120 Scottish and Irish Girl Names for Modern American Babies

Mar 11, 2022

120 Scottish and Irish Girl Names for Modern American Babies

AHEAD: The ultimate list of baby names with roots back to Ireland and Scotland.

On the hunt for an amazing Irish or Scottish girls’ name that’s cool in the United States?

You’re in the right place!

Below, you’ll find a huge list of over 100 Irish and Scottish names for girls along with their meanings and current popularity.

As a bonus, I’ve included a whole bunch of pretty middle name ideas too!

There are lots of girls’ names that are popular in Ireland and Scotland but aren’t quite right for an American little girl.

Blathnaid will definitely raise eyebrows.

Dearbhla will invite lots of “what an interesting name”.

Fearne looks a little… scary.

Then there are names like Maureen, Shannon, Mona, and Arlene, which all have strong ties to Ireland, but feel extremely outdated.

But not to worry, there are tons of great options that feel authentically Irish or Scottish, while still being attractive to the American ear.

Let’s dive in and check them out!

Related: Irish Boy Names

Popular Irish names in the U.S.
Familiar Irish names
Popular Irish names in Ireland
Girls’ names of Irish & Scottish origin
Popular Scottish names
Familiar Scottish names
Popular names in Ireland and Scotland
Middle name ideas

Popular Irish names in the U.S.

These names of Irish origin are ranking in the top 500 here in the United States.

Unless otherwise noted, the popularity data throughout this article is for names in the United States.

Brianna

Name meaning: Strong and honorable.
Popularity: #146

Cassidy

Name meaning: Curly-haired.
Popularity: Cassidy ranks #406 and Kassidy is #652.

Delaney

Name meaning: Challenger’s descendant.
Popularity: #312

little girl in Irish field with clover candy

Kennedy

Name meaning: Helmeted chief.
Popularity: This presidential K name ranks #72 for girls and hasn’t ranked for boys since 2005.

Kiara

Name meaning: Bright or clear.
Popularity: #308

Lana

Name meaning: Light, gracious, or little rock. In Hawaiian, it means ‘calm as still waters’ or ‘afloat’.
Popularity: #390

list popular irish girl names

Lennon

Name meaning: Lover, blackbird, cloak.
Popularity: This great hippie name ranks #299 for girls and #688 for boys.

Maeve

Name meaning: She who intoxicates.
Popularity: #173

McKenna or Makenna

Name meaning: Child of Cionaodh.
Popularity: Mckenna ranks #272 and Makenna ranks #402.

Nora or Norah

Name meaning: Light.
Popularity: Nora ranks #30 and Norah ranks #151.

Quinn

Name meaning: Descendant of Conn.
Popularity: This one-syllable Irish name ranks #85 for girls and #440 for boys.

Raegan or Reagan

Name meaning: Little king.
Popularity: Raegan ranks #254 and Reagan ranks #880. Reagan hasn’t ranked for boys since 2017.

list trendy irish girl names

Riley

Name meaning: Wood clearing or courageous.
Popularity: Riley ranks #33, Rylee is #102, Ryleigh is #159, and Rylie is #355. For boys, Riley ranks #258.

Rory

Name meaning: Red king.
Popularity: #330

Ryan

Name meaning: Little king.
Popularity: For girls, Ryan ranks #450, Ryann is #779, and Rian is not ranking. For boys, Ryan ranks #57.

Sloane

Name meaning: Warrior.
Popularity: Sloane ranks #181 and Sloan is #663.

Teagan

Name meaning: Little poet.
Popularity: This cool T name ranks #192 for girls. It hasn’t ranked for boys since 2014.

If you like these popular Irish girl names you might also like this list of modern names.

Familiar Irish names

two irish sisters sitting on grass

While not as popular as the first batch, the majority of these Irish girls’ names have a mainstream feel in the United States.

Aileen or Ayleen

Name meaning: Bright or shining light.
Popularity: Aileen ranks #695 and Ayleen is #966.

Aislinn

Name meaning: Dream.
Popularity: #964

Ashlyn or Ashlynn

Name meaning: Ash (tree) + Lyn (lake). Might also mean dream.
Popularity: Ashlyn ranks #602 and Ashlynn is #665.

Brennan

Name meaning: Sorrow.
Popularity: This B name isn’t ranking for girls but ranks #763 for boys.

Bridget

Name meaning: Strength.
Popularity: #747

Casey or Kasey or Kacie

Name meaning: Vigilant or brave.
Popularity: Casey hasn’t ranked for girls since 2019 but ranks #521 for boys. Kasey and Kacie haven’t ranked for girls since 2003.

Ciara

Name meaning: Dark-haired or little dark one
Popularity: This Irish C name last ranked in 2016.

Darcy

Name meaning: Dark one.
Popularity: This gender-neutral D name isn’t ranking.

Deidra or Deirdra

Name meaning: Melancholy.
Popularity: This Irish name isn’t ranking.

Edana

Name meaning: Fire.
Popularity: This Irish girls’ name isn’t ranking in the U.S.

list familiar irish girl names

Enya

Name meaning: Grain or fire.
Popularity: This 4-letter girls’ name isn’t ranking.

Erin

Name meaning: Ireland.
Popularity: #520 (Top 50 in Ireland!)

Fallon or Fallyn

Name meaning: Descended from a ruler.
Popularity: Fallon ranks #859 and Fallyn isn’t ranking.

Ireland

Name meaning: A country in Western Europe.
Popularity: This I name hasn’t ranked since 2015.

Kara or Cara

Name meaning: Love.
Popularity: Kara ranks #671 and Cara is #908. (Top 50 in Ireland!)

Kiera

Name meaning: Little dark one.
Popularity: This 5-letter name hasn’t ranked since 2019.

Muriel

Name meaning: Sparkling sea.
Popularity: This unique M name isn’t popular in the U.S.

Murphy

Name meaning: Sea warrior.
Popularity: This 6-letter name ranks #969 for girls and #967 for boys.

Nolen

Name meaning: Winner or champion.
Popularity: Nolen isn’t ranking for either gender. Nolan ranks #61 for boys.

Orla

Name meaning: Golden princess.
Popularity: This O name is not popular in the United States, but is quite popular in England and Scotland.

list familiar irish girl names

Saoirse

Name meaning: Freedom.
Popularity: Believe it or not, this Irish S name ranks #741 in the U.S.

Shay or Shea

Name meaning: A small tropical African tree. Its nuts give us shea butter! Means gift in Hebrew.
Popularity: Shay ranks #928 and Shea hasn’t ranked since 2008.

Siobhan

Name meaning: God is gracious.
Popularity: This classic Irish name isn’t ranking in the U.S.

Tallulah or Tully

Name meaning: Leaping water.
Popularity: This unique name isn’t ranking.

Tara

Name meaning: Rocky hill.
Popularity: This short girls’ name hasn’t ranked since 2017.

Tarryn or Taryn

Name meaning: God has heard.
Popularity: This 2-syllable girls’ name isn’t ranking.

list familiar irish girl names

Tierney

Name meaning: Lord.
Popularity: This Irish girls’ name hasn’t ranked since 2009.

If you like these familiar Irish girl names you might also like this list of nonbinary names or these edgy names.

Popular Irish names in Ireland

baby girl in ireland with goat and dog

These next Irish names for girls all rank in the top 100 in Ireland.

As you’ll see, they look and feel very Irish. For better or for worse, they’ll stand out in a sea of names in the United States.

TIP: If you prefer names that are more easily pronounced, click here to jump ahead to the next section.

Ailbhe

Name meaning: Noble or bright. (Pronounced “al-va”).
Popularity: This A name isn’t popular in the U.S. but ranks in the top 100 in Ireland.

Áine

Name meaning: Intelligence. (Pronounced “an-ya”).
Popularity: This Irish name isn’t popular in the U.S. but ranks in the top 100 in Ireland.

Aoibhín

Name meaning: Radiant. (Pronounced “EE-van”).
Popularity: This Irish girls’ name isn’t popular in the U.S. but ranks in the top 100 in Ireland.

Aoife

Name meaning: Beautiful. (Pronounced “EE-fa”).
Popularity: This baby name isn’t ranking in the U.S. but ranks #32 in Ireland.

Caoimhe

Name meaning: Beautiful, beloved, or graceful. (Pronounced “kee-va”).
Popularity: This baby name isn’t ranking in the U.S. but ranks #25 in Ireland.

Clodagh

Name meaning: An Irish river. (Pronounced “CLO-dah”).
Popularity: This baby name isn’t ranking in the U.S. but ranks #40 in Ireland.

Croía

Name meaning: Heart. (Pronounced “cree-ya”).
Popularity: This Irish name isn’t popular in the U.S. but ranks in the top 100 in Ireland.

Éabha

Name meaning: Life. (Pronounced “AY-va”, this is the Irish spelling of Ava).
Popularity: This E name isn’t ranking in the U.S. but is the 5th most popular girls’ name in Ireland!

Fíadh

Name meaning: Wild. (Pronounced “FEE-a”).
Popularity: This F name isn’t ranking in the U.S. but is the #1 most popular girls’ name in Ireland!

Laoise

Name meaning: Light. (Pronounced “lee-sha”).
Popularity: This L name isn’t popular in the U.S. but ranks in the top 100 in Ireland.

Méabh

Name meaning: She who intoxicates. (This is the Irish version of Maeve).
Popularity: This Irish name isn’t popular in the U.S. but ranks in the top 100 in Ireland.

Niamh

Name meaning: Bright. (Pronounced “NEEV”).
Popularity: This N name isn’t popular in the U.S. but ranks in the top 100 in Ireland.

Róisín

Name meaning: Little rose. (Pronounced “ro-SHEEN”).
Popularity: This R name isn’t ranking in the U.S. but ranks #34 in Ireland.

Sadhbh

Name meaning: Sweet and lovely. (Pronounced “SAH-eev”).
Popularity: This baby name isn’t ranking in the U.S. but ranks #35 in Ireland.

TIP: Since most Americans will slaughter the pronunciation of these beautiful Irish baby names, consider using one as a middle name.

If you like these familiar Irish girl names you might also like this list of exotic names.

Girls’ names of Irish & Scottish origin

redhead baby girl sitting on bed

This is a crossover list!

There aren’t very many, but here are a few cool names with both Irish and Scottish roots.

Collins

Name meaning: Victory of the people.
Popularity: Collins ranks #365 for girls (and is not ranking for boys). Colin singular with one l ranks #285 for boys.

Finley or Finleigh

Name meaning: Blonde warrior.
Popularity: #201

Imogen or Imogene

Name meaning: Maiden.
Popularity: This 3-syllable girls’ name is not in the top 1000.

Karsyn

Name meaning: Child of marsh-dwellers.
Popularity: Karsyn ranks #612 for girls. Carson ranks #84 for boys.

Rowan

Name meaning: Reddish-brown tree known for its scarlet berries and mystical history.
Popularity: This Irish/Scottish tree name ranks #255 for females and #113 for males.

If you like these Irish and Scottish baby names for girls you might also like this list of nature names.

Popular Scottish names

redhead baby girl with scottish flag

These names of Scottish origin are ranking in the top 500 here in the United States.

Ainsley

Name meaning: Solitary meadow.
Popularity: #354

Allison

Name meaning: Noble.
Popularity: Allison ranks #80, Alison is #436, Allyson is #641, and Alisson is #915.

Blair

Name meaning: Field or plain.
Popularity: Blair ranks #333 and Blaire ranks #669.

Blake

Name meaning: Bright and shining.
Popularity: #219

Blakely

Name meaning: Dark wood.
Popularity: #167

Camryn or Kamryn or Cameron

Name meaning: Crooked nose.
Popularity: Camryn ranks #405, Kamryn ranks #459, and Cameron ranks #489. For boys, Cameron ranks #64.

Fiona

Name meaning: Fair.
Popularity: #296

Hailey or Haley or Hayley

Name meaning: Hay meadow.
Popularity: Hailey ranks #81, Haley ranks #517, and Hayley ranks #674.

list popular scottish girl names

Kenzie

Name meaning: Bright one.
Popularity: #369

Kylie

Name meaning: Boomerang or graceful.
Popularity: #132

Lainey

Name meaning: Bright or shining light.
Popularity: #364

Mackenzie

Name meaning: Daughter of Kenneth.
Popularity: Mackenzie ranks #119, Mckenzie ranks #278, and Makenzie ranks #344.

Maisie

Name meaning: Pearl.
Popularity: #409 (Top 50 in Scotland!)

list trendy scottish girl names

Paisley

Name meaning: A cute curved pattern.
Popularity: Paisley ranks #50, Paislee ranks #378, and Paisleigh ranks #863.

If you like these popular Scottish girl names you might also like this list of southern names.

Familiar Scottish names

While not as popular as the previous batch, the majority of these Scottish girls’ names have a mainstream feel to Americans.

Ansley

Name meaning: Hermitage field.
Popularity: #952

Camden or Kamden

Name meaning: Winding valley.
Popularity: This city name isn’t ranking for girls but ranks #167 for boys.

Drew

Name meaning: Strong and manly.
Popularity: This badass name ranks #944 for girls and #530 for boys.

Kyle

Name meaning: Narrow.
Popularity: Kyle isn’t ranking for girls and ranks #313 for boys.

Lennox

Name meaning: Elm field.
Popularity: This versatile middle name ranks #587 for girls and #291 for boys.

Logan

Name meaning: Little hollow.
Popularity: Logan ranks #317 for girls and #16 for boys.

Mckinley

Name meaning: Child of the fair hero. Presidential name.
Popularity: #555

Mina

Name meaning: Many possible meanings from all different cultures: With gilded helmet, blue stone, south, love, bitter, joyful, and more!
Popularity: #662

Nessa

Name meaning: Butterfly or pure.
Popularity: This elegant girls’ name isn’t ranking.

Nola

Name meaning: White shoulder. Also the nickname of New Orleans.
Popularity: #553

Nolana

Name meaning: Champion.
Popularity: This Scottish name isn’t ranking.

Scotland or Scotlynn

Name meaning: Country.
Popularity: This undeniably Scottish name is not ranking.

list familiar scottish girl names 2

Wilma

Name meaning: With gilded helmet. Will. Desire. Protection.
Popularity: This vintage girls’ name isn’t ranking.

If you like these familiar Scottish girl names you might also like this list of names for rainbow babies.

Popular names in Ireland and Scotland

Interestingly, the vast majority of the top-ranking names in Ireland and Scotland overlap with the most popular names in the United States.

Can you guess what the #1 most popular name in Scotland is?

Ada

Name meaning: Noble. (Means ornament in Hebrew).
Popularity: #184

Amelia or Emilia

Name meaning: Work.
Popularity: Amelia ranks #6 and Emilia ranks #40.

Anna

Name meaning: Grace.
Popularity: Anna ranks #68, Ana ranks #245, and Anne is #625.

Ava

Name meaning: Life. Bird. Island. Water.
Popularity: Ava ranks #3 and Avah is #655. (Ava ranks #5 in Scotland!)

Charlotte

Name meaning: Free woman. The most populous city in North Carolina.
Popularity: #4

Chloe or Khloe

Name meaning: Plant sprout.
Popularity: Chloe ranks #27 and Khloe is #160.

Ella

Name meaning: Fairy maiden.
Popularity: #15

Ellie

Name meaning: Shining light. My God.
Popularity: #29

Emily

Name meaning: Rival or to excel.
Popularity: Emily ranks #18 and Emely is #522. (Emily ranks #3 in Ireland and #3 in Scotland!)

Emma

Name meaning: Whole.
Popularity: #2

Eve or Evie

Name meaning: Life.
Popularity: Eve ranks #471 and Evie ranks #319.

Freya or Freyja

Name meaning: Lady. Noble person. A goddess associated with love, beauty, war and death.
Popularity: Freya ranks #179 and Freyja is #958. (Freya ranks #4 in Scotland!)

Grace or Gracie

Name meaning: Goodness.
Popularity: Grace ranks #28 and Gracie ranks #209. (Grace is the 2nd most popular name in Ireland!)

Hannah

Name meaning: Grace.
Popularity: Hannah ranks #39, Hanna ranks #526, and Hana ranks #755.

Holly

Name meaning: Holly bushes are known for their red berries and spiny evergreen leaves.
Popularity: #481

Isla

Name meaning: Island.
Popularity: #44 (This is the #1 most popular name in Scotland!)

Layla or Leila or Laila

Name meaning: Night or dark.
Popularity: Layla ranks #24, Leila is #205, and Laila is #225.

Lily or Lillie

Name meaning: Flower.
Popularity: #35

Lucy or Lucie

Name meaning: Light.
Popularity: Lucy ranks #49 and Lucie isn’t ranking.

Mia

Name meaning: Mine. (From biblical name Miriam).
Popularity: #8

Related: 195 Cool Middle Names for Mia

Millie or Milly

Name meaning: Having strength or being industrious.
Popularity: Millie ranks #190 and Milly isn’t ranking.

Molly or Mollie

Name meaning: Rebellious.
Popularity: Molly ranks #174 and Mollie is not ranking.

Olivia

Name meaning: Olive tree. (Means lioness in Hebrew).
Popularity: #1 (This is the 2nd most popular name in Scotland!)

Robin or Robyn

Name meaning: Bright and shining. A red-breasted songbird.
Popularity: #904

Rose or Rosie

Name meaning: Flower.
Popularity: Rose ranks #113 and Rosie is #470.

Ruby

Name meaning: Strong red gemstone.
Popularity: #74

Sophia or Sofia

Name meaning: Wisdom.
Popularity: Sophia ranks #5 and Sofia ranks #17.

Sophie

Name meaning: Wisdom.
Popularity: #75 (Ranks #4 in Ireland!)

Willow

Name meaning: Dramatic trees with long hanging branches.
Popularity: #48

If you like these popular names in Ireland, Scotland, (and the United States), you might also like this list of girl names ending in y.

Middle name ideas

Here is a consolidation of all of the middle names on the graphics throughout this article—plus a bunch you haven’t seen yet!

Note: All of the first names on this list are of Irish or Scottish origin. The middle names are from all over!

Aileen Rylan
Ainsley Pearl
Aislinn Lavender
Allison Noelle
Ansley Virginia
Ashlyn Blair

Blair Evangeline
Blake Magnolia
Blakely Adeline
Brennan Aria
Brianna Rose
Bridget Emberly

Camden Emberly
Camryn Lilianna
Casey Arabella
Cassidy Faye
Ciara Lily
Collins Avery

Darcy Hannah
Deirdra Hart
Delaney Blake
Drew Emmeline

Edana Jade
Enya Madison
Erin Reese

Fallon Alexandra
Finley Paige
Fiona Madelyn

Hailey Sage

Imogen Mia
Ireland Blake

Kara Lacey
Karsyn Ruby
Kennedy Paige
Kenzie Harlow
Kiara Aubrey
Kiera Addilyn
Kyle Alexandria
Kylie Hazel

Lainey Maribelle
Lana Mirabella
Lennon Hailey
Lennox Hadley
Logan Maisie

Mackenzie Grace
Maeve Abigail
Maisie Piper
McKenna Brooke
Mckinley Brooke
Mina Julianna
Muriel Violet
Murphy Belle

Nessa Blakely
Nola Evelyn
Nolana Belle
Nolen Everly
Nora Everleigh

Orla Blakely

Paisley Elise

Quinn Hartley

Reagan Scarlett
Riley Jade
Rory Mackenzie
Rowan Waverly
Ryann Charlotte

Saoirse Olivia
Scotlynn Reese
Shay Evangeline
Siobhan Embry
Sloane Isabella

Tallulah Eve
Tara Lennon
Tarryn Emerald
Teagan Lennox
Tierney Harlow

Wilma Violet

More baby names for girls:

Final thoughts on choosing a Scottish or Irish baby name…

In case you’re wondering, I decided to merge Scottish and Irish girls’ names into one list because they’re so often interchanged.

Not to mention, many of the most popular baby names in Ireland are the same in Scotland—and vise versa!

Hopefully, you’ve found a few lead contenders on this list, or at least come away with some baby name inspiration.

Whether you prefer a name that’s trendy, traditional, timeless, long, short, nature-inspired, spiritual, familiar, or rare, all of these girls’ names are beautiful choices.

Congratulations and good luck choosing the perfect Scottish or Irish name for your daughter!