Vintage picks are plentiful among rare girl names, and we have our eye on a few like Claudia, Agatha, and Harriet. Keep reading to discover 100 original Gaelic names for girls with fascinating origins, gorgeous meanings, and varying popularity levels. We expect this strong unisex name to trend upwards for females in years to come. For a redhead baby, Rowan would make an adorable choice of name. Aisling Aisling is a Gaelic girl name that means "dream" or "vision." It also refers to a genre of poetry from Ireland in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Meara is a unique first name option for girls, whereas Mara is more common, with bearers like Italian tennis player Mara Santangelo and Miracle on 34th Street star Mara Wilson. Kilian offers a folk-like charm, similar to other unisex classics like Gilligan, Adrian, or Dorian. Tiree is a Gaelic place name meaning land of corn.. It may be the Gaelic version of the Greek name Helen, meaning bright or light. It could also be the Gaelic form of Eleanor, derived from the Old French name Alienor. Umbra or Ombra: Meaning "shadow" or "darkness" in Latin. With such unique and beautiful meanings, tones, and folklore, Irish girl names are particularly pretty with romantic sounds. Its also a Spanish word, meaning a. This cute baby name was semi-popular in the U.S. in the early 1900s. Una is derived from the Irish word uan, which has the same meaning. This educational content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Beautiful Gaelic girls names: what you need to know about the name Emer Pronunciation: Ee-mer Meaning: Swift Famous Emers: Emer Kenny (British actress) Kyla and its cousin Kayla are often viewed as the feminine versions of Kyle. Adding an e onto the end of Blaire makes the name appear more feminine and sweet, as well as lessening the surname-feel to it. Caireann means little friend or little beloved in Gaelic. Rona is also slang for the Coronavirus, making it a topical choice for a baby born during the pandemic. The pronunciation is debatable, with some credible sources suggesting you pronounce it as surk-ha, while others say sor-aka. In modern times, a Karen is a slang term for an entitled or demanding woman, giving the name a negative undertone. For a baby born with a full head of dark hair, Ciara may just be the cutest name option! There, it is actually pronounced KEETH-lee, adding in a unique but soft lilt to the first syllable. Despite this, both rla and Orla are regularly used, and the lack of special character probably makes filling out documentation easier. Madeleine is a writer from somewhere near Manchester, England. It is one of the most beautiful Gaelic baby names and reached its peak popularity in 2012. Pronounced SHO-nak, Seonag is another name with a spelling that would be considered surprising to those unfamiliar with the Gaelic language. Moira also has an extra side of magic to it as, when translated into Greek, Moira has the mythological meaning of destiny.. (Image: Getty) 5/10 Niamh (Nee-av or Nee-iv) Niamh means 'bright, radiance, shine, beauty' and was the name in Irish mythology of the daughter of the god of the sea. Niamh is a genuinely stunning Irish girls name, rooted in the countrys mythology and continuing to be popular through the decades. A confident name with a pretty lilt, you can choose to bestow honor upon your baby girl by naming her Nora. Innes, like Angus, is an anglicization of the Scottish Gaelic Aonghas. For the new ruler in your life, born with red locks or not, Ruar is a pretty, unique, and majestic option to consider. This pretty name could be a unique alternative for trendier K names like Kyla or Kayla. Eimear is a Gaelic female name meaning swift., Eimear, pronounced ee-mer, can be spelled Emer, Eimhear, Eimir, or Eimhir. Tiona: This gorgeous name was once the name of a fairy queen and would be an adorable name for a little girl. In Gaelic, Alanna is derived from leanbh, an endearing term for a child. Although not the most popular of Welsh names, it is certainly a stunning one. It was a popular pick in the U.S. during the 60s, 70s, and 80s but is usually replaced by fresher S names such as Sophie and Sadie. The Irish lasair combined with fhona meaning wine is a classy, majestic name known to have existed in Ireland since the 13th century. . Grainne was also the promised bride of the hero Fionn Mac Cool, who ran away with his nephew, Diarmuid. 4.Desdemona: Greek, female version of Desmond. Kenna means handsome or born of fire in Gaelic. She was initially named Assa, meaning gentle, until an adversary killed her foster fathers. Alannah. Donna is derived from the masculine name Domhnall, meaning ruler of the world. A pretty name that is both simple to spell and pronounce, Donna would make a lovely choice in memory of a Donald or Domhnall in the family. In Arabic, Rowan is a feminine name, referring to a river in Paradise. Breena (Gaelic origin), meaning "fairy land". In other legends, Bebhinn was a beautiful giant who sought sanctuary with hero Fionn Mac Cool to hide from an ugly giant that pursued her. Scottish novelist Fionn MacColla, Irish Gaelic footballer Fionn Fitzgerald; Peak Popularity: Fionn is a rare name and . Brianne, as well as its popular variation Brianna, are beautiful Gaelic-inspired baby girl names. Finley, originally from the Gaelic Fionnlagh, roughly translates as fair warrior, so it would be an adorable choice for a feisty little girl born with blonde locks. Tierney is a delightfully feminine-sounding name, derived from the Gaelic tiarna, meaning lord. Most commonly a surname, Tierney was traditionally spelled Tiarnaigh, with several saints of this name. It would be a great injustice to write a list of Gaelic-inspired baby girl names and not include Erin, and we hope it is a name you will love as much as we do. It possibly has Gallic, German and Celtic elements. In Gaelic, however, Tegan can actually be traced back to mean little poet or little storyteller.. Fergie is bold and gritty, but still sweet-sounding and earthy. Its the Scottish Gaelic equivalent of the English Christina or Kristina. Cameron is one of several Gaelic female names initially masculine but has become unisex over time. Variations of Elin include Helen or Elina, which come from Greek origin, meaning bright, shining light. Overall, Elin is a magically luminous name, short and sweet, which carries lots of potential for your daughter. Hailing from the name of the Roman emperor Constans, Constance means 'constant' or 'steadfast' - great qualities for your little one to have. Nevertheless, it grew to be a popular name in the mid-1900s, and its first syllable, dear, still makes it sound adorable and loving as a girls name. Rory - meaning "red king," this Gaelic-rooted name works for both boys and girls with fiery red locks. Eilidh, pronounced AY-lee, has two possible origins. There's Eileen, meaning "bright shining one," and Bridget, meaning "exalted one.". She's written on a plethora of topics and enjoys the diversity of her work. Even though its not as popular, Etain is a lovely name with a fascinating story behind it, making it a worthy contender. Lee hit its stride in the early 1900s in the U.S., with bearers like American big band singer Lee Wiley and Detective Story actress Lee Grant. Her piety and simplicity are still ideal for many Muslim women. Bebinn was a goddess associated with birth and the underworld in early Irish myths. Shanley is a Gaelic name meaning descendant of Seanlaoch.. Eileen is derived from Helen, a Greek name meaning light or shining. Allie sounds more modern than old-fashioned Aileen or Eileen, making it a trendier choice for babies born in the 21st century. This is the English form of Eithne, which means "kernel" or "grain" in Irish. Eibhlin was popularized by the 17th-century love song Eibhlin a Ruan, written by harpist Cearbhall ODalaigh to convince his lover to elope with him on her wedding day. Keep reading to discover 100 original Gaelic names for girls with fascinating origins, gorgeous meanings, and varying popularity levels. Erin was derived from the Gaelic word for Ireland, ire, and evokes all the countrys magic, beauty, and natural majesty. Its also a German name meaning precious, a Hawaiian name meaning beautiful offering, and a feminine version of the Celtic Alan, meaning rock. Alanna is a popular choice in Ireland, ranked #187 in 2020. 4. Pronounced AWN-ya, Aine is anglicized as Anya. An ever-popular and stunning name, Caitlin is an Irish variation on the name Catherine. Ceri is a sweet name, which perhaps looks much softer written down than its variation Kerry. It consists of the Gaelic words saor, meaning free, and flaith, meaning princess or woman. In recent years, this old name has gained some momentum in Ireland, ranked #336 in 2020. In Irish mythology, Muireann Munchaem, or beautiful lips, was a gorgeous woman with many suitors. Females started receiving the name in the 1940s, surpassing mens usage by the 1960s due to the popularity of actress Grace Kelly. Its derived from the Old Irish personal name Murchadh, with muir meaning sea and cath meaning battle. Murphy is the most common surname in Ireland, so its not usually a personal name. However, noteworthy female bearers include The Parent Hood actress Regan Gomez-Preston and Maybe Its Me actress Reagan Dale Neis. Bearers include Scottish folk singer Mairi Campbell and Scottish politician Mhairi Black, the youngest person to be elected to Parliament at just 20 years old! In Irish mythology, Niamh was the daughter of Manannan, the God of the sea, and rode a magical white horse named Enbarr. Nessa is a Gaelic name for girls meaning not-gentle one.. Derived from the Gaelic word meaning beauty, Aoibhe makes a gorgeous choice for your perfect little girl. 4. Mairead is a Gaelic name for girls meaning pearl.. Dont let the sharp pronunciation and unique spelling deter you from this name, as Sorcha is radiant and lovely. Alanis: This name is the Celtic version of Alana. A majestic name if ever we heard one, ine is a strong choice for any bold baby girl. Eimear is a fabulous name, and certainly not one to be confused with Emma! Shay is a variation of the Irish Gaelic Shea and a nickname for the masculine Seamus. Maeve is a popular option among our Gaelic girl names, meaning intoxicating one.. Meaning brightness or radiance, Niamh holds an ethereal glow and is certain to shine on through adulthood. This name has yet to make its mark in the U.S., which could be a fresher alternative to old-fashioned Shauna. Nessa is rooted in Irish mythology, being the name of a princess of the Ulaid. Cameron is a Gaelic name meaning crooked nose.. During the 16th century Scottish Reformation, the island was used by Catholics as a sanctuary. For a strong name of beauty and power, consider the Gaelic-inspired Branna for a majestic choice. Eibhlin is a Gaelic female name meaning hazelnut.. Unlike other names on our list, Malvina was invented by the 18th-century poet James Macpherson for a character in his Ossian poems. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. this beautiful Gaelic baby girl name means 'from the fairy palace' and 'admirable'- how whimsical! If you love something modern monikers, try out Haisley or Tenley. It was Nimue who gave King Arthur Excalibur, the legendary sword, after all. Caoimhe KEE-va Eithne EN-yah Niamh NEEV Saoirse SUR-sha For boys, you've got novel names like Cuchulain (Coo-HULL-un), Eoghan (Owen), and Laisren (LAS-rain) to choose from. A variation on the masculine Duane, Duana is unique, bold, and compelling. Kenna is an anglicized form of the Gaelic Cainnech, meaning handsome one, or Cinead, meaning born of fire. Its often used as the feminine version of Kenneth. She was forced to live in an underwater cave for a year before being transformed into a mermaid. If you can get past the association with Campbells soup, this unique name could be an excellent alternative for its more popular cousin Cameron. Glenn: This name means valley. Taken from the words bron and gwyn, meaning breasted and white, holy respectively, Bronwen is considered to mean the honorable pure of heart rather than the more-literal white breasted! A commonly-seen spelling variation for Bronwen is Bronwyn. Adair, alternatively spelled Adare and Athdare, was first used by an Irishman named Robert Fitzgerald. Sorcha means brightness, making it brilliantly luminous and bound to shine a glow on its bearer. Niamh, pronounced neeve, was an important figure in Irish mythology. Although Quinn is a top 20 surname in Ireland, its still used as a given name for girls, ranked #275 in 2020. A fresh name yet rooted in Gaelic origin, Finley is a sweet, modern option to consider for your new arrival. It means "little rose," and it can be a nice alternative to the usual Rose, Rosalie or . Keena (Celtic): This Celtic name meaning 'brave' makes a lovely feminine version of popular boys' names Keene and Kean. Catriona is a beautiful name of Gaelic origin, meaning pure. Its rhythmic sound makes it sound almost like a wave, fresh and bright. The feminine equivalent to the masculine name Brian, Brianne has powerful, regal meanings of noble, strong, and virtuous. A cute nickname from Brianne is Bree, or even Anne, but the full Brianne is pretty enough not to need shortening. Niamh is a Gaelic female name meaning radiance or brightness.. The former is usually given to unmarried and the latter to wed women. It then ranked #229 in Ireland in 2020. Sloane is a variation of the Gaelic name Sloan, a diminutive form of Slughadhan, which comes from sluaghadh, meaning expedition or raid. This sleek name is trendy for U.S. girls, ranked #181 in 2020. In 2020, Murphy made the top 1000 girl names for the first time. - of Germain origin meaning 'precious'. 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