Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Irish
UnisexEnglish· “from Ireland”
- Meaning
- from Ireland
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- EYE-rihsh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #13,864
- US babies 2025
- 6
- Best rank
- #1,798 (1960)
- Peak year
- 1960
Meaning and origin of Irish
Irish is an English name that is usually said to mean “from Ireland”.
Irish is the English word for someone or something from Ireland, used as a given name. The word comes from the Old English Iras, the Irish, which was borrowed from the Old Irish Ériu, the name of the island and of a goddess who personified it. As a first name Irish has been given occasionally to both girls and boys in the US, often to honor family heritage. It is also a nickname for people of Irish descent. It is said EYE-rihsh. The name is closely related to Erin and Eire, which come from the same Irish word, and it has a spirited, informal sound.
Popularity over time
Irish first appears in US Social Security records in 1924. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,798 in 1960, the same year it reached its highest count of 40 babies. In 2025, 6 babies were named Irish, and it ranked #13,864 nationally. That is 25% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,600 in 1950, #3,250 in 1980, #6,302 in 2000, #10,726 in 2010, and #13,864 in 2025. Of the 1,453 US girls named Irish since records began, 19% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 243 babies. Since 2010, 137 more have been named Irish.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Dondi and Bari.
Gender, sound and spelling
Irish is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 70% of US babies named Irish were girls and 30% were boys.
Irish is usually pronounced EYE-rihsh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with I and ends in “-sh”.
Middle names for Irish
A few middle names that flow with Irish: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Irish
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Lists that include Irish
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Irish mean?
Irish is an English name that is usually said to mean “from Ireland”.
What is the origin of the name Irish?
Irish has English roots. Irish is the English word for someone or something from Ireland, used as a given name.
Is Irish a popular name?
Not especially. Irish ranked #13,864 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Irish a boy or girl name?
Irish is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 70% of US babies named Irish were girls and 30% were boys.
How do you pronounce Irish?
Irish is usually pronounced EYE-rihsh. 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