A clear trend is emerging when it comes to giving baby girls born in the United States Irish names. The U.S. Social Security Administration recently released data detailing the most popular names for both boys and girls born in the United States in 2023.
Liam topped the list for boys born in the US last year, but you’ll have to go down the list for a while to find Irish names for girls. But when we look at the most popular Irish names for girls in the United States, we notice a clear trend.
Last year, the most popular Irish name for girls in the United States was “Riley.” The name Riley was given to a total of 4,617 baby girls born in this country last year, ranking her 43rd on the list.
The next Irish name on the list is Kennedy at number 72. The award was given to 3,069 baby girls born in the United States last year.
What connects these two names is that they are both derived from Irish surnames. You never hear them as first names in Ireland.
Riuley is derived from the common surname O’Reilly, which is of old Irish Raghallach origin. It is thought to mean “brave” or “brave”. It can also mean “rye meadow”, making it one of the nicest Irish names inspired by nature.
The name Kennedy, on the other hand, is derived from the Irish surname Ó Cynneid, meaning grandson of Cynnedid. “Ceann” means head or chief in Irish, so the name Kennedy is understood to mean “helmed chief” or “leader.”
They aren’t the only names derived from Irish surnames on the list. Number 85 is the name Quinn, which is derived from the Irish surnames O Coin and O Quin.
Riley, who has the same origin as Riley, is ranked 117th. The name Sloane, number 151, comes from the Irish clan name Ó Sluaghhadáin, meaning “plunderer” or “warrior”.
At No. 168 is Reagan. The name comes from Ó Riagáin.
Delaney is 234th. This is a popular surname in Ireland and is derived from the old Irish surname “Ó Dubhshláine”.
Riley, also a variation of Riley, is ranked 260th. Although not a traditional surname, the Irish name Maeve also ranks relatively high on the list.
Maeve is a variation of the Irish word Maedb, also spelled Maeve or Maeb, meaning “drunken girlfriend.” It was the 73rd most popular name for girls born in the United States last year.
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