Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
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Deidre
GirlIrish· “variant of Deirdre; meaning uncertain”
- Meaning
- variant of Deirdre; meaning uncertain (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Irish
- Pronunciation
- DEE-druh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #11,176
- US babies 2025
- 8
- Best rank
- #413 (1963)
- Peak year
- 1963
Meaning and origin of Deidre
Deidre is often said to mean “variant of Deirdre; meaning uncertain”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Irish roots.
Deidre is a spelling of Deirdre, the heroine of an Irish legend often called Deirdre of the Sorrows. In the story she is destined for a king but flees with the young warrior Naoise, and the tale ends in tragedy. The meaning of her name is uncertain; old glosses tie it to Irish words for fear or chatter, but none is secure. The name was revived in the early twentieth century through plays by W. B. Yeats and J. M. Synge. Deidre is usually said DEE-druh, while Deirdre is DEER-druh. Dee is the common nickname.
Other spellings with the same sound: Diedre.
Popularity over time
Deidre first appears in US Social Security records in 1933. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 49 different years, starting in 1945. Its best national rank was #413 in 1963, the same year it reached its highest count of 541 babies. In 2025, 8 babies were named Deidre, and it ranked #11,176 nationally. That is 33% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #701 in 1950, #576 in 1980, #2,990 in 2000, #12,588 in 2010, and #11,176 in 2025. Of the 14,673 US girls named Deidre since records began, 30% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 1970s come next, with 3,118 babies. Since 2010, 67 more have been named Deidre.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Rena, Lynnette, Deanne, Karyn, and Ladonna.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Deidre is usually pronounced DEE-druh, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with D and ends in “-re”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Diedre.
Middle names for Deidre
A few middle names that flow with Deidre: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Deidre
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Lists that include Deidre
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Deidre mean?
Deidre is often said to mean “variant of Deirdre; meaning uncertain”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Irish roots.
What is the origin of the name Deidre?
Deidre has Irish roots. Deidre is a spelling of Deirdre, the heroine of an Irish legend often called Deirdre of the Sorrows.
Is Deidre a popular name?
Not especially. Deidre ranked #11,176 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Deidre a boy or girl name?
Deidre is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Deidre?
Deidre is usually pronounced DEE-druh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings