Many of the most beloved Irish names for girls have been handed down because they have run in the family but their deep resonance with Celtic culture is also proving a major draw. According to NameBerry.com one Irish name with a powerful meaning is proving immensely popular with Irish parents.
Fiadh, pronounced (Fee-a), which takes its roots from the Irish word for ‘wild’, is increasingly making it onto birth certs.
Parents may also opt for the anglicised version, Fia.
But Fiadh is just one of the many increasingly popular Irish girl’s names being chosen.
Another well-loved name is Aoife (pronounced EE-fa), which in Irish means ‘beautiful’ or ‘radiant.’
In Irish legend, Aoife was a warrior princess renowned for her strength and courage.
Saoirse (pronounced SEER-sha), a name made famous by Irish Hollywood actress Saoirse Ronan, signifies ‘freedom’ in Irish.
Ciara (pronounced KEE-ra) means ‘dark-haired’ or ‘black’, and comes from the male name Ciaran.
It’s believed the female version of the name gained popularity thanks to St. Ciara, a 7th-century saint celebrated for her devotion and kindness.
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Top 10 most popular Irish names for girls in Ireland:
- Aoife
- Saoirse
- Siobhán
- Niamh
- Ciara
- Aisling
- Róisín
- Clodagh
- Orla
- Maeve
Rían was the most popular name in Irish given to baby boys born last year, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
According to the CSO, the most popular name in 2023 for newborn boys in Ireland was Jack and for girls it was Grace.
Jack has held the top spot since 2007, with the exception of 2016, when James was the most popular name.
Other girls’ names that have been amongst the most popular in Ireland in recent years have been Emily along with Fiadh.
* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.
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