Ireland Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name 'Ireland' originates from the Old Irish word 'Ériu', referring to a goddess in mythology. It signifies 'land of Ériu' and has evolved through various historical forms. The name gained popularity in the 16th century and is currently associated with a rich cultural heritage. It has no direct biblical relevance but is widely recognized worldwide, with notable figures contributing to its cultural image.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Ireland"
Pronunciation
/ˈaɪərlənd/
Origin
Old Irish
Etymology
The name 'Ireland' comes from the Old Irish word 'Ériu', which was the name of a goddess in Irish mythology. The name evolved into 'Éire', which is still used in the Irish language today.
Meaning
land of Ériu
Language Evolution
Ériu, Éire, Irlanda (Latin), Hibernia (Latin)
Historical Usage
The name Ireland has been in use since the early medieval period and became more widely recognized in English during the 16th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Éire, Hibernia, Irlanda
Modern Popularity & Image
Ireland is perceived as a land of rich culture, lush landscapes, and historical significance, known for its folklore and friendly people.
Famous People
James Joyce, W.B. Yeats, Samuel Beckett, Bono
📊 Ireland Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Ireland Name Visualizations
✨ Ireland Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 353 peak births in 2009
Geographic Spread
Popular across 39 US states, with strongest presence in Utah
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 9 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Ireland" - Complete Guide (2 Names)
Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Ireland". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 2 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.
Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "Ireland" that fits your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Ireland"
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 of "Ireland"
"Ireland" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 4055th of 7545 | 61 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 4521st of 6773 | 37 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 7552nd of 7552 | 5 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 16616th of 16616 | 5 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 10991st of 24088 | 70 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 14409th of 23106 | 31 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 9571st of 27321 | 103 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1004th of 35406 | 3,841 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1246th of 30306 | 2,319 |
Regional Popularity of "Ireland" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Ireland" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - |
91.20% 4737th/5194 |
75.86% 4792nd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
17.74% 813th/4582 |
24.40% 1260th/5164 |
16.00% 1170th/7313 |
12.38% 924th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
25.60% 1020th/3984 |
34.34% 1541st/4487 |
21.05% 1436th/6822 |
17.48% 1097th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Ireland"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Ireland" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Ireland" in the United States
The name Ireland is most popular in Utah, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Ireland has been stalled for female in MidWest, falling for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Ireland' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 4055th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 4521st out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 7552nd out of 7552 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 16616th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 10991st out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 14409th out of 23106 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 9571st out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1004th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1246th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Ireland' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.