First off, may I just say that I am so happy to have had such interest in both my first article for a new series called What Would You Do If This Happened To You? that I put out to kind of test the waters as well as the attention and love you’ve all given my data analysis series. It’s so rewarding to have you all enjoy my content, and I absolutely love to make more of what you love. If you have a specific naming dilemma or a general article series or idea, then submit my contact form so that I can continue to cater to the specific needs of all of you. That aside, I published my very first name list all about Irish baby names straddling traditional spellings and choices that barely feel Irish, from Caoimhe to Liam. I thought I’d revisit this fascinating origin, diving specifically into Irish names for baby boys today. I’ll mostly be going into the options that have potential to make it mainstream in English-speaking countries, but if you’re looking for boy names that feel more blatantly Irish, just let me know! Well, readers, without further ado, let’s take a look.
Connor- One of the more popular Irish boy names out there, Connor retains some of that Irish style, making him the perfect name for honoring Irish heritage if you chose to do so, but he also doesn’t stick out from a crowd or seem oddly Irish if you don’t have roots in the Emerald Isle but still adore the name for your son. Connor ranks at #78 and is falling out of favor by the year. However, Connor isn’t faddish in the least. In fact, I would argue that his hundreds of years of use as well as long history as a given name speak for themselves. And if you’re a big fan of your beloved dog, then Connor’s meaning “lover of hounds” might make a sweet tribute to a pet that has passed on or serve as an indication of an animal-lover for a son or his parents. Regardless, Connor is a delightful choice full of energy and plenty of history.
Rafferty- Rugged and appealing, this is the Anglicized version of the Irish name O'Raighbheartaigh, which is no longer in use. A name with a handsome feel and a touch of spunkiness, Rafferty has a healthy dose of bouncy rhythm in him that contributes to his appeal. He sure has the favor of the stars, as the name of Jude Law’s son, who is now 24. This Irish surname name means “prosperity,” indicating a successful little boy, and shockingly doesn’t make the cut for the top 1000, which I had predicted might transpire back in winter, before the data was released. Despite his romantic, lively, surname-style perks, Rafferty remains very rare, and he’s just waiting for some use. I think that although he’ll remain undiscovered for a couple more years, we’ll definitely have a flood of young Rafferty’s occupying playgrounds very soon.
Cormac- Another shocking absentee from the top 1000, Cormac is still stuck in the doldrums of rarity, although not to the disappointment of plenty of parents who have their eyes on this bright and cheery boy name for their arriving sons. A way to the springy and playful nickname Mac or Mick, Cormac (pronounced Kor-mick) feels just quirky enough to catch eyes, but just simple in spelling, nicknames, and sound enough that parents might consider him. Quirky-cool, essentially. Sure, you may have some pronunciation issues with Kor-mack, but otherwise, Cormac seems fairly foolproof. A Harry Potter character gives the name more time in the spotlight for consideration, and now that many parents are on a quest for rare names that don’t sound the part, he might be noticed in the near future.
Kieran- The stylish masculine form of the beloved #308 Kiara/Kiera/Kira, Kieran ranks at a perfect crack between odd and popular at #517. Although he peaked in 2011, his journey down from #474 to #517 hasn’t been a free fall directly down, nor has it been fast, so I absolutely would not proclaim Kieran a dated name. He’s a name that so often flies under the radar, but really has an attractive -an ending, intriguing and adored first syllable, Kier-, and is nickname proof, like many surname names for boys. He blends in with Grayson and Jackson perfectly, though containing more of those soft sounds that are in style right now. I think that this season of Kieran’s career as a name will be promising with the trends that are emerging.
Declan- A name belonging to a saint, Declan began as the Irish name Deaglán, and went on to become Declan, a name with plenty of snazz and appeal, a fact that expecting parents haven’t neglected to notice. Declan ranks at #102 at the moment, just recent falling from his 2019 peak of #95, squeaking into the top 100 for a brief moment. Declan is a big hit in Scotland, and the US is catching onto the friendly and cheerful vibes that Declan oozes, pushing him up the charts. Some may argue that Declan is on track to become the next Liam or Aidan. Although I wouldn’t go quite that far, this Irish name meaning “man of prayer” certainly has plenty of potential with that spark of lovability he possesses. And Cyndi Lauper named her son Declyn, so it’s clear that there’s no option but to follow in her footsteps. The name is perfect for a child who just wants to have fun, so to speak, after all.
Rory- This unisex name, perfect for a nickname for Aurora, or in full for either gender, is one of the higher-energy names I can think of. The name just automatically conjures up images of a cheerful little boy or girl who can’t stop bouncing off the walls and is constantly curious, and that is a major positive for plenty of families. As a full name for boys, which is almost always the case in any country other than the US, the name ranks at #330, a solid favorite that captures many hearts every year for his playfulness. And if you are Irish and happen to have a child with red hair, the name means “red king,” encapsulating your child’s adorable head of fiery locks while also hinting towards Irish heritage.
Seamus- Got a James to honor? In the mood for a boy name that’s both softly unisex sounding but also decidedly masculine? Well then, you’ve come to the right place. Seamus encapsulates all of those key qualities as the Irish adaptation of the classic and evergreen boy name James. With unisex nickname Shea/Shay if you’re looking for a short form for your son, and unique -mus ending, this name is pronounced Shay-mis. Seamus was most popular in the early 2000s, when many Irish names were following Aiden’s lead and entering the minds of parents, but he’s never been too much of a superstar on the American rankings, giving him a little more perks for many parents. He currently ranks at #978, balancing just on the edge of obscurity and falling out of the top 1000. We have some more Harry Potter references with character names with Seamus, referring to Seamus Finnegan in the wildly popular book and movie series.
Callahan- An elaborate and visually interesting boy name that shortens to the sweet and unusual nickname Cal, Callahan has been climbing ever since he cracked the top 1000 in 2019. At the moment, he ranks at #798. He’s got a satisfying rhythm to him, making him both fun to write and fun to say. His sounds are distinct to him and very unique, even though I wouldn’t say that he’s too showy or that he would stick out from his friends too much. In a world where Maverick and Leonardo pull top 100, I don’t think a child called Callahan would be the scorn of the town. Similar sounding Callan currently snags #432, so it’s clear that his sounds are on demand, and longer boy names do have a place in the top of the ranks, as proved by names like Sebastian, so I think that Callahan will continue to rise.
That’s all for today, Name Warehouse Readers! I think that my favorite of this list has to be Seamus, Callahan, and Rafferty, although I really love all of these… I guess I’m a big fan of Irish names! I’m so happy to see you again, and I hope you’ll be back for another article soon, and that you found some new names, or at least a little happiness, from this one. See you later, everyone! Thanks so much for reading, friends, and have a delightful rest of your day.
Sincerely,
-Delphina Moon
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