Deirdra
A girl's name of Irish origin with 1,172 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
When Deirdra hit its peak of 56 births in 1961, post-war optimism and the baby boom were producing the largest generation of Americans in history, and naming trends reflected that era’s values of stability and tradition.
Today, Deirdra reads as a name tied to a specific era — which is exactly what draws some parents to it.
Deirdra is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Deirdra is a girl's baby name of Irish origin, a variant of Deirdre — the tragic heroine of Irish mythology whose name possibly means 'sorrowful' or 'broken-hearted,' from the Old Irish derdriu. Deirdre of the Sorrows is one of the great romantic figures of Celtic mythology, whose story of love and loss inspired poets for centuries.
While the mythological associations bring a note of tragedy, the name's beauty is undeniable — Deirdra has a flowing, melodic quality that transcends its sorrowful legend, and parents today are drawn to it for its Celtic authenticity and lyrical sound.
EtymologyShow more
Deirdra is built from 7 letters and two syllables — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the Irish naming tradition, this length is typical of names that preserve their full historical form, carrying their etymology on the surface.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Deirdra creates its characteristic open, warm quality. Two-syllable names are the most common length in American naming, hitting a natural speech rhythm that works across formal and informal contexts.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Deirdra has 57+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1944.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 29 | #14692 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 105 | #9206 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 221 | #3857 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 285 | #2827 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 432 | #1806 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 60 | #4593 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 40 | #3781 | — |
The Story of Deirdra
A Baby Boomer name
Peaking in 1961, Deirdra is a timeless Baby Boomer name. Girls named Deirdra are most likely born between 1951 and 1971.
How rare is Deirdra?
With 1,172 total births on record, Deirdra remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1944, peaked in the 1960s with 432 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Deirdra by the numbers
- Would fill 24 school buses
- Meeting one Deirdra per day would take 3.2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(57 years, 1944–2005)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 6 | #14957 |
| 2003 | 6 | #14329 |
| 2002 | 5 | #16088 |
| 2001 | 5 | #15967 |
| 2000 | 7 | #12120 |
| 1999 | 10 | #8957 |
| 1998 | 7 | #11440 |
| 1997 | 5 | #14305 |
| 1996 | 6 | #12229 |
| 1995 | 7 | #10800 |
| 1994 | 8 | #9792 |
| 1993 | 12 | #7137 |
| 1992 | 11 | #7649 |
| 1991 | 20 | #4844 |
| 1990 | 19 | #4909 |
| 1989 | 25 | #3918 |
| 1988 | 19 | #4524 |
| 1987 | 23 | #3771 |
| 1986 | 27 | #3296 |
| 1985 | 19 | #4168 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Deirdra a boy's or girl's name?
When was Deirdra most popular?
How popular is the name Deirdra?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1944–2005