Find out the most popular boys' Irish names, with comments on trends and rankings over the past year.
There's a selection of interesting Irish names from the boy's top 100, as well as first-timers to this elite group - and movers and shakers to keep an eye on!
To help you, I've listed the name including a little pronunciation help.
Let's kick off with the top ten boys' Irish names:
Seán shawn Seán's back in action again! Two years at number one, dropping to second place last year, and back to the top of the rankings this time. His name is a variant of John, which means "God is gracious."
Jack Two years at number two followed by top spot last year - and Jack is in familiar territory in second place. His name is another version of the name John (who is down in 18th place.)
Conor Third place is also home to Conor, who is back there after taking a year out in fourth place last year. Conor is a "dog lover."
Adam His name means "man" in Hebrew, and Adam is also back in fourth place again, dropping one spot.
James His second year ranked fifth, James comes from the name Jacob, meaning "supplanter."
Daniel Daniel has been in sixth place since 2002 and seems very happy there. His name means "God is my judge."
Luke Luke moves up one place, to his highest ranking over the last five years. His name could refer to someone who "brings light" or to the town of Luciana in Italy. Saint Luke is the patron saint of physicians and surgeons.
Cian key-an Cian goes down one place this year. His name means "ancient."
Michael Up one place to number nine, where he ranked in 2004. His name asks the question - "who is like God?" - and is an archangel in the Bible.
Jamie Jamie is the only new entry into the top ten, bringing a breath of fresh Irish air! Ranked 13 last year and 20th in 2001, Jamie has raced up the rankings - in relative terms, of course.
Pearls from the top 100 boys' Irish names
Darragh Into 15th position and rising five places, Darragh is a variant of Dara (who is at number 77.) His name refers to an "oak tree".
Cathal Cathal is "mighty in battle". A strong name, with tons of character. He's at number 35.
Callum This name shot up to 34th spot last time, and now ranks 22nd. Great movement from Callum since 2004, when he ranked number 61. Callum is related to the name Columba, which means "a dove".
Eoghan Like the name Owen, meaning "from a yew tree", Eoghan finds himself at 50th position, down nine places from last time.
Killian or Cillian There seem to be two possible meanings for Killian - "war" or "church"! Ranking 59th, Killian is beaten by Cillian, who has risen to 28th spot from 45th last year.
Oran Oran rose ten places last year, but has dropped nineteen places to 97 this year - so he could be out of the top 100 next time round. I have found two meanings to this name - it could mean "little pale one"... or... "dark haired". There is a Saint Oran, who was Irish, but who spent time spreading Christianity in Scotland.
New top 100 entries
Only two names appear for the first time in the top 100 boys' Irish names lists:
Senan
Tristan
Hot movers within the top 100 are
Cameron, at 90th place
Calum in 44th spot
Rory - up to 45th rank
More about boys' Irish names More rankings detail can be found from my source for the top ten names in Ireland: the Central Statistics Office Ireland.
And I have more suggestions for Irish boys' names that you might like to consider. These ones are not so popular - but they are among my favorites.
