Deirdre Girl

Popularity: #935 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: DEER-dra /ˈdɪərdrə/

Origin: Irish; Gaelic

Meaning: Irish: 'sorrow' or 'broken-hearted'; Gaelic: 'daughter'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Deirdre has its roots in Irish mythology and is derived from the Old Irish name "Deirdre," which is believed to mean "sorrow" or "broken-hearted." The earliest forms of the name can be traced back to the legend of Deirdre of the Sorrows, a tragic figure in Irish folklore, whose story is recorded in various medieval texts, including the "Ulster Cycle" of tales. This cycle, which dates back to the 8th century, recounts the life and death of Deirdre, who was prophesied to bring sorrow to her people, ultimately leading to her tragic fate.

The name entered the English language through the influence of Irish literature and the romantic revival of the 19th century, when interest in Celtic mythology surged. Historically, Deirdre's narrative has been a significant part of Irish cultural heritage, symbolizing themes of love, loss, and fate.

The tale has been adapted in various forms, including poetry and drama, with notable mentions in works by writers such as W.B. Yeats and J.M.

Synge during the Irish Literary Revival in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The story's enduring appeal has kept the name alive in literary and artistic contexts, often evoking a sense of nostalgia and tragedy.

Culturally, Deirdre is associated with the archetype of the tragic heroine, embodying the complexities of love and sacrifice. The name has also been linked to the broader themes of Irish identity and folklore, resonating with those who appreciate the rich tapestry of Irish storytelling.

Related forms of the name, such as Derdriu, appear in early texts, reflecting the name's deep historical roots and its connection to the ancient Irish language and culture.

Famous people named Deirdre

In this section, you will find notable people named Deirdre. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Deirdre who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Deirdre who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Deirdre Barlow is a fictional character best known for her role in the television series Coronation Street.

Deirdre McCloskey is an economist and author best known for her work on economic history and the philosophy of economics.

Fictional characters named Deirdre

The following list of fictional characters named Deirdre is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Deirdre is a fictional character from the novel The Secret History by Donna Tartt. She is a member of the elite group of students at a small liberal arts college who become embroiled in a murder.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Deirdre, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

CaoimheNiamhSiobhanAislingMaeveOrlaFiona

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Deirdre. 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.

AislingNiamhSiobhanClodaghSaoirseRoisinBrigidCaoimhe

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Deirdre was first seen in the United States in 1921.

Deirdre has ranked as high as #603 nationally, which occurred in 1961, and has been most popular in New York, California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

In the past 5 years the name Deirdre has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Deirdre 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 Deirdre 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 Deirdre.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 13 13
2024 10 10
2023 18 18
2022 11 11
2021 17 17
2020 16 16
2019 17 17
2018 15 15
2017 13 13
2016 20 20
2015 27 27
2014 24 24
2013 21 21
2012 20 20
2011 22 22
2010 27 27
2009 37 37
2008 29 29
2007 44 44
2006 42 42
2005 52 52
2004 70 70
2003 58 58
2002 59 59
2001 71 71
2000 82 82
1999 94 94
1998 80 80
1997 75 75
1996 109 109
1995 114 114
1994 112 112
1993 140 140
1992 134 134
1991 162 162
1990 186 186
1989 175 175
1988 177 177
1987 212 212
1986 188 188
1985 191 191
1984 183 183
1983 206 206
1982 265 265
1981 211 211
1980 241 241
1979 208 208
1978 207 207
1977 229 229
1976 268 268
1975 258 258
1974 303 303
1973 319 319
1972 354 354
1971 454 454
1970 523 523
1969 631 631
1968 563 563
1967 508 508
1966 562 562
1965 544 544
1964 723 723
1963 678 678
1962 747 747
1961 799 799
1960 566 566
1959 378 378
1958 271 271
1957 300 300
1956 275 275
1955 207 207
1954 186 186
1953 181 181
1952 194 194
1951 137 137
1950 145 145
1949 129 129
1948 142 142
1947 150 150
1946 121 121
1945 78 78
1944 67 67
1943 29 29
1942 37 37
1941 37 37
1940 32 32
1939 15 15
1938 17 17
1937 17 17
1936 17 17
1935 28 28
1934 12 12
1933 12 12
1932 17 17
1931 17 17
1930 15 15
1929 5 5
1928 10 10
1927 6 6
1926 8 8
1925 5 5
1924 8 8
1921 6 6

Top States for Deirdre (2014)

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.

State Births Share
PA 5
100%