Irish Dog Names
Irish Dog Names are very popular for those who own one of the nine official Irish dog breeds. According to the Irish Kennel Club (IKC)
The nine dog breeds include
Irish Wolfhound
Kerry Beagle
Irish Water Spaniel
Irish Red Setter (Irish Setter)
Irish Red and White Setter
Irish Terrier
Irish Glen of Imaal Terrier
Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Kerry Blue Terrier
Irish Terrier
Kerry Blue Terrier
Irish Glen of Imaal Terrier
Irish Setter
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
All of the breeds are too large to be featured on this site, but even if you do not have one of these breeds, there is no reason to pass up the option of a great Irish name for your new dog.
Maybe you like the sound of the name, or maybe your ancestors were Irish, there are may great names from which to choose.
Many people want an Irish name because they have fond memories of visiting the country or meeting the people of Ireland.
Maybe you are a fan of the music, dance, food or folklore?
Your puppy born on March 17th St. Patrick’s Day – Choose an Irish Dog name in honor of the day.
The following names are separated by gender, and the final list of names can be used for both girls or boys.
Did I miss your favorite Irish Dog Name? Let me know, and I will add it to the list along with your name and location if you like. Contact me. Be sure to let me know what name page you'd like your suggestion to be shown.
Irish Dog Names Based on Place Names
There are many cities and towns in Ireland that are known world-wide.
These names might make the perfect dog name especially if you are Irish at Heart or have traveled to these locations.
Travel often leaves lasting impressions and fond memories which is an excellent reason to share it with a new puppy.
Blarney – Heard of the legendary Blarney Stone? This town is also home to Blarney Castle.
Dingle - a port city in Southwest Ireland. Just has a nice ring to it?
Donegal – a beautiful, historic city in the northern Ireland.
Dublin – capital and largest city in Ireland.
Galway – An ancient place full of myth.
Moher – The Cliffs of Moher is a natural attraction with amazing views.
Sean - The oldest bar in the world which opened 1100 years ago. Sean's Bar
Look No Farther than Irish Culture
When one thinks about Ireland, what jumps to mind? Leprechauns, St. Patrick's Day or the infamous gold hidden at the end of the rainbow. Why not borrow for some of these traditions and give your Irish dog a fun Irish name
Bailey – an Irish Whiskey cream based liqueur.
Boxty - an Irish potato pancake
Celt – an ancient society, came to Ireland around 500 B.C. left a lasting influence on the people of Ireland.
Champ - an Irish mashed potato dish made with potatoes, milk, butter and scallions
Charm - a good luck charm
Guinness - Irish Beer
Leprechaun – A mythical creature in Traditional Irish folklore
Lucky - The Luck of the Irish
Patrick or Pat for short - as in St. Patrick's Day
Paddy - an Irish abbreviation
Shamrock - The green clover plant that is also the national emblem of Ireland -
Tater - short for Potato a well-known staple in Irish cuisine.
Irish Dog Names for Boys
Aidan – Born of Fire
Alroy – Red
Ardan – High Aspirations
Bain – Fair Bridge
Bowie – Yellow Haired
Braden – Son of Bradan
Brady Means “one with broad eyes”
Brendan Prince
Brian – Nobleman
Cabhan (pronounced Kav-an) - Grassy Hill
Carbry - Charioteer
Cian or Kian (pronounced Key-in) – Enduring
Clancy – Ruddy Warrior
Clooney – Rogue
Coilin – (pronounced Koh-Lin) Little Chieftan
Conall - Mighty
Conan – Little Warrior
Connor – Lover of Hounds
Cowan Dweller at a hollow
Cullen Means holly
Dillon – Faithful
Dolan – Irish Surname
Donnelly – Irish surname, but good for a given name, shorten to 2 syllables: Don-Ley
Dublin – Place name
Duggan – Irish Surname
Dunn – Irish Surname
Dwyer – Irish surname right for a boy name
Dylan - Flash of Lightening
Emmet – From the famous orator, Robert Emmet
Evan - Little swift one
Fergal - Brave
Fergus - Superior
Finn - Clear, white, fair
Finnian - Little fair one
Fintan – Fair Hair
Galen – Calm
Galway – City in Ireland
Gilroy – Rulers’ servant’s son
Grady - Irish surname, good for a boy name
Guinness – Irish surname, beer
Hugh - Fire
Hurley – Irish surname
Ian - Gaelic form of John
Keegan – Once a surname, now used as a first name
Keiran - Little black-haired one
Lee - River
Liam - Short for the Irish form of William
Maguire - Irish surname
Nolan - Little proud one
Paddy - Form of Patrick
Quinn - Reason or Wisdom
Rory - Red or rust-colored
Seamus (pronounced SHAY-MUS) - Gaelic form of James
Sean (pronounced SHAWN) Irish form of John, meaning “God is gracious.”
Tiernan - Little Lord
Irish Dog Names for Girls
Ava – Beautiful
Brea - Strong
Bree – One with a Higher Power
Bridget – Power
Brita (Britt) (Biddy) - Strong
Caitlin – from St. Catherine
Clare – from the Latin, clear, bright
Colleen - Girl
Courtney – One with a short nose
Darcy – Dark Haired
Dorren - Sullen
Eileen - Variant of Evelyn
Enya - kernel
Eveleen “Little Eve” Eve means life
Fallon – Leader’s daughter
Finola - White Shoulders
Gillian (pronounced JILL-EE-UN) - Feminine form of Julian
Ida – (pronounced ee-da) - Thirst for goodness)
Inis - Gaelic form of the county seat of County Clare, Ennis.
Keelin - slender, fair
Kerry – Place name
Kira or Kyra - Little dark girl
Maire - Popular Irish form of Mary
Maureen - Gaelic form of Mary
Mona – Little Noble one
Morna - Merry
Nainsi - Gaelic form of Nancy, which means gracious
Nora - Honor
Noreen Diminutive of Nora,
Peggy – Form of Margaret, a pearl
Riley (Reilly) - Courageous
Riona - Queenly
Siobhan (pronounced ZHUH-VAHN) Gaelic version\ of Joan
Teagan – Beautiful
Tara – Place name
Irish Dog Names for Either Girls or Boys
Casey – Victorious or Brave
Kassidy – One with Curly Hair
Kelly – Intelligent
Quinn – Wise
Reagan (Regan) - Riagan’s descendant
Did you know that many Irish surnames began with a Mac or an “O” Mac means son of and O means grandson of someone? Many of the Irish surnames were created in the 11 – 12 centuries.
About Janice (author and voice behind this site)
Having lived with dogs and cats most of her life, Janice served as a veterinary technician for ten years in Maryland and twelve years as a Shih Tzu dog breeder in Ohio.
Her education includes undergraduate degrees in Psychology with a minor in biology, Early Childhood Education, and Nursing, and a master's in Mental Health Counseling.
She is a lifelong learner, a dog lover, and passionate about the welfare of animals. Her favorite breed for over 50 years has been the Shih Tzu, but she has also lived with Poodles, Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Beagles, English Bulldogs, Carin Terriers, and a Cocker Spaniel.
When not writing, reading, and researching dog-related topics, she likes to spend time with her eight Shih Tzu dogs, husband, and family, as well as knitting and crocheting. She is also the voice behind Miracle Shih Tzu and Smart-Knit-Crocheting
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