Irish Girl Names That Mean Royalty
Irish girl names that mean royalty in this collection trace back to two Irish roots — rí for king and the noble Brian line of Ireland's high kings.
Names133
OriginIrish
MeaningRoyalty
GenderGirl
Scroll this collection and a pattern jumps out fast. Rory, Rori, Ryann, and Regan all descend from the Irish word rí, meaning king, each one dressing the same royal root in a slightly different sound.
A second branch runs through Brianna, Briana, and Bria, all feminine forms of Brian, the name of Ireland's great high king Brian Boru — proof a single historical ruler can echo through a name for a thousand years.
Why Irish girl names that mean royalty repeat the same roots
Two Irish roots carry most of the weight here. Rí, the word for king, sits inside Rory's red king, Ryann's little king, and Regan's royal descent. Brian, the name of high king Brian Boru, sits inside Brianna, Briana, and Bria. Orla skips the roots entirely and states its meaning outright: golden princess.
Not every name here means king or queen
Some names on this list arrive at royalty sideways. Mona means noble lady, a softer nod to rank rather than a title. Aine is named for an Irish goddess of brightness and radiance, and Brea simply means hill. Brenda sounds like a cousin of the Brian family but actually traces to Old Norse sword or the name Brendan instead.
Names List
Brianna#222 in the U.S.Strong, virtuous, honourable — feminine form of Brian, from Old Celtic brig (high, noble, strong)Pronounced bree-AN-uh▶Rory#230 in the U.S.Red king; red-haired rulerPronounced ROR-ee▶Briana#661 in the U.S.Feminine form of Brian, from Celtic brig or brigh meaning high, noble, or strength; Brian was the name ofPronounced bree-AN-uh▶Bria#1009 in the U.S.Noble; high; from Irish Gaelic bri (valor, strength, vigor) or a short form of Italian Brianna/BrianaPronounced BREE-uh▶Brenda#1139 in the U.S.Sword; from Old Norse brand (sword, blade) or possibly the feminine of Brendan (Irish: prince)Pronounced BREN-duh▶Ryann#1189 in the U.S.Little king; descendant of Rían; double-n spelling variant of Ryan, from Irish Gaelic Ó Riain (descendantPronounced RY-un▶Rori#1530 in the U.S.A modern feminine spelling of Rory, an anglicization of the Irish Ruaidhrí, meaning 'red king' (ruadh 'rePronounced ROHR-ee▶Mona#2224 in the U.S.noble, aristocratic ladyPronounced MOH-nuh▶Regan#2357 in the U.S.little king, royally descendedPronounced REE-gun▶Orla#2517 in the U.S.golden princessPronounced OHR-la▶Aine#3112 in the U.S.Brightness, radiance, or joy; from Old Irish áine meaning radiance or brilliance, the name of a powerful Pronounced AWN-yeh▶Brea#3120 in the U.S.Hill or high place; from Irish Gaelic bri or brí meaning hill, high place, or noble — a variant of the naPronounced BREE-ah▶Fallyn#3288 in the U.S.Feminine respelling of Fallon, from the Irish surname Ó Fallamhain, usually traced to a word for 'leader'Pronounced FAL-in▶Irelynn#3343 in the U.S.Modern American blend evoking Ireland — the country name from Ériu, its patron goddess — finished with -lPronounced EYE-rə-lin▶Irelyn#3457 in the U.S.Modern American blend evoking Ireland — named for the goddess Ériu — with the -lyn ending, 'lake'Pronounced EYE-rə-lin▶Bryana#3577 in the U.S.Variant of Briana, the feminine of Brian — an Irish name traditionally read 'noble' or 'high'Pronounced bry-AN-ə▶Aubrianna#3640 in the U.S.Blend of Aubrey ('elf ruler', from Germanic Alberich) and Brianna ('noble', feminine of Brian)Pronounced aw-bree-AN-ə▶Morrigan#3788 in the U.S.From Irish Mór-Ríoghain, 'great queen' or 'phantom queen' — the shape-shifting goddess of war and fatePronounced MOR-ih-gən▶Brianne#4197 in the U.S.Feminine of Brian — Celtic/Irish, likely 'high, noble' or 'strong, virtuous'Pronounced bree-AN▶Mayve#4832 in the U.S.Spelling of Maeve — from Irish Medb, 'she who intoxicates; intoxicating one' (a legendary warrior-queen)Pronounced MAYV▶Nolan#4843 in the U.S.From the Irish surname O Nuallain — 'a champion; descendant of the noble/famous one'; mostly a boys' namePronounced NOH-lun▶Ryanne#4852 in the U.S.Feminine form of Ryan — from Irish O'Riain, 'descendant of Rian (little king)'; with a -anne endingPronounced RY-an▶Mccall#5232 in the U.S.From the Scottish/Irish surname McCall — 'son of Cathal', 'battle-ruler/mighty in battle'; here for girlsPronounced mə-KAWL▶Breelyn#5310 in the U.S.Modern blend of Bree ('hill; strength/noble', Irish) with the -lyn ending (echoing Lynn, 'lake'); no singPronounced BREE-lin▶Breya#5630 in the U.S.A modern name — a Bre-spelling echoing Bria/Brianna ('noble; high; strong', Irish); no single fixed root;Pronounced BRAY-ah▶Briany#5631 in the U.S.A spelling of Brianna/Briony — the feminine of Brian ('noble, strong, high', Irish), or echoing Briony ('Pronounced BRY-ə-nee▶Brileigh#5964 in the U.S.A -leigh spelling of Briley — a modern name joining a Bri- opening (echoing Brianna, 'noble') with the -lPronounced BRY-lee▶Braleigh#6188 in the U.S.A -leigh spelling of Braylee — a modern name joining a Bra- opening (echoing Bria/Brianna, 'noble') with Pronounced BRAY-lee▶Brayah#6189 in the U.S.A modern name echoing Bria/Briah ('noble', Irish; 'creation', Hebrew) with a -yah ending; no single fixedPronounced BRY-ah▶Breelynn#6654 in the U.S.A modern blend of Bree (variously 'a hill; strength; noble', a short form of Brianna/Brigid) with Lynn ('Pronounced BREE-lin▶Brihanna#6655 in the U.S.A spelling of Brianna — a feminine of Brian, from Irish, variously 'noble; high; strong; virtuous'; the -Pronounced bree-AH-nah▶Rianna#6850 in the U.S.Variously a spelling of Rhiannon (Welsh, 'a great, divine queen'), Rihanna, and Brianna ('noble; strong')Pronounced ree-AH-nah▶Abrianna#6907 in the U.S.A modern blend joining an Ab-/Abby element (from Abigail, 'my father rejoices') with Brianna (Irish, 'nobPronounced ah-bree-AH-nah▶Breanne#6960 in the U.S.A form of Brianna — a feminine of Brian (Irish, 'noble; strong; high'); also read as a Bri + Anne blend; Pronounced bree-AN▶Lany#7080 in the U.S.Variously a short form of Delaney/Alanis and the Hawaiian lani, 'the sky; heaven; royal'; routes layeredPronounced LAH-nee▶Rhyann#7495 in the U.S.A spelling of Ryan/Rhian — variously 'little king' (from the Irish surname) and 'a maiden' (Welsh Rhian);Pronounced RY-an▶Riona#7496 in the U.S.An Anglicized form of the Irish Rioghnach — 'queenly; queen-like; regal' (from rioghan, 'a queen')Pronounced ree-OH-nah▶Briani#8012 in the U.S.A feminine elaboration of Brian — from the Irish, variously 'noble; high; strong' (linked to bri, 'hill; Pronounced bree-AH-nee▶Kinnley#8173 in the U.S.A spelling of Kinley — from the Scottish/Irish surname Mackinley, variously 'a fair/white warrior; a VikiPronounced KIN-lee▶Chauna#8176 in the U.S.Chauna is a spelling of Shawna, the feminine of Shawn or Sean. Sean is the Irish form of John, from the HPronounced SHAW-nuh▶Ryen#8308 in the U.S.A spelling of Ryan — from the Irish O Riain, 'a little king' (ri, 'king'); used for both sexes; here for Pronounced RY-en▶Brienne#8512 in the U.S.A feminine form of Brian — from the Irish/Celtic, variously 'high; noble' and 'strong'; also a French plaPronounced bree-EN▶Rheagan#8821 in the U.S.A spelling of Reagan — from the Irish O Riagain, 'a descendant of Riagan (the little king/ruler)'; a surnPronounced RAY-gun▶Deitra#8912 in the U.S.Deitra reads as a respelling in the Deidra/Deidre family, English forms of the Irish Deirdre — a legendarPronounced DEE-truh▶Ailish#8934 in the U.S.An Irish form of Alice/Elizabeth (Ailis) — variously 'noble; of noble kind' (Alice) and 'God is my oath' Pronounced AY-lish▶Maive#9296 in the U.S.A spelling of Maeve — from the Irish Medb, 'intoxicating; she who rules/she who intoxicates'; a legendaryPronounced MAYV▶Maev#9405 in the U.S.A trimmed spelling of Maeve, from the Irish Medb ('she who intoxicates; the intoxicating one') — the legePronounced MAYV▶Breah#9637 in the U.S.A spelling of Bria/Brea — variously a feminine of Brian ('noble; strong; high') and 'a hill/fairy palace'Pronounced BREE-ah▶Briah#9638 in the U.S.Variously from the Hebrew briah, 'creation; a creature', and a spelling of Bria (a feminine of Brian, 'noPronounced BREE-ah▶Lochlynn#10019 in the U.S.A modern feminised coinage on the Irish Lochlann, historically 'Norseman; Viking' (literally 'land of locPronounced LOK-lin▶Orlaith#10048 in the U.S.From the Irish Orlaith/Orfhlaith — 'golden princess; golden lady' (or, 'gold', + flaith, 'a princess/sovePronounced OR-lah▶Raigen#10067 in the U.S.A spelling of Reagan/Raegan — from the Irish O Riagain, 'a descendant of Riagan (the little ruler/king; iPronounced RAY-gun▶Ryanna#10105 in the U.S.A feminine form of Ryan — from the Irish O Riain, 'a descendant of Rian (the little king/ruler)'; routes Pronounced ry-AN-ah▶Shatarra#10382 in the U.S.Shatarra most plausibly joins the Sha- prefix to Tara, the Irish place-name meaning 'hill,' famed as the Pronounced shah-TAR-ah▶Nolyn#10830 in the U.S.A modern feminine respelling near Nolan, from the Irish surname O'Nuallain, 'descendant of the noble one;Pronounced NO-lin▶Ryana#10898 in the U.S.A feminine form of Ryan, from the Irish surname O'Riain, 'little king; descendant of the king; kingly.' SPronounced ree-AH-nah▶Raney#10967 in the U.S.Raney is a variant of Rainey, a surname of Scottish and Irish origin. It is usually traced to the medievaPronounced RAY-nee▶Tarah#10978 in the U.S.A respelling of Tara — from the Irish Teamhair, the hill and royal seat of ancient Irish kings, and separPronounced TAIR-uh▶Cera#11282 in the U.S.Cera reads as a variant of Sera or Sarah, from Hebrew for 'princess; noblewoman', or as a spelling of thePronounced SAIR-uh▶Gradie#11541 in the U.S.Best read as a spelling of Grady, from the Irish surname O Gradaigh, generally explained from gradach ('nPronounced GRAY-dee▶Kian#11715 in the U.S.From the Persian Kian (Kayan), 'king; realm; foundation,' and separately the Irish Cian, 'ancient; enduriPronounced KEE-an▶Merna#11756 in the U.S.A variant spelling of Myrna, from the Irish Muirne, 'beloved; tender; high-spirited.' A soft vintage namePronounced MER-nah▶Reaghan#11889 in the U.S.Reaghan is a modern spelling of Reagan, an Irish surname from O Riagain, linked to 'little ruler; impulsiPronounced RAY-gun▶Seila#11944 in the U.S.A spelling of Sheila/Sheyla, an Irish form of Cecilia (Latin, 'blind; of the Caecilius family'), popular Pronounced SAY-lah▶Rorey#11984 in the U.S.A respelling of Rory, an anglicised form of the Irish Ruairi/Ruaidhri, 'red king.' Crisp and friendly, usPronounced ROR-ee▶Brianni#12349 in the U.S.A modern respelling in the Brianna/Briana family, the feminine of Brian, from an Irish/Celtic root read aPronounced bree-AH-nee▶Brionna#12356 in the U.S.A spelling in the Brianna/Briana family, the feminine of Brian, from an Irish root read as 'noble; high; Pronounced bree-ON-ah▶Brya#12360 in the U.S.A spelling of Bria, a short form of Brianna/Gabriela read as 'noble; strength' by those routes; also a moPronounced BREE-ah▶Gael#12564 in the U.S.A name from 'Gael' (a Gaelic-speaking Celt of Ireland/Scotland); popular in Spanish-speaking countries asPronounced GAYL▶Grady#12578 in the U.S.From the Irish surname Ó Grádaigh, 'descendant of Gráda,' tied to the word grádha, 'noble; illustrious.' Pronounced GRAY-dee▶Mave#12942 in the U.S.A phonetic spelling of Maeve, from the Irish Medb, 'she who intoxicates' or 'the intoxicating one' — the Pronounced MAYV▶Meabh#12958 in the U.S.The Irish spelling of Maeve, from Medb, 'she who intoxicates' or 'the intoxicating one' — the legendary wPronounced MAYV▶Raegen#13096 in the U.S.A modern respelling of Reagan, from the Irish surname O Riagain, tied to a root meaning 'little king' or Pronounced RAY-gun▶Ragan#13101 in the U.S.A variant spelling of Regan/Reagan, from the Irish surname O Riagain, tied to a root often glossed 'littlPronounced RAY-gun▶Raigan#13104 in the U.S.A modern American respelling of Reagan, from the Irish surname O Riagain, generally glossed 'little king'Pronounced RAY-gun▶Reghan#13121 in the U.S.A modern American respelling of Regan, from the Irish surname O Riagain, usually glossed 'little king'. SPronounced REE-gun▶Ryenne#13222 in the U.S.Ryenne is a feminine respelling of Ryan, from the Irish O Riain, 'little king,' with an -enne ending thatPronounced RY-en▶Taralynn#13329 in the U.S.Taralynn joins Tara, an Irish name from the hill of Tara, seat of the ancient high kings, to Lynn, from aPronounced TAR-uh-lin▶Ceira#13353 in the U.S.Ceira is a phonetic spelling in the Ciara and Keira family. Ciara is the Irish feminine of Ciar, meaning Pronounced KEER-uh▶Aveen#13642 in the U.S.An anglicized spelling of Irish Aoibheann (also Aoibhinn), from aoibh, 'beauty, radiance, pleasant expresPronounced uh-VEEN▶Briannaly#13722 in the U.S.Briannaly extends Brianna — the feminine of the Irish Brian, usually read as 'noble; high' — with a soft Pronounced bree-AN-uh-lee▶Briyana#13731 in the U.S.A modern American respelling of Brianna, the feminine of Brian, an Irish name usually read as 'high; noblPronounced bree-YAH-nuh▶Cleona#13805 in the U.S.A name read as an extension of Cleo (Greek kleos, 'glory; fame') and as a form of the Irish Cliona (CliodPronounced klee-OH-nah▶Briawna#13829 in the U.S.Briawna is a decorative spelling of Brianna, the feminine form of Brian. Brian is an Irish name generallyPronounced bree-AH-nuh▶Briunna#13842 in the U.S.Briunna is a creative respelling of Brianna, the feminine of Brian. Brian is an Irish name read as 'noblePronounced bree-UH-nuh▶Dierdra#14091 in the U.S.Dierdra is a phonetic American spelling of Deirdre, the name of a tragic heroine of Irish legend. The oldPronounced DEER-druh▶Maevee#14482 in the U.S.A -vee spin on Maeve, from the Irish Medb ('she who intoxicates') — the legendary Queen Medb of Connacht.Pronounced MAY-vee▶Maeverly#14521 in the U.S.A contemporary blend of Maeve — the Irish Medb, a warrior queen of legend whose name is often read as 'shPronounced MAY-vur-lee▶Raygen#14777 in the U.S.Raygen is a phonetic, ray-forward respelling of Reagan, an Irish surname from O Riagain, traditionally rePronounced RAY-gen▶Reagyn#14784 in the U.S.Reagyn is a modern respelling of the given name Reagan, taken from the Irish surname O Riagain. The root Pronounced RAY-gun▶Reegan#14788 in the U.S.Reegan is a double-e spelling of Regan or Reagan, from the Irish surname O Riagain, usually explained as Pronounced REE-gun▶Reighan#14790 in the U.S.Reighan is a contemporary spelling of Reagan, an Irish surname from O Riagain, 'descendant of Riagan,' a Pronounced RAY-gun▶Oonagh#14793 in the U.S.An Irish spelling of Una (Una/Oona), glossed variously as 'lamb' (Irish uan) or from uan/una meaning 'hunPronounced OO-nuh▶Reygan#14803 in the U.S.Reygan is a modern respelling of Reagan, an Irish surname from O Riagain, understood as 'descendant of RiPronounced RAY-gun▶Ragen#14854 in the U.S.Ragen is a respelling of Reagan, an Irish name from the Gaelic surname O Riagain. The root riodhgach is uPronounced RAY-gun▶Reigan#14854 in the U.S.A modern respelling of Reagan, from the Irish surname O Riagain, often glossed 'little king' or tied to aPronounced RAY-gun▶Roree#14881 in the U.S.A modern girls' respelling of Rory, itself from the Irish Ruairi — usually read as 'red king' (ruadh, 'rePronounced ROR-ee▶Ruairi#14922 in the U.S.From the Irish Ruairi/Ruaidhri, 'red king' (ruadh, 'red,' + ri, 'king') — the name of medieval High KingsPronounced ROO-ree▶Ryane#14931 in the U.S.Ryane is a feminine spelling of Ryan, an Irish surname-turned-first-name from Old Irish 'ri', 'king', undPronounced RY-un▶Shetara#15439 in the U.S.Shetara joins the She- prefix to Tara, the name of the ancient Irish royal hill meaning 'elevated place'.Pronounced shuh-TAR-uh▶Briyanna#15595 in the U.S.A spelling of Brianna, the feminine of Brian, from a Celtic root for 'high; noble; strong.' A soft, currePronounced bree-AN-ah▶Breann#15640 in the U.S.A short form of Briana/Breanne, the feminine of Brian, usually read as 'noble; strong; virtuous.' Crisp aPronounced bree-ANN▶Carroll#15761 in the U.S.Carroll comes from the Irish surname Ó Cearbhaill, from Cearbhall, often read as 'fierce champion' or 'haPronounced KAIR-ul▶Faelan#16007 in the U.S.A spelling of the Irish Faolan, from faol, 'wolf,' with a diminutive ending — so 'little wolf.' In Irish Pronounced FAY-lun▶Cassadie#16360 in the U.S.Cassadie is a feminine respelling of Cassidy, an Irish surname anglicized from O Caiside, 'descendant of Pronounced KAS-uh-dee▶Fallan#16658 in the U.S.Fallan is a spelling variant of Fallon, an anglicized Irish surname from O Fallamhain, based on a word foPronounced FAL-un▶Kaetlyn#16685 in the U.S.Kaetlyn is a respelling of Caitlin, the Irish form of Katherine, from Greek katharos, 'pure'; the ae/-lynPronounced KAYT-lin▶Maevah#16704 in the U.S.A variant spelling of Maeve, from the Irish Medb, 'she who intoxicates' (and by extension 'she who rules'Pronounced MAY-vuh▶Maevrie#16782 in the U.S.A modern coinage extending Maeve, the anglicised form of the Irish Medb, usually read as 'she who intoxicPronounced MAYV-ree▶Raeghan#17064 in the U.S.Raeghan is an elaborate spelling of Reagan, an anglicized Irish surname from O Riagain, usually read as 'Pronounced RAY-gun▶Raegyn#17065 in the U.S.Raegyn is a 2000s respelling of Reagan, an Irish surname from Ó Riagáin meaning 'descendant of Riagán', aPronounced RAY-gin▶Reagen#17067 in the U.S.Reagen is a variant spelling of Reagan, an anglicized Irish surname from O Riagain, meaning 'descendant oPronounced RAY-gun▶Raygan#17089 in the U.S.A phonetic respelling of Reagan, an anglicized Irish surname (O Riagain) meaning 'little ruler; little kiPronounced RAY-gun▶Rhegan#17111 in the U.S.A modern respelling of Regan, from the Irish surname O Riagain, generally linked to ri, 'king' — often rePronounced REE-gun▶Ryenn#17163 in the U.S.Ryenn is a modern feminine respelling of Ryan, reshaping the traditionally masculine name for a girl. RyaPronounced RY-en▶Riane#17166 in the U.S.Riane is a variant of Riana/Rhian and a feminine form of Ryan. Ryan derives from the Irish Ó Riain, 'descPronounced ree-AN▶Roary#17183 in the U.S.A respelling of Rory (Irish Ruaidhri, 'red king'), with a playful echo of the English 'roar.' It reads unPronounced ROR-ee▶Rhyen#17247 in the U.S.A modern respelling touching Ryan (Irish, 'little king') and the Welsh Rhian ('maiden'); as a girl's namePronounced RY-un▶Shivon#17277 in the U.S.Shivon spells out the sound of Siobhan, the Irish form of Joan and Jane; that name descends through FrencPronounced shih-VON▶Taralyn#17373 in the U.S.Taralyn joins Tara to the fashionable -lyn ending. Tara is an Irish place name meaning 'hill' or 'elevatePronounced TAIR-uh-lin▶Katelyne#17550 in the U.S.Katelyne is a decorative respelling of Katelyn, the American reworking of Irish Caitlin, a pet form of KaPronounced KAYT-lin▶Cheridan#17888 in the U.S.Cheridan reads as a feminine reworking of the Irish surname Sheridan, from O Sirideain ('descendant of SiPronounced SHER-ih-dan▶Ceairra#18078 in the U.S.Ceairra reads as an inventive spelling that blends the sounds of Sierra, the Spanish word for a mountain Pronounced see-AIR-uh▶Tarin#18180 in the U.S.Tarin is a variant spelling of Taryn, a mid-century coinage generally treated as a feminine form of Tara Pronounced TAIR-in▶Kelee#18230 in the U.S.Kelee is a respelling of Kelly, the Irish surname anglicized from O Ceallaigh, tied to the personal name Pronounced KEL-ee▶Eithne#18447 in the U.S.From the Irish Eithne, 'kernel; grain' — an ancient name borne by saints and legendary queens, and the biPronounced ETH-nuh▶Taralee#18602 in the U.S.Taralee is a modern blended name pairing Tara with Lee. Tara is best known as the Irish royal hill TeamhaPronounced TA-ruh-lee▶Tarrah#18606 in the U.S.A doubled-r spelling of Tara, from the Irish 'Teamhair,' the royal Hill of Tara, often read as 'hill; elePronounced TAR-uh▶Sheela#18731 in the U.S.Sheela has two honest routes. In the English-speaking world it reads as a spelling of Sheila, the Irish fPronounced SHEE-luh▶Kaytlan#18757 in the U.S.Kaytlan is a phonetic respelling of Caitlin or Kaitlyn, the Irish Caitlin being an Irish form of KatherinPronounced KAYT-luhn▶Shatara#19140 in the U.S.Shatara joins the Sha- prefix to Tara, the Irish name from Teamhair, the royal hill of Tara, also read inPronounced shuh-TAR-uh▶Reganne#19219 in the U.S.Reganne is a modern feminine spelling of Regan, adding an -ne ending. Regan is an Irish surname from Ó RiPronounced REE-gan▶LaughlinAn anglicised form of the Irish name and surname Lochlainn, from Lochlann, the Irish term for ScandinaviaPronounced LOK-lin▶
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Frequently Asked
Which name on this list is the most directly royal?
Orla is the most literal choice on this list, meaning golden princess outright. Names built from the Irish word rí, like Regan and Ryann, point to kingship instead, so the list covers both crowns and thrones.