Given to less than three baby girls last year, if you’re on the hunt for a beautiful Irish name, you’ve come to the right place with this soon-to-be rare pick.
You’ll definitely know someone with this name but you may be shocked to find out it took a huge dip in popularity in the late 2010s.
Currently a very common name across Ireland, Grainne has gone from being given to 156 babies in its peak in 1989 to less than three arrivals given the name in 2023.
According to the CSO, a name needs to be given to at least three babies to appear on Irish charts and Grainne unfortunately didn’t make the cut last year.
Meaning
A pretty baby girl name that has strong ties to Irish folklore, Grainne can be interpreted to mean "love" or "sun".
Pronounced "grawn-ya", this beautiful moniker would be ideal for your little ray of sunshine!
Popularity
When records first began in 1964, Grainne sat in the top 70 most popular names in Ireland and maintained that prime position until 2004.
Consistently remaining in favor with Irish parents until the millennium, Grainne went from ranking in 52nd place and being given to 85 babies in 2000 to 160th with 39 babies given the name by the time 2010 had rolled around.
Taking a sharp decline in popularity in 2017 with a rank of 233rd, the name dropped off the charts in 2018.
Reappearing that same year with a fada, Gráinne made a small comeback in 2021 with 26 babies born – although in 2023 sat in the 316th spot with 12 little girls given the name.
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Famous people named Grainne
Gráinne – From Irish legend, the daughter of high king Cormac mac Airt
Gráinne Seoige – Irish journalist
Gráinne Mulvey – Irish composer
Grainne Godfree – Television writer
Grainne Gallanagh – Former Miss Universe Ireland and model
* This article was originally published on Rollercoaster.ie.
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