Database reveals that Jack and Fiadh are the most popular Irish baby names for 2021.
The Central Statistics Office released figures on the most popular Irish baby names for 2021.
It has been revealed that Jack is the most popular name for boys born in 2021, while Fiadh is the most popular girl’s name.
The statistics reveal an insight into the mammies and daddies who welcomed a baby in Ireland last year. Here are the most popular Irish baby names for 2021!
Jack — the most popular Irish baby name for boys
Jack retains the title as the most popular name for boys born in Ireland. This is a position it had held every year since 2007, except for 2016, when James was the most popular choice.
A total of 661 babies were named Jack in 2021.
Jack’s popularity is believed to come from the mediaeval English name, John. Others think it may be Celtic in origin, meaning healthy, strong, and full of vital energy.
Fiadh — the top name for Irish baby girls born in 2021
Fiadh has claimed the top spot for baby girl names in Ireland for the first time in 2021, with 424 girls being given the name.
The name has climbed the ranks every year since 2009, when it was the 488th most popular girls’ name. Fiadh is Irish in origin and means deer, wildness, and respect.
In recent years, Fiadh has continued to increase in popularity. Ranking 3rd in 2019 to 2nd in 2020, before now taking the top ranking in 2021.
Other popular Irish baby names — the top five
Of names registered in 2021, the five most popular boys’ names were Jack, Noah, James, Conor, and Rían. Grace, Emily, Sophie, and Éabha follow closely behind Fiadh as the top five most popular Irish baby names for girls.
Grace, Emily, and Sophie have been permanent fixtures in the top five since 2016. Éabha replaced the English version, Ava, which was the 5th most popular name for girls born in 2020.
New entrants — changes to the most popular Irish baby names
After only one new entrant into the top 100 names for boys in 2020, there were ten new entrants for 2021. Teddy, Daithí, Páidí, Jaxon, Brody, Ted, Hunter, Tadgh, Tiernan, and Arlo all featured in the top 100 boys’ names for 2021.
There were three new entrants to the top 100 for girls: Indie, Ayla, and Lottie. However, Croía is the girls’ name that has grown the most in 202, rising from 95th place in 2020 to 52nd in 2021.
50 years ago — changes over the years
Looking back to 50 years ago, only one boy name features in both the most popular Irish baby names for 1971 and 2021: James. Last year, 121 boys were named James compared with 1,190 50 years prior.
Interestingly, not one of the top five names for girls in 2021 appeared in the top 100 names a half-century earlier. Mary, Catherine, Margaret, Fiona, and Sinéad were the most popular names for baby daughters in 1971.
Check out the complete list of most popular Irish baby names since 1964 here.
