There are no traditional Irish first names that start with V, because the traditional Irish alphabet has just 18 letters and no V, but this list rounds up 22 V names you’ll hear in Ireland, and several of them have a genuine Irish-language counterpart.
We were quite surprised that there were a fair few Irish names that start with V so we wanted to put them into a short list for you. We hope you find this list helpful.
You might also be interested in some of our other collections of Irish names.
Quick answer: the best V names with a real Irish link, or the most used in Ireland
- Girls: Vivian (Béibhinn, “melodious lady”), Victoria (no Irish form, “victory”, the most used V girls’ name in Ireland) and Violet (no Irish form, named after the flower)
- Boys: Vincent (Uinseann, “conquering”), Victor (Buadhach, “victorious”) and Valentine (Vailintín, “strong, healthy”)
Checked against Patrick Woulfe’s Irish Names and Surnames, the Foras na Gaeilge dictionaries at teanglann.ie and focloir.ie, and the CSO’s Irish babies’ names statistics in October 2026.
⭐ Our Favourite: Vaughan
Pronunciation: VAWN
First Used: In Ireland, originally as a surname before becoming a given name.
Meaning: Derived from the Welsh fychan, meaning “little” or “junior,” Vaughan was embraced by Irish families, particularly in Munster, where it became the usual English form of the Gaelic surname Ó Mocháin, according to Woulfe. You’ll find it on our list of Irish last names that start with V too.
Why It’s Our Favourite: Vaughan stands out as a rare yet historical name in Ireland, with real roots in Munster. Its soft, noble sound and unique transition from surname to first name make it both intriguing and distinctive.
Irish Girls First Names that Start with V
There are some really nice choices if you’re looking for a girls name that starts with V, and a lot of them sound quite European. Irish spelling has no V, so the Irish forms below often start with B or Bh, and our Irish first names that start with B are worth a look too.
🎻 Valerie
Pronunciation: VAL-uh-ree
Meaning: Derived from the Latin Valerius, meaning “strength” or “health,” Valerie was hugely popular in Ireland in the late 1960s and 1970s, with 192 baby girls given the name in 1968 alone (CSO). It’s not traditionally Irish and has no Irish form, but it has been embraced in modern times. Notable bearers include Saint Valerie of Limoges, a legendary martyr.
🦋 Vanessa
Pronunciation: vuh-NESS-uh
Meaning: Coined by Dublin-born writer Jonathan Swift in the 18th century, Vanessa is a literary name rather than one of ancient Irish roots. Swift made it up for his friend Esther Vanhomrigh by joining the Van of her surname to Esse, a pet form of Esther, in his poem Cadenus and Vanessa. It became popular in Ireland from the 1970s, and there’s even a butterfly genus named Vanessa. There’s no Irish form.
👑 Victoria
Pronunciation: vik-TOR-ee-uh
Meaning: Rooted in Latin, meaning “victory,” Victoria became well-known in Ireland during the reign of Queen Victoria. Though historically associated with British rule, the name remains popular today, often shortened to “Vicky.” Saint Victoria, a 3rd-century martyr, adds a spiritual touch. There’s no traditional Irish form, but it’s the most used V girls’ name in Ireland, with 28 baby girls named Victoria in 2025 (CSO).
🌿 Veronica
Pronunciation: vuh-RON-ih-kuh
Meaning: A Latin form of the Greek Berenice (“bringer of victory”), with the spelling shaped by the Latin vera icon, meaning “true image,” Veronica is linked to Saint Veronica, who, according to tradition, wiped Christ’s face on his way to the crucifixion. The name has religious significance in Ireland, and Veronica persica (common field-speedwell) is a small blue wildflower that turns up in Irish gardens and tilled fields. There’s no Irish form of the name.
🔥 Vivian (Béibhinn)
Pronunciation: VIV-ee-uhn
Meaning: Of Latin origin, meaning “alive” or “lively,” Vivian has been used for both boys and girls in Ireland. It has an old-world charm, tied to Saint Vivian, a 5th-century bishop of Saintes in France, and remains a timeless choice today. It also has a genuine Irish side: Woulfe lists Vivian as an English form of Bébhinn (modern Béibhinn, “melodious lady”), the name of Brian Boru’s mother and one of his daughters. Éamon de Valera’s eldest son, Vivion de Valera, carried another spelling of the name.
🌸 Violet
Pronunciation: VY-uh-let
Meaning: Taken from the violet flower (Latin viola), Violet has no traditional Irish form, although the Irish word for the flower is sailchuach. It’s one of the fastest-rising V names in Ireland, with 29 baby girls named Violet in 2023 and 20 in 2025 (CSO).
Irish Boys First Names that Start with V
The following boys’ names that start with V certainly sound quite medieval and have a very bold, daring feeling to them.
🏆 Victor (Buadhach)
Pronunciation: VIK-tor
Meaning: Meaning “conqueror” in Latin, Victor has long been associated with triumph. While not originally Irish, it has seen use in Ireland due to Christian saints like Saint Victor of Marseilles. The name gained traction during the Victorian era and remains a symbol of strength. In Ireland, Victor was also used as the English form of the Gaelic name Buadhach (from buaidh, “victory”), once a favourite among the O’Sullivans, according to Woulfe. It’s still in steady use, with 20 baby boys named Victor in 2025 (CSO).
🎨 Vincent (Uinseann)
Pronunciation: VIN-sent
Meaning: Derived from Latin Vincentius, meaning “to conquer,” Vincent has deep Catholic ties in Ireland due to Saint Vincent de Paul. The name is also linked to the famous painter Vincent van Gogh, adding an artistic flair. It remains popular among both traditional and modern Irish families, though it’s far less common than in the 1960s and 1970s, when well over 100 baby boys a year got the name (CSO). Woulfe gives the Irish form as Uinseann or Uinsionn.
💘 Valentine (Vailintín)
Pronunciation: VAL-en-tyne
Meaning: Rooted in Latin, meaning “strong” or “healthy,” Valentine is best known for Saint Valentine, the patron of love, whose relics rest in Dublin’s Whitefriar Street Church, a gift from Pope Gregory XVI in 1836. Woulfe notes the name was never common in Ireland, and it is now rare, mostly appearing in historical texts or as a romantic reference. In Irish it’s Vailintín, as in Lá Fhéile Vailintín (Valentine’s Day).
🚗 Vance
Pronunciation: VANS
Meaning: Originally an English surname meaning “marshland” or “dweller by the fen,” Vance evolved into a first name. There’s no Irish form, and it’s very rare here. It carries a modern, edgy appeal, famously used by Australian musician Vance Joy. Its rugged charm makes it an appealing choice for those seeking a strong yet unique name.
🌳 Vernon
Pronunciation: VUR-non
Meaning: Meaning “alder grove” and taken from a French place name, Vernon came to Ireland as a surname, most famously with the Vernon family, who held Clontarf Castle in Dublin for about 300 years from the mid-1600s. It has no Irish form and no link to Fearghal. It has an old-world sophistication, often linked to aristocratic families.
📜 Virgil (Fearghal)
Pronunciation: VUR-jil
Meaning: Inspired by the Roman poet Virgil, this name is associated with wisdom and literary excellence. In Ireland, it aligns with Fergal (Fearghal), meaning “man of valour.” That link is real: the 8th-century Irish monk Fearghal became Saint Virgil (Virgilius) of Salzburg, the Irish fear (“man”) having been matched with the Latin vir, as Woulfe explains. Medieval Irish scholars admired Virgil’s works, and you’ll find Fergal on our list of Irish first names that start with F.
🌊 Valerio
Pronunciation: va-LAY-ree-oh
Meaning: With Latin origins meaning “strong” or “valiant,” Valerio is the Italian and Spanish form of Valerius, and there’s no Irish form. Though uncommon in Ireland, it carries a noble air, reminiscent of ancient warriors and legendary leaders.
🍷 Vito
Pronunciation: VEE-toh
Meaning: Derived from Latin Vitus, meaning “life,” Vito was popularized by Saint Vitus, known for miracles and healing. The name carries an energetic, lively feel, but it’s an Italian name with no Irish form, given to only a handful of babies in Ireland. It gained cinematic fame through The Godfather‘s Vito Corleone.
🎼 Vincenzo
Pronunciation: vin-CHEN-zo
Meaning: An Italian variant of Vincent, Vincenzo means “to conquer.” Its Irish counterpart is Uinseann, the Irish form of Vincent. Still rare in Ireland, it brings a melodic, sophisticated touch, famously linked to composer Vincenzo Bellini.
🌿 Vasilios
Pronunciation: va-SIL-ee-ohs
Meaning: Of Greek origin, meaning “royal” or “kingly,” Vasilios is linked to Saint Basil, a key figure in early Christianity. In Ireland, Basil has been used as a given name, though rare, and Woulfe notes it was once used as an English form of the old Irish name Breasal. It carries a noble, ancient feel, making it a unique choice with deep historical ties.
⚔️ Valdemar
Pronunciation: VAL-de-mar
Meaning: Meaning “famous ruler,” Valdemar is the Scandinavian form of the Germanic Waldemar. It only became a Danish royal name in the 12th century, long after the Vikings founded Dublin, so it wasn’t a Viking name here and has no Irish form. It has regal associations, being borne by several Danish kings. Though rarely used in Ireland, its warrior-like strength and historical depth make it an intriguing name choice.
🦅 Vitor
Pronunciation: VEE-tor
Meaning: The Portuguese form of Victor, meaning “conqueror,” Vitor has no Irish form or Irish parallel. If you like the sound but want something genuinely Irish, Fiachra, one of the four Children of Lir, is a lovely alternative.
👑 Vladislav
Pronunciation: VLAH-dih-slahv
Meaning: Meaning “glorious ruler” in Slavic, Vladislav has regal significance in Eastern Europe. There’s no traditional Irish form of Vladislav; it’s a Slavic name you’ll hear in Ireland today, and the short form Vlad is more common here (five baby boys in 2025, per the CSO).
🌱 Vasil
Pronunciation: VAH-sil
Meaning: A Bulgarian, Macedonian and Albanian form of Basil, meaning “royal,” Vasil has been used in various cultures, and there’s no Irish form. Though not common in Ireland, it carries a timeless elegance. Its similarity to Basil gives it a soft yet strong appeal.
🏅 Viktor
Pronunciation: VIK-tor
Meaning: A variation of Victor, meaning “winner” or “conqueror,” Viktor carries a strong, timeless appeal. There’s no separate Irish form (Vítor is Portuguese), but Viktor is used in Ireland, with five baby boys given the name in 2024 (CSO). It’s a name often associated with resilience and leadership.
Frequently asked questions
Are there any Irish names that start with V?
Not in the traditional sense. The traditional Irish alphabet has 18 letters and no V, so native Irish names never begin with V, but several V names used in Ireland have Irish counterparts, such as Vincent (Uinseann), Victor (Buadhach) and Vivian (Béibhinn).
What are the most popular V names in Ireland?
Victoria is the most used, with 28 baby girls named Victoria in 2025, followed by Violet (20); for boys, Victor (20) and Vincent (15) lead, according to the CSO. No V name made either top 100 in 2025, so check our most popular Irish baby names for 2026 if you want a chart-topper.
What is Victoria in Irish?
There’s no traditional Irish form of Victoria, and neither Woulfe nor the official English-Irish dictionaries give one. The closest Gaelic idea is the boys’ name Buadhach, from buaidh, meaning “victory.”
What is Vincent in Irish?
Vincent is Uinseann in Irish (Woulfe also gives Uinsionn), and the dictionary at teanglann.ie confirms Uinseann. Woulfe says the name came in with the Anglo-Normans.
If you found this list of Irish names that start with V helpful, then we have other lists of names for you to explore.
