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20th February 2024
10:12am GMT
This year, six Irish names are set to be very popular with expectant parents.
Unless your name choice has been locked in for years, choosing a moniker for your newest family member is not always an easy task.
With so many options available and naming trends changing all the time, what was popular last year, may be more unique in 2024.
However, one trend suggests that some beautiful, old, and ancient Irish names are due to make a comeback.
Bugaboo stats show parents have searched for Irish baby names more than Scottish and Welsh counterparts over the past five years, according to the Irish Star.
The names include Maeve, Saoirse, Niamh, Ronan, Quinn, and Liam.
"Trends in baby names are constantly evolving, with certain baby names making it to the top of the list more than others," Kelly Nairne, marketing director at Bugaboo, tells the outlet.
"A name can hold a lot of meaning for new parents and their little one."
Maeve has seen a revival, which may be in part thanks to the release of the hit series Sex Education in 2019.
The name of Emma Mackey’s character, Maeve, has enjoyed a jump in popularity following the show’s launch, according to British name label manufacturer mynametags.com.
Meanwhile, the name Saoirse has received more notoriety worldwide as the actress Saoirse Ronan continues to grow in fame.
Niamh is a girl's name meaning 'bright', derived from the Old Irish 'Niam', an ancient Irish name that was originally a term for goddess.
Ronan is a boy's name, also of Irish origin. It means 'little seal', which draws from the compelling legendary name of twelve Irish and Scottish saints that are now drawing some more attention.
Quinn is both a boy's and girl's name of Irish origin meaning 'descendant of Conn, chief leader, intelligence' - it is also one of Ireland's first unisex names.
Liam is a boy's name of Irish origin meaning 'resolute protection' which has origins in the nickname 'Uilliam', the Irish variation of William.
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