Traditional Gaelic Names
Here
are some traditional Gaelic names. All of them have Gaelic or ancient
Celtic roots. Most of them have a long history and many of them are
from myth and legend.
Through
the course of time, Gaelic names have become associated with English names.
These are names that usually have no etymological connection with the
Gaelic name, they just have a similar sound. These names are italicized.
There is a list of women's names , and a list of men's names.
Gaelic Women's Names
| Name | Pronunciation | Meaning | Anglicization/association |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beathag | BEH ak | offspring of life | Bethia, Sophia |
| Borgach | BOR guch | ? | Victoria |
| Brianag | BREE uh nak | strength. Celtic goddess name | Briana |
| Brìghde | BREE ju | strength. Celtic goddess name | Bridget |
| Caitir | KAH tcheer | ? | - |
| Caoimhe | KUY vu | kind; tender | Keavy |
| Caointiorn | KUIN tchorn | kind ruler. A saint's name. | Kentigerna |
| Ceana | KEH na | fair one. | Kenna |
| Ceanag | KEN ak | dim. of Ceana | - |
| Dearbhail | JIR vel | true desire | Dorothy |
| Dearshul | JER hool | true eye? Tearful eye? | - |
| Doileag | DOL ak | world ruler | Dolina |
| Dolidh | DOL ee | dim. of Dearbhail | Dolly |
| Eamhhair | E ver; E wer | ? - form of Eimir | - |
| Eimhir | AE veer | ?- legendary Celtic name | - |
| Eithne | AE nyuh | kernel or grain | Anna |
| Fionnaghal | FYOON uh ghal | white shoulders | Flora |
| Fionnghuala | FYOON ghal a | white shoulders | Fenella, Flora |
| Gormal | GAU rum ul | deep blue eye | Gormelia |
| Gràinne | GRAW nya | she who inspires terror? | - |
| Greudach | GREE uh tuch | originally a temporary name given before a girl was baptized. | - |
| Latharna | LA ur na | from a place name | - |
| Malamhìn | MAL uh veen | smooth brow | Malvina |
| Malmhìn | MAL veen | smooth brow | form of Malamhìn |
| Meadhbh | MAEV | she who intoxicates | Meave, Maeve |
| Mòr | MORE | great | Sarah |
| Mòrag | MORE ak | dim. of Mòr | Marion |
| Mordag | MOR dak | Sea warrior | Murdina |
| Muireall | MOOR ul, MOOR yul | sea-bright | Muriel, Marion |
| Mùirne | MOORN a | affection | Morna |
| Oighrig | OY rik, UY rik | ? Ancient Celtic name | Affrica, Eppie, Erica |
| Ròs | ROES | the rose flower | Rose |
| Seàrlaid | SHAWR lutch | instigator? A form of Teàrlag | Charlotte |
| Sidheag | SHEE ak | wolf | - |
| Sìleas | SHEE lus | ? | Julia |
| Slàine | SLAW nyeh | health | - |
| Slàinidh | SLAW nee | health | - |
| Slàinte | SLAWN tcheh | health | - |
| Sorcha | SOH ruh chuh | brightness; light | Claire, Clara |
| Teàrlag | CHAR lak | instigator? | Charlotte |
| Una | OO na | ? | Winifred, Agnes, Juno |