Deirdre: Meaning, Pronunciation and Origin
Deirdre is an Irish girl's name from legend: the most beautiful woman in ancient Ireland, who eloped with Naoise. Here’s how to say it, where it comes from, and names that go well with it.
Updated September 2026
- Gender
- Girl
How do you pronounce Deirdre?
Deirdre is pronounced DEER-dre. It has two syllables, with the stress on the first. It can also be said DARE-dreh.
What does Deirdre mean?
The most beautiful woman in ancient Ireland, she was betrothed to the High King Conchobhar Mac Nessa but she fell in love with his nephew Naoise. Deirdre and Naoise eloped to Scotland where they lived a blissful exile for many years. By offering forgiveness, Conchobhar tricked them into returning to Ulster where Naoise was slain by the jealous Conchobhar. Deirdre threw herself from Conchobhar’s chariot rather than live with the man who had caused Naoise’s death. It was said that her grave was near to Naoise’s and that a yew tree grew from each plot. The yew trees grew toward one another till their branches intertwined, joining the two lovers even after death.
How popular is Deirdre in Ireland?
Deirdre wasn't in the 2025 tables, which list names given to at least three babies. It was last recorded in 2019, when 3 baby girls got the name. It was most popular in 1966, when 613 baby girls were named Deirdre, No. 7 that year. The records go back to 1964, when 408 baby girls were given the name.
See the numbers by year
| Year | Babies | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 3 | No. 871 |
| 2014 | 3 | No. 876 |
| 2013 | 4 | No. 747 |
| 2011 | 5 | No. 695 |
| 2010 | 5 | No. 663 |
| 2009 | 8 | No. 488 |
| 2008 | 11 | No. 403 |
| 2007 | 13 | No. 326 |
| 2006 | 17 | No. 247 |
| 2005 | 8 | No. 398 |
| 2004 | 9 | No. 340 |
| 2003 | 15 | No. 233 |
| 2002 | 21 | No. 182 |
| 2001 | 24 | No. 166 |
| 2000 | 16 | No. 213 |
| 1999 | 21 | No. 171 |
| 1998 | 23 | No. 152 |
| 1997 | 60 | No. 88 |
| 1996 | 64 | No. 80 |
| 1995 | 80 | No. 67 |
| 1994 | 90 | No. 61 |
| 1993 | 119 | No. 51 |
| 1992 | 119 | No. 52 |
| 1991 | 145 | No. 42 |
| 1990 | 143 | No. 43 |
| 1989 | 151 | No. 39 |
| 1988 | 191 | No. 32 |
| 1987 | 261 | No. 25 |
| 1986 | 276 | No. 24 |
| 1985 | 305 | No. 23 |
| 1984 | 309 | No. 20 |
| 1983 | 387 | No. 20 |
| 1982 | 463 | No. 15 |
| 1981 | 456 | No. 17 |
| 1980 | 464 | No. 15 |
| 1979 | 498 | No. 8 |
| 1978 | 499 | No. 8 |
| 1977 | 540 | No. 7 |
| 1976 | 483 | No. 9 |
| 1975 | 464 | No. 10 |
| 1974 | 495 | No. 8 |
| 1973 | 529 | No. 7 |
| 1972 | 516 | No. 9 |
| 1971 | 535 | No. 10 |
| 1970 | 514 | No. 9 |
| 1969 | 528 | No. 8 |
| 1968 | 468 | No. 7 |
| 1967 | 504 | No. 9 |
| 1966 | 613 | No. 7 |
| 1965 | 470 | No. 11 |
| 1964 | 408 | No. 14 |
Deirdre in Ogham
Ogham is the oldest way of writing Irish. It was carved along the edges of standing stones, mostly between the 4th and 6th centuries, and read from the bottom up. In later tradition each letter was named after a tree or plant. Here’s Deirdre, letter by letter.
- DDair, oak
- EEadhadh, aspen
- IIodhadh, yew
- RRuis, elder
- DDair, oak
- RRuis, elder
- EEadhadh, aspen
Write any name in Ogham with our Ogham translator
Names that go with Deirdre
Questions about Deirdre
- How do you pronounce Deirdre?
- Deirdre is pronounced DEER-dre. Two syllables, stress on the first. There's a short video above where you can hear it said.
- Is Deirdre a girl's name or a boy's name?
- Deirdre is a girl's name.