Irish names are popular all over the world. However, there are some Irish names that are more popular abroad in Ireland.
It’s a beautiful thing that Irish people have roots planted all over the world. With Irish heritage so prominent across many countries and cultures, it means that Irish names are popular all over the world as well.
Mums and dads from almost every continent are opting to name their children with a beautiful Irish name. Wherever you go in the world, you’re very likely to meet someone with an Irish name.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at some of the Irish names that are more popular abroad than in Ireland.
10. Liam – a very popular name in Sweden
Meaning ‘strong-willed warrior’, there were over 20,000 Liams born in the US in 2020, according to the Social Security Administration.
The name is very popular in America as well as Canada. Plus, in Sweden, Liam is the second most popular boy’s name!
9. Finn – popular in the US and Canada
The anglicised version of the Irish name ‘Fionn’, the name is very popular outside of Ireland. In particular, the name is most prevalent in Denmark.
Finn is also a very popular name in Norway, Sweden, Germany, and the United States.
8. Saoirse – unsurprisingly popular abroad
Saoirse is a beautiful Irish girl’s name. With famous faces like Saoirse Ronan making the name known, it is becoming more and more popular across the world. Outside of Ireland, the name is the most popular in Canada.
7. Ciara – lots of Ciara’s in Canada
Meaning ‘dark-haired’ in Irish, the name Ciara is not as common in Ireland as it once was. While in terms of density, it is most common in Ireland, the name is actually really prevalent in Canada.
6. Conor/Connor – popular amongst Australian parents
Conor, also spelt Connor, is a great name with Irish roots. The name has been gaining traction in America for years now, and it’s popular amongst both boys and girls. It’s proving to be very popular in Australia recently, too.
5. Patrick – one of the Irish names that are more popular abroad than in Ireland
While The Central Office of Statistics shows that Patrick has remained in the top 25 boys’ names in Ireland since 1964, it has gained popularity globally, too.
Since it is the name of the patron saint of Ireland, this has influenced its popularity. It’s most popular in the United States. After America, it is most popular in France, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
4. Riley – more of a second name in Ireland
Riley as a first name comes from the Irish surname Reilly or O’Reilly. While it’s always been a popular second name in Ireland, it’s a very popular name for girls in Canada and the US and a favoured unisex name in Ireland. After the States, it’s most prevalent in Canada and Australia.
3. Quinn – a popular girl’s name in the States
Much like Riley, Quinn has always been known as a surname in Ireland and not so much as a first name.
Since the early 2000s, Quinn has been an extremely popular name for girls in America. While it dipped a little in 2017, there are still many people with the name. Plus, it’s gaining popularity in other English-speaking countries as well.
2. Erin – a name that doesn’t get more Irish
Names don’t get more Irish this as Erin is a beautiful name that derives from the Irish word for Ireland. Until around 2005, Erin was one of the most popular names in Ireland.
However, since then, it has been slipping in the ranks. Outside of Ireland, the name is most prevalent in America. The name is also found in Asian countries like Indonesia and Bangladesh.
1. Declan – a name with a beautiful meaning
The name Declan has always been popular in Ireland. It’s a beautiful name that means ‘full of goodness’. While it remains popular on the Emerald Isle, it shot to the top 100 names in America as of 2019.
So, there you have it. An insight into the top ten Irish names that are more popular abroad than in Ireland. Is your name on the list?
