| Name |
Meaning |
Name of Fame |
Ian
Iain, Eoin |
Gaelic: ’Bird’. This name came about as the English spelling of Iain, the Scottish Gaelic equivalent of the Irish Gaelic In both languages the name is the native version of the name John. Has becoming increasingly popular and widespread since the middle of the last century. Famous name: Irish singer songwriter Eoin Coughlan and Glenuig piper Iain Macdonald. |
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Ignatius
Igneachtin |
Greek: ‘Fiery One’. The relative popularity of the name Ignatius derives from the Spaniard Inigo who was the inspiration behind the founding of the Jesuits. Latinised as Ignatius he became St Ignatius of Loyola (1548-98) In Ireland is has been equated with the native name Igneachtin.
Famous names: St Ignatius' College is a famous school in Galway. |
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Ion
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Greek: 'Moon Man'. The origin of this name is obscure and the name itself is fairly rare. It may be a variant of Ian, or may even be Ion, the Basque form of John. Most likely it is derived from the Greek Ion, 'moon man'. Has been recorded particularly in the Trant family in the nineteenth century. |
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Irial
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A rare native Irish name now mostly associated with the O'Farrels, O'Kennedys and O'Loughlans.Famous name Irishman Irial Finan is Chief Executive Officer at Coca-Cola HBC. |
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Irving
Heremon |
Anglo-Saxon: 'Sea Friend'. A name used as an English equivalent of Heremon. Famous American composer Irving Berlin. |
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Irwin
Heremon |
Anglo-Saxon: 'Sea Friend'. A name used as an English equivalent of Heremon. Famous name disaster and sci fi television director and producer Irwin Allen (1916-1991) In the 1960s Allen moved into television as a producer and was responsible for series such as Voyage to the Bottom of th Sea (1964–1968), Lost in Space (1965–1968), The Time Tunnel (1966–1967),Land of the Giants (1967–1970) and The Swiss Family Robinson (1975–1976). |
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Isaac
Iosog |
Hebrew: 'He May Laugh’. A name popularised in Ireland as elsewhere in the world because of its biblical status. Gaelicised as Iosac and Iosoc. The death of one Isaac 0 Maolfoghmair is recorded in the Annals of the Four Masters in 1235. Now more commonly heard as part of a Gaelic surname MacIsaac or MacIosag. The name was common in the Glenny family of Co. Down. Famous names: Cape Breton fiddle virtuoso Ashley MacIsaac. |
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Ivan
Iain |
Slavic. A rare Russian, Ukrainian and Bulgarian name which has transferred into Irish and British currency. A form of John. Famous name Liturgical singer Ivan Moody and Irish footballer Ivan Sproule. |
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Ivo
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Germanic: 'Yew'. The name is probably more commonly seen in its French form Yves, which has been used in Ireland. Famous name: poet, musical lyricist and composer Ivo Mosley. |
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Ivor
Iomhar |
Norse. May commemorate the Irish saint Ibhar but more likely the name derives in popularity from the Norse Ivarr, the name of a number of kings of Dublin. Ivor is used to anglicise the native name Eibhear. Famous names: screen actor Ivor Danvers and Scottish surrealist comedian Ivor Cutler(1923-2006). |
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