Ancient Gaelic names are doors into the legendary world of old times when glorious kings and queens ruled Ireland and Scotland. Most of them hide a beautiful, heroic meaning. You will be amazed to discover the Gaelic background of some popular modern names!

Gaelic names come from Gaelic languages that are still in use in Ireland and Scotland. After centuries of being a part of the British Empire, these languages have lost a big part of their native speakers, especially in Scotland. Still, ancient Gaelic names are used and loved all around the world, in practically all English-speaking countries.

How to pronounce Gaelic names

Compared to English, Irish and Scottish Gaelic languages are quite complicated. They possess a number of sounds that do not exist in English. The way words are written and pronounced in these languages is totally different from the English rules.

This is why the ancient names you will find below will come in two variants: one is the way they are written now, and the other is the way they are written traditionally. You will easily read the adapted version, but the traditional way of writing may amaze you!

Beautiful and old Gaelic names for girls

It is sometimes hard to determine which word gave meaning to a particular name. This is why some of these names may have several meanings.

• Alvy (Ailbhe): stands for either 'a rock' or 'white'.
• Leesha (Luiseach or Laoise): means 'a shining, radiant baby girl'.
• Fiona (also Fenella; traditionally, Fionnghuala): means 'white'
• Maine (Maon): stands for 'silent'.
• Keera (Ciara): it is a female form of Keeran (Ciaran). They both mean 'dark'.
• Gormley (Gormlaith): this absolutely fairy-tale Gaelic name means 'blue princess'.
• Imogen: (derived from the word 'inghean'); it is translated as either 'daughter' or 'blameless'.
• Durvla (Dearbhla): consists of two words: 'dearbh' that is 'truth' and 'ail' that is 'desire'.
• Eefa (Aoife): means 'joyful' or 'beautiful'. Aoife is the wife of Cuchulainn, the key hero of Gaelic myths

• Ana (also, Dana or Anu): means 'wealth'.
• Cloda or Clody (Clodagh): means 'a female deity' that was commonly associated with rivers.
• Grania (Gráinne): comes from the oldest mythology and means' grain'.
• Mave (also Maeve; traditionally, Meadhbh): means 'she who intoxicates'.
• Enat (Íonait): stands for 'faithful', 'sincere', 'trustworthy'.
• Keeva (Caoimhe): stands for 'precious', 'gentle'.
• Sersha (Saoirse): belongs to Saoirse Ronan, a famous Hollywood actress, and denotes 'freedom'.
• Riona (also Rionach): this one is translated as 'queenly'.
• Neev (Niamh): means 'brightness' or 'lustre'.
• Rosheen (Roisin): it has a lovely sweet meaning: 'a little rose'.
• Cara: it is simply 'a friend'.
• Ashling (Aisling): this one is very poetic and stands for 'a dream' or 'a vision'.

READ ALSO: Magical fairy names for boys and girls

• Ayveen (Aoibhinn): has been in use in Ireland since ancient times. Owned by princesses, it means 'pleasant sheen'.
• Eemur (Eimear): a sweet voice, physical beauty, wisdom, chastity, smooth speech, and needlework skills.
• Orla (Orlaith): this is how the sister and daughter of the glorious Irish king Brian Boru were called. The meaning is 'golden princess'.
• Shannon (Sionainn): it is a popular female name in Ireland and beyond. It means 'wise river'.
• Kaylee (Kayleigh): it is a form of the word 'caol' that stands for 'slender', 'slim and fair'.

The coolest Gaelic names for boys

Give your child the power and strength of legendary heroes and kings with the help of a beautiful name.

• Connor or Conor (Coachuhhar or Conchobhar): stands for 'strong desire'.
• Patrick (Padraig): it is one of the most famous and popular Gaelic male names. Even though it is not entirely Gaelic it was once owned by the patron saint of the country.
• Sean (also Shane, Shawn): these are Gaelic forms of John.
• Liam: itis one of the most famous male Gaelic names. It is a form of Uilliam or William.
• Osheen (Oisin): 'a little deer'; it is another hero and poet from old myths.

• Killeean (Cillian): 'bright-headed'; it is the name of Cillian Murphy, a Hollywood actor.
• Sennin (Senan): it is a form of Sean and means 'old', 'little wise man'.
• Finn (Fionn): this one is translated as 'white', 'clear' or 'handsome'. It is also one of the most popular Gaelic boy names.
• Reean (Rian, Ryan): it is translated as 'a little king' since it derives from the word 'rí'.
• Owen (Eoin): stands for 'young'. Another form that is read in the same way is Eoghan. In this case, it means 'born of the yew tree'. Sometimes, it is associated with Eugene (Greek origin).
• Oscar: this one is built out of two words: 'os' ('deer') and 'cara' ('friend').
• Aidan (Aodhan): it is owned by Aidan Quinn, another Hollywood actor, and it is translated as 'little fiery one'. In recent years, it has been among the top Gaelic baby names for male kids.
• Ronan: it is one of the most authentic, traditional Gaelic names for boys and men. It is translated as 'little seal'. It belongs to Ronan Keating, a famous singer.
• Cormac: this oneis made up of two words: 'corb' that is 'defilement' and 'mac' that stands for 'son'.
• Rory (Ruairi): stands for 'red' or 'red king'.
• Dara (Daire, also Darragh and Dagda): means 'fertile' or 'fruitful'.

READ ALSO: Popular French boy names for your child

• Shay: stands for 'a hawk' or 'hawk-like and noble'.
• Nyall (Niall): it is also among the most popular Gaelic names. It is translated as 'champion'.
• Brian: it comes from the word that means 'bright', 'noble', 'strong'. It is among the Gaelic first names.
• Darren (Darragh, also Dagda): stands for 'a little oak', 'oak grove'. It is a frequently chosen male name in many English-speaking countries.
• Brandon or Brendan (Bréanainn): it is another popular one among Gaelic baby names for boys. It is derived from the word 'brenhin' – 'a prince'.
• Craig (Carraig): not all owners of this name know that it is Gaelic and denotes 'a rock'.
• Donal (Domhnaill): it is 'the ruler of the world'.
• Collin (Cailean): it is translated as 'puppy' or 'cub'. It can also be used as a substitute or diminutive of Nicholas.
• Conan: is derived from the word 'con' that means 'hound' or 'wolf'. It, too, is very popular among Gaelic boys names.

These small lists represent only a tiny part of the existing Gaelic names. Still, they can give you an idea of the beauty behind them and the power they give to their owner.

READ ALSO: Cool wizard names for your fantasy games

Source: Legit.ng