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330+ Irish Dog Names for your Lucky Dog!

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Céad míle fáilte! (One hundred thousand welcomes to you!)

The island of Ireland is a land of rich culture and history and dog’s have always been an important part of society. From the bustling city of Cork to the coastal beauty of Galway, Irish dog names have a unique charm that captures the essence of the Emerald Isle. 

Whether you’re looking for names influenced by the stunning landscape that stretches from coast to coast, or wish to honor your Gaelic heritage, or even just want an Irish nod to the color of your pup’s fur (“Dubh” is the perfect name for black dogs), there is sure to be the perfect name on this list to make your furry friend feel like a true Irish Wolfhound!

Just a word of caution, if you choose an Irish name for your new dog, make sure you know how to pronounce it properly!

Looking for a name for your pup? Try our brand new dog name generator!

Over the past few years, we have curated more than 20,000 dog names.

In just a few easy steps, you can discover a wide array of wonderful names, each selected to match your dog’s size, color, gender, personality, and beyond. Plus, there's the option to save your top picks and share them with friends or family.

It will only take two minutes and it's completely free!

So grab your Guinness, and let’s dive in and explore the world of Irish dog names and the fascinating stories and Irish folklore behind them. 

Irish Dog Names

Female Dog Names for your Cailín Dog

Do you have a typically Irish red haired ‘colleen’? Then she would be perfectly suited to one of these traditional female dog names. We love “Aoibheann” (pronounced AY-VEEN) for a black dog with a very shiny coat. 

Ailbhe
Aine
Aisling (pronounced ash ling)
Alaina
Aoibheann (meand “beautiful sheen”)
Aoife
Ardeen
Breena
Brida
Bríghid
Bronagh
Cadhla
Cadie
Caoimhe (pronounced kee va)
Cara
Ciara (pronounced kee ra)
Cliodhna
Clodagh
Colleen
Connie
Cordelia
Dearbháil
Deirdre
Eabha
Eila
Eilis (Irish version of Elizabeth)
Eimear
Erin
Fiadh
Fiona
Fionnuala (means “fair shouldered”)
Imogen
Keira
Kiana
Laoise (pronounced lee sha)
Maire (Irish form of Mary)
Máiréad
Moira
Myrna
Nessa
Nola
Nora
Nuala
Oona
Orla
Riona
Sadbh
Siobhan
Sorca (pronounced sur ka)

Male Irish Dog Names for your Buachaill Dog

If your new pup is an energetic boy terrier, there is sure to be a fun Irish dog name here that suits him perfectly. We adore the name “Conan” which means “little warrior” for any dog with Irish roots.

Aidan
Ailbe
Alastor
Angus
Arden
Artek
Brody (means “muddy place”)
Cael
Callum
Caoimhín (Gaelic for Kevin)
Caolan
Carrick
Cathal
Cillian (pronounced kill ee an)
Conchobhar
Conan (means “little warrior”)
Conlan
Cormac
Cullen
Declan
Dermot
Diarmuid
Donal
Donnacha
Doyle
Eamon
Eoghan
Eoin
Finian
Finn
Fion
Flannery
Flynn
Girvin
Ian (Gaelic version of John)
Kieron
Lachlan
Liam
Lorcan
Mellan
Milligan
Murphy
Niall (means “noble knight”)
Odhran (means “little pale green one”)
Oisin (pronounced osh een)
Oran
Oscar (means “deer lover”)
Padraig
Rian
Rogan
Rory
Rowan
Seamus
Sean
Sullivan
Tadgh

Funny Irish Dog Names that Pay Tribute to Irish Pride

freckles

Everyday life in the land of leprechauns is a rich source of inspiration for a fun dog name. Whether you pick a name related to history, culture or the difficult but beautiful language, you are sure to have fun picking a name for your new dog. Our favorite names are “Loti” and “Pog” because they encapsulate the quirky nature of Irish culture.

Argyle (from the land of the Gaels)
Bally (common prefix to town names)
Ceili (Irish dancing)
Celt
Charm
Claddagh (traditional Irish ring)
Dancer (riverdance)
Dara (Dara Celtic Knot for strength)
Eire
Fada (accent mark over letters)
Finnegan (Irish surname)
Freckles (freckles are common)
Gaeilge (Irish language in Irish)
Gael
Ginger (for the red haired Irish)
Goldy
Harpy (heraldic symbol of Ireland)
Ireland
Irish
Jig (Irish Jig – dance)
Loti (Luck of the Irish)
Lucky
Malone (Irish surname)
O'Hara (Irish surname)
Odi (“original dark Irish” – a pre-Gaelic tribe, “the people of Ciar” – modern Kerry)
Paddy (for Paddy’s day/Patrick’s Day)
POG (Pot of Gold)
Rainbow
Saint (all the Irish Saints)
Tiernan (means “lord”)
Triquetra (Trinity Celtic Knot of eternal love and life)

Top Irish Dog Names Inspired by Animals

irish sheep

There are several popular Irish dog names associated with native wildlife. The Irish deer is a mystical creature that has been featured in many legends and tales and so we like the name “Fia”.

Baskerbasking shark
BlueKerry Blue Terrier
cow
Brocbadger
Caorasheep
Capallhorse
Collinmeans “cub or puppy”
Colmmeans “dove”
hound
Éanbird
Feileachánbutterfly
Fiadeer
Gabhargoat
GlenGlen of Imaal Terrier
Iolareagle
Lachaduck
LambIreland is known for its sheep
Leonlion
Madradog
Martinpine marten
Phelanmeans “wolf”
Pygmypygmy shrew
Ronanmeans “little seal”
Shaymeans “hawk”
Tarbhbull
Tíogartiger
WolfIrish wolfhound

Fun Dog Names Derived from the Geography of Ireland

torc waterfall

There are so many Irish cities and towns that provide inspiration for male and female dog names. We think “Captain Hook” is a fun name for an Irish Water Spaniel who likes to splash around on the beach by Hook Lighthouse. 

Aranisland
AtlanticWild Atlantic Way 
BirrBirr Castle Demesne
BlarneyBlarney Castle and stone
Braytown
BurrenBurren National Park
Captain HookHook Lighthouse
Carlowsmall town
Casheltown in Tipperary (the rock of Cashel is here)
Cavantown
ClareCounty Clare
Cobhtown
CorkeyCork – city
Dalkeytown
Dingletown
Dublinthe capital and most populous city
Ennistown
EyrePark and garden in Galway
FairyFairy Hill – St. Patrick baptized the king of Munster here
FordWaterford – county in the southern region
GalCounty Galway
GlendaGlendalough historical site
HedaDrogheda – town
Karstkarst landscape of the Burren in County Clare
KennyKilkenny – Irish city
KerryCounty Kerry
KinsyKinsale – town
LeixLeixlip – town
LimerickLimerick county
Liffeyriver
MarshmallowMallow – town
Moherthe Cliffs of Moher
Munsterregion of Ireland
NareaKnocknarea mountain
Navantown (“Nava” for short)
PatrickSt. Patrick's Cathedral (St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland)
PennyHa'penny bridge
Shannonriver
Sligocounty
Stoneyriver
TaraHill of Tara
TempleTemple Bar on Temple Street
Torcwaterfall
TrinityTrinity College
WestWestport – town

Great Names for your Dog Inspired by Colors in the Irish Language

We think a great way to highlight the magnificent coat of your dog is to choose an Irish name based on colors. 

BánWhite color
BándeargPink color
BuÍYellow color
CorcraPurple color
DeargRed color
DonnBrown color
DubhBlack color
GlasGreen color
GormBlue color
LiathGray color
OráistaOrange color

Great Names From Popular Irish Drinks

guinness

Ireland is a country known to solve every problem with a cup of tea, so the name “Barry” is the perfect name for a calm and comforting dog who raises your spirits when they’re down. If you prefer a more Irish name, you can’t go wrong with “Guinness”.

Bailey  (Baileys Irish cream)
Barry (Barry’s Tea)
Black Velvet (Guinness & Champagne)
Guinness
Jameson (whiskey)
Poitin (Irish moonshine)
Shandy (beer mixed with soda)
Tulle (Tullemore Dew whiskey)
Whiskey

Fun Food Related Names for your Irish Dogs

potatoes

Does your Irish dog have a big appetite? Naming dogs after food has always been a popular trend and there are some amazing choices here for you to choose. We can’t even pick our favorite – see you in the kitchen! YUM!

BallymaloeIrish stew
Bapbreakfast roll
Boxtypotato pancake
BrackBarmbrack – dried fruit bread with a ring baked into it
Cabbagestaple food
CannonColcannon & Champ – mash potatoes, cabbage and spring onions
ChampColcannon & Champ – mash potatoes, cabbage and spring onions
Coddletraditional stew
Porkybacon and cabbage – traditional fare on Paddy's day
Puddingblack and white pudding – blood sausages
RasherBacon
Shepshepherd's pie
SpudPotatoes go with everything
StewyLamb stew is very popular

Irish Dog Names from History and Famous People

The only problem with picking an Irish dog name from history is being spoilt for choice. With such an interesting past, there is so much to draw inspiration from. Moreover, for such a small country there are so many well known celebrities to name your dog after. We just love U2, so “Bono” is the only Irish dog name for us!

AengusKing of MunsterMale
BeckettSamuel Beckett – authorMale
BonoU2 singerMale
BramBram Stoker – Dracula authorMale
BrigidSaint Brigid of KildareFemale
BrosnanPierce Brosnan – actorMale
EnyasingerFemale
FarrellColin Farrell – actorMale
FassiMichael Fassbender – actorMale
FlatleyMichael Flatley – riverdanceMale
GarechGarech Browne – art collectorMale
GeldofBob Geldof – singerMale
GráinneGráinne Mhaol – legendary pirate queenFemale
HoranNiall Horan – singerMale
Ita6th century saintFemale
NeesonLiam Neeson – actorMale
NortonGraham Norton – comedianMale
SaoirseSaoirse Ronan – actressFemale
SineadSinead O'Connor – singerFemale
StokerBram Stoker – Dracula authorMale
SwiftyJonathan Swift – author of Gullivers TravelsUnisex

Popular Irish Dog Names from Movies, TV Shows and Books

There are Irish names aplenty for dogs in pop culture from the land of green – Father Ted and Mrs. Brown’s Boys are a part of life in every household across the country.  We have a real soft spot for the name “Biddy” for a lady dog who is getting on in years. 

ArtemisArtemis FowlMale
ArtieArtemis FowlMale
BernardBlack BooksMale
BiddyGlenroeFemale
BoondockThe Boondock SaintsUnisex
BranGame of Thrones – Bran StarkMale
ConnellNormal PeopleMale
DannyAngelMale
DarbyDarby O'GillFemale
DougalFather TedMale
DracBram Stoker's DraculaMale
FlurryThe Irish RMUnisex
FrancieThe Butcher BoyFemale
GulliverGulliver's TravelsMale
MacManusThe Boondock SaintsMale
MaggieMaggie Poplin (play 1969)Female
McKennaGrace NotesFemale
Mrs. BrownMrs. Brown's BoysFemale
Mrs. DoyleFather TedFemale
O'MalleyGrey's Anatomy – George O'MalleyMale
RavenGame of Thrones – the three eyed ravenUnisex
SadieThe Twelfth Day of JulyFemale
SherinBanshees of InisherinFemale
TedFather TedMale
ThomasAristocatsMale

Fun Irish Names Inspired by Irish Mythology

leprechaun

Mythology in Ireland is a cultural tradition that has spanned centuries. Many mythological creatures are well-known, not just locally, but across the world. Legends, tales and folklore stories are a great place to search for Irish dog names that fit a dogs mischievous spirit.

AibellFairy Queen who played a magic harpFemale
BalorBaylor of the Evil Eye – giant demon with a large eyeMale
Banbapatron goddess of IrelandFemale
Bansheewailing spirit that foretells deathFemale
Cúchulainna noble knight who defended Ulster aloneMale
DagdaCeltic DeityMale
Darrigfar darrig is the leprechauns evil red twinMale
Dulladullahan – headless faerie on a black horseMale
EllenEllen Trechend – 3 headed celtic monsterFemale
Ériupatron goddess of IrelandFemale
FaerieIreland is full of FaeriesFemale
Fermacdog that belched out wine, gold and silverMale
Fódlapatron goddess of IrelandFemale
Gortafear gorta is a zombie like creatureMale
Kelpieevil water spiritFemale
LeprechaunMale
Lirmythological sea godMale
Lughceltic god of the sun and lightMale
Mabqueen of the fairiesFemale
MacCoolFinn MacCool is an Irish legendary giant warriorMale
Manannánsea warrior and king of the OtherworldMale
Meabhlegendary warrior queen of Connaught (also Maeve)Female
Merrowceltic mermaidFemale
MuckieIreland's Loch Ness monster – lives in the lakes of KillarneyUnisex
Muireannpronounced “mweer in” – mythical mermaidFemale
Niamhdaughter of sea god ManannánFemale
Olliolliphéist – celtic dragon monsterMale
Pookashapeshifting trickster spirit from Celtic folklore that brings bad luckUnisex
Sionnagoddess of the river ShannonFemale

Irish Dog Names from Wild Nature

Much of the Irish countryside is wild and untouched, with rolling green hills, rocky outcrops and vast fields of beautiful seasonal flowers. There are many options of stunning names for your Irish dog that rival the unsurpassed splendor of Ireland’s nature. We adore “Shamrock” and “Clover” – two of the most Irish dog names ever.

Blathnaidmeans “flower” – pronounced blaw nid
Clover
Darraghmeans “oak tree”
Eibhlínshining light
EmeraldEmerald Isle
RiverRiverdance
Roisinlittle rose
Shamrockthree leaf clover

Dog Names Related to Irish Sports

hurling

If you are looking for something a little bit different and less traditional, Irish dog names derived from sports is a good place to explore. We think the name “Cammie” , shortened from Camogie, which is Women’s hurling is such a cute name for your girl dog.

BrianBrian O'Driscoll – rugbyMale
CamogieWomen's HurlingFemale
ConorConor McGregor – mixed martial artistMale
HenryHenry Shefflin – hurlingMale
HurleyStick for HurlingUnisex
LowryShane Lowry – golferMale
PaulPaul O'Connell – rugbyMale
RoyRoy Keane – footballMale
SliotarBall for HurlingUnisex
TaylorKatie Taylor – boxingUnisex

Irish Dog Breeds

irish setter standing

There are nine Irish dog breeds recognised by the American Kennel club, the most popular of which are the Irish Wolfhound, Irish Setter and Irish Terrier breeds.

The Irish Setter is a beautifully boisterous breed with a long dark red coat. These were traditionally hunting dogs and so require an energetic family to keep up with them.

The Irish Wolfhound is a giant dog breed  that was originally a wolf hunter. These calm, gentle souls sometimes come with black coats which adds a real touch of elegance to an already dignified and regal breed.

The Irish Terrier is a popular dog breed due to their tough and versatile nature. Often referred to as IT’s these daredevils have coats with a reddish hue, which matches their stubborn and mischievous temperament. If you doubt how hardy and tough they are, it might interest you to know that they were combat messengers during WW1.

Conclusion

We hope you have had lots of fun exploring the mystery and intrigue of the Emerald Isle with us and that you have found your favorite name from our list. Let us know below your top pick for an Irish dog name – we love to hear from our readers.

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