Ireland's most popular baby names of 2023 were revealed by Ireland's Central Statistics Office (CSO) on Friday, February 23.

Jack is the most popular boys’ name in Ireland for the seventh year in a row, while Grace was the most popular name for girls, replacing last year’s top choice of Emily. Grace last claimed the top spot in 2020.

In terms of popularity, Síofra rose fastest up the rankings in 2023, from 157th place in 2022 to 100th in 2023.

In Co Monaghan, Lucy was the most popular girls' name, and Fionn was the most popular boys’ name in Waterford County.

Liam was the most popular boys’ name for parents of EU27 Nationality.

Murphy was the most common surname for babies born in 2023.

There were 9,172 distinct new-born names registered in 2023.

The CSO's 2023 Babies' Names tables are based on births registered from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023. 

Jack retains top spot as the most popular boys' name in Ireland in 2023 while it's Grace for girlshttps://t.co/PhwuTRgrdp#CSOIreland #Ireland #VitalStatistics #VitalStats #Births #Deaths #Marriages #IrishBabiesNames #BoysNames #GirlsNames #BabyNames pic.twitter.com/7aGfuuXoez

— Central Statistics Office Ireland (@CSOIreland) February 23, 2024

Most popular boy names in Ireland, 2023:

  1. Jack
  2. Noah
  3. James
  4. Rían
  5. Oisín
  6. Fionn
  7. Tadhg
  8. Liam
  9. Cillian
  10. Daniel

Most popular girl names in Ireland, 2023:

  1. Grace
  2. Fiadh
  3. Emily
  4. Sophie
  5. Lily
  6. Ellie
  7. Mia
  8. Amelia
  9. Éabha
  10. Ella

Commenting on the trends in Irish baby names, Seán O’Connor, Statistician in the Vital Statistics Section of the CSO, said: “Jack has retained the top spot as the most popular baby boys’ name in 2023, a position it has held for every year since 2007, except for 2016, when James was the most popular choice of name.

"Jack and James have been in the top five boys’ names since 1998. 

“Noah and James are the other two boys’ names which make up the top three in 2023.   

“Grace once again occupied the number one position as most popular girls’ name in Ireland for the first time since 2020. Fiadh, Emily, Sophie, and Lily were the other four girls’ names which made up the five in 2023.

“While Jack has been the most popular name for baby boys in Ireland for seven years in a row, there is more variety when it comes to the top spot for girls. In 2023, Grace was the most popular name for girls, while in 2022 it was Emily and in 2021 it was Fiadh. Grace, Emily, and Sophie have been permanent fixtures in the top five names for baby girls for every year since 2016, with Éabha entering the top five for the first and only time in 2021.

“Caelan, Jude, Paddy, Éanna, and Dáithí are the five new entrants into the top 100 boys’ names for 2023.

"Looking at new entrants for girls, three new entrants appeared, which were Lucia, Cadhla, and Síofra, with Síofra rising up the rankings the fastest, going from 157th place in 2022 to 100th in 2023.”

Caelan, Jude, Paddy, Éanna, and Dáithí are the five new entrants into the top 100 boys’ names for 2023. The new entrants for girls were Lucia, Cadhla, and Síofra.https://t.co/ZxfxpwM5eq#CSOIreland #Ireland #VitalStatistics #IrishBabiesNames #BoysNames #GirlsNames #BabyNames pic.twitter.com/Se1aRXcj0x

— Central Statistics Office Ireland (@CSOIreland) February 23, 2024

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Regional Breakdown

Jack was the top or joint top boys’ name in 15 locations around Ireland including Kildare and Leitrim.

While Tom was ranked 39th nationally in 2023 with a total of 135 births registered, in Roscommon it was the most favoured.

Grace was the most chosen girls’ name in 11 areas which includes areas such as Donegal, Tipperary, and Offaly. Grace and Annie were joint first choice in Donegal.

While Grace was the top name for girls, Annie was ranked 48th with 112 births nationally.

Comparison with 50 years ago

While John was the most popular boys' name in 1973, in 2023 it occupied the 31st position.

For girls, Mary was the most popular name 50 years ago, whereas in 2023 it ranked 130th. There were 36 babies given the name of Mary in 2023.

Interestingly, James is the only name that appears in the top ten boys’ names in both 1973 and 2023. 

Surnames 

For Irish Babies' Names 2023, the CSO has expanded its surname analysis to provide a further breakdown of the most common surnames associated with babies born in 2023.

Murphy, Kelly, O'Brien, Ryan, and Walsh were the most common surnames for 2023 births.