 O'Murchú (1991) suggests "Cluain Mhaol" as meaning 'the bare meadow'.The Placenames Database of Ireland gives an Irish name of "Cluain Maol Thiar" to the townland, with cluain meaning 'meadow' or 'pasture', and maol meaning 'bare' or 'flat-topped hillock', .At the northern end of the townland is an area known as 'Shanavough'.