Irish boy name
Finbarr Name Meaning, Origin & Pronunciation
Finbarr means fair head. From fionn, 'fair', and barr, 'head', anglicising Fionnbharr
Finbarr comes from fionn, fair, and barr, head or top, giving fair head. Saint Finbarr is the patron saint of Cork, where he founded a monastery in the early seventh century, and is traditionally linked with the beautiful lake at Gougane Barra. The Irish pet forms Barra and Bairre are still used, and the anglicised Finbar is very common. The name is a favourite in the Cork area and has a warm, grounded feel. Finbarr is not as widely used outside Ireland, so it offers a distinctive saint's name that still sounds simple and friendly.
Computer-generated voice, as a guide to pronunciation.
Variants of Finbarr
FinbarFionnbharrBarraBairre
Finbarr popularity: Ireland vs the US
In 2025 Finbarr ranked #552 in Ireland (5 babies) and #12,633 in the US (5 babies). It is far more popular in Ireland than in America.
Ireland (boys)United States (boys)
Rank among babies of the same sex, 1 = most popular (log scale). Ranks below #10,000 sit on the bottom edge. Gaps mean fewer than 3 Irish or 5 US babies that year.
Data: US Social Security Administration (public domain) and Central Statistics Office, Ireland (CC BY 4.0). Irish accented spellings (such as Síle) are only recorded from 2018, so earlier years combine spellings.
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Finbarr mean?
Finbarr means "fair head". From fionn, 'fair', and barr, 'head', anglicising Fionnbharr.
How do you pronounce Finbarr?
Finbarr is pronounced FIN-bar.
What is the origin of Finbarr?
Finbarr is of Irish origin. From fionn, 'fair', and barr, 'head', anglicising Fionnbharr.