112 Irish dog names (with Gaelic meanings)

Ireland has a long tradition of dog stories. The hero Cú Chulainn, the Hound of Culann, earned his name by taking the place of a guard dog, and the word cú (hound) hides inside names like Connor, which means lover of hounds. That makes Irish names a natural fit for a dog, whether it is a red Irish Setter, a towering Irish Wolfhound or a mixed breed with a twinkle in its eye.

This list brings together classic Irish first names, legendary heroes, folklore spirits, Gaelic words of affection and Irish counties, rivers and landmarks. We use simple spellings without accents, and each note gives the meaning or the story behind it. Short, bright names like Finn, Rory and Orla are easy to call; longer ones like Saoirse and Caoimhe are best when you teach the pronunciation to everyone in the household.