Girl · 30th of 27,321
Erin
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
325,703
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1983
Peak Popularity Year
15,051
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Erin stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Erin has its origins in the Irish language, specifically from the word 'Éire', meaning Ireland. Over time, it has evolved through historical forms like 'Éirinn'. While it does not have biblical relevance, it gained popularity in the 19th century due to Irish nationalism. Modern perceptions of the name are tied to its cultural significance, and it remains a common feminine name today. Notable figures include Erin Andrews and Erin Brockovich.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈɛrɪn/
Origin
Irish
Etymology
The name Erin is derived from the Gaelic word 'Éirinn', which is the dative case of 'Éire', the Irish name for Ireland. It is often associated with the poetic name for the country.
Meaning
Ireland
Language Evolution
Éire, Éirinn
Historical Usage
Erin gained popularity in the 19th century, especially during the Irish diaspora, as a way to express national pride and connection to Ireland.
Variants & Derivatives
Eryn, Aerin
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Erin is viewed as a feminine name that evokes a sense of Irish heritage and cultural identity. It is commonly used in English-speaking countries.
Famous People
Erin Andrews, Erin Brockovich
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 15,051 peak births in 1983
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Delaware
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 9 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 5079th of 7545 | 30 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 4467th of 6773 | 39 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1512th of 7552 | 507 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 526th of 10718 | 3,819 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 694th of 16616 | 3,213 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1609th of 24088 | 1,359 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 2963rd of 23106 | 488 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1627th of 9107 | 438 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1541st of 9204 | 476 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 387th of 12526 | 10,642 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 57th of 19264 | 90,913 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 30th of 27321 | 151,084 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 97th of 35406 | 54,027 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 446th of 30306 | 8,596 |