10 Irish baby names

March is here, and with it comes two things: St. Patrick's Day and spring! So whether you're inspired by the modern festivities or by the rich culture and history of Ireland, let us in on the inspiration when choosing a name for your little one! Here are ten Irish baby names.

1. Seamus Seamus means “supplanter” and is the Irish version of the English name James. One of the most well-known people with this name is Irish poet Seamus Heaney, who won the 1995 Nobel Prize in literature.

2. Eva The mainstream version of its Gaelic form, Aoife, Eva means “beautiful, radiant, joyful.” In old Irish legends, Aoife was the mother of Cuchulainn, and was known as greatest female warrior.

3. Ashling This name means a “vision” or “dream.” Aisling, a variant of the name, also denotes a popular 17th- to 18th-century poetic genre, in which Ireland is depicted as a beautiful woman in peril.

4. Finn Finn means “fair-headed." This originates in the legend of Fionn MacCool, the strongest giant in all of Ireland. It was popularized by the Glee character Finn Hudson, played by the late Cory Monteith. Celebrities like Tori Spelling and Owen Wilson have chosen the name for their kids.

5. Rowan/ Rowanne This unisex name stems from the Irish surname Ó Ruadháin, which alludes to the rowan tree that is said to offer protection.

6. Brian Meaning “high and noble,” the name honours semi-legendary Irish king Brian Boru, who defeated Vikings attempting to conquer Ireland in the 11th century. Variants of the name include Brion and Bryan.

7. Aedan An offshoot of the name Áed, Aedan means “fire.” In Irish mythology, Áed was the god of fire and the underworld. Around the 7th century, the name became associated with Áedán of Ferns, an Irish saint and bishop. And indeed, we saw a resurgence of the name when Carrie Bradshaw dated Aidan on Sex and the City.

8. Siobhan (shiv-awn) An Irish version of the name Joan, Siobhan means “God is gracious.” Irish actress Siobhán McKenna, best known for her '60s movies, has inspired multiple generations of parents to choose this Gaelic name.

9. Enda Ean, the unisex version of Enda, means “bird” or “freedom of spirit.” The name is also derived from St. Enda of the Aran Islands. Perfect for a little free spirit.

10. Róisin (Ro-sheen) Róis, which is the root of this pretty name, translates in Gaelic to “little rose.” While widely used in Ireland, the popularity dates back to a famous Irish-Gaelic 16th-century love song known as “Róisín Dubh” (Little Black Rose). Not only does this name sound cute, but it carries a lot of symbolism and meaning as well.

Read more: 10 kid-friendly ways to celebrate St. Patrick's Day 8 baby name trends for 2017 21 meaningful baby names