Thinking about Celtic boy names for your little one? You’re not alone! I’ve spent countless hours exploring these amazing names, and honestly, I get why parents love them. There’s something magical about giving your baby boy a name that’s been around for thousands of years, right?
You know what’s really cool about Celtic names? They’re not just random pretty words – each one tells a story. Like, did you know that some of these names come from ancient warriors, while others were inspired by nature? Pretty neat stuff!
I remember chatting with a friend who named her son Aiden (it means “little fire” in Celtic). She said every time he zooms around the house like a tiny tornado, she thinks about how perfectly the name fits him! That’s what I love about Celtic names – they often end up matching your kid’s personality in the most amazing ways.
Whether you’re looking for something that sounds modern like Finn or super traditional like Cormac, Celtic boy names have got you covered. Trust me, by the time you finish reading this guide, you’ll probably have a hard time choosing just one favorite – they’re all that good!
And hey, don’t worry if you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed about choosing the perfect name. We’re going to break everything down into easy-to-browse sections. I’ve even thrown in some fun facts and meanings that’ll make your name-picking journey way more interesting.
Ready to dive in and find that perfect Celtic name for your little warrior? Let’s get started – I’ve got some really awesome names to share with you!
Celtic Boy Names
Origin & Meaning shown in (parentheses)
- Aidan (Irish: “little fire”; fierce protector)
- Brendan (Irish: “prince”; descendant of Breanainn)
- Conor (Irish: “lover of hounds”; son of wolves)
- Dylan (Welsh: “son of the sea”; tide)
- Eamon (Irish: “guardian of the riches”)
- Finn (Irish: “fair-haired”; white, fair)
- Gavin (Welsh: “white hawk”; battle hawk)
- Hugh (Irish: “mind, spirit”)
- Ian (Scottish: “God is gracious”)
- Kevin (Irish: “handsome birth”)
- Liam (Irish: “strong-willed warrior”)
- Malcolm (Scottish: “disciple of Saint Columba”)
- Niall (Irish: “champion”)
- Owen (Welsh: “young warrior”; well-born)
- Patrick (Irish: “nobleman”)
- Quinn (Irish: “counsel”; wise)
- Rory (Irish: “red king”)
- Sean (Irish: “God is gracious”)
- Torin (Irish: “chief”)
- Wallace (Scottish: “foreigner; Welshman”)
Need more name inspiration? Check out these Scottish boy names too!
Celtic Names for Boys
Each with historic significance
- Angus (Scottish-Irish: “one strength”; uniquely strong)
- Brody (Scottish: “ditch”; muddy place)
- Callum (Scottish: “dove”)
- Dermot (Irish: “free from envy”)
- Ewan (Scottish: “born of the yew tree”)
- Fergus (Irish: “man of force”)
- Gordon (Scottish: “spacious fort”)
- Heath (Celtic: “dweller on the heathland”)
- Ivor (Welsh: “archer”)
- Kenneth (Scottish: “born of fire”)
- Logan (Scottish: “little hollow”)
- Murphy (Irish: “sea warrior”)
- Neil (Irish: “champion”)
- Oscar (Irish: “deer lover”)
- Phillip (Celtic: “lover of horses”)
- Ross (Scottish: “headland”)
- Scott (Scottish: “painted warrior”)
- Trevor (Welsh: “large village”)
- Vaughn (Welsh: “small”)
- Warren (Celtic: “guard”)
For more traditional options, explore these irish last names.
Celtic Male Names
Traditional warrior and leadership names
- Ailean (Scottish: “harmony, stone”)
- Bran (Welsh: “raven”)
- Cathal (Irish: “battle ruler”)
- Donovan (Irish: “dark warrior”)
- Eoghan (Irish: “born of the yew”)
- Fionn (Irish: “fair-headed”)
- Gregor (Scottish: “watchful”)
- Hamish (Scottish: “supplanter”)
- Idris (Welsh: “ardent lord”)
- Keir (Scottish: “dark”)
- Lorcan (Irish: “little fierce one”)
- Munro (Scottish: “man from the mouth of the Ro”)
- Nolan (Irish: “noble”)
- Odhran (Irish: “dark-haired”)
- Pádraig (Irish: “noble”)
- Quade (Irish: “son of Wat”)
- Rowan (Irish: “little red one”)
- Seamus (Irish: “supplanter”)
- Tadhg (Irish: “poet, philosopher”)
- Ultan (Irish: “Ulster man”)
Would you like to explore more? Check out these medieval last names.
Celtic Names for Male
Names celebrating strength and character
- Aengus (Irish: “one choice”; exceptional vigor)
- Blair (Scottish: “dweller on the plain”)
- Campbell (Scottish: “crooked mouth”)
- Duncan (Scottish: “dark warrior”)
- Ellis (Welsh: “benevolent”)
- Flynn (Irish: “son of the red-haired one”)
- Gilroy (Scottish: “son of the red-haired servant”)
- Harris (Scottish: “son of Harry”)
- Innis (Scottish: “island”)
- Keith (Scottish: “forest, wood”)
- Lewis (Scottish: “famous warrior”)
- Morgan (Welsh: “sea-born”)
- Nash (Irish: “by the ash tree”)
- Oran (Irish: “pale little green one”)
- Pierce (Welsh: “rock”)
- Quinn (Irish: “descendant of Conn”)
- Ryan (Irish: “little king”)
- Sullivan (Irish: “dark-eyed”)
- Tyree (Scottish: “from the island of Tiree”)
- Ulster (Irish: “from Ulster”)
Love these names? You might also enjoy these fantasy last names!
Old Celtic Boy Names
Ancient names with deep historical roots
- Aberth (Welsh: “sacrifice”)
- Branwen (Welsh: “blessed raven”)
- Cadeyrn (Welsh: “battle king”)
- Dubhghlas (Scottish: “dark water”)
- Eachann (Scottish: “brown horse”)
- Fingal (Irish: “white stranger”)
- Gwydion (Welsh: “born of trees”)
- Heddwyn (Welsh: “blessed peace”)
- Iollan (Irish: “warrior”)
- Kentigern (Scottish: “chief lord”)
- Llywelyn (Welsh: “leader’s image”)
- Morcant (Welsh: “sea circle”)
- Nevin (Irish: “sacred”)
- Owain (Welsh: “well-born”)
- Proinsias (Irish: “from France”)
- Quinlan (Irish: “descendant of Caoinlean”)
- Rhodri (Welsh: “king”)
- Somhairle (Scottish: “summer traveler”)
- Turlough (Irish: “aid”)
- Urien (Welsh: “privileged birth”)
Want more traditional options? Check out british last names.
Unusual Celtic Boy Names
Unique names that stand out
- Ailbhe (Irish: “white”)
- Bearach (Irish: “sharp”)
- Coinneach (Scottish: “handsome”)
- Duff (Scottish: “dark”)
- Eochaidh (Irish: “horseman”)
- Fearghus (Irish: “man of vigor”)
- Giolla (Irish: “servant”)
- Hersall (Scottish: “horse field”)
- Indulf (Scottish: “wolf of India”)
- Jarlath (Irish: “lord of war”)
- Kermit (Irish: “free man”)
- Lennox (Scottish: “elm grove”)
- Muiredach (Irish: “lord”)
- Naoise (Irish: “from Ness”)
- Oengus (Irish: “one strength”)
- Phelan (Irish: “wolf”)
- Quigley (Irish: “from Coigley”)
- Ruadhán (Irish: “red-haired”)
- Sholto (Scottish: “sower”)
- Torquil (Scottish: “Thor’s cauldron”)
Ancient Celtic Boy Names
These names have such cool histories!
- Artair (Celtic: “bear man” – how fierce is that?)
- Beathan (Scottish: “life” – a beautiful meaning)
- Congal (Irish: “hound of valor”)
- Diarmuid (Irish: “without enemy”)
- Errol (Scottish: “wanderer”)
- Fingall (Irish: “fair stranger”)
- Gilchrist (Scottish: “servant of Christ”)
- Hennelly (Irish: “champion”)
- Iomhar (Scottish: “archer”)
- Kellach (Irish: “bright-headed”)
- Lochlann (Irish: “land of lakes”)
- Morann (Irish: “great one”)
- Nechtan (Scottish: “damp one”)
- Oengus (Irish: “one choice”)
- Phelim (Irish: “ever good”)
- Quin (Irish: “wise”)
- Riordan (Irish: “royal poet”)
- Senach (Irish: “old wise one”)
- Tighearnach (Irish: “lordly”)
- Uallas (Scottish: “foreigner”)
Want more traditional name ideas? Check out these gaelic last names!
Celtic Warrior Names for Male
Perfect for your little fighter!
- Ailill (Irish: “elf warrior”)
- Breasal (Irish: “war”)
- Cathair (Irish: “battle man”)
- Dougal (Scottish: “dark stranger”)
- Eachann (Scottish: “powerful”)
- Fearchar (Scottish: “dear one”)
- Griogair (Scottish: “vigilant”)
- Hendry (Scottish: “home ruler”)
- Idris (Welsh: “fiery lord”)
- Kenzie (Scottish: “born of fire”)
- Lachlan (Scottish: “warrior from the land of lakes”)
- Murdoch (Scottish: “sea warrior”)
- Niall (Irish: “champion”)
- Ogden (Scottish: “from the oak valley”)
- Padraic (Irish: “nobleman”)
- Quinlan (Irish: “strong”)
- Raghnall (Scottish: “wise ruler”)
- Slaine (Irish: “health”)
- Tadhg (Irish: “poet warrior”)
- Uaine (Irish: “green warrior”)
Looking for more strong names? You’ll love these strong girl names!
Celtic Boy Names and Meanings
Each with its special story
- Aodhán (Irish: “little fiery one”)
- Brann (Welsh: “raven”)
- Cailean (Scottish: “young warrior”)
- Donnchadh (Scottish: “brown warrior”)
- Einar (Celtic: “warrior”)
- Fiachra (Irish: “raven”)
- Garbhan (Irish: “little rough one”)
- Harailt (Scottish: “army ruler”)
- Iagan (Scottish: “little fire”)
- Keane (Irish: “ancient”)
- Lorcan (Irish: “little fierce one”)
- Murchadh (Scottish: “sea warrior”)
- Naomhán (Irish: “little saint”)
- Odhran (Irish: “little pale green one”)
- Peadar (Irish: “rock”)
- Quintin (Celtic: “fifth”)
- Ruaidhri (Irish: “red king”)
- Seosamh (Irish: “God will increase”)
- Tormod (Scottish: “Thor’s mind”)
- Uilleam (Scottish: “resolute protection”)
Modern Celtic Boy Names
These blend tradition with today’s style
- Aiden (Modern Irish: “fiery one” – super popular nowadays!)
- Brady (Modern Irish: “spirited” – perfect for energetic kids)
- Carson (Scottish-Irish: “son of the marsh dwellers”)
- Devon (Welsh: “poet”)
- Ethan (Celtic-derived: “enduring”)
- Flynn (Modern Irish: “son of the red-haired one”)
- Griffin (Welsh: “strong lord”)
- Hudson (Celtic-English: “Hugh’s son”)
- Irving (Scottish: “green water”)
- Jordan (Celtic-English: “flowing down”)
- Kelvin (Scottish: “narrow water”)
- Logan (Scottish: “little hollow”)
- Mason (Celtic-English: “stone worker”)
- Nolan (Irish: “noble” – gaining popularity!)
- Owen (Welsh: “young warrior”)
- Parker (Celtic-English: “park keeper”)
- Riley (Irish: “valiant”)
- Shannon (Irish: “old river”)
- Tristan (Celtic: “noise” or “bold”)
- Wade (Celtic-English: “at the crossing”)
Love modern twists? Check out these cool words for usernames!
Beautiful Celtic Boy Names
Names that just roll off the tongue
- Alastair (Scottish: “defender of mankind”)
- Brody (Scottish: “little ridge” – isn’t it lovely?)
- Callum (Scottish: “dove” – so peaceful!)
- Desmond (Irish: “one from south Munster”)
- Ewan (Scottish: “youth”)
- Finley (Scottish: “fair warrior”)
- Gavin (Welsh: “white hawk”)
- Hollis (Scottish: “dweller at the holly trees”)
- Ianto (Welsh: “God is gracious”)
- Keir (Scottish: “dark” – short but sweet!)
- Lachlan (Scottish: “from the fjord-land”)
- Merlin (Welsh: “sea fortress”)
- Niall (Irish: “champion”)
- Oisin (Irish: “little deer”)
- Perry (Welsh: “pear tree”)
- Quinn (Irish: “counsel”)
- Rowan (Scottish: “little red one”)
- Seanan (Irish: “ancient”)
- Teague (Irish: “poet”)
- Vaughn (Welsh: “small”)
Looking for more inspiration? Check out these beautiful group names!
Celtic Mythology Names for Male
Straight from ancient legends
- Angus (Irish myth: god of love and youth)
- Bran (Welsh myth: blessed raven)
- Cuchulain (Irish legend: greatest warrior)
- Dagda (Irish myth: good god)
- Esus (Celtic myth: god of woodcutters)
- Finn (Irish legend: great warrior-poet)
- Gwydion (Welsh myth: master magician)
- Herne (Celtic myth: hunter god)
- Llyr (Welsh myth: sea god)
- Lugh (Irish myth: master of all arts)
- Manannan (Irish myth: sea god)
- Nuada (Irish myth: king of the gods)
- Ogma (Irish myth: god of eloquence)
- Pwyll (Welsh myth: lord of the otherworld)
- Ruadan (Irish myth: son of Bres)
- Setanta (Irish myth: Cuchulain’s birth name)
- Taranis (Celtic myth: thunder god)
- Teutates (Celtic myth: tribal protector)
- Uther (Welsh myth: King Arthur’s father)
- Virotutis (Celtic myth: god of healing)
Ancient Celtic Names for Male
These names have been around for centuries – how cool is that?
- Aodh (Irish: means “fire” – perfect for a spirited kid!)
- Baird (Scottish: “poet” or “bard”)
- Conan (Irish: “little wolf” – fierce, right?)
- Drest (Pictish: “tumult”)
- Easal (Irish: “noble person”)
- Fingal (Irish: “fair stranger”)
- Gareth (Welsh: “gentle”)
- Hueil (Welsh: “conspicuous”)
- Imar (Irish: “prepared for battle”)
- Kenver (Celtic: “white wave”)
- Loarn (Scottish: “fox”)
- Morcan (Welsh: “sea born”)
- Nectan (Pictish: “pure one”)
- Orin (Irish: “pale green”)
- Pryderi (Welsh: “care”)
- Quaid (Irish: “descendant of Wat”)
- Ribald (Celtic: “royal bold”)
- Suibhne (Irish: “going well”)
- Taliesin (Welsh: “radiant brow”)
- Uven (Welsh: “youth”)
Love ancient names? You might also enjoy these medieval last names!
Celtic Boy Names and Meanings
Each name here has such a rich story behind it
- Ainsley (Scottish: “one’s own meadow” – lovely, isn’t it?)
- Boyd (Scottish: “blonde” or “yellow”)
- Craig (Scottish: “from the rocks”)
- Drummond (Scottish: “ridge”)
- Erskine (Scottish: “projecting height”)
- Forbes (Scottish: “field”)
- Gilroy (Scottish: “red-haired servant”)
- Hayes (Irish: “descendant of Aodh”)
- Innes (Scottish: “from the islands”)
- Joyce (Irish: “lord” – originally a male name!)
- Knox (Scottish: “round hill”)
- Lennon (Irish: “lover” – just like John Lennon!)
- Monroe (Scottish: “mouth of the Roe”)
- Neill (Irish: “champion”)
- Ogilvie (Scottish: “high plain”)
- Perth (Scottish: “bush, thicket”)
- Ranald (Scottish: “ruler’s advisor”)
- Sinclair (Scottish: “bright, famous”)
- Tate (Scottish: “cheerful”)
- Wright (Scottish: “craftsman”)
Celtic Baby Boy Names
Perfect for your little one
- Alpin (Scottish: “white” – clean and crisp!)
- Brice (Scottish: “swift”)
- Camden (Scottish: “winding valley”)
- Darcy (Irish: “dark one”)
- Edan (Irish: “little fire”)
- Fraser (Scottish: “strawberry”)
- Glenn (Scottish: “valley” – nature-inspired!)
- Heath (Celtic: “heathland dweller”)
- Inch (Scottish: “island”)
- Jarrett (Irish: “spear strength”)
- Kendrick (Welsh: “royal ruler”)
- Lee (Irish: “healer”)
- Murray (Scottish: “settlement by the sea”)
- Norton (Celtic: “north town”)
- Orrin (Irish: “pale green”)
- Preston (Celtic: “priest’s town”)
- Reese (Welsh: “enthusiasm”)
- Sloane (Irish: “warrior”)
- Thomson (Scottish: “son of Thomas”)
- Wylie (Scottish: “tricky”)
Celtic Name for Strong Boy
Perfect for a future warrior!
- Aidan (Irish: “little fire” – such a powerful name!)
- Bevan (Welsh: “young warrior” – doesn’t that sound brave?)
- Cadel (Welsh: “battle” – talk about strength!)
- Douglas (Scottish: “dark water” – has such presence)
- Einion (Welsh: “anvil” – strong as metal!)
- Fergus (Irish: “man of force” – one of my favorites)
- Gallagher (Irish: “foreign helper” – unique and strong)
- Hendry (Scottish: “home ruler”)
- Idris (Welsh: “ardent lord” – just like Idris Elba!)
- Kennedy (Irish: “helmeted chief”)
- Lennox (Scottish: “with many elm trees”)
- MacArthur (Scottish: “son of Arthur” – royal strength)
- Nevin (Irish: “sacred” – powerful meaning)
- Oscar (Irish: “deer friend” – stronger than it sounds!)
- Powell (Welsh: “eminent warrior”)
- Quinn (Irish: “chief leader” – short but mighty)
- Regan (Irish: “little king” – adorable yet strong)
- Sterling (Scottish: “genuine, strong”)
- Torrin (Scottish: “chief” – born to lead)
- Wallace (Scottish: “foreigner” – think Braveheart!)
Want more strong names? Check out these warrior team names!
Celtic Mens Names
Classic choices that never go out of style
- Alec (Scottish: “defender of mankind”)
- Barry (Irish: “spear thrower” – cool, right?)
- Colin (Scottish: “young pup” – so charming!)
- Donald (Scottish: “world ruler”)
- Ewan (Scottish: “born of the yew tree”)
- Fitzroy (Irish: “son of the king”)
- Gordon (Scottish: “great hill” – strong and steady)
- Hamish (Scottish: “supplanter”)
- Ivan (Scottish variant: “God is gracious”)
- Keith (Scottish: “wood dweller”)
- Lloyd (Welsh: “grey” – simple but dignified)
- Malcolm (Scottish: “disciple of Columba”)
- Neil (Irish: “champion” – short and sweet)
- Orr (Scottish: “gold” – precious!)
- Perry (Welsh: “pear tree”)
- Quentin (Celtic: “fifth born”)
- Ross (Scottish: “headland”)
- Scott (Scottish: “painted warrior”)
- Trevor (Welsh: “prudent”)
- Vaughn (Welsh: “small” – but mighty!)
Celtic Western Boy Names
Perfect blend of Celtic and Western traditions
- Austin (Celtic-English: “majestic dignity”)
- Blake (Celtic-English: “dark” or “pale”)
- Carson (Scottish: “son of the marsh-dwellers”)
- Devon (Celtic: “poet” – artsy and cool)
- Ellis (Welsh: “benevolent”)
- Flynn (Irish: “son of the red-haired one”)
- Graham (Scottish: “gravelly homestead”)
- Harris (Scottish: “son of Harry”)
- Irving (Scottish: “green water”)
- Jordan (Celtic-influenced: “flowing down”)
- Kendall (Welsh: “valley of the River Kent”)
- Lee (Celtic-influenced: “clearing”)
- Mason (Celtic-English: “worker in stone”)
- Nash (Celtic-English: “by the ash tree”)
- Owen (Welsh: “young warrior” – a personal favorite)
- Parker (Celtic-English: “park keeper”)
- Ryan (Irish: “little king” – super popular!)
- Sean (Irish: “God is gracious”)
- Tyler (Celtic-English: “tile maker”)
- Wade (Celtic-English: “at the river crossing”)
What Makes Celtic Names So Special?
Celtic names aren’t just beautiful to hear – they’re packed with rich history and meaning. They come from ancient Celtic cultures, including Irish, Scottish, and Welsh traditions. Think of them as little time capsules that carry stories from thousands of years ago!
Want a cool tip? Many Celtic names have connections to nature, warrior traditions, and ancient myths. Pretty neat, right? Related: Check out some medieval names for more historical inspiration.
Popular Celtic Boy Names You’ll Love
Let’s look at some fan favorites that have stood the test of time:
Classic Favorites
- Aidan (ay-den): Means “little fire” – perfect for your energetic little one!
- Arthur: The legendary king’s name means “bear” – talk about strength
- Brian: A timeless choice meaning “strong”
- Finn: A name that means “fair” and has been climbing the popularity charts
These names work great with both traditional and modern families. If you’re into strong names, Celtic culture has tons of options!
Hidden Gems: Unique Celtic Boy Names
Looking for something more unique? I’ve got some amazing options that’ll make your kiddo stand out:
Rare Treasures
- Bairrfhionn (bar-fin): Means “marksman”
- Cairbre (car-bra): Translates to “chariot driver”
- Denzel: Meaning “stronghold”
Fun fact: Many of these unique names have amazing stories behind them from Celtic mythology!
The Stories Behind the Names
Celtic names often tell amazing stories. For instance:
- Niall (nye-al): Meant “champion” and was borne by legendary Irish kings
- Tristan: Of the famous love story Tristan and Isolde, meaning “bold”
Like fantasy names, Celtic names often have epic origins!
Choosing Your Perfect Celtic Name
Here’s what to think about when picking a Celtic name:
Practical Considerations
- Pronunciation ease
- Spelling simplicity
- How it flows with your last name
- Family heritage connections
Remember: You want a name that’ll work for both a tiny baby and a grown adult!
Making It Work in Modern Times
Worried about how a Celtic name might work today? Here’s a handy table of traditional names and their modern variations:
| Traditional | Modern Version | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Conchobar | Connor | Dog lover |
| Eoghan | Owen | Born of the yew |
| Fearghus | Ferguson | Man of strength |
| Caoimhín | Kevin | Handsome birth |
Resources and Further Reading
Want to dive deeper? Check out these options:
- Celtic heritage websites
- Baby naming forums
- Historical texts
- Family name databases
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are Celtic names hard to pronounce?
Not all of them! Many Celtic names have become mainstream and are quite easy to say.
Q: Can I combine Celtic names with modern ones?
Absolutely! Many parents pair a Celtic first name with a modern middle name, or vice versa.
Your Celtic Naming Journey
Remember, choosing a name is a personal journey. Whether you go for a popular Celtic name or a rare gem, what matters most is that it feels right for your family.
Looking for more inspiration? Check out these related articles:
Greetings, I’m Alex – an expert in the art of naming teams, groups or brands, and businesses. With years of experience as a consultant for some of the most recognized companies out there, I want to pass on my knowledge and share tips that will help you craft an unforgettable name for your project through TeamGroupNames.Com!