Fintan Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Fintan is an Irish name meaning 'little white one' or 'white fire', derived from the Old Irish 'Fíntan'. The name has evolved through various forms in the Irish language and is closely associated with Saint Fintan, a notable figure in early Irish Christianity. It carries connotations of purity and light, with no biblical relevance. While not widely popular today, it retains a strong cultural significance in Ireland, often recognized as a symbol of Irish identity.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Fintan"
Pronunciation
/ˈfɪn.tən/
Origin
Irish
Etymology
The name Fintan is derived from the Old Irish name 'Fíntan', which means 'little white one' or 'white fire'. It is composed of the elements 'fionn', meaning 'white' or 'fair', and 'tán', which is a diminutive suffix.
Meaning
little white one, white fire
Language Evolution
Old Irish: Fíntan, Middle Irish: Fíntan, Modern Irish: Fintan
Historical Usage
Fintan has been used in Ireland since the early medieval period, particularly associated with Saint Fintan, an early Irish saint known for founding monastic communities.
Variants & Derivatives
Fintan (Irish), Fintin (variant), Finn (short form)
Modern Popularity & Image
Fintan is considered a traditional and somewhat uncommon name in modern times, often evoking a sense of Irish heritage and cultural identity.
Famous People
Saint Fintan of Killeigh, Fintan O'Toole (Irish writer and journalist), Fintan Stack (Irish politician)
📊 Fintan Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Fintan Name Visualizations
✨ Fintan Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 27 peak births in 2010
Geographic Spread
Popular across 3 US states, with strongest presence in Virginia
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 2 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Fintan"
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 "Fintan"
"Fintan" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 6116th of 24088 | 193 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 5031st of 23106 | 226 |
Regional Popularity of "Fintan" 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) |
71.85% 3292nd/4582 |
70.82% 3657th/5164 |
- | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - |
74.46% 5080th/6822 |
- |
Regional Popularity of "Fintan" 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) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Fintan"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Fintan" 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.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Fintan" in the United States
The name Fintan is most popular in Virginia, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Fintan has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Fintan' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 6116th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 5031st out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Fintan' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.