Fionnán

Fionnán is an Irish masculine given name formed from Fionn, meaning “fair-haired” or “white,” with the diminutive suffix -án, yielding a sense of “little Fionn” or “little fair-haired one.” The form Fionnán has a long history in Gaelic sources and has given rise to several Anglicized variants.

Variants and usage. Spelling variations include Fionnan, Finnian, and Finian, with English-language texts often rendering the name as Finnian or Finian. The diminutive suffix and Gaelic pronunciation mark Fionnán as a distinctively Gaelic name, commonly found in Irish contexts.

Historical and religious associations. In Irish tradition, Fionnán is linked to sainthood and monastic life, with several early Irish saints bearing forms of the name in Latinized writings. This hagiographical usage contributed to its prestige in medieval religious and genealogical texts, and the name appears in Gaelic place-name elements and family histories as a reflection of its historical presence.

Modern usage. Today, Fionnán remains part of the repertoire of Gaelic names and is primarily used for boys. It is most common among Irish speakers and communities with Irish heritage, where Gaelic spellings are preserved. In non-Gaelic contexts, Anglicized forms such as Finnian or Finian are more frequently encountered.

See also. The name is related to other Gaelic forms such as Fionn and Finnian, and it shares cultural and linguistic roots with broader Irish onomastic traditions.