Aoife Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Aoife is an Irish name meaning beauty or radiant. It traces its origins back to Old Irish, evolving through various forms over centuries. The name is linked to Irish mythology and is associated with strength and beauty. It has no biblical relevance, but has gained popularity in modern times, especially among those with Irish roots.
The name Aoife is most popular in Massachusetts, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Alpha generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Aoife has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Aoife' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 8043rd out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 3156th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2012th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Aoife' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Aoife"
Pronunciation
/ˈiːfə/
Origin
Irish
Etymology
The name Aoife is derived from the Old Irish word 'ae', meaning 'beauty' or 'radiance'. In Irish mythology, Aoife was a warrior princess and the mother of the hero Cú Chulainn.
Meaning
beauty, radiant
Language Evolution
Old Irish: Aoife, Middle Irish: Aoife, Modern Irish: Aoife
Historical Usage
The name Aoife has been used in Ireland for centuries, gaining popularity in the 20th century as Irish names became more embraced in both Ireland and among the Irish diaspora.
Variants & Derivatives
Aife, Eevee, Effie
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Aoife is viewed as a traditional yet modern name, often associated with strength and beauty, and remains popular in Ireland and among those with Irish heritage.
Famous People
Aoife Mannion - Irish footballer, Aoife O'Donovan - American singer-songwriter
Explore More Aoife Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Aoife"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Aoife"
"Aoife" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 8043rd of 27321 | 138 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 3156th of 35406 | 789 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 2012th of 30306 | 1,166 |
Regional Popularity of "Aoife" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Aoife" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- |
67.04% 3000th/4475 |
- |
100.00% 6317th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
68.31% 3130th/4582 |
27.94% 1443rd/5164 |
100.00% 7313th/7313 |
45.64% 3406th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
58.11% 2315th/3984 |
30.09% 1350th/4487 |
57.21% 3903rd/6822 |
31.99% 2008th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Aoife"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Aoife" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.