Hiraeth
Primarily a girl's name of Welsh origin with 25 recorded births. Also given to 7 boys.
Meaning & Origin
When Hiraeth hit its peak of 10 births in 2022, social media, global pop culture, and a growing appetite for unique names were reshaping how American parents chose names.
Today, Hiraeth reads as a name tied to a specific era — which is exactly what draws some parents to it.
Hiraeth is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Hiraeth is a girl's and boy's baby name of Welsh origin, from the Welsh word "hiraeth" — one of those untranslatable words that English can only approximate. It refers to a deep longing, a homesickness for a place or time you may never have known, a grief for what is lost or never was. The Welsh consider it an emotion unique to their culture, tied to the landscape and history of Wales itself.
Naming a child Hiraeth is one of the more extraordinary acts in contemporary naming: to give a child the name of an untranslatable feeling, to say from birth that they carry something ineffable and beautiful. It's a name for parents who understand that the most meaningful things in life resist simple explanation.
EtymologyShow more
Hiraeth is built from 7 letters and two syllables — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the Welsh 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 Hiraeth creates its characteristic distinguished, classic 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
Hiraeth has 3+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2021.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 25 | #11362 | — |
The Story of Hiraeth
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2022, Hiraeth is a fresh, modern favorite. Girls named Hiraeth are most likely born between 2021 and 2023.
How rare is Hiraeth?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Hiraeth is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2021, peaked in the 2020s with 25 births that decade.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(3 years, 2021–2023)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 7 | #12627 |
| 2022 | 10 | #9963 |
| 2021 | 8 | #11496 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Hiraeth as a Boy's Name
Though more common for girls, Hiraeth has a notable history as a boy's name too, with 7 births since 2021.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hiraeth a boy's or girl's name?
When was Hiraeth most popular?
How popular is the name Hiraeth?
Can Hiraeth be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2021–2023