330+ Irish Dog Names for your Lucky Dog!
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!
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.
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
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
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”.
| Basker | basking shark |
| Blue | Kerry Blue Terrier |
| Bó | cow |
| Broc | badger |
| Caora | sheep |
| Capall | horse |
| Collin | means “cub or puppy” |
| Colm | means “dove” |
| Cú | hound |
| Éan | bird |
| Feileachán | butterfly |
| Fia | deer |
| Gabhar | goat |
| Glen | Glen of Imaal Terrier |
| Iolar | eagle |
| Lacha | duck |
| Lamb | Ireland is known for its sheep |
| Leon | lion |
| Madra | dog |
| Martin | pine marten |
| Phelan | means “wolf” |
| Pygmy | pygmy shrew |
| Ronan | means “little seal” |
| Shay | means “hawk” |
| Tarbh | bull |
| Tíogar | tiger |
| Wolf | Irish wolfhound |
Fun Dog Names Derived from the Geography of Ireland
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.
| Aran | island |
| Atlantic | Wild Atlantic Way |
| Birr | Birr Castle Demesne |
| Blarney | Blarney Castle and stone |
| Bray | town |
| Burren | Burren National Park |
| Captain Hook | Hook Lighthouse |
| Carlow | small town |
| Cashel | town in Tipperary (the rock of Cashel is here) |
| Cavan | town |
| Clare | County Clare |
| Cobh | town |
| Corkey | Cork – city |
| Dalkey | town |
| Dingle | town |
| Dublin | the capital and most populous city |
| Ennis | town |
| Eyre | Park and garden in Galway |
| Fairy | Fairy Hill – St. Patrick baptized the king of Munster here |
| Ford | Waterford – county in the southern region |
| Gal | County Galway |
| Glenda | Glendalough historical site |
| Heda | Drogheda – town |
| Karst | karst landscape of the Burren in County Clare |
| Kenny | Kilkenny – Irish city |
| Kerry | County Kerry |
| Kinsy | Kinsale – town |
| Leix | Leixlip – town |
| Limerick | Limerick county |
| Liffey | river |
| Marshmallow | Mallow – town |
| Moher | the Cliffs of Moher |
| Munster | region of Ireland |
| Narea | Knocknarea mountain |
| Navan | town (“Nava” for short) |
| Patrick | St. Patrick's Cathedral (St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland) |
| Penny | Ha'penny bridge |
| Shannon | river |
| Sligo | county |
| Stoney | river |
| Tara | Hill of Tara |
| Temple | Temple Bar on Temple Street |
| Torc | waterfall |
| Trinity | Trinity College |
| West | Westport – 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.
| Bán | White color |
| Bándearg | Pink color |
| BuÍ | Yellow color |
| Corcra | Purple color |
| Dearg | Red color |
| Donn | Brown color |
| Dubh | Black color |
| Glas | Green color |
| Gorm | Blue color |
| Liath | Gray color |
| Oráista | Orange color |
Great Names From Popular Irish Drinks
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
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!
| Ballymaloe | Irish stew |
| Bap | breakfast roll |
| Boxty | potato pancake |
| Brack | Barmbrack – dried fruit bread with a ring baked into it |
| Cabbage | staple food |
| Cannon | Colcannon & Champ – mash potatoes, cabbage and spring onions |
| Champ | Colcannon & Champ – mash potatoes, cabbage and spring onions |
| Coddle | traditional stew |
| Porky | bacon and cabbage – traditional fare on Paddy's day |
| Pudding | black and white pudding – blood sausages |
| Rasher | Bacon |
| Shep | shepherd's pie |
| Spud | Potatoes go with everything |
| Stewy | Lamb 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!
| Aengus | King of Munster | Male |
| Beckett | Samuel Beckett – author | Male |
| Bono | U2 singer | Male |
| Bram | Bram Stoker – Dracula author | Male |
| Brigid | Saint Brigid of Kildare | Female |
| Brosnan | Pierce Brosnan – actor | Male |
| Enya | singer | Female |
| Farrell | Colin Farrell – actor | Male |
| Fassi | Michael Fassbender – actor | Male |
| Flatley | Michael Flatley – riverdance | Male |
| Garech | Garech Browne – art collector | Male |
| Geldof | Bob Geldof – singer | Male |
| Gráinne | Gráinne Mhaol – legendary pirate queen | Female |
| Horan | Niall Horan – singer | Male |
| Ita | 6th century saint | Female |
| Neeson | Liam Neeson – actor | Male |
| Norton | Graham Norton – comedian | Male |
| Saoirse | Saoirse Ronan – actress | Female |
| Sinead | Sinead O'Connor – singer | Female |
| Stoker | Bram Stoker – Dracula author | Male |
| Swifty | Jonathan Swift – author of Gullivers Travels | Unisex |
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.
| Artemis | Artemis Fowl | Male |
| Artie | Artemis Fowl | Male |
| Bernard | Black Books | Male |
| Biddy | Glenroe | Female |
| Boondock | The Boondock Saints | Unisex |
| Bran | Game of Thrones – Bran Stark | Male |
| Connell | Normal People | Male |
| Danny | Angel | Male |
| Darby | Darby O'Gill | Female |
| Dougal | Father Ted | Male |
| Drac | Bram Stoker's Dracula | Male |
| Flurry | The Irish RM | Unisex |
| Francie | The Butcher Boy | Female |
| Gulliver | Gulliver's Travels | Male |
| MacManus | The Boondock Saints | Male |
| Maggie | Maggie Poplin (play 1969) | Female |
| McKenna | Grace Notes | Female |
| Mrs. Brown | Mrs. Brown's Boys | Female |
| Mrs. Doyle | Father Ted | Female |
| O'Malley | Grey's Anatomy – George O'Malley | Male |
| Raven | Game of Thrones – the three eyed raven | Unisex |
| Sadie | The Twelfth Day of July | Female |
| Sherin | Banshees of Inisherin | Female |
| Ted | Father Ted | Male |
| Thomas | Aristocats | Male |
Fun Irish Names Inspired by Irish Mythology
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.
| Aibell | Fairy Queen who played a magic harp | Female |
| Balor | Baylor of the Evil Eye – giant demon with a large eye | Male |
| Banba | patron goddess of Ireland | Female |
| Banshee | wailing spirit that foretells death | Female |
| Cúchulainn | a noble knight who defended Ulster alone | Male |
| Dagda | Celtic Deity | Male |
| Darrig | far darrig is the leprechauns evil red twin | Male |
| Dulla | dullahan – headless faerie on a black horse | Male |
| Ellen | Ellen Trechend – 3 headed celtic monster | Female |
| Ériu | patron goddess of Ireland | Female |
| Faerie | Ireland is full of Faeries | Female |
| Fermac | dog that belched out wine, gold and silver | Male |
| Fódla | patron goddess of Ireland | Female |
| Gorta | fear gorta is a zombie like creature | Male |
| Kelpie | evil water spirit | Female |
| Leprechaun | Male | |
| Lir | mythological sea god | Male |
| Lugh | celtic god of the sun and light | Male |
| Mab | queen of the fairies | Female |
| MacCool | Finn MacCool is an Irish legendary giant warrior | Male |
| Manannán | sea warrior and king of the Otherworld | Male |
| Meabh | legendary warrior queen of Connaught (also Maeve) | Female |
| Merrow | celtic mermaid | Female |
| Muckie | Ireland's Loch Ness monster – lives in the lakes of Killarney | Unisex |
| Muireann | pronounced “mweer in” – mythical mermaid | Female |
| Niamh | daughter of sea god Manannán | Female |
| Olli | olliphéist – celtic dragon monster | Male |
| Pooka | shapeshifting trickster spirit from Celtic folklore that brings bad luck | Unisex |
| Sionna | goddess of the river Shannon | Female |
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.
| Blathnaid | means “flower” – pronounced blaw nid |
| Clover | |
| Darragh | means “oak tree” |
| Eibhlín | shining light |
| Emerald | Emerald Isle |
| River | Riverdance |
| Roisin | little rose |
| Shamrock | three leaf clover |
Dog Names Related to Irish Sports
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.
| Brian | Brian O'Driscoll – rugby | Male |
| Camogie | Women's Hurling | Female |
| Conor | Conor McGregor – mixed martial artist | Male |
| Henry | Henry Shefflin – hurling | Male |
| Hurley | Stick for Hurling | Unisex |
| Lowry | Shane Lowry – golfer | Male |
| Paul | Paul O'Connell – rugby | Male |
| Roy | Roy Keane – football | Male |
| Sliotar | Ball for Hurling | Unisex |
| Taylor | Katie Taylor – boxing | Unisex |
Irish Dog Breeds
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.
I’m Shelley, a content creator and copywriter from Wicklow in the Irish countryside. I am a big animal lover, so writing about dogs is a dream come true! I’m the crazy lady who will stop you in the street while you’re out walking your dog to give it cuddles. I adore all dogs, but I would have to say the big slobbery ones are my favorite.
