic names are unique because they are deeply tied to mythology, nature, and history, offering timeless charm and strong meanings.
Are Celtic baby names hard to pronounce?
Some names may look complex, but once learned, they are lyrical and beautiful to say.
Do Celtic names have spiritual meanings?
Yes, many Celtic names carry spiritual or mythological symbolism, often linked with gods, nature, or virtues.
Can Celtic baby names be used internationally?
Absolutely, many Celtic names like Aidan, Fiona, and Niamh are now widely used across the world.
Are Celtic surnames still common today?
Yes, Celtic surnames remain widely used, reflecting family lineage and cultural heritage.
Celtic baby names blend tradition, beauty, and powerful meanings, making them a wonderful choice for modern parents. Whether you’re inspired by legendary heroes, nature, or cultural heritage, Celtic names offer timeless options for boys, girls, and families.