Not all names are translatable into Irish. Most names that are translatable are either biblical, the names of saints or other prominent people, or names brought to Ireland by Vikings, Normans and other settlers. If you don't see your name, it probably doesn't fall into one of the categories listed above.
However, if you really want your name translated, there are other ways. First check out our Problem Name page to see if your name is there. For example, although there is no etymological Irish equivalent of the name Winifred, for many years it was used as a 'translation' of the Irish name Una, due to slight similarity in sound. Many names have cultural, if not linguistic equivalents. These names are listed in italics.
Also, many names can be translated on the basis of meaning. For example, there is no Irish version of Valerie. however, Valerie is a Latin girls' name from a word meaning "health." Sláine is an Irish girls' name with the same meaning. So, there's a connection in meaning. If your name is not on this list, and you really want to translate it, E-mail me, and I'll see what I can do!
If you haven't done so already, non-Irish speakers please see the the pronunciation guide.
| ENGLISH NAME | ORIGIN | MEANING | IRISH NAME* | APPROX. PRONOUNCIATION |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron | Hebrew, possibly Egyptian origin | meaning uncertain, often associated with Hebrew, "high mountain" | Árón | AW rone |
| Abigail | Hebrew | father's joy | Abigeál | AHB i gyal |
| Adam | Hebrew | red earth | Ádhamh, Ádam | AW hav, AW dum |
| Adrian | Latin | From Hadria | Aidrean | Ah dree an |
| Agatha | Greek | pure | Agata | AH gah ta |
| Agnes | Latin | Holy | Aignéis, Úna | AG neysh, OO na |
| Alan, Allen | Celtic | ? | Ailín | AH leen |
| Alexander | Greek | defender of mankind | Alsander, Alastar | AHL sun dur, AHL uh stur |
| Albert | Germanic | bright nobility | Ailbhe | AHL vyeh |
| Alice, Allison, Alicia | old German | noble | Ailís, Ailíse | AY leesh, AY leesha |
| Anastasia | Greek | re born | Annstas, Stéise | ON stas, SHTAY sha |
| Andrew | Greek | man | Aindréas, Aindriú, Aindreas | AHN dray is, AHN dryu, AH dras |
| Angela, Angel, Angelica | Latin | angel | Aingeal | AHN gel (hard g as in goat) |
| Ann, Hannah | Hebrew | Grace; "God has favored me" | Ánna, Áine | AW na, AW nyeh |
| Anthony | Latin | meaning unknown | Antoin, Antóin, Antain(e) | AHN tun, AHN toe in, AHN tan (eh) |
| Augustine | Latin | majestic | Aghaistín/ Aibhistin | AH steen/AH stin |
| Barbara | Greek | stranger | Bairbre/ Baibín | BAR breh/BA been |
| Barnabas, Barney | Aramaic | son of the prophet | Brian, Brion | BREE un |
| Bartholemew | Hebrew | son of Talmai | Parthalán | PAR ha lawn |
| Basil | English from Greek | king | Breasal | BRA sul |
| Bernard | Germanic | Bear | Bearnárd, Brian, Brion | BAR nawrd, BREE un |
| Blanche | French | white | Fionnait, Blinne | FYUN it, BLIN yeh |
| Carina | latin | dear | Cairenn | CAR in |
| Catherine/Katherine/Kathryn (see also Kate) | Greek | usu. associated w/ 'pure' | Cáitlín, Caitrín, Cáitriona | KOYT hleen, KOYT hreen, koyt HREE uh na |
| Charles | German | man | Searlas, Calbhach, Cathal | SHAR lis, KAL vakh, KAH hul |
| Charlotte/Carla/Caroline/Carol | " | fem of Charles | Searlait | SHAR lit |
| Christian | Greek | follower of Christ | Giolla Chríst | GYILL a KHREESHT |
| Christina, Christine, Krista etc. | Greek | follower if Christ | Crístíona | KREE shtee uh na |
| Christopher | Greek | Christ bearer | Criostoir | KREEST er |
| Cecilia | Latin | blind | Síle | SHEE la |
| Columba | Latin | dove | Colm | CULL im |
| Daisy | English | flower name | Nóinín, Nóra | NOE neen, NOE ra |
| Daniel | Hebrew | God is my judge | Daniél, Domhnall/Dónal | DAHN yale, DOE nal |
| David | Hebrew | beloved | Daibhí, Daibhead | DAH vee, DAH vid |
| Dennis, Denis | French | Dionysus, god of wine | Donnchadh, Donnacha | DUN a kha |
| Dominic | Latin | Lord | Damhnaic, Damhlaic, Doiminic | DAV un ak, DAV uh lak, DUH min ik |
| Dorothy | Greek | gift of God | Dairinn | DAHR in |
| Edmund | English | wealthy guardian | Éamonn, Éamann | AY mon |
| Edward | Germanic | wealth protector | Eadbhárd | AYD vard |
| Eleanor | Germanic | "foreigner" also thought to be a pet form of Helen (see also) | Eileanóra, Eileanór, Aileanóra | El un OR a, el un OR, al un OR a |
| Elizabeth, Isabel | Hebrew | I pledge to God | Eilís, Sibéal | AY leesh, shi BALE |
| Emily | Germanic | Possibly: industrious | Eimíle | EM ee la |
| Eric | Germanic | "always" or "one" + "ruler" | Eiric | EH rik |
| Ernest, Ernie | Germanic | seriousness | Earnán | ARN nawn |
| Esther, Hester | Persian | star | Eistir, Aislinn, Aisling | ESH ter, ASH leeng |
| Eugene | Greek | well-born | Aodh, Eoghan | EE, OH in |
| Eva, Eve | Hebrew | life | Eábha, Aoife | AW va, YAW va, EE fa, WEE fa |
| Evelyn | Germanic | hazlenut? | Eibhlín, Aibhilín | ei LEEN, AHV i leen |
| Felix | Latin | Happy; blessed | Felic, Feidhlim | FEL ik, FEL im |
| Flora, Florence | Latin | flowering | Bláthnaid, Blánaid | BLAW nid |
| Frances, Francis | Latin | from France | Proinséas, Proinsias | PRAHN shis |
| Frederick | Germanic | peaceful ruler | Feardorcha | far DUR a kha |
| Gabriel | Hebrew | Conquerer | Gabriel, Gaibrial | GAH breel, GAH bryul |
| Geoffrey, Jeffrey | German | God's peace? | Seafraid, Seathrun | SHEH frid, SHEH hrun |
| Geraldine | French | rules with a spear | Geraroidín | GER ar jeen |
| Gerald | French | rules with a spear | Gearalt | GER alt |
| Gerard | old English | brave with a spear | Gearoid, Gearard | GER id, GER ard |
| George | Greek | farmer | Seoirse | SHOR sa |
| Gertrude | German | spear of strength | Gráinne | GRAWN yeh |
| Gillian | see Julia | |||
| Grace | English | grace | Gráinne | GRAWN yeh |
| Gregory | Greek | watchman; vigilant | Gréagóir, Greagoir | GRAY agore |
| Hannah (see Ann) | Hebrew | |||
| Harry | German | home ruler | Annraoi, Anraí | ON ree |
| Helen | Greek | Light | Léan, Léana | LAY in, LAY in a |
| Henry | German | home ruler | Annraoi, Anraí | ON ree |
| Herbert | Germanic | illustrius warrior | Hoireabard | HUR uh burd |
| Honora | Latin | honor | Onóra, Nóra | uh NO ra/NO ra |
| Hugh | Germanic | heart, mind, or spirit | Úga, Aodh, Uisdean, Eoghan | OO ga, EE, ISH jen, OH in |
| Irving | Scottish | surname deriving from a place name | Éireamhón | AY ra vone |
| Isaac | Hebrew | to laugh | Íosac | EE suk |
| Isabel, Isabella | Hebrew | I pledge to God (Sp. and Fr. form of Elizabeth-see also) | Isibéal, Sibéal | ISH bale, shi BALE |
| Jacob, James | Hebrew | he who replaces | Séamus, Séamas | SHEH mus |
| Jean, Jane | Hebrew | God is good | Síne, Sinéad | SHEE na, shi NADE |
| Joan | Hebrew | God is good | Siobhán, Siún | shi VAWN, SHOO in |
| John | " | " | Seán, Eóin | SHAWN, OH n |
| Jonathan | Hebrew | gift of God | Ionatán or Seonac | YO na tawn or SHON ak |
| Joseph | Hebrew | God will increase | Seosamh | SHO sav |
| Josephine | " | " | Seosaimhín | SHO sa veen |
| Judith, Judy | " | woman from Judea | Iúidít, Síle, Siobhán | YOO deet, SHEE la, shih VAWN |
| Julia, Gillian | Latin | fem. of Julian, "downy bearded" | Iúile | YOO eel yeh |
| Kate, Katie, Kathy | Greek | pet forms of Catherine (see also) | Cáit, Cáitín | KAWTCH, CAWTCH een |
| Laurence | Latin | from Laurentius | Labhrás | LOW raws, LAWV raws |
| Leo, Leon | Latin | lion | León | LEE own |
| Lily | English | Lily flower | Líle | LEE leh |
| Louis, Lewis | Germanic | famous warrior | Alaois, Alabhaois Lughaidh | ALL eesh, ALL a veesh, LOO ee |
| Louise, Louisa | Germanic | famous warrior | Aloisia | ALL wee sha |
| Luke | Greek | Man from Lucania | Lúcás | LOO caws |
| Madeleine | French, from Hebrew | from Magdala | Madailéin | MAH da lane |
| Magnus | Latin | great | Mánus | MAW nus |
| Margaret | Greek | Pearl (see also Megan) | Mairéad, Maighread | mar ADE |
| Mark, Marcel | Latin | Of the (Roman) god Mars | Marcas, Marcus, Mairsial | MAR cas, MAR shal |
| Martha | Aramaic | lady | Marta | MAR ta |
| Martin | Latin | warlike | Mairtín | MAR steen |
| Mary, Maureen, Molly | Hebrew | bitterness | Máire, Máirín, Mallaidh | MAW ra, MOY ra, MOY a, MAW eereen, MAH lee |
| Matthew | Hebrew | gift of God | Maitiu, Máta | MA tcheeu, MAW ta |
| Maurice | Latin | dark skinned | Muiris | MWEE rish |
| Megan/Maggie/Peggy/Meg | pet forms of Margaret (see also) | Pearl (From Greek) | Peig, Peigí | PEG, PEG ee |
| Michael | Hebrew | who is like God? | Mícheál | MEE hawl/MEEL |
| Molly | Hebrew | bitterness? pet form of Mary | Mallaidh | MAH lee |
| Monica | Latin from possibly N. African | unknown | Moncha | MUN uh kha |
| Morgan | Welsh | sea circle | Murchadh | MUR uh kha |
| Nancy | Latin | dim. of Agnes ("pure"), also Ann "God's grace" | Nainsí | NAN shee |
| Nicholas | Greek | victory of the people | Cóilín, Nicolás, Aonghas | CO ileen, NIC uh laws, AYN ghus |
| Nigel | Latin | form of Neil | Niall | NEE ul |
| Noah | Hebrew | meaning is disputed | Nóe, Naoise | NO eh, NEESH a |
| Noel/Noelle | French | Christmas | Nollaig | NULL ig |
| Oliver | Latin | olive tree | Oilibhéar | ULL i vare |
| Patrick | Latin | nobleman | Pádraig, Padraic | PAW drig or PORE ik |
| Patricia | Latin | fem. of Patrick | Pádraigín | PAW drig een, PORE ick een |
| Peter | Greek | rock | Peadar, Piaras | PADTH ur, PEEA ras |
| Paul | Latin | small | Pól | POLE |
| Paula, Pauline | Latin | small | Póilín | PO eeleen |
| Penelope, Penny | Greek | a type of duck | Fionnuala, Fionnghuala | finn YOU uh la, finn OO la |
| Phillip | Greek | lover of horses | Pilib | PILL ib |
| Rachel | Hebrew | ewe | Ráichéal | RAW shale |
| Ralph | Germanic | crafty counselor | Rádhulbh | RAW ulv |
| Raymond | German | counselor; protector | Réamann | RAY man |
| Regina, Gina | Latin | queen | Ríonach, Riona | REE uh nakh, REE uh na |
| Richard | German | strong ruler | Risteard | RISH taird |
| Robert | English | bright fame | Roibeard | RUB erd |
| Roderick, Roddy | Germanic | famous power | Ruairí | ROO a ree |
| Roger | Germanic | famous spear | Ruairí | ROO a ree |
| Rose | English | a rose | Róisín | RO sheen |
| Roland | German | famous land | Rodhlann | RUH lan |
| Samuel | Hebrew | God has heard | Somhairle | SO uhr lyeh |
| Sarah, Sara | Hebrew | princess | Sorcha, Saraid | SUR a kha, SAWR id |
| Simon | Hebrew | To hear, or to be heard | Síomón | SHEE mone |
| Solomon | Hebrew | Peace | Solamh | SUL uv |
| Sophia, Sophie | Greek | wisdom | Sadhbh | SIVE |
| Stephen | Greek | crown | Stíofán, Stiana | SHTEE fawn, SHTEE uh na |
| Susan | Hebrew | lily; rose | Siui, Sosaidh, Súsanna | SHU ee, SUS ee, SOO suh na |
| Theobald | Germanic | brave people | Tiobóid | TEE bohd |
| Theodore | Greek | God's gift | Téodóir | TAY uh dore |
| Thomas | Greek | twin | Tomás | tuh MAWS |
| Theresa | Greek | harvest | Tóireasa, Treasa | TOR ish a, TRA sa |
| Timothy | Greek | honoring God | Tadhg, Tomaltach | TYG, TOM ul takh |
| Victor | Latin | victorious | Buadhach | BOO akh |
| Vincent | Latin | Conquerer | Uinsean | In shan |
| Vivian, Viviane, Vivienne | Latin | life | Bébhinn | BAY vin |
| Walter | Germanic | Army commander | Ualtar, Uaitár | UL tur, IT awr |
| William | German | constant protector | Uilliam/ Liam | ILL ee um/LEE um |
| Winifred | Welsh | blessed peace | Úna | OO na |
*Irish names were often "translated" into English with names that had no etymological connection, but which sounded similar or had similar meanings. The names in italics represents Irish Gaelic names that may have no connection to the English name given linguistically, but were historically connected to the English name through this process.
Don't see your name? Check out our Problem Name page! It might be listed there.
FAQs
How do I change my name to Irish? ›
- Download a template of an adult Deed Poll from the Courts Service website. ...
- You sign the Deed Poll in your old name and your new name. ...
- The witness must be at least 18 years of age.
Elizabeth – Equivalent Irish: Sibeal (pronounced “Sybil”) or Eibhlís (pronounced “aye-leesh).
What is the Irish version of Adam? ›Adam in Irish is Ádam.
What is Irish for what is your name? ›Asking someone's name. dè an t-ainm a th' oirbh?
Am I Irish if my dad is Irish? ›If either of your parents was born in Ireland and was an Irish citizen at the time of your birth, you are automatically an Irish citizen by birth.
Are Irish names Gaelic or Celtic? ›Many of the Irish names below originate from Gaelic or Celtic names, places, and words. Ireland is enchanting and full of culture, history, and ancient legends. It is well-known for its lush, green landscape and traditional symbols, such as the shamrock and the Celtic cross.
What is the Irish version of Margaret? ›Mairead (mi-rade)
This feminine name is the Irish variation of the given name Margaret, which is believed to mean 'pearl'. Mairead became popular around the time of the 14th century and was also the name of a famous Irish saint.
Eamonn or Eamon, Irish spelling Éamonn, Éamon, or Eadhmonn (/ˈeɪmən/ AY-mən, Irish: [ˈeːmˠən̪ˠ]), is a masculine Irish given name. It is an Irish form of the English Edmund, or Edward, which are derived from Old English names containing the elements ēad ("prosperity, riches"), mund ("protector") and ward (guard).
What is the Irish version of Catherine? ›Kathleen is a female given name, used in English- and Irish-language communities. Sometimes spelled Cathleen, it is an Anglicized form of Caitlín, the Irish form of Cateline, which was the Old French form of Catherine.
Is it easy to change your name in Ireland? ›Change of Name via Deed Poll
Carrying out (or 'executing') a Deed Poll is a relatively simple process. You can engage a solicitor to do it or you may do it yourself.
Can you be an Irish and American citizen? ›
Ireland allows dual citizenship, which means that you can become an Irish citizens and remain a citizen of another country.
Can I have my name in Irish on my passport? ›The Passport Service normally requires that you have been using your name for 2 years before we can change your passport name. If you wish to change your name from Irish to English, or English to Irish, you have two options: Show that you have been using this name for two years.
Can I move to Ireland if I have Irish ancestry? ›The Ireland citizenship by Ancestry or Descent is open to individuals with Irish ancestry going back as far as great grandparents. Foreigners normally must have 5 years of residence in Ireland before being able to apply for naturalization.