400+ Irish Last Names (With Meanings and Popularity)

Stronger and more contemporary twist on Carla or Carly, Carlin was used just about equally for girls and boys in the US last year.

The spoiled only son of the richest family in town in a fifties movie.

Admirers of the haunting works of esteemed Irish poet and playwright William Butler Yeats might consider this, especially as a middle name.

Along with many other Irish surnames, Conley is picking up in use among both boys and girls.

Quinlan is an Irish surname name given to a few dozen baby girls in the US each year. With the success of Quinn as a girls' name, Quinlan and its variant spellings Quinlin and Quinlyn might follow behind.

Out-of-date for a boy, innovative for a girl.

When British rocker Steven Patrick Morrissey decided to use his last name alone, it became a viable option for baby namers, a lot cooler than Morris or Maurice, with the nice three-syllable lilt of of such other Irish surnames as Finnegan and Flanagan. It can also be spelled Morrisey.

The famous Battle of the Boyne, in Ireland, vanquished the Catholic king.

Donnelly is among the more appealing Irish surname names, less well used than Donovan. Related options include the place name Donegal and the mythological god name Donegan.

Magee became one of the first gender-bending Irish surname names so popular today thanks to New York television newswoman Magee Hickey. In case you don't know, the g is hard, as in Maggie, but with the opposite emphasis.

A merry surname cousin of Kerrigan, could make a lively choice for a happy little girl.

Actor Pierce made both his first and last name appealing.

Another two-syllable surname zooming up the ladder for boys, and poised to be grabbed by the girls.

More obscure Irish surname-name, also spelled Molloy, that's prime for use.

Poised for popularity, Brennan is an Irish last name soft enough to borrow from the boys.

Gently pleasant English family name long associated with 60-Minuteman Morley Safer.

Energetic Connelly variation that works better for girls than for boys.

Currently more popular among baby girls than boys — perhaps due to the association with Irish folksong "Molly Malone."

The O'Haras are descended from Eaghra -- pronounced and phonetically spelled Ara -- the lord of Luighne, the modern Leyney in County Sligo. As a name, this makes a satisfying new twist on Harry.

Variation of Cluny best only if you're a major George fan. And even then, better go with George, Georgia, or Georgiana.