Saoirse means freedom — from the Irish Gaelic. It is the most direct Irish word for liberty. Saoirse Ronan is one of the most acclaimed actresses of her generation — Lady Bird, Little Women, Brooklyn. The name was given to Irish girls during the struggle for independence. Three syllables of the most sacred Irish word, Ronan-level brilliance, and the name that means freedom in the language of rebellion.
Irish Gaelic saoirse (freedom/liberty)→given name Saoirse
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Gaelic / Irish roots
Saoirse comes from the Irish Gaelic meaning freedom. It is the most direct Irish word for liberty. The name was given to girls during Ireland's struggle for independence. Saoirse Ronan is one of the most acclaimed actresses of her generation.
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First recorded
Earliest known use: Irish Gaelic word; used during Irish independence; Saoirse Ronan (born 1994).
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Today
Saoirse remains a beloved choice, ranking #946 in the US. 3,842 babies have been named Saoirse since 1993.
◈ Sources: Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names, SSA data
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How popular is Saoirse?
2020peak year
Saoirse reached its widest reach during the 2020s. In 2020, 373 babies received the name (ranked #735). In the present decade it sits around #946, with about 292 babies given the name annually. Saoirse's usage has held roughly steady recently. The all-time total comes to roughly 3,842 registrations.
Year-by-year registrations1880–2024 · U.S. Social Security data
Saoirse's Life Path 1 is the pioneer's number — freedom pioneering. People named Saoirse tend to be brave, free, and gifted at being the word for liberty in the language of rebellion.
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