Deirdre
A girl's name of Irish origin with 16,831 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
The foremost tragic heroine in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology.
Deirdre is a girl's baby name of Irish origin, the name of the foremost tragic heroine of Irish mythology — a woman of such surpassing beauty that her fate was foretold at birth. The meaning is debated: possibly from Old Irish derdriu, meaning 'broken-hearted' or 'one who rages,' though some scholars suggest 'fear' or 'she who chatters.'
Deirdre of the Sorrows, beloved by the warrior Naoise and doomed by the king Conchobar, is one of the great love stories of world mythology. With 16,831 recorded U.S. births, Deirdre had its American peak in the 1960s and 1970s, beloved for its Celtic mystique and tragic romance.
EtymologyShow more
Deirdre is cataloged under the Irish naming tradition. Celtic names carry the echoes of ancient insular traditions, often drawing from nature, warfare, and mythology.
In the U.S., Deirdre has been recorded as a girl's name since 1921, with 16,831 total births. Browse the Irish names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Deirdre was #2429 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #9686, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 72 | #7825 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 206 | #6305 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 544 | #3163 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 1,205 | #1455 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 2,049 | #825 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 3,123 | #587 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 6,321 | #375 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 2,274 | #632 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 822 | #1014 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 167 | #2035 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 48 | #4178 | — |
The Story of Deirdre
A Baby Boomer name
Peaking in 1961, Deirdre is a timeless Baby Boomer name. Girls named Deirdre are most likely born between 1951 and 1971.
How rare is Deirdre?
Only about 1 in every 360,000 babies born in 2024 was named Deirdre — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1921, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1960s with 6,321 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Deirdre by the numbers
- Would fill 351 school buses
- Meeting one Deirdre per day would take 46.1 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(102 years, 1921–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 10 | #9686 |
| 2023 | 18 | #6478 |
| 2022 | 11 | #9198 |
| 2021 | 17 | #6761 |
| 2020 | 16 | #7004 |
| 2019 | 17 | #6788 |
| 2018 | 15 | #7480 |
| 2017 | 13 | #8402 |
| 2016 | 20 | #6236 |
| 2015 | 27 | #5021 |
| 2014 | 24 | #5516 |
| 2013 | 21 | #6072 |
| 2012 | 20 | #6400 |
| 2011 | 22 | #5989 |
| 2010 | 27 | #5143 |
| 2009 | 37 | #4124 |
| 2008 | 29 | #5046 |
| 2007 | 44 | #3665 |
| 2006 | 42 | #3688 |
| 2005 | 52 | #3065 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1921–2024