Irish myths and legends are drenched in intrigue and wonder, and the baby names they’ve inspired are no different.

Being passed down from one generation to the next, storytelling is an art that is so fundamental to our cultural identity here in Ireland.

Children of Lir, Tír na nÓg, and the Salmon of Knowledge are just some of the famous folklore tales that have spawned a host of unique Irish baby names steeped in years of history.

Keep reading to find out our favourites!

Girl baby names inspired by Irish mythology:

Fionnuala

  • finn-noo-lah
  • ‘white-shoulder’
  • Inspired by the four siblings from The Children of Lir

Grace

  • grayce
  • 'charm’ or ‘blessing’
  • Inspired by Granuaile, Ireland’s Pirate Queen

Meadhbh / Maeve / Meabh

  • may-ve
  • ‘she who rules’
  • Inspired by Queen Maeve, the High King of Ireland’s daughter and a fierce warrior queen

Brigid

  • bridge-id
  • Inspired by a key figure in Irish mythology, Brigid is the goddess of fire and poetry

Fódhla

  • foh-la
  • Inspired by an Irish goddess, sister of Banba and Ériu

Read more

Boy baby names inspired by Irish mythology:

Fionn

  • fih-yun
  • ‘fair-haired’
  • Inspired by Fionn MacCumhaill, the leader of the Fianna warriors.

Bran

  • brahn
  • ‘bramble’
  • Inspired by Fionn MacCumhaill’s hounds.

Óisín

  • aw-sheen or uh-sheen
  • Inspired by Fionn MacCumhaill’s son, a member of the Fianna and the main focus of the story Tír Na nÓg.

Aodh

  • aid or ee
  • ‘fire’
  • Inspired by the four siblings from The Children of Lir

Conn

  • cawn
  • ‘intellect’
  • Aodh’s brother from The Children of Lir

Ruadhán

  • ru-ah-dawn
  • ‘little red-haired one’
  • Inspired by the son of goddess Brigid and king of the Tuatha Dé Danann Bres

*This article was originally published on RollerCoaster.ie.