136+ Irish Names Starting with A
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Editor-in-ChiefUpdated Dec 5, 2025136 Names
When choosing an Irish name starting with A, say it out loud with your last name to hear how they sound together. Think about nicknames that might come from it naturally. Consider if you want a name that is well known and familiar or one that feels more special and rare for your child.
Popular Names
Explore the most searched irish names starting with a side by side. The infographic below shows the leading names for both boys and girls.
Irish Names Starting with A for Girls
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Beautiful or Noble"
- Description:Used as a feminine name in Anglophone contexts, sometimes linked to Irish forms and sometimes treated as modern creation.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Little Child"
- Description:An Irish name commonly interpreted from Gaelic affectionate forms, frequently glossed as referring to a child or dear one.
- Origin:Irish, Scottish
- Meaning:"Bright; Shining One"
- Description:Aileen is an Anglicized Gaelic form, commonly associated with meanings of brightness and radiance.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Bright or Radiant"
- Description:A spelling variant of Eileen, usually traced to Irish forms ultimately connected to meanings of brightness.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Dream; Ash Tree"
- Description:Modern formation influenced by Irish-sounding patterns and the ash-tree element, with multiple proposed derivations in use.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Dream; Vision"
- Description:A modern spelling of Aisling, an Irish name meaning dream or vision, widely adopted in contemporary English usage.
- Origin:Irish, Spanish
- Meaning:"Little Bird"
- Description:Often associated with Irish Ailín or Spanish-influenced spellings, with meanings ranging from little bird to variant diminutives.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Dream; Vision"
- Description:From Irish Gaelic, it is traditionally interpreted as dream or vision and is used both in Ireland and internationally.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Child; Dear One"
- Description:Alannah reflects Irish Gaelic phrasing used as an endearment, later adopted as a feminine given name.
- Origin:English, Irish
- Meaning:"Pledge or Promise"
- Description:Arlene is a twentieth-century name with debated origins, often linked to Irish forms and the idea of a pledge.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Child, Dear One"
- Description:A variant of Alana, often associated with Irish a leanbh meaning child, though etymological interpretations are not fully settled.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Beautiful; Radiant"
- Description:Traditional Irish name prominent in mythology and modern Ireland, with stable Gaelic pronunciation conventions.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Dream; Vision"
- Description:A modern spelling of Aisling, an Irish word meaning dream or vision, used as a given name since the twentieth century.
- Origin:Irish, Latin
- Meaning:"Honor"
- Description:A shortened form related to Honora traditions, commonly interpreted through Latin honor meanings in Irish and Anglophone usage.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Fair; River"
- Description:Aven appears as a modern given name associated with Irish descriptive interpretations and English river-name parallels, producing nature-linked readings.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Brightness or Radiance"
- Description:Aine is an Irish Gaelic name associated with a mythological figure and commonly interpreted in terms of brightness or radiance.
- Origin:Irish, Spanish
- Meaning:"Little Fire"
- Description:Ailen appears in multiple contexts as a modern form linked to Irish Ailín and Spanish usage, often associated with fire imagery.
- Origin:English, Irish
- Meaning:"Pledge; Hill"
- Description:Used as a modern given name possibly blending Arlen and similar forms; its etymology is not consistently agreed.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Dream; Vision"
- Description:An anglicized spelling of Aisling, an Irish word for dream or vision, associated with a poetic genre.
- Origin:Finnish, Irish
- Meaning:"Light; or Noble"
- Description:Used in Finnish and Irish contexts, sometimes linked to Helen-type light meanings or Alice-type noble interpretations.
- Origin:English, Irish
- Meaning:"Bright One"
- Description:Ailee is often treated as a variant of Ailey or Hailey, commonly glossed as bright or shining in modern usage.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Dream or Vision"
- Description:An Anglicized spelling of Aisling, an Irish word meaning dream or vision and associated with a poetic literary genre.
- Origin:Irish, Modern English
- Meaning:"Little Fire"
- Description:Ayden is a popular modern spelling of Aidan, typically linked to Irish roots conveying fire or fiery qualities.
- Origin:English, Irish
- Meaning:"Mountain of Strength"
- Description:Often a variant spelling of Aaron or Erin, so meaning varies with the intended underlying name.
- Origin:Irish, American
- Meaning:"Bright; Shining"
- Description:Ailynn is a modern variant of Aileen and related Irish forms, commonly interpreted as bright or shining in meaning.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Dream; Vision"
- Description:Irish name meaning dream or vision, prominent in Gaelic literary tradition and modern Irish naming practice.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Pledge"
- Description:Variant spelling of Arlene, often linked to Irish roots; documentation suggests modern coinage and adaptation across English records.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Little Fiery One"
- Description:Anglicized from Irish Aodhán, it has seen strong late twentieth-century revival in English-speaking countries.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Little Rock"
- Description:Ailin is an Irish form related to Ailín, typically interpreted from Gaelic roots referring to a small rock.
- Origin:Scottish, Irish
- Meaning:"From the Oak Ford"
- Description:Primarily a surname of Gaelic-associated usage, it is used as a given name, though the precise original meaning is debated.
- Origin:English, Irish
- Meaning:"Pledge"
- Description:Arlen has several proposed origins including Irish and English influences, but a single authoritative meaning is uncertain.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Dream; Vision"
- Description:Anglicized form related to Irish Aisling, meaning dream or vision, with several contemporary spellings in use.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Little Rock"
- Description:Alannie is a modern diminutive related to Alana, often linked to Irish-rooted meanings such as little rock.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Pledged to God"
- Description:Ailish is an Irish form related to Elizabeth, traditionally interpreted through the long-established sense of being pledged to God.
- Origin:Irish, Scottish
- Meaning:"Little Rock"
- Description:Often treated as a spelling variant of Alana or Alannah, used in Anglophone contexts with Gaelic styling.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Bright; Shining"
- Description:Variant of Eileen and Aileen forms, with competing Irish and English derivations and inconsistent semantic glosses.
- Origin:Irish, Modern English
- Meaning:"Dream Vision Variant"
- Description:A modern spelling of Aisling, an Irish word referring to a poetic dream or vision.
- Origin:English, Irish
- Meaning:"Pledge or Oath"
- Description:Used as a given name with multiple proposed origins, it is sometimes linked to Irish elements associated with pledge or oath.
- Origin:Modern English, Irish
- Meaning:"Peace"
- Description:Airyn is a contemporary spelling variant often aligned with Erin or Aaron, chosen for its soft phonetic profile.
- Origin:Modern English, Irish
- Meaning:"Dream; Vision"
- Description:Aslynn is a modern variant influenced by Aisling, an Irish word for dream or vision used as a feminine name.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Dream; Vision"
- Description:Ayslin is a spelling variant of Aisling, the Irish word for dream or vision used as a given name.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Little Fiery One"
- Description:Anglicized from Aodhán, it is historically linked to Irish saints and a root referring to fire.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Dream Vision"
- Description:Ashleen is a spelling variant of Aisling, an Irish name traditionally meaning dream or vision.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Dream; Vision"
- Description:Variant of Ashlyn, often traced to Irish Aisling meaning dream or vision, with modern English spelling elaboration.
- Origin:Irish, Modern English
- Meaning:"Dream or Vision"
- Description:Aslin reflects Irish aisling meaning dream or vision, commonly adapted into English spellings for ease of pronunciation.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Little Fire"
- Description:Ayven is usually treated as a variant of Aidan or Aiden, from Irish roots associated with fire and warmth.
- Origin:Irish, Gaelic
- Meaning:"Noble"
- Description:Variant spelling related to Ailidh or Aileen traditions, often associated with Gaelic naming elements conveying nobility.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Pleasant"
- Description:Anglicized form associated with Irish Aoibhinn, commonly glossed as pleasant or radiant in meaning.
- Origin:Irish, French
- Meaning:"Bright"
- Description:A variant related to Aileen and Eileen traditions, generally interpreted with brightness or light associations in Irish-derived naming.
- Origin:English, Irish
- Meaning:"Oak Tree"
- Description:Alonnah resembles names derived from Irish elements referencing the oak tree, symbolizing endurance and stability.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Pledge or Oath"
- Description:Arline is often treated as a variant of Irish Aileen or Arlene forms, with meanings variably connected to pledges.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Bright"
- Description:A variant related to Eileen and Aileen, often interpreted as bright, with Irish Gaelic roots and later English standardization.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Pledge; Promise"
- Description:Variant spelling of Arlene, often linked to Irish-derived elements; exact etymology is contested among sources.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Dream"
- Description:A modern variant of Ashlyn, reflecting Irish-influenced naming trends and contemporary spelling preferences.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Bright Shining"
- Description:Alleen is often treated as a variant of Eileen or Aileen, associated with meanings of brightness or shining.
- Origin:Latin, Irish
- Meaning:"Arms; Weapons"
- Description:Arma may reflect Latin arma meaning arms and also resembles Irish place-name usage, producing ambiguous etymological pathways.
- Origin:Turkish, Irish
- Meaning:"Little Fire"
- Description:Used in multiple traditions, it is frequently linked to the Irish Aidan tradition and a fire-related semantic core.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Light; Radiance"
- Description:Aileene is an Irish linked variant of Eileen, typically associated with light or radiance through Gaelic and English transmission.
- Origin:English, Irish
- Meaning:"Pledge Oath"
- Description:A variant spelling of Arlene, often connected to Irish-derived interpretations involving a pledge or oath in modern etymological treatments.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Dream or Vision"
- Description:Ashlinn is a modern spelling of Aisling, an Irish name meaning dream or vision, prominent in literary tradition.
- Origin:Irish, Hebrew
- Meaning:"My Father Is Joy"
- Description:Abaigeal is an Irish Gaelic form of Abigail, from Hebrew elements traditionally interpreted as my father is joy.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Dream Vision"
- Description:Ashling is an Anglicized form of Irish Aisling, a term in literature meaning dream or vision.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Beautiful Child"
- Description:Related to Alana, it is often linked to Gaelic a leanbh meaning child, used widely in English-speaking regions.
- Origin:Irish, Germanic
- Meaning:"Noble Kind"
- Description:An Irish form related to Alice, ultimately from a Germanic element meaning noble kind.
- Origin:Irish, Scottish
- Meaning:"Child or Dear One"
- Description:Related to Gaelic diminutive and affectionate forms, it is a modern spelling variant emphasizing softness and familiarity.
- Origin:English, Irish
- Meaning:"Pledge; Oath"
- Description:Arliene is a variant of Arlene, often linked to Irish-influenced interpretations and adapted through English spelling conventions.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Pledge"
- Description:Variant spelling of Arlene, commonly linked to Irish-influenced usage though etymological explanations vary across sources.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Dream or Vision"
- Description:A spelling variant influenced by Irish Aisling traditions, commonly glossed as dream, vision, or poetic inspiration.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Little Noble One"
- Description:Often linked to Irish-derived forms like Kathleen, it is treated as a phonetic variant with similar semantic associations.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Little Fire"
- Description:Anglicized form of Irish Aodín or Éidín, associated with Aodh meaning fire, historically used as a feminine diminutive.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Pleasant or Beautiful"
- Description:An Irish Gaelic form related to Aveline traditions, used in Ireland with pronunciation and spelling reflecting Gaelic orthography.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Home"
- Description:Modern spelling variant possibly influenced by Erin or Aaron forms, with meaning contingent on the intended source.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Bright One"
- Description:A spelling variant related to Eileen, often linked to Irish forms, and typically interpreted with associations of brightness or radiance.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"High; Lofty"
- Description:Irish Gaelic-derived name associated with height or loftiness, reflecting a common semantic field in Gaelic naming.
- Origin:English, Irish
- Meaning:"Ash Tree"
- Description:Modern spelling of Ashlyn or Aisling-influenced forms, typically linked to ash tree imagery within English etymological interpretation.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Desired; Pleasant"
- Description:Variant of Aveline or Eibhlin traditions, used in English contexts with softened phonology and Irish associations.
- Origin:English, Irish
- Meaning:"Little Fire"
- Description:A modern spelling variant of Aiden, linked to Irish etymology commonly glossed as little fire.
- Origin:Scottish Gaelic, Irish
- Meaning:"Bright; Shining"
- Description:Aileana is a Gaelic-influenced feminine form associated with brightness, used as a distinct variant within Celtic naming traditions.
- Origin:Irish, American English
- Meaning:"Little Fire"
- Description:Aedyn is a modern spelling variant connected to Aidan traditions, often interpreted with fire related imagery.
- Origin:Irish, Modern English
- Meaning:"Eagle"
- Description:Arrin resembles Erin and Arran-associated forms, often treated as a modern variant with place-linked resonance.
- Origin:Irish, Gaelic
- Meaning:"Dream or Vision"
- Description:A nonstandard spelling associated with Aisling, reflecting Irish-language roots and an emphasis on visionary or dreamlike meaning.
- Origin:Irish, Modern English
- Meaning:"Bright One"
- Description:Variant aligned with Aileen traditions, associated with Irish naming, and typically interpreted with meanings related to brightness.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Dream; Vision"
- Description:Variant of Aisling, an Irish Gaelic word meaning dream or vision, used as a culturally significant modern Irish given name.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Rock; Stone"
- Description:An Irish name linked to words for rock or stone, appearing in Gaelic contexts with concise phonological structure.
- Origin:Scottish, Irish
- Meaning:"Oak Ford"
- Description:Adopted from a surname associated with place and lineage, it has been reanalyzed as a given name in modern usage.
Irish Names Starting with A for Boys
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Little Fiery One"
- Description:Anglicized from Irish Aodhán, it has seen strong late twentieth-century revival in English-speaking countries.
- Origin:Irish, Modern English
- Meaning:"Little Fire"
- Description:Ayden is a popular modern spelling of Aidan, typically linked to Irish roots conveying fire or fiery qualities.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Little Fiery One"
- Description:Anglicized from Aodhán, it is historically linked to Irish saints and a root referring to fire.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Fair; River"
- Description:Aven appears as a modern given name associated with Irish descriptive interpretations and English river-name parallels, producing nature-linked readings.
- Origin:Turkish, Irish
- Meaning:"Little Fire"
- Description:Used in multiple traditions, it is frequently linked to the Irish Aidan tradition and a fire-related semantic core.
- Origin:English, Irish
- Meaning:"Pledge"
- Description:Arlen has several proposed origins including Irish and English influences, but a single authoritative meaning is uncertain.
- Origin:Scottish, Irish
- Meaning:"From the Oak Ford"
- Description:Primarily a surname of Gaelic-associated usage, it is used as a given name, though the precise original meaning is debated.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Little Fire"
- Description:Ayven is usually treated as a variant of Aidan or Aiden, from Irish roots associated with fire and warmth.
- Origin:English, Irish
- Meaning:"Pledge or Oath"
- Description:Used as a given name with multiple proposed origins, it is sometimes linked to Irish elements associated with pledge or oath.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Little Fire"
- Description:Aedan is an Irish Gaelic name meaning little fire, historically borne by early medieval saints and kings.
- Origin:English, Irish
- Meaning:"Mountain of Strength"
- Description:Often a variant spelling of Aaron or Erin, so meaning varies with the intended underlying name.
- Origin:English, Irish
- Meaning:"Pledge or Noble Land"
- Description:Arlan is a modern given name with uncertain etymology, sometimes linked to Irish surname forms and English coinage.
- Origin:Hebrew, Irish
- Meaning:"Strong; Enduring"
- Description:Variant spelling of Ethan and also reminiscent of Irish Aodhán forms, commonly interpreted through strength and endurance semantics.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Little Fire"
- Description:Aiyden is an alternative spelling of Aiden, reflecting contemporary orthographic preferences while retaining the Irish-derived association with fire.
- Origin:Irish, Turkish
- Meaning:"Little Fire; Bright"
- Description:Aidin occurs in multiple traditions, paralleling Irish Aidan and Turkish Aydın, with meanings centered on fire or brightness.
- Origin:Irish, American
- Meaning:"Little Fire"
- Description:Aeden is a modern spelling of Aidan, from Irish Aodhán commonly interpreted as little fire.
- Origin:Irish, Latin
- Meaning:"From Hadria"
- Description:Often treated as a variant of Aidan or Adrian, with competing Irish and Latin analyses in different naming communities.
- Origin:English, Irish
- Meaning:"Pledge; Hill"
- Description:Used as a modern given name possibly blending Arlen and similar forms; its etymology is not consistently agreed.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Wealthy Protector"
- Description:Aemon is a variant of Eamon or Éamon, linked to Edmund traditions and commonly glossed as wealthy protector.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Home"
- Description:Modern spelling variant possibly influenced by Erin or Aaron forms, with meaning contingent on the intended source.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Little Fire"
- Description:Aaiden is a spelling variant of Aiden, from Irish roots commonly interpreted as little fire, with doubled initial for stylistic effect.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Little Fire"
- Description:Anglicized form of Irish Aodín or Éidín, associated with Aodh meaning fire, historically used as a feminine diminutive.
- Origin:Irish, Persian
- Meaning:"Eagle; Grace"
- Description:Name with multiple possible origins, including Irish and Persian associations, making a single standardized meaning difficult across contexts.
- Origin:Irish, Hebrew, English
- Meaning:"Exalted"
- Description:Surnominal given name with multiple possible origins, including Irish and Hebrew related forms, with meanings depending on lineage.
- Origin:Irish, American English
- Meaning:"Little Fire"
- Description:Aedyn is a modern spelling variant connected to Aidan traditions, often interpreted with fire related imagery.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Little Fire"
- Description:A spelling variant related to Aidan, from Irish origins meaning little fire, used as a contemporary masculine given name.
- Origin:Irish, Gaelic
- Meaning:"One Strength"
- Description:Aengus is an Anglicized Gaelic form of Óengus, traditionally analyzed as elements for one and strength.
- Origin:Irish, Gaelic
- Meaning:"Little Fire"
- Description:Aodhan is an Irish Gaelic name derived from Aodh meaning fire with a diminutive suffix.
- Origin:Irish, American
- Meaning:"Little Fire"
- Description:A doubled-n spelling of Aiden, from Irish origins, widely used in recent decades in English-speaking communities.
- Origin:Irish, Modern English
- Meaning:"Little Fire"
- Description:Aidon is a variant influenced by Aidan, from Irish tradition and commonly interpreted with a fire related meaning.
- Origin:English, Irish
- Meaning:"Pledge or Promise"
- Description:Arlene is a twentieth-century name with debated origins, often linked to Irish forms and the idea of a pledge.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Little Fire"
- Description:Aidden is a variant spelling aligned with Aidan, ultimately from Old Irish with a diminutive fire meaning.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Little Fire"
- Description:Aidenn is a variant of Aiden, from Irish forms commonly interpreted as little fire or fiery one.
- Origin:Irish
- Meaning:"Little Fire"
- Description:Irish Gaelic name related to Aidan forms, commonly glossed as little fire and used in multiple Anglophone contexts.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Little Fire"
- Description:Aydn is a shortened spelling of Aidan, retaining the traditional association with fire and vitality.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Dream; Vision"
- Description:Anglicized form related to Irish Aisling, meaning dream or vision, with several contemporary spellings in use.
- Origin:Irish, Modern English
- Meaning:"Little Fire"
- Description:Aidian is a spelling variant of Aidan, from Irish tradition and commonly interpreted as little fire in popular etymologies.
- Origin:Irish, Greek
- Meaning:"Fire; Ardor"
- Description:Aedon reflects Irish Aodh-derived elements associated with fire and may also resemble Greek forms, producing a mixed modern interpretation.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Little Fire"
- Description:A spelling variant of Aidan, ultimately from Irish, and associated with the notion of fire through traditional etymology.
- Origin:Irish, Modern
- Meaning:"Little Fire"
- Description:A modern spelling variant of Aiden, ultimately from Irish tradition and commonly glossed as meaning little fire.
- Origin:English, Irish
- Meaning:"Little Fire"
- Description:Aydden is an alternative spelling of Aiden, derived from Irish traditions and commonly interpreted as referring to fire.
- Origin:English, Irish
- Meaning:"Little Fire"
- Description:Aydian is a contemporary spelling of Aidan, typically interpreted through Irish roots associated with fire and warmth.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Little Fire; James"
- Description:A modern compound pairing Aiden with James, it combines Irish little fire semantics with a widely biblical second element.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Friend of the Sea"
- Description:Variant associated with Irvine, a toponymic name sometimes interpreted through Gaelic elements as friend of the sea.
- Origin:Irish, Modern English
- Meaning:"Eagle"
- Description:Arrin resembles Erin and Arran-associated forms, often treated as a modern variant with place-linked resonance.
- Origin:Turkish, Irish
- Meaning:"Little Fire"
- Description:A phonetic variant intersecting Aydin and Aidan traditions, commonly interpreted with the Aidan meaning of small fire.
- Origin:English, Irish
- Meaning:"Little Fire"
- Description:A modern spelling variant of Aiden, linked to Irish etymology commonly glossed as little fire.
- Origin:Irish, Modern
- Meaning:"Little Fire"
- Description:A modern respelling of Aidan, it retains the traditional semantic association with fire while emphasizing distinctive vowel doubling.
- Origin:Irish, Modern
- Meaning:"Little Fire"
- Description:A spelling variant influenced by Gaelic forms related to Aidan, commonly interpreted with the meaning little fire.
- Origin:Irish, English
- Meaning:"Dream; Ash Tree"
- Description:Modern formation influenced by Irish-sounding patterns and the ash-tree element, with multiple proposed derivations in use.
- Origin:English, Irish
- Meaning:"Divine; Grace"
- Description:Asean is a stylized representation related to Sean, with usage often emphasizing pronunciation cues rather than etymological transparency.
Why Choose Irish Names Starting with A?
Names from irish names starting with a tend to feel intentional and expressive, which is why they remain a favorite for parents seeking both beauty and substance.
Written by
Grace RoyalBaby Name Expert & Lead Editor
Editor-in-Chief with 15+ years in baby naming and linguistics. Columbia University M.A. in Linguistics.
Classic NamesName EtymologyCultural Naming Traditions