Deirdre Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Deirdre originates from Irish mythology, referencing a tragic heroine known for her beauty and sorrow. It has evolved from Old Irish through various forms into its modern usage. The name conveys themes of sadness and strength, with no biblical connections. It gained popularity in the 19th century due to a resurgence in interest in Irish culture and mythology. Notable figures with this name include characters from popular media and influential individuals in academia and entertainment.
The name Deirdre is most popular in New York, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation X (Gen X) 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, Deirdre 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, 'Deirdre' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 5806th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1570th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 505th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 509th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1002nd out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 2960th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 6793rd out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Deirdre' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Deirdre"
Pronunciation
/ˈdʌərdrə/
Origin
Irish
Etymology
The name Deirdre is derived from the Old Irish name 'Deirdre', which is associated with a tragic heroine in Irish mythology. The tale of Deirdre is a prominent story in the Ulster Cycle, where she is known for her beauty and the tragic fate that befalls her.
Meaning
sorrowful, brokenhearted
Language Evolution
Old Irish: Deirdre, Middle Irish: Deirdre, Modern Irish: Deirdre
Historical Usage
The name Deirdre has been used in Ireland for centuries and gained wider recognition in the 19th century, particularly through literature and the revival of interest in Irish folklore and mythology.
Variants & Derivatives
Deirdra, Deirdre, Deardra, Deardre
Modern Popularity & Image
Deirdre is perceived as a classic and romantic name, often associated with strength and beauty due to its mythological roots. It remains relatively uncommon but is appreciated for its cultural significance.
Famous People
Deirdre Barlow, a character from the British soap opera 'Coronation Street', Deirdre McCloskey, an American economist and historian, Deirdre O'Kane, an Irish comedian and actress
Explore More Deirdre Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Deirdre"
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 "Deirdre"
"Deirdre" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 5806th of 9107 | 33 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1570th of 9204 | 462 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 505th of 12526 | 6,329 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 509th of 19264 | 6,172 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1002nd of 27321 | 2,765 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 2960th of 35406 | 861 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 6793rd of 30306 | 209 |
Regional Popularity of "Deirdre" 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 "Deirdre" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
80.60% 1246th/1546 |
47.56% 740th/1556 |
- |
74.27% 1149th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
27.62% 615th/2227 |
12.67% 308th/2430 |
22.19% 633rd/2853 |
21.73% 603rd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
22.74% 668th/2937 |
8.27% 288th/3483 |
16.37% 576th/3518 |
18.72% 757th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
34.68% 1278th/3685 |
11.37% 509th/4475 |
25.30% 1314th/5194 |
24.68% 1559th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
83.65% 3833rd/4582 |
26.05% 1345th/5164 |
71.54% 5232nd/7313 |
52.95% 3952nd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- |
100.00% 4487th/4487 |
- | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Deirdre"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Deirdre" 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.