Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs has compiled some interesting facts gathered from its Irish passport applications in 2023.
More than 1 million applications were received by Ireland's Passport Service in 2023.
Of the applications received by Ireland's Passport Service in 2023, there were 290,329 child Irish passport applicants - 96,262 were first-time child applicants, and 194,067 were renewal child applicants.
The youngest Irish passport applicant in 2023 was just four days old. (And the oldest applicant was 104 years old!)
The data gathered in 2023 also provided insight into the most popular baby names registered on Irish passports for the year.
What was clear was that more little boys were being monikered with Irish traditional names however some beautiful Irish girl's names were in the mix too.
#PassportService Interesting Facts🤔
The most popular baby names in 2023?https://t.co/kQV1A7a1mh pic.twitter.com/jwoIpBsBLQ
— Irish Passport Service (@PassportIRL) December 28, 2023
Most popular Irish baby names for girls in 2023, according to Irish Passport applications
Fiadh
Fiadh (fee-a) is an old Irish word meaning “wild,” in the sense of a wild animal. It comes from the word for "wildlife," fiadhúrla.
Aoife
Aoife (ee-fa) means beautiful, radiant or joyful, and likely derives from the Gaelic word aoibh meaning "beauty" or "pleasure". In Irish mythology, Aoife is known as the greatest woman warrior in the world.
Along with Fiadh and Aoife, the overall most popular baby names for girls in 2023 according to Irish passport applications were Sophie, Sofia, Sophia, Lily, Amelia, Isla, Ava, Grace, Mia, Ella, Olivia, Emily, and Lucy.
Most popular Irish baby names for boys in 2023, according to Irish Passport applications
Cillian
The name comes from the Gaelic cill which means church and has had the suffix 'ín' added to it which implies the noun is small.
It's likely that the headliner Cillian Murphy star of "Oppenheimer" had something to do with this Irish name topping the boy's list.
Tadhg
Tadhg (Tige) means “poet” or “bard” in Irish. It was the name of an 11th-century King of Connacht.
Liam
The name has roots in Ireland and France, with the Irish version meaning "harmony in opinion or feeling". Liam also points to "protection" and a "strong-willed warrior".
Oisín
Oisín means “little deer.” In Irish mythology, Oisín was a poet-hero, son of legendary warrior Fionn MacCool and the goddess Sive.
Rían
Rían means little king or illustrious. According to John Ryan, Professor of Early and Medieval History at University College Dublin, "Rian, like Niall, seems to be so ancient that its meaning was lost before records began."
Conor
The meaning of the name is "Lover of Wolves" or "Lover of Hounds". Conchobhar/Conchubhar or from the name Conaire, is found in Irish legend as the name of the high king Conaire Mór and other heroes. It is popular in the English-speaking world.
Fionn
Fionn is a Gaelic name meaning “fair-headed,” “white” or “clear.” Other translations include “small blonde soldier” and “handsome.” Fionn MacCool was a central character in Irish folklore and mythology - he was the leader of the warrior band “The Fianna.”
Along with the above names, the overall most popular baby names for boys in 2023 according to Irish passport applications were Leo, Noah, Luca, Charlie, Jack, James, and Oliver.
Find out more about Irish baby names from our "100 Irish first names and their beatiful meanings" here.
Comments