Deirdre

For many more names, please Return to Edgar's Main Page.

Deirdre

Gender: Feminine
Language: English, Irish
Etymology:
Deirdre is a name from Irish mythology. It’s meaning is unknown.

History:
Deirdre is a name from Irish legends. It belonged to one Deirdre of the Sorrows, who died of a broken heart after her lover was killed by her jilted bridegroom.

It was revived in Ireland and England in the early 20th century, thanks to authors like W.B. Yeats, J.M. Synge (Deirdre of the Sorrows, 1910), and James Stephens (Deirdre, 1923).

It was revived in the United States in the mid-20th century, when Irish names became fashionable.

Pronunciation: deir-drah.

Diminutives:
English: Dee, Dee Dee, Didi.

Alternates: Deidre, Deitra, Dierdre.

Famous Bearers:
Fictional Characters:
Deirdre of the Sorrows
A tragic figure of Irish legend.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
0.010 % named Deirdre

Popularity of Deirdre:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1940: N/A
1940-1950: 926th most popular.
1950-1960: 640th most popular.
1960-1970: 375th most popular.
1970-1980: 563rd most popular.
1980-1990: 934th most popular.
1990: N/A

Popularity of Deidre:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1950: N/A
1950-1960: 914th most popular.
1960-1970: 481st most popular.
1970-1980: 563rd most popular.
1980-1990: 648th most popular.
1990: N/A
1991: 764th most popular.
1992: 656th most popular.
1993: 962nd most popular.
1994: N/A

Popularity of Deidra:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1980: N/A
1980-1990: 734th most popular.
1990: 885th most popular.
1991: 899th most popular.
1992: 875th most popular.
1993: 969th most popular.
1994: N/A