Gobán is a masculine Irish given name with deep roots in Celtic mythology and early Christian history. Its origin lies in the Old Irish name Gobbán, which is formed from gobae meaning "smith" and a diminutive suffix. Alternatively, it may derive from the name of the Irish smith god Goibniu, who shares the same root and was a member of the Tuatha Dé Danann, embodying craftsmanship and metalwork.
In early Irish hagiography, the name was borne by several saints, each contributing to its later folklore. Most notable is a 7th-century abbot of Killamery in County Kilkenny, known for his piety and association with a monastery that flourished during the early medieval period. Over time, the smith god and these saintly figures merged in popular legend into the figure of Gobán Saor ("Gobán the builder"). The name had become a byword for a master architect and builder of churches, especially in oral tradition where tales depicted a builder creating magnificent structures such as the round towers and oratories across Ireland.
Linguistically, Gobnait, the feminine form of Gobán, is borne by a 5th or 6th-century saint venerated in West Cork. The Old Irish preform Gobbán also appears in early annals, distinguishing the historical name from its mythological and legendary descendants. Today, Gobán remains a rare name, cherished chiefly by those enthusiasts of Irish history and heritage as one which encapsulates the union of saints and artisanry in Gaelic Ireland.