The baby names that have been in Ireland’s top 100 for the past 50 years

Continuously popping up in Ireland's top 100 lists annually, there are a few beloved baby names out there that have managed to stay in the public’s heart for the past 50 years.

With baby naming trends constantly evolving, if you’re looking for a classic moniker that has been beloved by parents across the decades you’ve come to the right place!

Remaining in popularity for half a century is no mean feat and this selection of timeless monikers prove some names never go out of style.

We scoured through Ireland's Central Statistics Office's archive of baby names used in Ireland since 1974 to find which names have stayed in the top 100 throughout the eighties, nineties, and the millennium!

With Ireland having eleven Taoisigh and six presidents since then, keep reading for our roundup of twelve lovely baby names that haven’t fallen out of popularity for 50 years.

Boy’s names

James

A timeless moniker, James hasn’t ranked below seventh place on the most popular baby name charts in Ireland since 1974 and even reached the top spot in 1994 and 2016.

Liam

This lovely Irish baby name has increased in popularity over the years taking the 56th spot in 1974 compared to the 8th spot in 2023!

Michael

The beloved name Michael has managed to keep its prime position in the top 20 most popular baby names in Ireland since 1974.

John

This traditional name sat on top as the most popular baby name from when records began in 1964 all the way to 1984. Parents show their love for the moniker to this day with it ranking in at 31st place in 2023.

David

Although it has kept its status in the top 50 most popular baby names in Ireland throughout the decades, the name David has been falling in popularity falling from 4th place in 1974 to 47th in 2022.

Joseph

Another lovely name that has remained in the top list but has been steadily decreasing in use over the years, Joseph sat in 16th place in 1974, dropping to the 66th spot in 2022.

Girl’s names

Emma

Ranking in amongst the 20 most popular baby girl names since 1979, Emma has had some serious staying power in the hearts of Irish parents.

Anna

Jumping in popularity from 1974 onwards, Anna has climbed its way up the list since then going from 63rd place to ranking in at 23rd in 2022.

Sarah

The ever popular name Sarah grew sharply in 1974 rising from 23rd place to taking the top spot from 1983 to 1997. It took the 62nd spot on the top 100 list in 2023.

Niamh

The much loved Irish baby girl’s name, Niamh sat comfortably in the top twenty from 1974 all the way to 2008 before slowly decreasing in popularity falling to the 73rd spot in 2023.

Maria

This pretty girl’s name of Latin origin has been a favourite of Irish parents for decades, sitting in 35th place in 1974 and 73rd in 2022.

*This article was originally published on RollerCoaster.ie.