A Celtic name or Keltic names may appeal to you for your bump on the way. Celtic names are truly a brilliant option for any baby and they hold a lot of meaning to many Welsh, Irish, and Scottish people as well as other people across the world. The culture, history, and tradition behind Celtic names are beautiful and they’ll certainly fit your baby on the way.
The Celts occupied a lot of Northern Europe during the Iron age before habituating the British isles later on. There’s no doubt that the celts had a history full of mythology and romance and their impact is certainly still present in most of the United Kingdom today.
You may have heard of some common celtic names such as Dylan, Caitlin, Erin, Owen, or Aidan. But there is a lot more to choose from out there. This article of twenty Celtic names may help you decide on the perfect name for your baby being ancient celtic female names or male names, we’ve got you covered.
Popular Celtic Names
| Name | Meaning |
| Brianna | An honorable and noble person |
| Caitlin | Purity |
| Erin | Child of Ireland |
| Fiona | Fair |
| Aidan | Small fire |
| Brian | High noble |
| Dylan | Son of the sea or great tide |
| Kevin | Gentle or handsome |
Popular Celtic Baby Names for Girls
There are lots of meaningful celtic names available for girls and if this is what you’re awaiting in the next coming months then maybe these are some good names to consider!
Brianna
Origin: Celtic
Meaning: An honorable and noble person
Alternative Spellings: Brianne, Briana, Bryanna, Breanna
Famous People: Brianna Keilar who is a journalist or Brianna Hildebrand who is an actress
Popularity: This name wasn’t all that popular in the United States until around the 1970s but was in the top 20 baby names for girls between 1996 and 2006.
Bronwen
Origin: Celtic
Meaning: Fair chest
Alternative Spellings: Bronwyn, Branwen, Bryony
Famous People: Bronwen Astor who was an English model or Bronwen Dickey who is an American author
Popularity: This name hasn’t really appeared in the top ranks for any countries but is becoming increasingly popular in Wales
Caitlin
Origin: Irish
Meaning: Purity
Alternative Spellings: Kaitlyn, Caitlyn, Caitlan, Cathleen
Famous People: Catlin Carmichael who is an actress or Caitlin FitzGerald who is an american actress and filmmaker
Popularity: This was quite a popular name during the 80s and 90s but then died down a little bit. However, lots of people think that it’s starting to rise from the ashes once again
Erin
Origin: Gaelic
Meaning: Child of Ireland
Alternative Spellings: Eirin, Earin, Aerin, Airin, Aryn
Famous People: Erin Andrews who is a broadcaster or Erin Brockovich who is an activist
Popularity: This name became popular during the 70s in the United States and was ranked in the top 520 in the US in 2020 which is very good going!
Fiona
Origin: Gaelic
Meaning: Fair
Alternative Spelling: Fione, Finella, Fionola, Flora
Famous People: Fiona Apple who is an American Singer or Fino Bruce who is a BBC presenter in the United Kingdom
Popularity: This name didn’t really appear on the popularity list in the United States until around the 1990s but then ranked in the top 1000 at number 296 in 2020 here in the US.
Gwyneth
Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Blessed or fair
Alternative Spellings: Gwenneth, Gwennan, Gwynedd, Gwenyth
Famous People: Gwyneth Paltrow who is an actress, Gwen Stefani who’s a singer
Popularity: This name doesn’t tend to be in the top 1000 names in the United States and doesn’t come into the top 1000 often.
Iona
Origin: Celtic
Meaning: Dove or sign
Alternative Spellings: Yona, Mona, Alona
Famous People: Iona Brown who is an English musician, or Iona Victoria Campagnolo who is a Canadian politician
Popularity: This name doesn’t tend to get into the top 1000 baby girl names in the United States.
Lileas
Origin: Scottish
Meaning: A Lily flower
Alternative Spellings: Lilli, Lily, Lili, Lilian
Famous People: Lily James who is an actress, or Liy Collins who is an actress
Popularity: This name has not made an appearance in the top 1000 names in the United States.
Moira
Origin: Gaelic
Meaning: Destiny
Alternative Spellings: Meira, Meara, Mira, Mara, Mayra
Famous People: Moira Brooker who is an English actress or Moira Harris who is an American actress
Popularity: In 2021, they estimate that there were 124 baby girls named Moira but this name hasn’t made the top 1000 names in the United States.
Niamh
Origin: Gaelic
Meaning: Bright
Alternative Spellings: Neve, Neave, Neeve, Nieve
Famous People: Niamh Blackshaw who is an English Actress or Niamh Charles who is and English Footballer
Popularity: This name isn’t super popular in the United States but is very popular in Ireland where it ranked number two on several occasions in the 90s.
Popular Celtic Names for Boys
There are also many options out there for boys’ names if you’re on the hunt for a Celtic masculine name. Let’s take a look at the following ten to see if something may suit you.
Aidan
Origin: Irish
Meaning: Small fire
Alternative Spellings: Aedan, Aiden, Adan, Aeddan
Famous People: Aidan Gallagher who is an American actor or Aidan McArdle who’s an Irish actor
Popularity: This name wasn’t very popular in the United States until the early 2000s and ranked ninth in the 2010 ranks.
Brian
Origin: Irish
Meaning: Noble or high
Alternative Spellings: Bryan, Brien, Brion
Famous People: Brian Wilson who is an American musician, or Brian Eno who is also a musician
Popularity: This name is in the top 1000 baby boy names in the United States
Dylan
Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Son of the sea or great tide
Alternative Spellings: Dylan, Dillen, Dilloyn, Dylahn, Dyllan
Famous People: Dylan Howe who is an English drummer or Dylan Baker who is an American actor
Popularity: This name has been increasing in popularity ever since the 90s and has maintained its position in the top 1000 boy names in the United States constantly. In fact, this name ranked as the 44th boys’ name in the United States in 2021.
Huw
Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Spirit or heart
Alternative Spellings: Hugh, Hugo, Hughie, Hue
Famous People: Huw Bennett who is a Welsh rugby player, or Huw Cadwaladr who is a welsh poet
Popularity: This name isn’t in the top 1000 names for boys in the United States
Kevin
Origin: Irish
Meaning: Gentle or handsome
Alternative Spellings: Kevan, Kevion, Kevon, Kevyn
Famous People: Kevin Bacon who is an actor or Kevin Durant who is a basketball player
Popularity: In 2021, this name ranked as number 182 in the United States and has always been constantly in the top 1000 names through ranking as number 157 in 2020 and 149 in 2019.
Llywelyn
Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Leader’s image or like a lion
Alternative Spellings: Llew
Famous People: Desmond Llywelyn who was a Welsh actor or Llywelyn the Last who was a prince of Wales
Popularity: This name is not in the top 1000 names in the United States.
Malcolm
Origin: Scottish
Meaning: Devotee of Saint Columba
Alternative Spellings: Malak, Calum, Callum, Maxim
Famous People: Malcolm Ross who is a linguist, or Malcolm Turnbull who is the prior prime minister of Australia. Malcolm X is also a well known civil rights activist
Popularity: This name appeared in the top 250 names for boys in the United States during the 1990s.
Roy
Origin: Gaelic
Meaning: Red hair or red
Alternative Spellings: Royce, Ruadh, Roi, Ray
Famous People: Roy Orbison who is an American singer and songwriter or Roy rogers who was also an American singer
Popularity: This name is still in the top 1000 boy names today and ranked as number 574 in 2020.
Sion
Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Yahweh or God is gracious
Alternative Spellings: Sionyn, John, Soan, Sean
Famous People: Sion Bebb who is a Welsh Golfer or Sion Brinn who was a Jamaican swimmer and coach
Popularity: This name did not rank in the top 1000 baby names for boys in the United States.
Trevor
Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Large settlement
Alternative Spellings: Trefor, Trebor, Trever, Trevaris
Famous People: Trevor Bailey who is an English Cricketer or Trever Berbick who is a boxer
Popularity: This name has always been popular in the United States and reached its peak in the 60s and 70s.
All Celts Together
Whether you decide on an Irish, Welsh, or Scottish name for your little one it will no doubt come with some great history as is the case with any Celtic name. You have a wide choice from some old but great names or even some more modern names – so go wild and think outside the box.