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    You are at:Home » News » Culture » Top 10 adorable Irish dog names
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    Top 10 adorable Irish dog names

    Mairéad Ní GhráinneBy Mairéad Ní GhráinneFebruary 9, 2022No Comments4 Mins Read
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    Giving your new dog a name is no easy task when there are so many names to choose from! Luckily, you can start here with our list of the top ten adorable Irish dog names.

    Ireland’s president Michael D Higgins has brought back the trend of Irish dog names with his beautiful Bernese Mountain dogs, ‘Bród’ (pride) and ‘Misneach’ (courage).

    Let’s not forget his other dog, ‘Síoda’ (silk), whose death prompted a Dublin mural to be painted in her honour.

    So, here are ten Irish dog names that are strong, musical, and, of course, adorable.

    10. Réiltín – a small dog’s name

    Réiltín is the perfect name for a small dog.
    Credit: pixy.org

    Réiltín, pronounced as ‘rail-cheen’, comes from the word ‘réalt’, meaning star.

    The suffix ‘-ín’ in the Irish language is the equivalent of describing something as ‘teeny tiny’ in English. For example, ‘an bóthar’ means ‘the road’, but ‘an bóithrín’ is a small road.

    Choose Réiltín for your small dog’s name because there’s nothing cuter than naming them after a little star.

    9. Hiúdaí – after the children’s TV character

    Hiúdaí is one of the most adorable Irish dog names.
    Credit: Pixabay / congerdesign

    Irish people who grew up in the ’90s and early 2000s will remember Hiúdaí (pronounced hew-dee) from TG4, Ireland’s Irish language TV channel.

    Arguments would break out in the schoolyard about what exactly this animated creature was. Was Hiúdaí mostly human? A troll? A goat? Regardless, he always made us laugh.

    8. Rua – meaning ‘red’ (haired)

    Rua is a great name for a red setter.
    Credit: commons.wikimedia.org

    Yes, the Irish language has an adjective that means ‘red’ in colour but can only be used when referring to hair that is red.

    Rua, pronounced like ‘roo-ah’, is the perfect name for an Irish red setter dog and one of the most adorable Irish dog names we can think of.

    You might recognise this type of dog if you’ve ever travelled by Bus Éireann as each of their buses has a picture of an Irish red setter on the back.

    7. Draíocht – meaning ‘magic’

    Draíocht is one of the most adorable Irish dog names.
    Credit: Flickr / Mark Robinson

    Draíocht, pronounced ‘dree-ucht’, makes use of the throaty ‘ch’ sound. Once you’ve mastered it, you will sound like a true native Irish speaker.

    Draíocht is literally a magical name, handpicked for dog owners who love Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings.

    6. Sióg – another magical name

    Sióg is another magical Irish dog name.
    Credit: pixnio.com

    Sióg, pronounced ‘she-oge’, is the Irish word for fairy. The suffix -óg in Irish is like the -ín suffix in that it makes us think of something small.

    The Irish word ‘óg’ means ‘young’. So, if you’re the type of dog owner that loves to spoil your brand-new pup, then perhaps Síog is the right Irish dog name for your pooch.

    5. Sneachta – because winter is coming

    Sneachta is one of our favourite adorable Irish dog names.
    Credit: Pixabay / svetik_b_v

    Sneachta, pronounced ‘shnawch-ta’, also makes use of the Irish ‘ch’ sound, so get practising!

    This is the Irish word for snow. So, this works well on a white, fluffy dog or a ‘dire wolf’ from Game of Thrones.

    4. Cara – man’s best friend

    Cara is a great name for man's best friend.
    Credit: maxpixel.net

    Cara has made the top four on our list of the top ten adorable Irish dog names because it translates as ‘friend’. How cute!

    The name Cara is simple, endearing, and just right for the happy dog in your life.

    3. Róisín – for a girl dog

    Róisín is one of the most adorable Irish dog names.
    Credit: Facebook / @markreecastle

    Róisín, pronounced ‘row-sheen’, means ‘little rose’. Not only is it a great Irish dog name, but it’s also a popular baby name here.

    The Irish wolfhound at the Markree Castle in County Sligo is named Róisín. She is a gentle giant who loves treats and a walk around the castle grounds.

    2. Cú – meaning ‘hound’

    Cú means hound.
    Credit: Pixabay / 12019

    Cú, pronounced ‘coo’, comes from the name ‘Cú Chulainn’, who was a warrior hero in Irish mythology.

    Meaning ‘hound of Culann’, Cú Chulainn got his name because he took the place of one of Culann’s dogs after accidentally killing it in self-defence.

    Cú is also the name of the big friendly dog in the 2014 animated film, Song of the Sea.

    1. Bran – undoubtedly one of the most adorable Irish dog names

    Bran tops our list of adorable Irish dog names.
    Credit: Pixabay / strengthinnumbers

    Bran must be the easiest name to pronounce on our list. In Irish mythology, the warrior Fionn mc Cumhaill had a dog named Bran.

    Bran was loyal, strong, and skilled at hunting. There is also a series of Irish language books for children about a yellow cartoon dog called Bran. It doesn’t get any cuter than this!

    There you have it, our top ten adorable Irish dog names. Which one will you choose?

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    Mairéad Ní Ghráinne

    Mairéad Ní Ghráinne is a writer, lover of languages, and native Irish speaker from Connemara, County Galway. Having studied Irish, French, Creative Writing, and Childcare, it comes as no surprise that Mairéad is passionate about all things creative, whether playing the fiddle at a local trad session or painting Irish landscapes inspired by her travels. Although travelling has led her to live in Italy, France, and China, she loves nothing more than coming home to Ireland's west coast with a pen and fresh notebook on hand.

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