This list has 23 Irish first names that start with L, and most of them are the real thing: L is one of the 18 letters of the traditional Irish alphabet, so names like Líadan, Lorcán and Lughaidh go back well over a thousand years.
If you’re looking for an Irish name that starts with the letter L then you definitely have some options! Most Irish names have developed over the years so we’ve tried keeping as close as possible to the original variations from hundreds of years ago.
We have lots of resources on Irish names that you might find useful. We also have a list of Irish surnames that start with L.
Quick answer: the top Irish names that start with L
- Laoise (girl): possibly from Luighseach or Laois
- Líadan (girl): possibly from líath, “grey”
- Lasairfhíona (girl): “flame of wine”
- Liam (boy): Irish short form of Uilliam (William)
- Lorcán (boy): “little fierce one”
- Lochlainn (boy): “Viking”, from the Norse homeland
The most used L names in Ireland right now are Liam, 7th for boys in 2025, and Lily, which was the No. 1 girls’ name (its Irish form is Líle), and you can see the full top 100 in our guide to the most popular Irish baby names.
Irish Girls First Names that Start with L
We love the sound of these Irish names for girls that start with L because they really roll off the tongue. Names like Líadan and Lúna are really unique and will help your baby stand out.
⭐ Our Favourite: Líadan
Pronunciation: LEE-uh-dan
First Used: 7th century Ireland
Meaning: Possibly from the Old Irish líath, meaning “grey,” Líadan (also written Liadan) was the name of a 7th-century Irish poet who fell in love with a fellow poet, Cuirithir, and later became a nun. Their story was written down in the 9th century as Comrac Líadaine ocus Cuirithir. Their tragic love story is one of Ireland’s earliest recorded romances, linking the name to poetry, devotion, and longing.
Why It’s Our Favourite: Liadan is beautifully poetic, tied to Irish history and legend. It carries an air of mystery and romance, making it a rare yet deeply meaningful choice that feels timeless and enchanting.
🌿 Lana
Pronunciation: LAH-na
Meaning: Lana isn’t a traditional Irish name. Lána is simply the Irish word for a lane or narrow street, and there’s no record of it being used as a first name in Ireland; Lana itself is usually explained as a short form of Alana or the Russian Svetlana. While not traditionally Irish, it has been embraced as a modern choice with a soft, melodic sound. In 2025, 21 baby girls were registered as Lana in Ireland.
🍀 Laoise
Pronunciation: LEE-sha
Meaning: Possibly a newer form of Luighseach (see Luíseach below), the feminine of Lughaidh and the name of an early Irish virgin saint remembered on 22 May. The name is linked to County Laois and has been a timeless choice for those seeking a lyrical yet historical Irish name. It’s used as the Irish form of Lucy and Louise too, and 38 baby girls were named Laoise in 2025.
🌟 Líosa
Pronunciation: LEE-sa
Meaning: An Irish-style spelling of Lisa, which began as a short form of Elizabeth (from the Hebrew Elisheba, “my God is an oath”). You won’t find Líosa in the traditional Irish name books, where the Irish form of Elizabeth is Eilís, and fewer than three babies a year are registered with this spelling. The name remains rare but has a modern and elegant appeal.
🌙 Luna (Lúna)
Pronunciation: LOO-na
Meaning: From the Latin Luna, meaning “moon.” It isn’t a traditional Irish name, and it isn’t connected to an Irish word for “warrior” (Luan is actually the Irish for Monday, and the everyday Irish word for the moon is gealach). Luna is still a big hit here, ranking 84th for girls in Ireland in 2025, and a handful of parents use the fada spelling Lúna each year.
🌊 Lí Ban
Pronunciation: LEE-ban
Meaning: From lí, “beauty” or “sheen,” and ban, “of women,” so roughly “paragon of women.” In Irish legend, Lí Ban survived the flood that created Lough Neagh and lived on as a mermaid, half woman and half salmon, until she was caught and baptised Muirgen, “sea-born” (the Annals of the Four Masters date this to 558 AD). This name carries a mystical, otherworldly feel, tied to Ireland’s deep mythological past.
🔥 Lasairfhíona
Pronunciation: LASS-er-EE-na
Meaning: A compound of lasair, “flame,” and fíona, “of wine,” so “flame of wine.” Patrick Woulfe described it in 1923 as an ancient Irish name still in use in parts of Connacht, and the sean-nós singer Lasairfhíona Ní Chonaola from Inis Oírr carries it today.
🌸 Líle
Pronunciation: LEE-leh
Meaning: The Irish form of Lily, the flower name. Lily was Ireland’s most popular girls’ name in 2025 with 302 babies, but only a handful of parents choose the Irish spelling Líle, which makes it a lovely way to use a favourite name with an Irish twist.
🕊 Luíseach
Pronunciation: LEE-shukh
Meaning: The modern spelling of Luighseach, the feminine form of Lughaidh, so it ultimately goes back to the god Lugh. It was the name of an early Irish virgin saint remembered on 22 May, and it has also been used as the Irish form of Lucy.
👑 Labhaoise
Pronunciation: LOW-ee-sha
Meaning: The Irish form of Louisa (and Louise), the feminine of Alabhaois (Aloysius). It goes back to the Germanic name Louis, usually explained as “famous in battle.” It’s rare, so it will help your baby stand out.
Irish Boys First Names that Start with L
There isn’t a huge amount of boys’ names that start with L but there are still some very strong contenders. We really like Lorcán which means ‘little fierce one’ and Lughán which means ‘little Lugh’.
⭐ Our Favourite: Lir
Pronunciation: LEER
First Used: Ancient Irish mythology
Meaning: Lir is the legendary sea god in Irish mythology, best known from The Children of Lir, a tragic tale of love, loss, and transformation. He represents the power and mystery of the ocean, deeply tied to Ireland’s storytelling traditions.
Why It’s Our Favourite: Lir is a name of pure mythology, evoking the vastness of the sea and Ireland’s deep connection to water. It’s simple yet carries immense weight, making it an unforgettable and timeless Irish name.
⚡ Lughaidh
Pronunciation: LOO-ee
Meaning: Derived from the god Lugh, associated with light, skill, and warriors, Lughaidh was a name borne by legendary Irish kings and heroes. It carries a sense of leadership, intelligence, and divine favor, making it a name of great historical and mythological significance.
🏹 Lughán (Lughan)
Pronunciation: LOO-awn
Meaning: Meaning “little Lugh,” Lughán is a diminutive form of Lugh, made with the Irish ending -án, and you’ll also see it written Lughan. This name reflects agility and mastery in many crafts, echoing the talents of the legendary deity. It also evokes the brightness of summer, as Lughnasa, the festival named after Lugh, marks the beginning of the harvest season. It would suit someone quick-witted and capable. It’s rare, though: the CSO recorded four baby boys named Lughán in 2025.
🏆 Liam
Pronunciation: LEE-um
Meaning: A shortened form of Uilliam (William), meaning “resolute protector.” Liam has been one of Ireland’s top 10 boys’ names every year since 2019 (it was 7th in 2025, according to the CSO) and is internationally famous thanks to figures like Liam Neeson. Its strong yet simple sound makes it one of the most enduring Irish names.
🏔 Lochán
Pronunciation: LUKH-awn
Meaning: As a word, lochán means “small lake” or “pond” in Irish (from loch, “lake”), so it suggests serenity and depth. As a name, it belonged to St Lochán, one of the early teachers of St Kevin of Glendalough, who is remembered on 31 December. It’s very rare as a first name today.
🛡 Lorcán
Pronunciation: LOR-kawn
Meaning: Meaning “little fierce one,” Lorcán was the name of Irish kings, including Lorcán mac Lachtna, grandfather of Brian Boru, and it was the Irish name of Saint Laurence O’Toole (Lorcán Ua Tuathail), the 12th-century archbishop of Dublin. It’s a name of resilience and leadership, blending nobility with warrior spirit.
🌙 Luan
Pronunciation: LOO-un
Meaning: Luan is the Irish word for Monday, and Luain is the form you hear in Dé Luain. It isn’t recorded as a traditional Irish first name and it doesn’t mean “warrior,” but around a dozen boys a year are registered as Luan in Ireland (11 in 2025), and the same spelling is also an Albanian name meaning “lion.” If you like the idea of Monday as a fresh start, it has a nice symbolism of new beginnings and cycles.
🏛 Laoiseach
Pronunciation: LEE-shukh
Meaning: Meaning “of Laois,” Laoiseach (also spelled Laoighseach) described someone belonging to the old territory of Laois. Though rare as a given name, it was used among the O’Mores and a few other families and was anglicised as Lysagh. Despite the similar look, it isn’t related to Taoiseach, the title for Ireland’s prime minister, which comes from an old Irish word for a leader.
⛵ Lochlainn
Pronunciation: LOKH-lin
Meaning: The Irish called the homeland of the Viking raiders Lochlainn, usually explained as “land of lakes” or “fjord land,” and the word was quickly adopted as a personal name meaning “Viking” or “Scandinavian.” It survives in the anglicised forms Loughlin and Laughlin, and Lochlainn, Lochlann and Lochlan were all given to baby boys in Ireland in 2025.
📜 Labhrás
Pronunciation: LOW-rawss
Meaning: The Irish form of Laurence, from the Latin Laurentius, “from Laurentum.” The Anglo-Normans brought Laurence to Ireland, and Labhrás is the version you’ll hear in Irish today.
🐦 Lonán
Pronunciation: LUN-awn
Meaning: A diminutive of lon, “blackbird,” so “little blackbird.” Patrick Woulfe counted eight Irish saints called Lonán, which makes it a gentle, nature-inspired name with real history behind it.
☀️ Lugh
Pronunciation: LOO
Meaning: The name of the many-skilled divine hero of Irish mythology, Lugh Lámhfhada (“of the long arm”), who led the Tuatha Dé Danann against the Fomorians. It’s short, bold and still unusual: nine baby boys were named Lugh in Ireland in 2025.
🥛 Lachtna
Pronunciation: LOKHT-na
Meaning: From the Old Irish Lachtnae, meaning “milk-coloured.” It was the name of the great-grandfather of Brian Boru, which is why the O’Briens later used Lucius as its English stand-in.
Checked against Patrick Woulfe’s Irish Names and Surnames, the Ó Dónaill Irish-English dictionary on teanglann.ie and the CSO’s Irish Babies’ Names 2025 figures in October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some Irish girl names that start with L?
Laoise, Líadan, Lasairfhíona, Líle, Luíseach and Lí Ban are all genuine Irish girls’ names starting with L. Laoise is the most used of these in Ireland, with 38 baby girls given the name in 2025.
What are some Irish boy names beginning with L?
Lorcán, Lochlainn, Lughaidh, Lonán, Labhrás and Lugh are traditional Irish boys’ names that start with L. Liam, the Irish short form of Uilliam, is the most popular, ranking 7th for boys in Ireland in 2025.
Is Liam an Irish name?
Yes. Liam is the Irish pet form of Uilliam, the Irish version of William, and it has been in Ireland’s top 10 boys’ names every year since 2019.
What does the name Lughán mean?
Lughán means “little Lugh.” It’s a diminutive of the name of the Irish god Lugh, and you’ll also see it spelled Lughan.
Is L a letter in the Irish alphabet?
Yes. L is one of the 18 letters of the traditional Irish alphabet (a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, l, m, n, o, p, r, s, t, u), which is why there are so many native Irish names that start with it.
Now that the internet has a definitive list of Irish names that start with L, we hope you found some great options. We have lots of resources on Irish names that we’d love to share.
