Gaelic Girl Names
Gaelic female given names come primarily from Irish and Scottish Gaelic. Many show lenition in spelling (bh, mh, dh) and use diacritics in Irish. Feminine formation commonly uses diminutives: Irish -ín (as in Caitlín, Eibhlín) and Scottish Gaelic -ag (as in Mòrag). Anglicized female forms often end in -a or -e and simplify spellings.
Traditional female naming draws strongly on early saints and medieval figures, notably Brigid/Bríd, and on Gaelic adaptations of biblical names. Today, girls’ names see renewed use in Ireland and Scotland, while international usage tends to adopt Anglicized spellings and omit accents. Aside from these feminine suffixes and adaptations, structural patterns largely match those of male Gaelic names.
Showing 50
of 171 names
| Name | Meaning | Origins | Gender | Popularity (last 10y) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaylee | A modern blended name often interpreted as 'pure meadow' (Kay + Lee); sometimes linked to 'slender' or 'fair' from Gaelic influences | English, Gaelic | Girl | 22,775 #1 | |
| Fiona | Fair, white (from Gaelic fionn) | Gaelic | Girl | 11,054 #2 | |
| Alanna | Feminine form of Alan/Alana; commonly rendered 'beautiful' (Irish 'álainn') or derived meanings like 'little rock/handome' (from Alan) and sometimes 'noble' (Germanic). | Breton, Gaelic, Germanic, Irish | Girl | 5,821 #3 | |
| Kenna | Feminine form of Kenneth - derived from Gaelic roots meaning "born of fire" (Cináed) and also associated with "handsome" (Coinneach). | Gaelic, Scottish | Girl | 3,825 #4 | |
| Keyla | Varies by origin: from Hebrew Keilah 'citadel/fortress'; as a modern variant of Kayla the meaning varies by interpretation; possibly linked to Gaelic 'slender'. | English, Gaelic, Hebrew, Irish | Girl | 3,640 #5 | |
| Bria | Noble, strong; power | Gaelic, Irish | Girl | 3,164 #6 | |
| Alannah | Darling; little child (sometimes associated with 'harmony'/'handsome' via Alan) | Gaelic, Irish | Girl | 2,150 #7 | |
| Bryanna | Noble, strong, high | Gaelic, Irish | Girl | 1,435 #8 | |
| Makena | The happy one; joyful | Gaelic, Hawaiian, Irish | Girl | 1,311 #9 | |
| Kessy | Uncertain - often treated as a diminutive/spelling variant. Commonly associated with meanings from related names such as 'island of ships' (Kelsey) or 'brave/vigilant' (Casey); also used as a pet form of Katherine/Kassandra. | English, Gaelic, Irish | Girl | 960 #10 | |
| Mackenna | From the Gaelic surname Mac Cionaodha, 'son of Cionaodh' - often interpreted as 'born of fire' or related to 'Kenneth' ('handsome'). | Gaelic | Girl | 729 #11 | |
| Kaylah | Commonly interpreted as 'crown' or 'laurel'; also used as a diminutive of Michaela or as a modern English spelling variant. | Arabic, English, Gaelic, Hebrew, Irish | Girl | 683 #12 | |
| Alanni | Likely from Hawaiian ʻalani meaning 'orange (tree/fruit)' or a modern feminine variant of Alana/Alanna meaning 'precious/child'; generally evokes warmth/brightness. | English, Gaelic, Hawaiian, Irish | Girl | 600 #13 | |
| Mailen | Varies by origin: could mean 'little chief' (Gaelic), relate to 'of Magdala' via Magdalena, or be associated with 'apricot blossom' (Mai) | Gaelic, Scandinavian | Girl | 492 #14 | |
| Allana | Variant of Alana/Alanna - linked to the name Alan, often interpreted as 'little rock' or 'handsome'; sometimes given the sense 'harmony' or 'cheerful' in modern usage. | Celtic, Gaelic | Girl | 456 #15 | |
| Caelyn | From Gaelic Caolán, meaning 'slender' or 'narrow'; used as a feminine form/variant of Caelan | Gaelic | Girl | 391 #16 | |
| Ailana | Variant name whose senses include 'little rock' or 'handsome' (from Alan), 'tree' (Hebrew Ilana), or 'light/torch' (via Helena/Elena) | Breton, Gaelic | Girl | 383 #17 | |
| Ailsa | Named for Ailsa Craig; often interpreted as 'elf island' or 'Alf's island' | Gaelic, Scottish | Girl | 378 #18 | |
| Ellana | A modern/variant form of Elana/Eliana/Alana; commonly associated meanings include 'oak/tree' (Hebrew), 'God has answered' (Eliana), or senses from Alana such as 'precious' or 'harmony'. Often used as a blend of Ella + Anna. | English, Gaelic, Hebrew, Irish | Girl | 327 #19 | |
| Kiani | Often interpreted as 'royal' or 'kingly'; also used as a feminine form of Kian/Cian or as a variant of Kiana. | English, Gaelic, Hawaiian, Irish, Persian | Girl | 273 #20 | |
| Alania | Feminine form of Alan/Alana - commonly associated with 'little rock' or 'noble'; can also mean 'from Alania' (land of the Alans). | Celtic, Gaelic | Girl | 212 #21 | |
| Breanne | Noble; high, strong | Gaelic, Irish | Girl | 209 #22 | |
| Caila | Probably 'slender' (from Gaelic caol); if treated as a Kayla-variant, associated meanings include 'crown' or 'laurel' depending on derivation. | Gaelic, Irish | Girl | 169 #23 | |
| Kena | Varies by origin - Gaelic: related to Kenneth meanings ('born of fire' or 'handsome'); Sanskrit: a classical word meaning 'by whom' or 'from whom'. | Gaelic, Sanskrit, Scottish | Girl | 162 #24 | |
| Eylin | From Turkish 'Aylin' meaning 'moon halo' or 'moonlight'; also associated with Irish 'Eileen' meaning 'bright, shining one'. | English, Gaelic, Irish, Turkish | Girl | 142 #25 | |
| Ceanna | Likely 'ancient, distant' (from Gaelic Cian); sometimes associated with 'head' or 'chief' (from ceann) | Gaelic, Irish | Girl | 117 #26 | |
| Neala | Derived from Niall - commonly interpreted as "champion" (also associated with "cloud" or "passionate") | Gaelic, Irish | Girl | 109 #27 | |
| Mailin | Often considered a form of Malin/Magdalena meaning "of Magdala" or a diminutive meaning "little one"; in Gaelic contexts related to mael (devotee/chief) | Gaelic, Irish | Girl | 86 #28 | |
| Keena | Likely from Irish 'Cian' meaning 'ancient' (diminutive: 'little ancient one') or from English 'keen' meaning 'sharp, eager'. | Gaelic, Irish | Girl | 78 #29 | |
| Breena | Variant of Brianna, commonly interpreted as "noble" or "strong" | Gaelic, Irish | Girl | 76 #30 | |
| Glenna | Valley; from the valley | Gaelic, Scottish | Girl | 75 #31 | |
| Alane | Variant of Alan/Alana, commonly interpreted as "little rock" or "handsome". | Breton, Gaelic | Girl | 67 #32 | |
| Kyna | Uncertain; commonly treated as a feminine name with possible senses of 'ancient' or 'enduring' (via Irish Cian) or 'divine/heavenly' (via Kiana). | Gaelic | Girl | 53 #33 | |
| Aileena | Bright, shining one | Gaelic, Irish | Girl | 46 #34 | |
| Allaina | Often interpreted as "bright, shining light" (from Elaine/Helen); sometimes linked to "little rock" or "harmony" (from Alana). | French, Gaelic, Greek, Irish | Girl | 37 #35 | |
| Brigitta | Exalted one; strength, power | Gaelic, Irish | Girl | 32 #36 | |
| Kiahna | Varies by origin - commonly 'divine' (from Diana); also associated with 'royal/kingdom' (Persian) or 'dark-haired' (Irish) | Gaelic | Girl | 30 #37 | |
| Briona | From Brian - 'noble', 'high' or 'strong' | Gaelic, Irish | Girl | 27 #38 | |
| Brigit | Exalted, high; associated with strength, power, and virtue | Gaelic, Irish | Girl | 26 #39 | |
| Keionna | No single traditional meaning. Likely a feminine form of Keon/Keion; meanings tied to root forms can include 'ancient' (from Irish Cian) or associations with Eoin/John ('God is gracious'), depending on source. | Gaelic | Girl | 24 #40 | |
| Makinna | A feminine variant of Makenna/McKenna - 'son/descendant of Cionaodh', often interpreted as 'born of fire' or 'beloved'. | Gaelic, Irish | Girl | 24 #41 | |
| Eilen | Generally interpreted as 'bright, shining' (via Helen) or linked to Aveline meaning 'desired/wished-for.' | Gaelic, Irish | Girl | 23 #42 | |
| Briggitte | Exalted one; strength, power | Gaelic, Irish | Girl | 22 #43 | |
| Seila | Multiple possible origins - possibly 'pause' (Hebrew Selah) or related to Celia meaning 'heavenly'; sometimes treated as a phonetic variant of Sheila/Cecilia. | English, Gaelic, Hebrew, Latin, Roman | Girl | 20 #44 | |
| Briahna | Noble, strong | Gaelic, Irish | Girl | 16 #45 | |
| Allannah | Darling; 'my child' (term of endearment) | Gaelic, Irish | Girl | 15 #46 | |
| Keiryn | Little dark one; dark-haired (diminutive of Ciarán) | Gaelic, Irish | Girl | 15 #47 | |
| Kerra | Likely 'dark' or 'dark-haired' (from Irish 'Ciara'); sometimes used as a variant of 'Kara' meaning 'beloved'. | English, Gaelic, Irish, Scottish | Girl | 12 #48 | |
| Seara | Possibly 'dark-haired' (if from Irish Ciara) or 'harvest/crop' (if from Portuguese 'seara'); also used as a modern/phonetic variant of similar names. | English, Gaelic, Irish, Portuguese | Girl | 12 #49 | |
| Branna | From Gaelic 'Bran' meaning 'raven' (occasionally treated as an English variant of Brianna, which means 'noble'/'high') | Gaelic, Irish | Girl | 7 #50 |
Gaelic Girls name popularity over time
Aggregated births across United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany for every Gaelic-origin name in our dataset.
171
Names in this origin
2
With data in 2025
0
Births 2025
13,080
Peak year 2009