Celtic names - 60 charming ideas
Not only since the "Highlander" and "Asterix" do we know what a proud people the Celts were. In ancient times, the Celtic tribes lived throughout Europe, in southern Spain there were settlements as well as in Hungary or Croatia.
While the Celtic languages are virtually extinct on mainland Europe today, they are still spoken and maintained with pride in Ireland, Wales and Scotland. And also the Celtic name are still very popular - all over the world.
Gods and warriors - the meaning of the Celtic name
We have always been fascinated by the many Celtic legends and stories about enchanted virgins, brave warriors, fairies, kings, gods, elves, druids and animal symbols. This mythology of the Celts is also found in the first name. Most names have meaning, many represent strength, wisdom, boldness or grace. All the qualities that you naturally want to give your child along the way.
Often, however, the meanings are also quite earthly in nature and simply describe only hair color or origin of the child.
Famous people with Celtic first names
Irish or Scottish names of Celtic origin have become popular not least by celebrities. Whether Colin Firth, Kenneth Branagh, the singer Enya or the actress Saoirse Ronan - when celebs carry fancy Celtic names, they quickly find themselves on name-hit lists.
Beware of pronunciation!
However, before you fall in love with a Celtic girl's name or boy's name, you should check the pronunciation. Because that is often quite different, as the written form suggests. Tips for correct pronunciation are many pages on the net, for example Druidcircle.org.
Popular female Celtic names and their meaning:
Ailís - noble
Amena - honest woman
Abigail - the joy of the father
Aileen - bright, light
Alana / Alannah - the beautiful
Audrey - classy, strong
Aithne - fire
Brietta - the strong one
Brenda - female form of Bran = raven
Rhonda - the big one
Aleen - Celtic form of Helena
Audra - noble strength
Bryanna - the strong one
Brigid - variant of Brighid, comes from the word brígh for power, virtue, strength
Tamara - goddess of the river Tamar in Cornwall
Gwendolyn (e) - with white cheeks or eyebrows
Jenifer - variant of the Irish name Gwenhwyfer / Guinevere from Cornwall
Colleen - girl
Erin - Modification by Éireann
Fiona - bright, bright
Fionnuala - white shoulder
Keena - brave
Moira - great, great
Maisie - pearl
Kelly - probably derived from "kelles", holy warriors from Gaelic mythology
Sinéad - the graceful
Shannon - wise
Sheila - blind
Siobhán - the graceful
Tlachtga - daughter of the mythical druid Mog Ruith
Popular male Celtic names and their meaning:
Alan / Ailean / Ailín - beautiful
Bran - raven, important mythological figure
Patrick - after St. Patrick, a saint who freed the Irish from the snake plague
Aurin - the golden one
Brian - strong, noble
Cedric - origin not very clear, probably a derivation of the royal name "Cerdic".
Colin / Coilin - little chief
Connor - strong will
Caolán - slim
Craig - steep rock
Dylan - son of the sea
Douglas - coming out of the dark water
Evan / Ewan - young warrior, derived from Eoghan
Finley - little white / blond warrior
Flynn - son of the redhead
Glen - narrow valley
Gordon - hero
Iain - very old Scottish-Gaelic name meaning unclear
Kenneth - the pretty one
Kevin - the beautiful one
Keenan - ancient
Kendrick - royal leader
Murray - Lord of the Sea
Melvin - armed leader
Sheridan - strong man
Torin - boss
Tristan - weapons clash
Ulick - Derivation from Uilleag
Vaughan - small
