Ceilidh Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KAY-lee //ˈkeɪli//
Origin: Irish; Scottish
Meaning: Irish: 'dance'; Scottish: 'a gathering'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Ceilidh is of Scottish Gaelic origin, derived from the word "ceilidh," which means "a gathering" or "a visit." The term is rooted in the Old Gaelic word "céilidh," which historically referred to a social event featuring music, dancing, and storytelling. This word made its way into English through the influence of Scottish culture, particularly during the 19th century, when the popularity of traditional Scottish music and dance began to spread beyond its borders.
Historically, ceilidhs were significant social gatherings in Scottish communities, often held in homes or community halls, where people would come together to celebrate various occasions. The tradition of the ceilidh has been documented as far back as the 18th century, and it played a crucial role in preserving Scottish folklore and music.
The name Ceilidh, therefore, carries connotations of community, celebration, and cultural heritage, reflecting the importance of social bonds in Scottish society. In addition to its cultural significance, the name Ceilidh has also been associated with the revival of interest in Celtic traditions and languages during the 20th century.
This resurgence has led to a renewed appreciation for Gaelic names and their meanings, with Ceilidh embodying the spirit of togetherness and joy that characterizes traditional Scottish gatherings. While diminutive forms are less common, the name may evoke related terms such as "Cailin," which means "girl" in Irish, further linking it to the broader Celtic cultural landscape.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Ceilidh, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Ceilidh. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Ceilidh was first seen in the United States in 1989.
Ceilidh has ranked as high as #12448 nationally, which occurred in 1999, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Ceilidh has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Ceilidh is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Ceilidh was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Ceilidh.
| Year | Total Births | Girl |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 8 | 8 |
| 2008 | 7 | 7 |
| 2007 | 8 | 8 |
| 2003 | 5 | 5 |
| 2002 | 6 | 6 |
| 2001 | 12 | 12 |
| 2000 | 8 | 8 |
| 1999 | 12 | 12 |
| 1998 | 6 | 6 |
| 1997 | 6 | 6 |
| 1996 | 8 | 8 |
| 1995 | 10 | 10 |
| 1994 | 5 | 5 |
| 1989 | 6 | 6 |
Top States for Ceilidh
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
No state data available for this year.