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Irish Dog Names

Irish Dog Names are very popular for those who own one of the nine official Irish dog breeds.  According to the Irish Kennel Club  (IKC)

The nine dog breeds include

Irish Wolfhound

Kerry Beagle

Irish Water Spaniel

Irish Red Setter  (Irish Setter)

Irish Red and White Setter

Irish Terrier

Irish Glen of Imaal Terrier

Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

Kerry Blue Terrier

Irish TerrierIrish Terrier
Kerry Blue TerrierKerry Blue Terrier
Irish Glen of Imaal TerrierIrish Glen of Imaal Terrier
Irish SetterIrish Setter
Soft Coated Wheaten TerrierSoft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Soft Coated Wheaten TerrierSoft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Irish WolfhoundIrish Wolfhound
Irish Water SpanielIrish Water Spaniel

All of the breeds are too large to be featured on this site, but even if you do not have one of these breeds, there is no reason to pass up the option of a great Irish name for your new dog.

Maybe you like the sound of the name, or maybe your ancestors were Irish, there are may great names from which to choose. 

Many people want an Irish name because they have fond memories of visiting the country or meeting the people of Ireland.

Maybe you are a fan of the music, dance, food or folklore?

Your puppy born on March 17th St. Patrick’s Day – Choose an Irish Dog name in honor of the day.  

The following names are separated by gender, and the final list of names can be used for both girls or boys.

Did I miss your favorite Irish Dog Name?  Let me know, and I will add it to the list along with your name and location if you like.  Contact me.  Be sure to let me know what name page you'd like your suggestion to be shown.

Irish Dog Names Based on Place Names

There are many cities and towns in Ireland that are known world-wide. 

These names might make the perfect dog name especially if you are Irish at Heart or have traveled to these locations. 

Travel often leaves lasting impressions and fond memories which is an excellent reason to share it with a new puppy.  

Blarney – Heard of the legendary Blarney Stone?  This town is also home to Blarney Castle.

Dingle - a port city in Southwest Ireland.  Just has a nice ring to it?

Donegal –  a beautiful, historic city in the northern Ireland.

Dublin –  capital and largest city in Ireland.

Galway – An ancient place full of myth. 

Moher – The Cliffs of Moher is a natural attraction with amazing views.

Sean - The oldest bar in the world which opened 1100 years ago.  Sean's Bar

Look No Farther than Irish Culture

When one thinks about Ireland, what jumps to mind?  Leprechauns, St. Patrick's Day or the infamous gold hidden at the end of the rainbow.  Why not borrow for some of these traditions and give your Irish dog a fun Irish name

Bailey – an Irish Whiskey cream based liqueur.  

Boxty - an Irish potato pancake

Celt –  an ancient society, came to Ireland around 500 B.C. left a lasting influence on the people of Ireland.  

Champ - an Irish mashed potato dish made with potatoes, milk, butter and scallions

Charm - a good luck charm

Guinness - Irish Beer

Leprechaun – A mythical creature in Traditional Irish folklore

Lucky - The Luck of the Irish

Patrick or Pat for short - as in St. Patrick's Day

Paddy - an Irish abbreviation

Shamrock - The green clover plant that is also the national emblem of Ireland - 

Tater - short for Potato a well-known staple in Irish cuisine.

Irish Dog Names for Boys

Aidan – Born of Fire

Alroy – Red

Ardan – High Aspirations

Bain – Fair Bridge

Bowie – Yellow Haired

Braden – Son of Bradan

Brady Means “one with broad eyes”

Brendan Prince

Brian – Nobleman

Cabhan (pronounced Kav-an) - Grassy Hill

Carbry - Charioteer

Cian or Kian (pronounced Key-in) – Enduring

Clancy – Ruddy Warrior

Clooney – Rogue

Coilin – (pronounced Koh-Lin) Little Chieftan

Conall - Mighty

Conan – Little Warrior

Connor – Lover of Hounds

Cowan Dweller at a hollow

Cullen Means holly

Dillon – Faithful

Dolan – Irish Surname

Donnelly – Irish surname, but good for a given name,  shorten to 2 syllables:  Don-Ley

Dublin – Place name

Duggan – Irish Surname

Dunn – Irish Surname

Dwyer – Irish surname right for a boy name

Dylan -  Flash of Lightening

Emmet – From the famous orator, Robert Emmet

Evan - Little swift one

Fergal - Brave

Fergus - Superior

Finn -  Clear, white, fair

Finnian - Little fair one

Fintan – Fair Hair

Galen – Calm

Galway – City in Ireland

Gilroy – Rulers’ servant’s son

Grady - Irish surname, good for a boy name

Guinness – Irish surname, beer

Hugh - Fire

Hurley – Irish surname

Ian - Gaelic form of John

Keegan – Once a surname, now used as a first name

Keiran - Little black-haired one

Lee - River

Liam - Short for the Irish form of William

Maguire - Irish surname

Nolan - Little proud one

Paddy  - Form of Patrick

Quinn - Reason or Wisdom

Rory - Red or rust-colored

Seamus (pronounced SHAY-MUS) - Gaelic form of James

Sean (pronounced SHAWN) Irish form of John, meaning “God is gracious.”

Tiernan - Little Lord

Irish Dog Names for Girls

Ava – Beautiful

Brea - Strong

Bree – One with a Higher Power

Bridget – Power

Brita (Britt)  (Biddy) - Strong

Caitlin – from St. Catherine

Clare – from the Latin, clear, bright

Colleen -  Girl

Courtney – One with a short nose

Darcy – Dark Haired

Dorren - Sullen

Eileen - Variant of Evelyn

Enya - kernel

Eveleen “Little Eve” Eve means life

Fallon – Leader’s daughter

Finola - White Shoulders

Gillian (pronounced JILL-EE-UN) - Feminine form of Julian

Ida – (pronounced ee-da)  - Thirst for goodness)

Inis - Gaelic form of the county seat of County Clare, Ennis.

Keelin - slender, fair

Kerry –  Place name

Kira or Kyra -  Little dark girl

Maire - Popular Irish form of Mary

Maureen  - Gaelic form of Mary

Mona – Little Noble one

Morna - Merry

Nainsi  - Gaelic form of Nancy, which means gracious

Nora - Honor

Noreen Diminutive of Nora,

Peggy – Form of Margaret, a pearl

Riley (Reilly) - Courageous

Riona - Queenly

Siobhan (pronounced ZHUH-VAHN) Gaelic version\ of Joan

Teagan – Beautiful

Tara – Place name

Irish Dog Names for Either Girls or Boys

Casey – Victorious or Brave

Kassidy – One with Curly Hair

Kelly – Intelligent

Quinn – Wise

Reagan (Regan) - Riagan’s descendant


Did you know that many Irish surnames began with a Mac or an “O”  Mac means son of and O means grandson of someone?  Many of the Irish surnames were created in the 11 – 12 centuries.

About Janice (author and voice behind this site)

Having lived with dogs and cats most of her life, Janice served as a veterinary technician for ten years in Maryland and twelve years as a Shih Tzu dog breeder in Ohio.

Her education includes undergraduate degrees in Psychology with a minor in biology, Early Childhood Education, and Nursing, and a master's in Mental Health Counseling.

She is a lifelong learner, a dog lover, and passionate about the welfare of animals. Her favorite breed for over 50 years has been the Shih Tzu, but she has also lived with poodles, Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, beagles, English bulldogs, carin terriers, and a Cocker Spaniel.

When not writing, reading, and researching dog-related topics, she likes to spend time with her eight Shih Tzu dogs, husband, and family, as well as knitting and crocheting. She is also the voice behind Miracle Shih Tzu and Smart-Knit-Crocheting

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