Celtic Gaelic Names - Ideas for Baby Boys

Unique Irish, Scottish, or Welsh Name Lists for a Wee Little Man

Aug 14, 2009 Janienne Jennrich

Families of Celtic ancestry (or those interested in the Irish, Scottish, or Welsh cultures) may wish to explore Gaelic baby boy names when pregnant and expecting a child.

Parents often choose their baby’s name in memory of an ancestor, to remember a special place, or based on the meaning of the name. Parents-to-be may also choose a name for its uniqueness and charming Celtic sound.

The origins of Celtic baby names often have to do with Irish, Scottish, or Welsh history, local culture, natural objects, mythological stories, or religious origins.

Pronunciation of words and names in the Celtic - Gaelic language can be quite tricky. There are websites to help with pronunciation of the language and meanings of words and names and these can be found with an online search engine.

Irish Celtic Baby Boy First or Middle Names

“Irish baby names, drawn from rich Gaelic and Celtic languages full of poetry and romance, are always popular baby names. The term ‘Irish names’ is a broad term, and includes not just those names with their roots in Ireland, but also Irish versions of names from other cultures…” (Baby Names Garden website)

Some unique Irish names for baby boys include:

Aedan, Kian, Donal, Eamon, Fintan, Glendan, Jarlath, Kevan, Lochlann, Murtagh, Pierce, Quinlan, Ronan, and Tierney.

Scottish Celtic Baby Boy Names

Some Scottish names for baby boys include:

Alistair, Angus, Caladh, Cameron, Hamish, Kendric, Lachlan, Lindsay, Logan, Mackenzie, Rossell, and Wallace

Welsh Celtic Names for Baby Boys

Welsh (Cymraeg) is a Celtic language spoken mainly in Wales, but also in many other areas. (Babynology website)

Some interesting baby boy names of Welsh origin include:

Aedd, Carey, Evann, Fferyll, Gareth, Gavan, Howell, Jesstin, Kaine, Maddoc, Ryn, and Tarran

Meanings of Some Simple Male Celtic Names

Some Celtic baby names are unusual, but still easy for people to pronounce and spell. Following are a few simple choices and the meanings of the names.

  • Brady: In Celtic the meaning of this strong name is ‘barrel-chested.’
  • Conan: This name means ‘little wolf.’
  • Dillan: In the Welsh language, this means ‘faithful.’
  • Finn: In the Celtic language the meaning of this name is ‘fair.’
  • Jackson: The Scottish meaning of this name is ‘God has been gracious’
  • Liam: The Celtic meaning of the name Liam is ‘determined protector.’
  • Nolan: This charming Celtic name means: ‘champion.’
  • Reed: This Scottish name means ‘redheaded.’

Giving Thought to a Lifelong Baby to Adult Name

It can be fun to think up names for a newborn, and yet at the same time stressful. A child’s name is usually with them for life. The name given a son, even if foreign to friends and relatives in the beginning, becomes identified with the boy fairly quickly.

Also of possible interest are the articles Baby Girl Names of Celtic - Gaelic Origin and Best Thoughtful Baby Shower Gifts.

To those expecting a new baby: "Beir bua agus beannacht," which means "Best Wishes" in Irish Gaelic.

The copyright of the article Celtic Gaelic Names - Ideas for Baby Boys in Pregnancy & Childbirth is owned by Janienne Jennrich. Permission to republish Celtic Gaelic Names - Ideas for Baby Boys in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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Comments

Sep 16, 2009 12:45 AM
Guest :
Aidan is a FAR better spelling than Aeden if you have to name your kid Aidan...

Give thought to the degree of difficulty your kid's name might present to non-Gaelic speakers. But don't make it to obviously Americanized/ Anglicized, i.e. "Conner", "Keeron", etc., if you want his extended family in the old country to respect you/ him...

If you want to throw all parties a curve-ball, choose an older more phonetically challenging spelling... omit NOTHING... Caitriona instead of just plain old Catriona ;)

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