Saoirse Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Saoirse is an Irish name meaning freedom or liberty, derived from the Gaelic word 'saoirse'. It has evolved from its Irish origins and is associated with strong traits of independence and national pride. The name does not have biblical relevance and gained popularity in the 20th century, especially in Ireland. Today, it is seen as a modern and positive name, with notable figures such as Saoirse Ronan contributing to its international recognition.
The name Saoirse is most popular in Washington, 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, Saoirse has been falling for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, falling 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, 'Saoirse' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 18582nd out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 3399th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1021st out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Saoirse' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Saoirse"
Pronunciation
/ˈsɪərʃə/
Origin
Irish
Etymology
The name Saoirse comes from the Irish word for 'freedom' or 'liberty'. It is derived from the Irish Gaelic term 'saoirse', which carries significant cultural connotations of independence and personal liberation.
Meaning
freedom, liberty
Language Evolution
Saoirse (modern Irish), Saoirse (Old Irish)
Historical Usage
Saoirse gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in Ireland, as a symbol of national identity and pride. It became more widely known internationally in the early 21st century, especially through the influence of popular culture.
Variants & Derivatives
Saoirse (main form), Saoirseán (derivative)
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Saoirse is viewed positively, often associated with strong, independent female figures. It is increasingly recognized outside of Ireland, thanks in part to its use in popular media.
Famous People
Saoirse Ronan (Irish-American actress), Saoirse-Monica Jackson (Irish actress)
Explore More Saoirse Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Saoirse"
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 "Saoirse"
"Saoirse" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 18582nd of 27321 | 22 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 3399th of 35406 | 708 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1021st of 30306 | 3,112 |
Regional Popularity of "Saoirse" 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 "Saoirse" 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) |
79.11% 3625th/4582 |
34.95% 1805th/5164 |
87.19% 6376th/7313 |
46.21% 3449th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
27.51% 1096th/3984 |
15.47% 694th/4487 |
19.41% 1324th/6822 |
13.66% 857th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Saoirse"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Saoirse" 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.