Aonghus
Say it: AYN-gus
BoyIrishMythologyMeans usually explained as "one strength"7 letters2 syllables
Unranked
in 2025
0
babies in 2025
#180
best rank (1989)
194
babies since 1971
Aonghus through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3 | #717 |
| 2017 | 4 | #610 |
| 2012 | 4 | #616 |
| 2005 | 3 | #518 |
| 2003 | 3 | #500 |
| 2001 | 3 | #409 |
| 2000 | 3 | #390 |
| 1997 | 6 | #286 |
| 1994 | 4 | #299 |
| 1993 | 8 | #223 |
| 1992 | 6 | #251 |
| 1991 | 8 | #216 |
| 1990 | 12 | #185 |
| 1989 | 12 | #180 |
| 1988 | 7 | #215 |
| 1987 | 8 | #213 |
| 1986 | 12 | #186 |
| 1985 | 9 | #202 |
| 1984 | 10 | #197 |
| 1983 | 3 | #330 |
| 1982 | 8 | #223 |
| 1981 | 8 | #228 |
| 1980 | 8 | #232 |
| 1979 | 8 | #228 |
| 1978 | 6 | #242 |
| 1977 | 5 | #273 |
| 1976 | 6 | #241 |
| 1975 | 8 | #225 |
| 1974 | 6 | #251 |
| 1971 | 3 | #304 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Aonghus mean?
Usually explained as "one strength"
Irish, from Old Irish Oíngus, from oín (one) and probably gus (strength, vigour).
Say it right
AYNgus
Many Irish speakers of English say AYN-gus, others EEN-gus, and some say it like Angus. In Irish itself the name varies a lot by region.
The story of Aonghus
Aonghus is the modern Irish spelling of the name also written Aengus, from the Old Irish Oíngus. It begins with oín, “one”. What follows is less certain: the most likely source is gus, “strength” or “vigour”, though some connect it with a word meaning “choose”. Angus is the English and Scottish form, and Aonghas is another Irish spelling.
In mythology Aonghus Óg belongs to the Tuatha Dé Danann. He is the son of the Dagda and Boann, and was probably once a god of youth, love and poetic inspiration. He lives at Brú na Bóinne, by the Boyne, and the best-known tale tells how he dreamed of a girl, searched for her, and flew off with her as a swan.
The CSO counts Aonghus and Aengus as separate names. Aonghus first appears in the records in 1971, and did best in the 1980s. It reached number 180 in 1989, with 12 boys. Since 2000 it has been very rare, reaching three babies in only a handful of years.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Aonghas (Irish proper noun)
- Wiktionary: Aengus (Middle Irish proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Aengus
- Wikipedia: Angus (given name)
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Nicknames
Gus
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Aonghus | under 3 | 194 |