Deirdre
Deirdre is a girl's name of Irish origin.
Meaning
Sorrowful or broken-hearted; traditionally derived from the Old Irish name Derdriu.
Origin and history
Deirdre is a traditional Irish name originating from ancient Gaelic folklore. In Celtic mythology, Deirdre was a tragic figure whose story is one of the most famous in Irish tradition. The name gained moderate popularity in the United States during the mid-to-late 20th century and remains a classic, recognizable Irish choice.
Popularity in the United States
16,845 babies in the United States have been named Deirdre since 1880. It ranks #1176 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2016.
States where it is most popular
- NY (28.5 %)
- CA (9.6 %)
- MA (8.7 %)
- NJ (7 %)
- PA (5.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 48 |
| 1930-1940 | 167 |
| 1940-1950 | 822 |
| 1950-1960 | 2,274 |
| 1960-1970 | 6,321 |
| 1970-1980 | 3,123 |
| 1980-1990 | 2,049 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,206 |
| 2000-2010 | 544 |
| 2010-2019 | 206 |
| 2020-2029 | 85 |
Famous people named Deirdre
- Deirdre Hall: Actress
- Deirdre O'Connell: Actress
- Deirdre Bair: Biographer, Author
Nicknames
Dee, Deedee
Fun facts
- Deirdre of the Sorrows is one of the primary figures in classical Irish mythology and the Ulster Cycle.
- The name saw a resurgence in the early 20th century thanks to the Irish Literary Revival led by authors like W.B. Yeats and J.M. Synge.