It's March — and if you're expecting a baby this month, it's the perfect opportunity to choose an Irish name for the newest addition to your family. Sure, Irish names have been gaining popularity over the past decade or so (Liam has been ranked at No. 2 for five years running now), but there are still a ton of gorgeous names to choose from that aren't so trendy if you prefer something a little more unique.
Many of the names on our list are the anglicized version of their harder-to-pronounce Irish versions, or they otherwise stem from Irish roots. The only thing more beautiful than the sound of these names are some of the special meanings behind them.
Unusual Irish baby names for boys
- Aengus: Irish version of Angus
- Bly: Anglicized version of an Irish name
- Brogan: An Irish name meaning “sturdy shoe”
- Caelan: Anglicized form of Caolán
- Conlan: This Irish name means “hero”
- Declan: Anglicized version of Deaglán
- Doran: Meaning “stranger,” this name has Irish roots
- Eion: Version of the name John
- Girvin: This Irish name means “small rough one”
- Keon: Another form of John
- Lorcan: This name means “little fierce one”
- Lunn: Meaning “strong, warlike”
- Mannix: Anglicized version of Munchin
- Oisin: This name is pronounced OH-sheen
- Phelan: This name means “like a wolf”
- Riordan: An Irish name meaning “bard”
- Rogan: Meaning “red-headed”
- Seamus: This is the Irish form of James and is pronounced SHAY-mus
- Tadhg: Pronounced TEIG, this name means “poet”
- Tor: Refers to a craggy hilltop
More: Game of Thrones Baby Names True Fans Need to Add to Their List
Unusual Irish baby names for girls
- Agneis: An Irish form of Agnes
- Blaine: This name means “yellow”
- Caitrín: Irish form of Katherine
- Calla: Form of the Irish name Caoilainn
- Derry: This name means “oak grove”
- Eithne: Pronounce this name EE-na
- Elva: Anglicized version of Ailbhe
- Ita: The name of a 6th century Irish saint
- Kiana: This Irish name means “ancient”
- Mab: In Irish stories, Queen Mab is monarch of the fairies
- Maeve: Anglicized form of Meadhbh
- Morna: This name means “affection”
- Neala: Feminine form of the Irish Neal
- Nola: Form of Fionnula, which means “white shoulder”
- Oona: Pretty name meaning “one”
- Riona: An Irish name that means “queenly”
- Saoirse: Pronounce this name SEER-sha
- Siobhan: Meaning “God is gracious,” this name is pronounced sha-VAHN
- Sorcha: This name means “bright, shining”
- Tierney: This name means “lord”
More: Bright and Shiny Baby Names That Mean 'Light'
Before you go, check out our slideshow below.
Updated by Sarah Long on 3/7/17