Celtic names are becoming more and more popular all over the world. The Celtic culture is rich in history and tradition, inspiring the world.
Many writers base their characters on the Celts; Tolkien used this background for his famous Lord of the Rings saga.
The Celts were known for their strong traditions in family and warfare, so if you’re interested in creating your own character’s Celtic name, consider using our Celtic name generator and then read on as we guide you through the process!
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Origins Of Celtic Names
The origin of Celtic names has been debated for years. Since ancient times, the Irish, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, Cornish, and Manx people have used Celtic names for their children.
The Celtic peoples of Europe are a group of diverse cultures and languages that have used various names to describe themselves over the millennia.
Before the Roman invasion, they were a group of tribal societies in the British Isles and parts of northern France, Belgium, and Spain. The Celts spoke Celtic languages and used the Celtic alphabet to write them down.
The word ‘Celtic’ derives from the Greek Κελτοι, or Keltoi, first used by Herodotus about a large body of people who lived north-west of the Black Sea (modern Galicia) in Europe.
The earliest written use of the name of Celts (in Latin) dates to the 1st Century BC by Diodorus Siculus.
Diodorus gives an apparent description of what he means by it: “All these peoples were classed as Celts by the ancients… For I have already mentioned that some of these we have called Celtic because they used to wear Gaulish [i.e., Galatian] helmets.”
What Is A Celtic Name?
A Celtic name is in the Celtic language (such as Irish or Welsh) or a Celtic origin.
There are specific rules for what letters may be used and how these letters are pronounced in Celtic languages.
In Irish, for example, there are also certain restrictions on which letters can appear together. For example, it is impossible to start a name with an “m.” Celtic names are usually one word, with no spaces and a mixture of unique letters.
Celtic culture has evolved over thousands of years. Celtic culture was a warrior culture in its earliest stages, and their names reflected this.
Later in ancient history, the Celts converted to Roman Catholicism and named their children after the saints.
Celtic names are a unique and exciting part of history. Celtic names were popular in the British Isles until the beginning of the Middle Ages, and they’ve been popular in recent years. This has made Pádraig, Máire, and Seán increasingly popular.
Why Choose A Celtic Name For Your Book Character?
Celtic names are derived from ancient languages and are usually in Gaelic or Welsh. They are perfect for your book character.
Among the many surnames that exist in the world today, only some have been around for hundreds of years.
The names that we find in history are usually cultural identifiers. These are surnames with roots in specific regions, countries, or ethnic groups.
Irish surnames are usually Gaelic or Celtic in origin. Names like O’Brien, O’Hara, O’Connor, and many others were formed by prefixing ‘O’ to a male forename. The prefix ‘Mac’ was used to denote a son of a particular family.
A Celtic name is timeless and surprisingly popular. Celtic names are also associated with specific traits:
Celtic Names Are Unique
The most common names in the world, like John and Mary, are also the most common Celtic names. On the other hand, Johnathan or Johnathon is not traditional Celtic names, but they are rare.
Celtic Names Are Strong
Celtic names are associated with strength and power. This makes them a perfect fit for fantasy literature or even epic poetry.
Celtic Names Are Memorable
The most memorable characters in history have unforgettable names. Celtic names are beautiful, rich in history and culture, and memorable.
The name of your character does matter when you write a book. Just as in a film or television show, the character’s name is integral to their identity. A person’s name can say a lot about them and help shape who they are.
Choosing a Celtic name for your book character can give them an identity that goes far beyond just a name on the page. When choosing a name for your character;
- It’s pertinent to choose the right name to not cause any confusion among your readers.
- You can opt for a name related to the history of your story, or you can opt for something more unique.
- Make sure that the names have a straightforward pronunciation and spelling to read them easily.
Why Are Celtic Names Popular?
Celtic names are getting more and more popular in the US and UK. There are many reasons people choose to give their children a Celtic name.
The reason why they’re popular is that;
- They sound beautiful
- Celtic names are generally lyrical, evocative, and melodic; they have a poetic quality that makes them sound like they belong in the Middle Ages or on a serene Scottish heath rather than in the modern world.
- Are easy to pronounce
- Have a lot of meaning behind them
Irish Celtic girl names are trendy, while Scottish Celtic boy names have risen since the 1980s. Names that include “Finn” or “Owen” also rose to fame in Ireland during this period.
Popular Celtic Names
Irish and Scottish names are generally masculine, while Welsh and Cornish’s names are generally feminine. There are many excellent Celtic names, and the Celtic name generator will help you get the best. Here are some of the popular Celtic names.
Female Names
Mary
The most common Celtic first name is Mary, which comes from the Virgin Mary.
Mair
The Virgin Mary, or “Mair” in Gaelic, is a popular name. Its origin is from the old Irish word for “sea.”
Morgan
The Irish language has two words that mean “son”: mac and inghean. Mac means “of the son of,” and inghean means “daughter of.” So Morgan means “strong-minded daughter.”
Bríghid
This name is of Irish origin and has many variations. Other alternatives of the name include; Bridget, Bridgit, Briget, Brigid. It means; Strong and Powerful. Sometimes it’s also known as the holy one.
Brianna
Brianna is a diminutive form of Bríghid. It means either “strength” or “strong.” Brianna was the name of an influential character in the novel by Nora Roberts titled ‘Highlander.’
Many have traced this character’s lineage back to King Brian Boru, who founded the O’Brien dynasty in Ireland around 1002 AD.
Erin
Erin is a Celtic name that means “Ireland,” as by the Gaelic people. The name is believed to mean either “imminent” or “valley.”
There are several legends about how Erin, the country, got its name. The most common one says that Ireland was named after Eriu, the fertility goddess.
Another legend claims that the land was named after Éire, an ancient Irish goddess of sovereignty. The original form of the name is Eireann or Eireanna.
Other female Celtic names;
- Avalon
- Bronwen
- Deidre
- Enid
- Gwyneth
- Gwendolyn
- Kylie
- Kiera
- Shannon
- Sabrina
- Fiona
- Caitlin
Male Names
Arthur
The most famous Celtic name is probably the legendary King Arthur, possibly derived from the Celtic “Artorius,” which means “bear.”
Finn
The name Finn is derived from the name Fionn. It is a popular Irish name for males and is very popular in Scotland. This name means fair and white.
Finn is a masculine name in the English language and is also used as a surname. It may refer to:
- The Irish, Scottish Gaelic, and Manx form of Fionn.
- A diminutive of the Irish, Scottish Gaelic, and Manx forms of Patrick, Padraic, and Pádraig
Owen
Owen is a male given the name of Welsh origin. The meaning of Owen is “young warrior” or “young fire.” This name was attributed to a 5th-century Welsh saint and is now used as a male name throughout Wales, England, Ireland, and Scotland.
Kevin
The first name Kevin is of Irish and Gaelic origin. The meaning of the name is “handsome.”
Dylan
Dylan is a Celtic boy named “son of the sea,” often given to people born on Sunday. It is also used by parents who are fans of the famous singer Bob Dylan, born on the same day.
The origin of Dylan is uncertain. Some believe it comes from the Welsh word “Dilwyn,” which means “little blackbird.”Dylan also means “little black-haired one; dark-haired one.”In addition to these meanings, Dylan can be a familiar form of the given name Dillon.
Other male names;
- Angus
- Caden
- Douglas
- Gordon
- Graham
- Lee
- Keith
- Roy
- Patrick
- Sean
- Rowan
- Trevor
- Blaine
- Brian
- Aidan
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a unique and ancient name that is beautiful and meaningful, consider using the Celtic name generator.
There are plenty of cool Celtic names that you can choose from for your character. This name generator will give you a list of the best Celtic names for both genders. We hope this article has been helpful and that you give our Celtic name generator a try today!
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