200+ Celtic Baby Boy Names With a Mystical Edge

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The Celtic world is bigger than most baby name books let on. It stretches from the windswept cliffs of western Ireland across the Scottish Highlands, down through Wales, over to Brittany on the French coast, and back into the dim Iron Age memory of Gaul. Each of these places left behind names — names carved into standing stones, whispered in epic poems, sung in harp halls, and tucked into the margins of monks’ manuscripts.

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Popularity below is calculated from Social Security Administration data through 2024, the most recent year on record.

Here’s what’s in store –

Names From Irish Myth and the High Kings

Welsh Names From the Mabinogion

Scottish and Highland Names

Breton and Continental Celtic Names

Names From the Druids, Bards, and Magicians

Sea, Stone, and Storm — Names From the Land

Soft, Lyrical Names for the Gentle Boy

Warrior Names With Mythic Weight

Gaulish and Ancient Continental Names

If you’ve already turned past Liam, Finn, and Owen and you’re hoping for something with more weight, this is the list to slow down with. Some of these names belonged to high kings and warrior poets. Others come from sea gods, oak druids, and the half-divine heroes of the Mabinogion. A few are gentle — quiet shepherd names that have softened over fifteen centuries of use.

A note on pronunciation before you scroll. Celtic spelling does its own thing, and a name that looks impossible on the page often sounds gorgeous out loud. Daire is “DAW-ra.” Caoimhín is “KEE-veen.” Cadfael rhymes roughly with “cad-vile.” Don’t let the consonants scare you off a name you love — coach the grandparents once and they’ll catch on.

We’ve grouped these by feel rather than alphabet, so you can wander into the section that matches the kind of name you’re after: hero names, sea names, soft names, druidic names, and so on. Pour something warm, and take your time.

Names From Irish Myth and the High Kings

These are the heavy hitters — names lifted from the Táin Bó Cúailnge, the Fenian Cycle, and the rolls of Tara’s high kings. They carry centuries of story, and they wear well on a modern boy.

Cú Chulainn

Origin: Old Irish
Pronunciation: koo HUL-in
Meaning: hound of Culann
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The brooding warrior of the Ulster Cycle; better as a middle name than a daily one.

Conor

Origin: Irish
Pronunciation: KAHN-er · ˈkɑːnər
Meaning: lover of hounds
Popularity: #707 and falling (#623 → #707, 2024)

King Conchobar of Ulster’s anglicized form, friendly and well-traveled.

Fionn

Origin: Old Irish
Pronunciation: FYUN · fɪn
Meaning: fair, white/bright, or handsome
Popularity: #4,594 and falling (#3,646 → #4,594, 2024)

The leader of the Fianna and a name that’s softened beautifully into modern use.

Oisín

Origin: Irish
Meaning: little deer, fawn
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Fionn’s poet-son; pronounced “uh-SHEEN” and quietly perfect.

Diarmuid

Origin: Irish Gaelic
Pronunciation: DEER-mid · ˈdɪərmɪd
Meaning: free from envy
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The doomed lover of Gráinne — romantic, brave, and a little melancholic.

Ailill

Origin: Old Irish
Pronunciation: AL-yil · ˈalʲəlʲ
Meaning: elf, sprite
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The husband of Queen Medb and a name with a fairy-thin quality.

Cormac

Origin: Irish (Old Irish)
Pronunciation: KOR-mak · ˈkɔːrmæk
Meaning: son of the charioteer
Popularity: #1,254 and falling (#1,238 → #1,254, 2024)

A high king’s name with grit; nicknames Mac or Mack drop in easily.

Niall

Origin: Irish/Scottish Gaelic
Pronunciation: NY-ul · ˈnaɪəl
Meaning: of uncertain original meaning; often glossed as ‘champion’ or ‘cloud’
Popularity: #1,582 and rising (#1,813 → #1,582, 2024)

This is often presented as definitive, but Wiktionary describes the original meaning as genuinely uncertain, with ‘cloud’ an equally plausible alternative.

Brian

Origin: Irish (also Breton)
Pronunciation: BRY-un · ˈbraɪən
Meaning: traditionally glossed ‘high, noble, exalted’, though the precise derivation is debated
Popularity: #301 and rising (#317 → #301, 2024)

Brian Boru drove out the Vikings — a workhorse name with hero bones.

Bran

Origin: English (surname)
Pronunciation: BRAN · bræn
Meaning: raven
Popularity: #11,099 and falling (#9,880 → #11,099, 2024)

Both a hero and Fionn’s loyal hunting hound; short and feathered.

Eógan

Origin: Old Irish
Pronunciation: OH-un · ˈoʊən
Meaning: Born of the yew
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The root of Owen, with the original tree still showing through.

Lugh

Origin: Irish (Celtic, from Proto-Celtic *Lugus)
Pronunciation: LOO · luː
Meaning: disputed — popularly ‘light/shining’, though the root meaning of Proto-Celtic *Lugus isn’t settled
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The sun god of skills and crafts; tiny on the page, enormous in meaning.

Aengus

Origin: Old Irish
Pronunciation: ENG-gus · ˈɛŋ.ɡəs
Meaning: one strength
Popularity: #9,889 and falling (#8,936 → #9,889, 2024)

The god of love and youth — gentle, romantic, slightly mischievous.

Cathal

Origin: Irish
Pronunciation: KAH-hul · ˈkɑːhəl
Meaning: battle rule / mighty in battle
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Pronounced “CA-hal”; strong without being aggressive.

Tadhg

Origin: Old Irish
Meaning: poet
Popularity: #3,198 and falling (#2,838 → #3,198, 2024)

Pronounced “Tyge” and beloved in the west of Ireland.

Ronan

Origin: Irish
Pronunciation: ROH-nun · ˈroʊnən
Meaning: little seal
Popularity: #257 and rising (#290 → #257, 2024)

Eoin

Origin: Irish (form of John, via Latin/Greek/Hebrew)
Meaning: God is gracious
Popularity: #3,399 and falling (#2,551 → #3,399, 2024)

The Irish form of John; pronounced “Owen.”

Cian

Origin: Old Irish
Pronunciation: KEE-an · ˈkiːən
Meaning: long-lasting, enduring
Popularity: #1,525 and falling (#1,439 → #1,525, 2024)

Father of Lugh and a name with quiet gravity.

Fergus

Origin: Scottish/Irish Gaelic
Pronunciation: FUR-gus · ˈfɜːrɡəs
Meaning: chosen man
Popularity: #4,453 and rising (#4,501 → #4,453, 2024)

The exiled king of Ulster; great on a tall, gentle boy.

Daire

Origin: Irish (traditional/mythological)
Pronunciation: DAR-uh · ˈdɑːrə
Meaning: fruitful, fertile
Popularity: #3,992 and rising (#4,133 → #3,992, 2024)

The owner of the brown bull whose theft started the *Táin*.

Conall

Origin: Irish (Old Irish/Celtic)
Pronunciation: KUN-ul · ˈkʌnəl
Meaning: strong hound (“hound/dog” + “prince, chief”)
Popularity: #3,610 and rising (#3,804 → #3,610, 2024)

A Red Branch warrior; pronounced “CON-al.”

Eochaid

Origin: Old Irish
Pronunciation: YOH-khee
Meaning: horseman, from an ancient Celtic word for horse
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A name borne by a dozen mythic kings; archaic and rare.

– **Setanta** — The original name of Cú Chulainn before he killed Culann’s hound; mysterious and unused.

Naoise

Origin: Irish
Meaning: Warrior
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The doomed lover of Deirdre; pronounced “NEE-sha” and tragic-romantic.

Cathbad

Origin: Irish (Old Irish, mythological)
Pronunciation: KAH-vah · ˈkɑːvə
Meaning: Battle slayer
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A druid prophet of the Ulster court — heavy, but for the right boy.

Lir

Origin: Irish (mythological)
Pronunciation: LEER · lɪər
Meaning: personification of the sea in Irish mythology, linked to the Old Irish word for ‘sea’
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Welsh Names From the Mabinogion

The Welsh branch of the Celtic family gave us some of the strangest and most beautiful myth-cycles in Europe. These names hold magicians, shape-shifters, and warrior princes — and many sound surprisingly modern.

Bran the Blessed, the giant king whose severed head still gave counsel.

Pryderi

Origin: Welsh
Pronunciation: prih-DEH-ree · prɪˈdɛri
Meaning: care, or worry
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The son of Pwyll and Rhiannon; a hero of all four branches.

Gwyn

Origin: Welsh
Pronunciation: GWIN · ˈɡwɪn
Meaning: white/fair (also ‘blessed, holy’)
Popularity: #8,600 and falling (#8,203 → #8,600, 2024)

Gwyn ap Nudd is the king of the Welsh otherworld.

Rhys

Origin: Welsh
Pronunciation: REES · ˈriːs
Meaning: enthusiasm, ardor
Popularity: #354 and falling (#353 → #354, 2024)

A name that travels well and never goes out of style.

Llywelyn

Origin: Welsh (Old Welsh, from Brittonic)
Pronunciation: hluh-WEL-in · ɬəˈwɛlɪn
Meaning: from the Celtic god-names Lugus and Belenus
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The last native Prince of Wales; ferocious and storied.

Owain

Origin: Welsh (Brittonic)
Pronunciation: OH-wine · ˈoʊaɪn
Meaning: traditionally glossed ‘well-born,’ via a historical link to the Greek-derived name Eugene; a ‘warrior’ sense isn’t well attested
Popularity: #13,536 as of 2020 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The original Owen — an Arthurian knight and a Welsh prince.

Gareth

Origin: Welsh
Pronunciation: GAIR-uth · ˈɡɛrəθ
Meaning: possibly ‘gentle’ (from Welsh gwaredd)
Popularity: #2,637 and rising (#2,744 → #2,637, 2024)

One of Arthur’s knights, known for kindness as much as strength.

Taliesin

Origin: Welsh
Pronunciation: TAL-ee-ES-in · ˌtæliˈɛsɪn
Meaning: shining/radiant brow (tal ‘brow’ + iesin ‘radiant, shining’)
Popularity: #10,750 and falling (#9,629 → #10,750, 2024)

The greatest of the Welsh bards; pronounced “tal-YES-in.”

Cadfael

Origin: Welsh
Pronunciation: KAD-fyle · ˈkædfaɪl
Meaning: a Welsh compound of ‘battle’ and ‘prince,’ i.e. a war-leader
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The medieval monk-detective; soft consonants, hard meaning.

Emrys

Origin: Welsh (from Latin Ambrosius, ultimately Ancient Greek)
Pronunciation: EM-riss · ˈɛmrɪs
Meaning: immortal, divine one
Popularity: #1,138 and rising (#1,623 → #1,138, 2024)

The Welsh name of Merlin himself.

Myrddin

Origin: Welsh (from a place name)
Pronunciation: MUR-thin · ˈmərðɪn
Meaning: tied to the place name Carmarthen, whose root meant ‘sea fort’
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

‘Sea fortress’ is really the meaning of the place name Carmarthen — the personal name was built from that place name, not an independent word that happens to mean ‘sea fortress.’

Idris

Origin: Welsh / Arabic (dual origin)
Pronunciation: ID-ris · ˈɪdrɪs
Meaning: Welsh: traditionally glossed ‘ardent/fiery lord’; Arabic: tied to a root meaning ‘to study’, associated with the prophet Idris (identified with Enoch)
Popularity: #739 and rising (#790 → #739, 2024)

The giant who gave his name to Cadair Idris mountain.

Cadell

Origin: Welsh
Pronunciation: KAD-el · ˈkædɛl
Meaning: battle (Welsh cad ‘battle’ + diminutive -ell)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A king of Powys; short, sharp, and underused.

Gawain

Origin: Welsh/Brythonic (via Old French/Middle English)
Pronunciation: gah-WAYN · ɡəˈweɪn
Meaning: white hawk
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The most beloved of Arthur’s knights.

Bedwyr

Origin: Welsh (Arthurian legend)
Pronunciation: BED-weer · ˈbɛdwɪr
Meaning: sometimes explained as ‘birch’ plus a heroic element, though this isn’t certain
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The original Sir Bedivere, who returned Excalibur to the lake.

Cei

Origin: Welsh
Pronunciation: KAY · keɪ
Meaning: Path, way
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The original Sir Kay; clipped and easy.

Madoc

Origin: Welsh
Pronunciation: MAD-ok · ˈmædək
Meaning: fortunate, good (from Welsh ‘mad’)
Popularity: #10,492 and falling (#7,076 → #10,492, 2024)

A 12th-century prince said to have sailed to America.

Iolo

Origin: Welsh
Pronunciation: YOL-oh · ˈjɔlɔ
Meaning: a pet form of Iorwerth (traditionally rendered ‘worthy/handsome lord’)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A bard’s name with a folk-song lilt.

Dylan

Origin: Welsh
Pronunciation: DIL-un · ˈdɪlən
Meaning: son of the sea
Popularity: #28 and rising (#34 → #28, 2024)

A sea god from the Mabinogion; Dylan Thomas made it famous.

Pwyll

Origin: Welsh
Pronunciation: PWIL · pʊiɬ
Meaning: calm judgment, or wisdom
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The prince who traded places with the king of the otherworld.

Manawydan

Origin: Welsh (mythological)
Pronunciation: mah-nuh-WID-an · mænəˈwɪdən
Meaning: Probably “great-armed”
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The Welsh sea god, brother of Bran.

Lleu

Origin: Welsh (mythological)
Pronunciation: HLAY · ɬeɪ
Meaning: linked to light or brightness, and to the older Celtic god Lugus
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Gruffudd

Origin: Welsh (Old Welsh Gripiud)
Pronunciation: GRIF-ith · ˈɡrɪfɪð
Meaning: strong lord
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The great medieval Welsh kings; anglicized as Griffith.

Heddwyn

Origin: Welsh
Pronunciation: HETH-win · ˈhɛðwɪn
Meaning: peace joined with ‘fair/blessed’
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The bard Hedd Wyn died at Passchendaele in 1917.

Cynan

Origin: Welsh (Old Welsh/Middle Welsh)
Pronunciation: KUN-an · ˈkənan
Meaning: hound, little dog
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A Welsh king’s name with a clipped, modern sound.

Goronwy

Origin: Welsh (mythological, root uncertain)
Pronunciation: gor-ON-wee · ɡɔˈrɒnwi
Meaning: Hero
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The lover in the tragic *Math fab Mathonwy* tale.

Scottish and Highland Names

The Scottish branch carries a different weather — colder, mistier, more given to lochs and standing stones. These names belong to clan chiefs, kings of Alba, and the bards who sang for them.

Alasdair

Origin: Scottish Gaelic (form of Alexander)
Pronunciation: AL-uss-der · ˈæləstər
Meaning: defender of men (via Alexander)
Popularity: #3,684 and rising (#3,712 → #3,684, 2024)

The Gaelic Alexander, with all the Highland grandeur.

Hamish

Origin: Scottish Gaelic (form of James)
Pronunciation: HAY-mish · ˈheɪmɪʃ
Meaning: supplanter (traditional gloss); ultimately from Hebrew Jacob via James
Popularity: #5,982 and rising (#6,660 → #5,982, 2024)

The Gaelic form of James; warm and a little wry.

Angus

Origin: Scottish Gaelic
Pronunciation: ANG-gus · ˈæŋɡəs
Meaning: one choice, unique choice
Popularity: #2,149 and falling (#1,986 → #2,149, 2024)

A Pictish king’s name; an old-Scotland staple.

Calum

Origin: Scottish Gaelic (from Latin)
Pronunciation: KAL-um · ˈkæləm
Meaning: dove
Popularity: #906 and falling (#889 → #906, 2024)

St. Columba’s name; pronounced “CAL-um.”

Iain

Origin: Scottish Gaelic
Pronunciation: EE-un · ˈiːən
Meaning: God is gracious (via John)
Popularity: #4,227 and rising (#4,384 → #4,227, 2024)

The Scottish form of John, with a soft second syllable.

Lachlan

Origin: Scottish Gaelic
Pronunciation: LOK-lun · ˈlɑːklən
Meaning: land of the lochs (Scandinavia); a Norse settler
Popularity: #691 and rising (#771 → #691, 2024)

A Viking-Gaelic blend that’s having a quiet renaissance.

Magnus

Origin: Latin (adopted via Scandinavian/Scottish royal usage)
Pronunciation: MAG-nus · ˈmæɡnəs
Meaning: great (Latin ‘magnus’), adopted as a name via Charlemagne’s title
Popularity: #749 and rising (#764 → #749, 2024)

A name shared between the Norse and the Gaels of the Hebrides.

Murdo

Origin: Scottish Gaelic (Anglicized form of Murchadh)
Pronunciation: MUR-doh · ˈmɜːrdoʊ
Meaning: sea warrior — from muir (“sea”) and cath (“battle”)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

An old Hebridean name with salt in it.

Ruairidh

Origin: Irish (Old Irish)
Pronunciation: ROO-ree · ˈruːri
Meaning: red king
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Coinneach

Origin: Scottish Gaelic (from Old Irish)
Pronunciation: KAWN-yakh · ˈkɒnjəx
Meaning: handsome one, fair one
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The original Kenneth, from Cinaed mac Ailpín, first king of Scots.

Domhnall

Origin: Scottish Gaelic (from Irish Domhnall)
Pronunciation: DOH-null · ˈdoʊnəl
Meaning: roughly ‘world ruler’ / ‘world-mighty’
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The Donald of high kings, not headlines.

Eachann

Origin: Scottish Gaelic (from Old Irish)
Meaning: horse lord
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Anglicized as Hector; pronounced “AY-khan.”

Fionnlagh

Origin: Scottish Gaelic (from Old Irish)
Pronunciation: FIN-luh · ˈfjʊn̪ˠl̪ˠəx
Meaning: fair-haired hero
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The original Finlay — easier on English tongues.

Gillespie

Origin: Scottish/Irish Gaelic (Anglicized)
Pronunciation: gih-LES-pee · ɡɪˈlɛspi
Meaning: servant of the bishop
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

An old clan name with a lovely cadence.

Innes

Origin: Scottish (Gaelic ‘innis’, island, place name transferred to given-name/surname use)
Pronunciation: IN-iss · ˈɪnɪs
Meaning: island
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Originally a surname, now lovely for a boy or girl.

Kieran

Origin: Irish (anglicized form of Ciarán); also used as an anglicization of Sanskrit Kiran
Pronunciation: KEER-an · ˈkɪərən
Meaning: little dark one
Popularity: #440 and rising (#477 → #440, 2024)

St. Ciarán of Clonmacnoise; widely usable.

Lorne

Origin: Scottish (place name)
Pronunciation: LORN · ˈlɔːrn
Meaning: from the district of Lorne, Scotland
Popularity: #11,761 and falling (#10,350 → #11,761, 2024)

A region of Argyll; quiet and underused.

Malcolm

Origin: Scottish Gaelic
Pronunciation: MAL-kum · ˈmælkəm
Meaning: devotee/servant of Saint Columba
Popularity: #314 and falling (#293 → #314, 2024)

The “good king” of *Macbeth*.

Niven

Origin: Scottish Gaelic (variant of Nevin)
Pronunciation: NIV-en · ˈnɪvən
Meaning: little saint
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A surname-turned-firstname with charm to spare.

Ròs

Origin: Scottish Gaelic
Pronunciation: RAWSS · rɔːs
Meaning: rose (the flower)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A Highland clan name and a soft sound.

Somerled

Origin: Old Norse (via Scottish Gaelic)
Pronunciation: SUM-er-led · ˈsʌmərˌlɛd
Meaning: summer traveler, someone who went on seasonal sea voyages
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The 12th-century lord of the Isles.

Torquil

Origin: Scottish Gaelic (ultimately Old Norse)
Pronunciation: TOR-kwil · ˈtɔːrkwɪl
Meaning: Thor’s cauldron/kettle
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A Lewis and Harris name with serious weather to it.

Uilleam

Origin: Scottish Gaelic (from Germanic, via Old French/Middle English)
Pronunciation: OOL-yum · ˈuːʎəm
Meaning: determined guardian (will/desire + protection)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The Gaelic William.

Cailean

Origin: Scottish Gaelic (from Old Irish cuilén)
Pronunciation: KAY-lin · ˈkeɪlɪn
Meaning: pup, cub, or young dog
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The original Colin.

Ewan

Origin: Scottish Gaelic
Pronunciation: YOO-un · ˈjuːən
Meaning: born of the yew tree (traditional gloss for Eòghan, ultimate root debated)
Popularity: #1,509 and falling (#1,300 → #1,509, 2024)

The Scottish Owen; gentle and grown-up.

Breton and Continental Celtic Names

Brittany — the Celtic foothold on the French coast — kept names alive that the rest of Europe forgot. These have a continental polish on a deeply Celtic frame.

Erwan

Origin: Breton (form of Yves)
Pronunciation: er-WAHN · ɛrˈwɑːn
Meaning: yew tree
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The Breton form of Yves; clean and bright.

Yann

Origin: Breton (from Hebrew via Latin)
Pronunciation: YAHN · jan
Meaning: God is gracious
Popularity: #9,815 and falling (#9,710 → #9,815, 2024)

The Breton John, plain and sturdy.

Tristan

Origin: Celtic (Pictish/Brythonic, via Arthurian legend)
Pronunciation: TRIS-tun · ˈtrɪstən
Meaning: tumult, riot
Popularity: #267 and falling (#253 → #267, 2024)

The lover of Iseult, of Cornwall and Brittany both.

Gildas

Origin: Brittonic (Welsh/Breton, etymology uncertain)
Pronunciation: GIL-dahs · ˈɡɪldəs
Meaning: Servant of God
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The 6th-century British monk and historian.

Loïc

Origin: Breton French (from Ludovicus, ultimately Germanic)
Meaning: famous warrior
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The Breton Louis; pronounced “lo-EEK.”

Maël

Origin: Breton
Meaning: prince, chief
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A 6th-century Breton saint; pronounced “MA-el.”

Goulven

Origin: Breton (saint’s name)
Pronunciation: GOOL-ven · ˈɡulvɛn
Meaning: Light prayer
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A 6th-century Breton hermit-saint.

Erwann

Origin: Breton
Pronunciation: ER-wahn · ˈɛrwɑːn
Meaning: Yew warrior
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The double-N variant of Erwan.

Tanguy

Origin: Breton
Pronunciation: tahn-GEE · tɑ̃ˈɡi
Meaning: fire + dog (traditional gloss)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A 6th-century Breton saint and a noble French surname.

Brieuc

Origin: Breton
Pronunciation: bree-UK · bɹiːˈʊk
Meaning: Esteem, dignity
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

One of the seven founding saints of Brittany.

Corentin

Origin: Breton
Pronunciation: kaw-rahn-TAHN · kɔʁɑ̃tɛ̃
Meaning: Hurricane, tempest
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Another founding saint; cinematic and slightly stormy.

Hervé

Origin: Breton (Old Breton)
Pronunciation: air-VAY · ɛərˈveɪ
Meaning: iron-worthy
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The blind 6th-century bard-saint, led by a wolf.

Kilian

Origin: Irish (variant of Killian)
Pronunciation: KIL-ee-ən · ˈkɪliən
Meaning: a form of Killian; its root is debated between ‘church’ and ‘strife/war’
Popularity: #1,050 and falling (#1,032 → #1,050, 2024)

Yannick

Origin: Breton
Pronunciation: yah-NEEK · jaˈnik
Meaning: little John (diminutive of the Breton form of John)
Popularity: #5,419 and falling (#5,058 → #5,419, 2024)

The diminutive that grew into its own.

Ewen

Origin: Scottish Gaelic (variant of Ewan/Eoghan)
Pronunciation: YOO-en · ˈjuːən
Meaning: born of the yew (traditional gloss, root disputed)
Popularity: #3,229 and rising (#12,801 → #3,229, 2024)

Breton spelling of the pan-Celtic Owen.

Riwal

Origin: Breton
Pronunciation: REE-wəl · ˈriːwæl
Meaning: King (element); the rest of the name’s meaning isn’t known.
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Judicaël

Origin: Old Breton
Meaning: generous/noble lord
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A 7th-century saint-king; pronounced “zhu-dee-kai-EL.”

Conan

Origin: Irish
Pronunciation: KOH-nan · ˈkoʊnən
Meaning: little hound
Popularity: #2,010 and falling (#1,878 → #2,010, 2024)

A Breton ducal name long before the barbarian.

Alan

Origin: Breton/Celtic (of disputed origin)
Pronunciation: AL-un · ˈælən
Meaning: uncertain — possibly connected to Gaelic ail (“rock”) or the name of an early Breton/Celtic saint or deity, though the true origin is disputed
Popularity: #167, holding steady (2024)

The Bretons gave this name to the Normans, and the Normans gave it to England.

Yvon

Origin: French (medieval diminutive of Yves, ultimately Germanic)
Pronunciation: ee-VOHN · iːˈvɔ̃
Meaning: yew tree (traditional gloss, via Ivo)
Popularity: #13,188 as of 2004 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A French-Breton form with a folk-song feeling.

Gwenaël

Origin: Breton
Pronunciation: gwen-ah-EL · ɡwɛnaˈɛl
Meaning: white/fair and generous
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A 6th-century abbot-saint of Brittany.

– **Soazig** — Often female, but rare male use exists in Breton — skip if unsure.

Donan

Origin: Breton/Irish
Pronunciation: DOH-nən · ˈdoʊnən
Meaning: Brown one
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Names From the Druids, Bards, and Magicians

For the boy with a quiet, watchful temperament — these are the names of the wise ones, the harp-players, and the forest-dwellers who knew which oak was sacred.

Merlin

Origin: Welsh (via Medieval Latin Merlinus, Old French Merlin)
Pronunciation: MUR-lin · ˈmɜrlɪn
Meaning: a fortress by the sea, from Celtic roots for ‘sea’ and ‘stronghold’
Popularity: #2,083 and rising (#2,284 → #2,083, 2024)

The wizard who needs no introduction; bigger than its myth.

Amergin

Origin: Irish (mythological/literary)
Pronunciation: AV-er-geen · ˈævərɡiːn
Meaning: born of/from song
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Sionnach

Origin: Irish
Pronunciation: SHUN-ukh · ˈʃʊnˠəx
Meaning: fox
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Sly, watchful, and a beautiful sound — “SHUN-akh.”

Drustan

Origin: Pictish/Celtic
Pronunciation: DROOS-tan · ˈdruːstən
Meaning: Riot, tumult
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

An older form of Tristan with a wilder edge.

Caradoc

Origin: Welsh (traditional, possibly related to Caratacus/Caradog)
Meaning: Beloved
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A British chieftain who fought Rome; pronounced “kar-AD-ock.”

Brennus

Origin: Celtic (Gaulish)
Pronunciation: BREN-əs · ˈbɹɛnəs
Meaning: possibly ‘crow’ (uncertain)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The Gaulish chieftain who sacked Rome in 387 BC.

Vercingetorix

Origin: Gaulish
Pronunciation: vur-sin-JET-uh-riks · ˌvɜːrsɪnˈdʒɛtərɪks
Meaning: great king of warriors
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The chieftain who united Gaul against Caesar.

Mug Ruith

Origin: Old Irish
Meaning: servant of running
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A blind druid who flew in a brazen ship — wild stuff.

Fintan

Origin: Irish (Old Irish)
Pronunciation: FIN-tən · ˈfɪntən
Meaning: possibly ‘white fire’ (uncertain second element)
Popularity: #7,378 and falling (#4,502 → #7,378, 2024)

The sage who survived the flood as a salmon.

Sencha

Origin: Irish (Old Irish)
Pronunciation: SHEN-khuh · ˈʃɛnxə
Meaning: possibly related to old lore/tradition
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The judge and orator of King Conchobar’s court.

Aneirin

Origin: Welsh
Pronunciation: ah-NAY-rin
Meaning: possibly ‘honorable,’ from a Welsh form of the Latin name Honorius
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The 6th-century bard who wrote the *Y Gododdin*.

Ossian

Origin: Scottish Gaelic / Irish
Pronunciation: OSH-un · ˈɒʃən
Meaning: little deer, young stag
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The Scottish form of Oisín; the great Highland bard.

Llywarch

Origin: Welsh (Old Welsh, legendary/historical name, cf. Llywarch Hen)
Pronunciation: HLOO-arkh · ˈɬəwɑːrx
Meaning: Roar, shout
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A 6th-century king-bard whose elegies survive.

Ceredig

Origin: Welsh (historical personal name, Ceredigion is named for him)
Pronunciation: kuh-RED-ig · kəˈrɛdɪɡ
Meaning: Lovable
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A 5th-century king and the namesake of Cardigan.

Iarlaith

Origin: Irish (Old Irish, name of Saint Jarlath of Tuam)
Pronunciation: EER-luh · ˈiəɾˠl̪ˠə
Meaning: Lord ruler
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

St. Jarlath, the patron of Tuam.

Mael Muire

Origin: Irish
Pronunciation: mayl-MWIR-uh · meɪl ˈmwɪrə
Meaning: devotee of (the Virgin) Mary
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A scholar’s name from the medieval monasteries.

Cinneididh

Origin: Irish
Meaning: Helmeted head
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Pronounced “Kennedy”; an O’Brien dynastic name.

Adomnán

Origin: Irish
Pronunciation: AHV-nawn · ˈɑːvnɔːn
Meaning: diminutive form of Adam (‘little Adam’), using the common Irish diminutive suffix -án
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The abbot of Iona who wrote the life of Columba.

Eithriall

Origin: Irish
Meaning: Origin of a learned man
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Obscure, but lovely on the page.

Crimthann

Origin: Irish
Pronunciation: KRIV-hən · ˈkrɪvhən
Meaning: Fox
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A common name among the early high kings.

Conchobar

Origin: Old Irish
Pronunciation: KON-khuh-vahr · ˈkɒnxəvɑːr
Meaning: lover of hounds
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The original Conor; the king of the Red Branch.

Lochlann

Origin: Irish/Gaelic
Pronunciation: LOCK-lən · ˈlɒklən
Meaning: Land of the lakes
Popularity: #3,485 and falling (#3,387 → #3,485, 2024)

The Irish word for Scandinavia, given as a name.

Sea, Stone, and Storm — Names From the Land

The Celts named their boys after the world around them: the salt, the standing stones, the storms that rolled off the Atlantic. These names feel rooted in a place even if you’ve never been there.

Murchadh

Origin: Irish/Scottish Gaelic (from Old Irish)
Meaning: sea warrior, literally “sea” plus “battle”
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Pronounced “MUR-uh-khoo”; salt-sprayed and ancient.

Tomás

Origin: Aramaic (via Greek/Latin, Spanish/Portuguese/Irish form of Thomas)
Pronunciation: toh-MAHS · toʊˈmɑːs
Meaning: twin
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The Irish Thomas with a softer landing.

Caolán

Origin: Irish
Meaning: Slender
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Pronounced “KEE-lan”; slim and graceful.

Aodhán

Origin: Irish (from Old Irish)
Pronunciation: AY-dawn · ˈeɪdən
Meaning: little fire (diminutive of Aodh/Áed, meaning fire)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The original Aidan; a flame of a name.

Ciarán

Origin: Irish (from Old Irish)
Pronunciation: KEER-an · ˈkɪərən
Meaning: little dark one
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The Irish saint of Clonmacnoise.

Daithí

Origin: Irish
Pronunciation: DAH-hee · ˈdɑːhi
Meaning: Swift, nimble
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The last pagan high king of Ireland.

Eamon

Origin: Irish (form of Edmund)
Pronunciation: AY-mon · ˈeɪmən
Meaning: Irish form of Edmund, ‘wealthy guardian’
Popularity: #1,497 and rising (#1,669 → #1,497, 2024)

The Irish Edmund — stately and worn-in.

Fearghal

Origin: Old Irish (Gaelic)
Pronunciation: FAR-gəl · ˈfærɡəl
Meaning: man of valor
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Anglicized as Farrell.

Garbhán

Origin: Irish
Meaning: little rough one
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The saint of Dungarvan; pronounced “GAR-uh-vawn.”

Labhrás

Origin: Irish (Gaelicized form of Latin Laurentius)
Pronunciation: LOW-rahs · ˈl̪ˠəuɾˠaːsˠ
Meaning: from Laurentum (a place name linked to the laurel tree)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The Irish Laurence; soft and bookish.

Macdara

Origin: Irish
Pronunciation: mak-DAH-rah · məkˈdɑːrə
Meaning: son of the oak
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A Connemara saint and a tree-strong name.

Odhrán

Origin: Irish (Old Irish)
Pronunciation: OH-rahn · ˈoʊrɑːn
Meaning: dark, dun-colored, sallow
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The deacon who sailed with St. Columba to Iona.

Pádraig

Origin: Irish (from Latin)
Pronunciation: PAW-rig · ˈpɔːrɪɡ
Meaning: of noble/patrician rank
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The Patrick all Patricks come from.

Risteárd

Origin: Irish (Gaelicized form of Germanic Richard)
Pronunciation: RISH-tahrd · ˈɾˠɪʃtʲaːɾˠd̪ˠ
Meaning: brave/strong ruler
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The Irish Richard; substantial.

Seán

Origin: Irish (from Old French, ultimately Hebrew)
Pronunciation: SHAWN · ˈʃɔːn
Meaning: God is gracious (Irish form of John, ultimately from Hebrew Yochanan)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The Irish John, omnipresent and beloved.

Tarlach

Origin: Irish
Meaning: uncertain — variously explained as ‘instigator’ or as referencing the Norse god Thor (‘Thor-shaped’)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Pronounced “TUR-lakh”; old Turlough.

Uinseann

Origin: Irish Gaelic (from Latin)
Pronunciation: IN-shun · ˈɪnʲʃən
Meaning: the conqueror
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The Irish Vincent.

Cillian

Origin: Irish (contested)
Pronunciation: KIL-ee-an · ˈkɪliən
Meaning: of disputed origin: possibly ‘strife/war’ or ‘church’ (Old Irish ceallach/ceall), or separately from Latin Caecilianus
Popularity: #463 and rising (#594 → #463, 2024)

A 7th-century martyr-saint in Bavaria.

Sweeney

Origin: Irish (surname)
Pronunciation: SWEE-nee · ˈswiːni
Meaning: Anglicized surname meaning ‘descendant of Suibhne’; Suibhne’s own root sense is disputed, often guessed as ‘well-going’ or ‘pleasant’
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The mad king who turned into a bird in the trees.

Niallán

Origin: Irish
Pronunciation: NEE-uh-lawn · ˈniːəlɑːn
Meaning: diminutive of Niall (root disputed)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A diminutive that stands on its own.

Faolán

Origin: Irish (from Old Irish Fáelán)
Pronunciation: FAY-lawn · ˈfeɪlɔːn
Meaning: little wolf
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A 7th-century Irish saint who walked to Scotland.

Senán

Origin: Irish
Meaning: little old one (a diminutive/pet form built on the word for ‘old’)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The saint of Scattery Island; pronounced “shen-AWN.”

Aindriú

Origin: Irish (from Ancient Greek, via Andrew/Andreas)
Pronunciation: AN-droo · ˈanʲdʲɾʲuː
Meaning: manly (from Greek andros, ‘man’) — the Irish form of Andrew
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The Irish Andrew.

Soft, Lyrical Names for the Gentle Boy

Not every name needs to roar. These are the warm ones — the names of poet-monks, gentle saints, and shepherd kings. Soft on the page and on the ear.

Caoimhín

Origin: Irish (from Old Irish Cóemgen)
Pronunciation: KEE-veen · kiːˈviːn
Meaning: roughly ‘gently born’ / ‘beloved birth’
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The original Kevin; “KEE-veen.”

Declan

Origin: Irish
Pronunciation: DEK-lun · ˈdɛklən
Meaning: traditionally glossed as “full of goodness” (an alternate theory holds “man of prayer”)
Popularity: #131 and rising (#132 → #131, 2024)

St. Declan of Ardmore — an Irish standard.

Fionán

Origin: Irish
Pronunciation: FYOH-nawn · ˈfjoʊnɔːn
Meaning: Little fair one
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A 6th-century bishop saint of Kerry.

Killian

Origin: Irish (anglicization of Cillian)
Pronunciation: KIL-ee-an · ˈkɪliən
Meaning: little church (disputed, possibly instead ‘bright-headed’ or war-related)
Popularity: #369 and falling (#367 → #369, 2024)

The anglicized form of Cillian.

Liam

Origin: Irish (from William)
Pronunciation: LEE-uhm · ˈliːəm
Meaning: resolute protector (via William)
Popularity: #1, holding steady (2024)

The short form of Uilliam — yes, it earned its popularity.

Lorcán

Origin: Irish (Old Irish)
Pronunciation: LOR-kuhn · ˈlɔːrkən
Meaning: diminutive of Lorc (root meaning disputed)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

St. Laurence O’Toole’s Irish name; tougher than it looks.

Oran

Origin: uncertain: Berber (via the Algerian city Oran) or Irish (diminutive of Odrán)
Pronunciation: OR-an · ˈɔːrən
Meaning: either ‘lion’ (Berber root) or ‘sallow, dun-colored’ (Irish root); not ‘light’
Popularity: #4,982 and rising (#5,601 → #4,982, 2024)

St. Odhrán’s anglicized form.

Quillan

Origin: Irish
Pronunciation: KWIL-un · ˈkwɪlən
Meaning: Cub
Popularity: #10,625 and falling (#8,108 → #10,625, 2024)

Rare and surname-soft.

Riordan

Origin: Irish
Pronunciation: REER-dən · ˈrɪərdən
Meaning: Royal bard
Popularity: #7,636 as of 2023 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Originally Ó Ríordáin; bookish.

Tiernan

Origin: Irish
Pronunciation: TEER-nan · ˈtɪərnən
Meaning: little lord
Popularity: #4,166 and falling (#3,404 → #4,166, 2024)

Pronounced “TEER-nan”; gentle authority.

Aidan

Origin: Irish
Pronunciation: AY-dun · ˈeɪdən
Meaning: little fire (a diminutive of Aodh, ‘fire’)
Popularity: #312 and falling (#300 → #312, 2024)

The monk who founded Lindisfarne.

Brogan

Origin: Irish (surname, Ó Brógáin)
Pronunciation: BROH-gun · ˈbroʊɡən
Meaning: little shoe
Popularity: #3,693 and falling (#2,392 → #3,693, 2024)

St. Brogan, the scribe of St. Patrick.

Cavan

Origin: Irish (Anglicized surname, multiple theories)
Pronunciation: KAV-uhn · ˈkævən
Meaning: uncertain — debated surname origin, not literally ‘hollow’
Popularity: #4,202 and falling (#3,722 → #4,202, 2024)

‘Hollow’ is actually the meaning of the Irish place-name Cabhán, not of Cavan as a personal name — the two are easily confused because they’re spelled alike. As a given name, Cavan’s surname origin is debated.

Donovan

Origin: Irish
Pronunciation: DON-uh-vun · ˈdɑːnəvən
Meaning: descendant of the dark-haired one
Popularity: #504 and falling (#468 → #504, 2024)

A king of Munster’s name.

Eevan

Origin: Irish (from Éimhín)
Pronunciation: EE-vən · ˈiːvən
Meaning: Swift
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

St. Éimhín, a 6th-century abbot.

Finbar

Origin: Irish
Pronunciation: FIN-bar · ˈfɪnbɑːr
Meaning: fair head
Popularity: #9,255 as of 2022 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The founder of Cork.

Galvin

Origin: Irish (Anglicized surname); alt. Old French
Pronunciation: GAL-vin · ˈɡælvɪn
Meaning: bright, white (from Irish Ó Gealbháin)
Popularity: #8,517 and rising (#9,183 → #8,517, 2024)

A surname with a folk-bird lightness.

Kerry

Origin: Irish (surname/place name) or English (surname)
Pronunciation: KEH-ree · ˈkɛri
Meaning: dark/black (via Ó Ciardha or County Kerry); alternatively from Old Norse Kári
Popularity: #2,683 and rising (#3,379 → #2,683, 2024)

The county and the kingdom of the Ciarraige.

Niam

Origin: Irish
Pronunciation: NEEV
Meaning: brightness, radiance
Popularity: #1,439 and falling (#1,394 → #1,439, 2024)

Rare male use of an Irish root.

Ruari

Origin: Irish/Scottish Gaelic
Pronunciation: ROO-ree · ˈruːəri
Meaning: ‘red’ + ‘king’ — traditionally glossed ‘red king’
Popularity: #13,803 and falling (#13,770 → #13,803, 2024)

The simpler spelling of Ruairi.

Shane

Origin: Irish (Anglicized form of Seán)
Pronunciation: SHAYN · ˈʃeɪn
Meaning: God is gracious
Popularity: #601 and falling (#555 → #601, 2024)

The Ulster form of Seán.

Warrior Names With Mythic Weight

For when the small soft thing in your arms turns out to be a small fierce thing in your arms. These names belong to the Red Branch, the Fianna, the mormaers, and the warbands of the Continent.

Aedan

Origin: Irish (Gaelic), variant of Aidan/Aodhán
Pronunciation: AY-dun · ˈeɪ.dən
Meaning: little fire (Aodh ‘fire’ + diminutive suffix -án); variant spelling of Aidan
Popularity: #2,548 and rising (#3,343 → #2,548, 2024)

Aedán mac Gabráin, the 6th-century king of Dál Riata.

Aichlinn

Origin: Irish
Pronunciation: AK-lin · ˈæklɪn
Meaning: Beautiful warrior
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Archaic and arresting.

Beircheart

Origin: Irish (Gaelicized form, likely of Germanic origin)
Pronunciation: BARE-khurt · ˈbɛrəxərt
Meaning: Bright army
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The Irish Bertrand; from the *Berchert*.

Caradog

Origin: Welsh (from Brittonic Caratacos)
Pronunciation: kuh-RAH-dog · kəˈrɑːdɒɡ
Meaning: beloved
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The fierce British chieftain Caractacus.

Conn

Origin: Old Irish
Pronunciation: KAHN · kɒn
Meaning: linked to Conall, from a Celtic root roughly meaning ‘high’ or ‘mighty’; popularly glossed as ‘chief’ or ‘wisdom’
Popularity: #8,104 as of 1989 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Conn of the Hundred Battles, the high king.

Donagh

Origin: Irish
Pronunciation: DON-uh · ˈdɒnə
Meaning: brown-haired warrior
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The son of Brian Boru.

Fingal

Origin: Scottish Gaelic
Pronunciation: FING-gul · ˈfɪŋɡəl
Meaning: fair stranger
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The Scottish hero of Macpherson’s poems.

Garrett

Origin: Germanic (via medieval English/Irish)
Pronunciation: GAIR-et · ˈɡɛrət
Meaning: form of Gerard (‘spear-brave’) or Gerald (‘spear-rule’)
Popularity: #562 and falling (#483 → #562, 2024)

From the Hiberno-Norman Fitzgeralds.

Hywel

Origin: Welsh
Pronunciation: HOW-el · ˈhaʊəl
Meaning: prominent, eminent
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Iagan

Origin: Scottish Gaelic
Pronunciation: EE-uh-guhn · ˈiəɡən
Meaning: little fire, or a form of Iain
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A Gaelic diminutive with bite.

Kane

Origin: Irish (surname origin)
Pronunciation: KAYN · ˈkeɪn
Meaning: warrior (from Gaelic ‘cath’, battle) via the Irish surname Ó Catháin
Popularity: #431 and falling (#402 → #431, 2024)

Short and stark.

Kelvin

Origin: Scottish (river name)
Pronunciation: KEL-vin · ˈkɛlvɪn
Meaning: possibly “narrow river” (from Scotland’s River Kelvin)
Popularity: #1,080 and falling (#967 → #1,080, 2024)

The river that runs through Glasgow.

Lugaid

Origin: Old Irish (Primitive Irish)
Pronunciation: LOO-ee · ˈluːi
Meaning: servant of the god Lugus
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A dozen mythic kings share this name.

Maelgwn

Origin: Welsh (Brittonic)
Pronunciation: MILE-goon · ˈmaɪlɡʊn
Meaning: hound prince, prince of hounds
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A fierce 6th-century king of Gwynedd.

Macsen

Origin: Welsh (from Latin Maximus)
Pronunciation: MAK-sen · ˈmæksɛn
Meaning: greatest (Welsh form of the Latin name Maximus)
Popularity: #3,560 and rising (#4,074 → #3,560, 2024)

It doesn’t literally mean “Roman” — it’s the Welsh form of Maximus (“greatest”), referring to a specific historical Roman emperor rather than being a generic word for the people.

Niamhán

Origin: Irish
Pronunciation: NEEV-awn · ˈniːvaːn
Meaning: little bright one
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Rare male diminutive.

Ruadhán

Origin: Irish (Old Irish)
Pronunciation: ROO-ahn · ˈruːɑːn
Meaning: little red one
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Tuathal

Origin: Irish
Pronunciation: TOO-huhl · ˈtuːhəl
Meaning: ruler of the people
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The original Toole.

Gaulish and Ancient Continental Names

Before Caesar crossed the Rhine, the Celts of the Continent had their own names — kept alive in inscriptions, coins, and Roman histories. These are rare, weighty, and as old as Europe gets.

The chieftain who put Rome to the sword in 387 BC.

Caesar’s most formidable opponent.

Ambiorix

Origin: Gaulish (Celtic)
Pronunciation: am-bee-OR-iks · æmbiˈɒrɪks
Meaning: king/ruler of the surrounding land or people (from Gaulish ‘ambi-, ‘ around/on both sides, + ‘rix, ‘ king)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The Eburones chieftain who destroyed a Roman legion.

Divico

Origin: Gaulish
Pronunciation: dih-VIK-oh · dɪˈvɪkoʊ
Meaning: Avenger
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The Helvetii leader Caesar fought.

Dumnorix

Origin: Gaulish
Pronunciation: DUM-noh-riks · ˈdʌmnərɪks
Meaning: world king
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A Haeduan prince and resistance leader.

Cingetorix

Origin: Gaulish
Pronunciation: king-GET-ə-riks
Meaning: King of warriors
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A Treveri chieftain mentioned by Caesar.

Orgetorix

Origin: Gaulish
Pronunciation: or-JET-uh-riks · ɔːrˈdʒɛtərɪks
Meaning: king of slaughter/killing
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The Helvetii noble who planned the great migration.

Caratacus

Origin: Brittonic (Latinized as Caratacus)
Pronunciation: kuh-RAT-uh-kuhs · kəˈræt.ə.kəs
Meaning: Beloved
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The British king who fought Rome for nine years.

Boudic

Origin: Brittonic
Pronunciation: BOO-dik · ˈbuːdɪk
Meaning: Victorious
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The masculine root of Boudica.

Cunobelinus

Origin: Brittonic
Pronunciation: koo-noh-buh-LY-nəs · ˌkuːnoʊbəˈlaɪnəs
Meaning: Hound of Belenus
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Shakespeare’s Cymbeline.

Togodumnus

Origin: Brittonic/Gaulish (Celtic)
Pronunciation: tog-oh-DUM-nus · ˌtɒɡ.oʊˈdʌm.nəs
Meaning: uncertain Celtic royal name, possibly ‘chosen of the world’ or ‘world-ruler’
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Caratacus’s brother.

Belenus

Origin: Gaulish
Pronunciation: buh-LEE-nus · bəˈliːnəs
Meaning: possibly ‘the bright/shining one’ (disputed root)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A Celtic sun god.

Borvo

Origin: Gaulish
Pronunciation: BOR-voh · ˈbɔːrvoʊ
Meaning: boiling, bubbling (as in a hot spring)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A god of healing waters.

Cernunnos

Origin: Gaulish/Celtic
Pronunciation: ker-NUN-os · kərˈnʌnəs
Meaning: the horned one (from a Gaulish root related to ‘horn’)
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The antlered god of the forest.

Esus

Origin: Gaulish
Pronunciation: EE-sus · ˈiːsəs
Meaning: Lord, master
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A grim god of the sacred grove.

– **Lugus** — The Continental form of Lugh; bright and skilled.

Maponos

Origin: Gaulish
Pronunciation: muh-POH-nuhs · məˈpoʊnəs
Meaning: great/mighty son
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The god of youth, music, and hunting.

Sucellus

Origin: Gaulish
Pronunciation: soo-SEL-us · sʊˈkɛləs
Meaning: a skilled or benevolent striker, from Gaulish roots for ‘good’ and ‘to strike’
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The hammer-god of the Gauls.

Taranis

Origin: Gaulish (Celtic)
Pronunciation: TAR-uh-niss · ˈtærənɪs
Meaning: thunder god
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The thunder god of the Continental Celts.

Toutatis

Origin: Gaulish (Celtic)
Pronunciation: too-TAH-tiss · tuːˈtɑːtɪs
Meaning: protector-god of the tribe/people
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Camulos

Origin: Gaulish/Brittonic
Pronunciation: KAM-yoo-luhs · ˈkæm.jʊ.ləs
Meaning: Champion
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The war god behind Colchester (Camulodunum).

Nodens

Origin: British Celtic (Romano-British)
Pronunciation: NOH-denz · ˈnoʊdɛnz
Meaning: catcher, hunter
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A river god; the root of Welsh Nudd.

Cocidius

Origin: Brittonic
Pronunciation: koh-SID-ee-əs · koʊsɪdiəs
Meaning: Red one
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A warrior god of the Roman-British north.

Segomo

Origin: Gaulish
Meaning: victory, strength
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings