Deidre
Primarily a girl's name with 14,666 recorded births. Also given to 11 boys.
Meaning & Origin
Deidre has been chosen by over 14,666 American families since 1933, peaking at 541 births in 1963. That track record means built-in familiarity — people will know how to spell it, say it, and place it culturally.
Deidre is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Deidre is a girl's and boy's baby name of Irish origin, an Anglicization of the Irish Deirdre, a name from Irish mythology meaning 'sorrowful' or possibly 'one who rages.' Deirdre of the Sorrows is one of the most tragic and beautiful heroines of Celtic legend.
Deidre brings with it the full weight of Irish storytelling — passion, beauty, and heartbreak. The variant spelling Deidre offered a simplified form for English speakers, popular from the 1940s through the 1970s.
EtymologyShow more
Deidre first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1933. Its appearance in the 1930s coincides with waves of immigration, cultural exchange, and the early decades of American popular culture — all of which introduced and popularized new names.
Without a confirmed origin classification, Deidre may have arrived through family tradition, creative coinage, or cultural channels not yet documented in standard naming references.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Deidre has 85+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1933.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 10 | #15796 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 49 | #14163 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 275 | #5818 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 1,646 | #1346 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 3,078 | #624 | — |
| 1970s | 3,119 | #568 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 4,364 | #464 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 1,519 | #787 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 573 | #2088 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 33 | #4149 | — |
The Story of Deidre
A Baby Boomer name
Peaking in 1963, Deidre is a timeless Baby Boomer name. Girls named Deidre are most likely born between 1953 and 1973.
How rare is Deidre?
Deidre has 14,666 recorded births in the U.S. — a well-established name with deep roots.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1933, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1960s with 4,364 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Deidre by the numbers
- Would fill 306 school buses
- Meeting one Deidre per day would take 40.2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(85 years, 1933–2023)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 5 | #15765 |
| 2021 | 5 | #15826 |
| 2017 | 5 | #16492 |
| 2016 | 5 | #16904 |
| 2015 | 6 | #14968 |
| 2014 | 7 | #13430 |
| 2012 | 6 | #15455 |
| 2011 | 12 | #9302 |
| 2010 | 8 | #12587 |
| 2009 | 11 | #10156 |
| 2008 | 11 | #10259 |
| 2007 | 15 | #8205 |
| 2006 | 28 | #4990 |
| 2005 | 20 | #6073 |
| 2004 | 30 | #4525 |
| 2003 | 36 | #3824 |
| 2002 | 31 | #4093 |
| 2001 | 46 | #3060 |
| 2000 | 47 | #2990 |
| 1999 | 71 | #2137 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Deidre as a Boy's Name
While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Deidre has also been given to 11 boys in the U.S. since 1969.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Deidre a boy's or girl's name?
When was Deidre most popular?
How popular is the name Deidre?
Can Deidre be used for both boys and girls?
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1933–2023