The most popular Irish baby names
If you're wondering what name to choose for your baby, one of the top 100 Irish baby names could be just the thing. Here's a list of the most popular baby names registered in Ireland in 2018 - the top 50 names for boys and girls.
By Mumsnet HQ | Last updated Nov 24, 2021
The ubiquitous Jack has held the top spot for boys' names since 2007 (with the exception of 2016 when James surpassed it), while Emily has topped the girls' list for eight years in a row. Meanwhile, more traditional Irish favourites are slipping down the ranks; Aoife, Cian, Patrick and Saoirse all miss out on a top 10 spot.
Top five Irish boys' names
Jack
James
Noah
Conor
Daniel
Top five Irish girls' names
Emily
Grace
Emma
Sophie
Amelia
Top boys' names
1. Jack - Meaning ‘God is gracious'.
2. James - Means 'supplanter'; one who follows.
3. Noah - A Hebrew name meaning 'rest' or 'repose'.
4. Conor - Meaning 'lover of wolves' or 'lover of hounds'.
5. Daniel - Meaning ‘God is my judge.'
6. Harry - The Middle English version of 'Henry'. It means estate/home ruler or protector.
7. Luke - The English form of the Latin Lucas, meaning 'light' or 'light-giving'.
8. Michael - A name of Hebrew origin, meaning 'Who is like God?'
9. Adam - Meaning 'ground/earth', 'red', or 'son of the red earth'.
10. Charlie - Meaning 'free man'.
11. Liam - Meaning 'strong willed warrior'.
12. Thomas - Meaning 'twin'.
13. Seán - Meaning 'God is gracious'.
14. Fionn - Meaning 'fair-haired' or 'white'.
15. Oisín - Meaning 'little deer'.
16. Alex - Meaning ‘defender of mankind’.
17. Cillian - Meaning ‘war strife' or 'little church'.
18. Finn - Meaning ‘white’ or ‘fair’.
19. Patrick - Meaning ‘nobleman’.
20. Tadhg - Meaning ‘poet’ or 'philosopher'.
21. Darragh - Meaning 'oak tree'.
22. Jamie - Meaning 'supplanter'.
23. Matthew - Meaning 'gift from God'.
24. Oliver - Meaning 'olive branch'.
25. Ryan - Meaning 'descendent of the king'.
26. Dylan - Meaning 'son of the sea'.
27. Cian - Meaning 'ancient'.
27. John - Meaning 'God is gracious'.
29. Ben - Meaning 'son of the right hand'.
30. David - Meaning 'beloved'.
31. Alexander - Meaning 'defender or helper of mankind'.
32. Tom - Meaning ‘twin’.
33. Rían - Meaning ‘little king’.
34. Aaron - Meaning ‘mountain of strength’ or 'enlightened'.
35. Max - Meaning ‘greatest' or 'great spring'.
36. Leo - Meaning ‘lion’.
37. Ethan - Meaning 'strong' or 'firm'.
38. Oscar - Meaning 'gentle friend'.
39. Sam - Meaning 'God has heard'.
40. Jake - Meaning 'supplanter'.
41. Jacob - Meaning ‘supplanter’.
42. Ollie - Meaning ‘olive tree’.
43. Bobby - Meaning ‘famed', 'bright' or 'shining'.
44. Evan - Meaning 'young warrior'.
45. Logan - Meaning 'young fighter'
46. Alfie - Meaning 'wise counsel'.
47. Callum - Meaning ‘dove’.
48. William - Meaning ‘resolute protector'.
49. Joseph - Meaning ‘God shall add' or 'may He add'.
50. Nathan - Meaning ‘He has given'.
Top girls' names
1. Emily - Meaning ‘striving' or 'eager'.
2. Grace - Meaning 'the crown fits me'.
3. Emma - Meaning 'whole' or 'universal'.
4. Sophie - Meaning 'wisdom'.
5. Amelia - Meaning 'industrious' or 'striving'.
6. Ella - Meaning ‘light' or 'beautiful fairy woman'.
7. Ellie - Meaning 'shining light'.
8. Mia - Meaning 'mine'.
9. Ava - Meaning 'bird' or 'living one'.
10. Fiadh - Meaning 'wild'.
11. Hannah - Meaning 'favour' or 'grace'.
12. Anna - Meaning 'favour', 'grace' or 'beautiful'.
13. Lucy - Meaning 'light'.
14. Olivia - Meaning 'olive tree'.
15. Lily - From the flower, and meaning 'pure', 'passion' or 'rebirth'.
16. Chloe - Meaning 'blooming'.
17. Aoife - Meaning 'beauty'.
18. Kate - Meaning 'pure' or 'clear'.
19. Sadie - Meaning 'princess'.
20. Saoirse - Meaning 'freedom'.
21. Sarah - Meaning 'princess'.
22. Sophia - Meaning 'wisdom' or 'skill'.
23. Holly - From the holly tree, and meaning 'to prick'.
24. Robyn - Meaning 'famous' or 'bright'.
25. Caoimhe - Meaning 'dear' or 'noble'.
26. Freya - Meaning 'lady' or 'noblewoman'.
27. Isabelle - Meaning 'God is my oath'.
28. Molly - Meaning 'bitter'.
29. Cara - Meaning 'dear' or 'friend'.
30. Katie - Meaning 'pure'.
31. Evie - Meaning 'the mother of all the living'.
32. Zoe - Meaning 'life'.
33. Alice - Meaning 'noble'.
34. Ruby - Taken from the name of the gemstone, ruby.
35. Lauren - Meaning 'bay or laurel plant'.
36. Leah - Meaning 'weary'.
37. Isla - Taken from the Scottish island, Islay.
38. Róisín - Meaning 'little rose'.
39. Charlotte - Meaning 'petite' and 'feminine'.
40. Eva - Meaning 'life' or 'living one'.
41. Isabella - Meaning 'devoted to God'.
42. Jessica - Meaning 'gift' or 'God beholds'.
43. Ciara - Meaning 'dark haired'.
44. Sofia - Meaning 'wisdom' or 'skill'.
45. Clodagh - From 'Clodagh', a river in Ireland, and later a saint.
46. Faye - Meaning 'fairy'.
47. Julia - Meaning 'youth'.
48. Éabha - Meaning 'to breathe' or 'to live'.
49. Eve - Meaning 'living'.
50. Willow - From the willow tree, and meaning 'graceful'.
If you don’t fancy any of these popular Irish names for your baby boy or baby girl, why not see which baby names are top in England and Wales, and the most popular choices in Scotland last year? If you’d like to find out what the names on your current shortlist mean, and get more inspiration, head over to our Baby name generator.
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