| Name |
Meaning |
Name of Fame |
Alma
|
Latin ‘All Good’. From the Latin, as in alma mater, a title originally applied to classical goddesses but later became attached to academic institutions by nostalgic ex-students. Irish legend recalls the deeds of an unlikely sounding fellow by the name of Alma One-Tooth! Real person: Alma McCutcheaon of Jackson County Alabama. |
|
Alvy
Oilbhe |
Version of Elva. Oilbhe is an Irish version of the English name Olive.
Alvy is an English variant. |
|
Amanda
|
From the Latin meaning 'worthy of love'. The name is thought to be a clever literary invention as its earliest written record is in a play called Love's Last Shift (1694). From the Latin meaning 'worthy of love'. Despite its false origins the name is now quite widespread in Ireland. Pet form Mandy is also growing in popularity. Famous name: American screen actress Amanda Bynes. |
|
Anastasia
Anstas |
Greek: 'Risen Once More'. Greek, 'Risen Once More'. Thought to have come to Ireland from England in the thirteenth century. Although it went though a long decline in the country it appears to be enjoying a revival largely thanks to the use of the name in the Disney film and the popular gravel voiced singer Anastacia. Pet form is Stasia and Gaelic Steise. |
|
Andrea
|
A feminine form of Andrew, steadily growing in popularity in Ireland. |
|
Angela
|
Latin 'Angel'. From Greek: 'Angelos', 'Messenger'. Angela, feminine of angelus is quite a popular name in modern Ireland. Angie is used as a pet form. Name given to the mother in Frank McCourt’s iconic memoir Angela’s Ashes. Famous name: English screen actress Angela Lansbury. |
|
Anita
|
The Spanish diminutive of Anne which is used in Ireland. Famous name: legendary jazz vocalist Anita O’Day and Anita Loos, pioneering American screenwriter who wrote Gentleman Prefer Blondes. |
|
Anna
|
A form of Anne found in many European languages, including Irish. It was also used to anglicise the native name Aine. Famous names: TV and screen actress Anna Friel and the Irish stage actress, Anna Manahan, are contemporary examples of this name. |
|
Annabel
Anndbla |
Annabel, Annabella and Arabella are names of obscure origin associated with Scotland, probably introduced into Ireland in the twelfth century after the Norman Invasion. Famous name: country singer Annabel and English tennis star Annabel Croft. |
|
Annabella
|
Annabel, Annabella and Arabella are names of obscure origin associated with Scotland, probably introduced into Ireland in the twelfth century after the Norman Invasion. The Irish name Anndbla is used to translate the name to Gaelic. Famous name: French Screen legend Annabella. |
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