Ireland, not just a land of rolling green hills, ancient legends, and perhaps the world's most charming accents, but also home to some of the most delightful dog breeds. From the spirited Irish Setter to the dignified Irish Wolfhound, these dogs have personalities as rich as the folklore they spring from. Friendly, outgoing, mischievous, and loyal – these 4 words can describe both, Irish people and their beautiful dogs.
Beauty is not the only thing these dogs are known for. Historically, these pups were more than just furry companions—they were vital to hunting, herding, and guarding. The Irish Wolfhound, for instance, whose job was to chase off wolves and protect homes. Irish Terrier, on the other hand, who became the farmer’s friend by being a thorough vermin killer.
Now that we are naming these, we better capture all these qualities and make it worth your time to go through them. Let’s start!
Celtic Dog Names
Celtic dogs refer to the breeds historically associated with the Celtic regions of Europe, such as Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. They’ve been around for centuries and have made an impact on Celtic art and literature. All our lovely Irish dogs are a part of the Celtic family. Apart from that, this fam also includes Scottish Terrier, Brittany Basset, Kerry Beagle, Bearded Collie, and even the smartest dog of all time, Border Collie. (1)Okay, we know you’re waiting. Let’s get to the names.
Clover | Unique and lucky! |
Cú | Short for Cú Chulainn, the legendary Irish hero. |
Dublin | for a sophisticated dog |
Fergus | Irish for ‘strong’ for your fit bud. |
Finn McCool | After the legendary Irish giant. |
Haggis | A popular Scottish dish. |
Shamrock | For your lucky charm |
Wallace | William Wallace, strong and brave. |
Yes. We know these are for the male ones. We’ve got some great names for the ladies as well.
Brigid | The Celtic goddess of fire and poetry |
Fiona | Your little princess |
Kerry | A beautiful region in Ireland |
Maeve | The legendry warrior queen (or if you’re a Maeve fan from Sex Education) |
Moira | Classic and charming (just like Moira Rose from Schitt’s Creek) |
Saoirse | For a free-spirited dog |
Siobhan | For the elegant and sassy |
Sorcha | Pronounced "Sur-ka," meaning "radiant" or "bright." |
Gaelic Dog Names
Just like Celtic dogs came from a specific geography, Gaelic dogs refer to breeds associated with Gaelic-speaking regions, particularly Ireland and Scotland. Known for hunting, herding, and guarding, they are intelligent, loyal and come with a strong work ethic. Irish Wolfhound and the Scottish Terrier are two of them.
While the above names can also sound great on them, here are some more for your Gaelic Dog -
Celt | A cute short name |
Guinness | Dark and smooth (not really referring to the dog here) |
Pooka | For a mischievous one |
Rowan | Strong and beautiful, like the rowan tree. |
Shannon | The longest river in Ireland. |
Duffy | For the one with a dark coat. |
Phoenix | These dogs do have the same fiery spirit. |
Top Dog Names in Ireland
Yet couldn’t pick one? We can give you 1000 generic names, but would it do justice to your four-legged buddy? There should be some meaning to the names, right? Here’s our final list of Irish name recommendations for your pet.
Aisling | Meaning "dream" or "vision," |
Bagpipes | Only if your dog could sing along. (they will try to though) |
Finn | You asked for popular Irish names |
Lola | For the lively and playful |
Max | This name is not just popular in Ireland but the world. |
Niamh | Pronounced "Neev," meaning "bright" and "radiant." |
Tartan | A nod to the traditional Scottish pattern. |
If you yet can’t choose one, here’s our personal favorite –
Whiskey – or you could go with Scotch. Now that you’ve got an Irish dog, we know that you appreciate the finer things in life.
More About Spot Pet Insurance
While you’re naming your dog, there’s one more thing we would recommend – Getting pet health insurance for your little buddy. The reason we say this is because your four-legged buddy may be prone to several medical conditions throughout its lifetime. These include Ehrlichiosis, heartworms, transmissible venereal tumors, distemper, parvovirus, etc. (1) The treatment costs for these can sometimes put a big dent in your savings. With a dog insurance plan, you can save up to 90% of them.
Dog Insurance can help provide financial assistance for eligible veterinary care in case of unexpected accidents, illnesses, or injuries. Our plans can help pet parents manage the eligible costs of covered veterinary care and help ensure that their pets can receive the best treatment possible. Here are some ways that Spot pet insurance plans can help:
Covers Unexpected Veterinary Costs: Spot pet insurance plans cover the eligible costs of unexpected veterinary treatments, such as emergency surgeries, X-rays, and prescription medications for covered conditions.
Customizable Plans: Choose your annual limit, reimbursement rate, and deductible from a range of options, and create the plan that will fit the needs of your pet and your budget.
Peace of Mind: With Spot pet insurance plans, pet parents can know that they can provide the best care for their pet with less worry about the cost.
To learn more about Spot Plans or to get a free quote, click here.
The resident animal enthusiast at Spot. I have a lifetime of pet parent experience. If it has fur, feathers, or scales, I’ve probably shared my home with it. I aim to be a reliable source, blending experience with a dedication to the well-being of pets.
Logue, H. (2024, May 10). Irish dog names: the most popular monikers. The Dog People by Rover.com. https://www.rover.com/blog/popular-irish-dog-names/
