Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Tierney
GirlIrish· “descendant of Tighearnach: lord”
- Meaning
- descendant of Tighearnach: lord
- Origin
- Irish
- Pronunciation
- TEER-nee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #7,456
- US babies 2025
- 15
- Best rank
- #1,062 (1993)
- Peak year
- 1993
Meaning and origin of Tierney
Tierney is an Irish name that means “descendant of Tighearnach: lord”.
Tierney comes from the Irish surname Ó Tighearnaigh, descendant of Tighearnach, a personal name based on tighearna, lord. Several early Irish figures bore the name, including Saint Tigernach of Clones. As a first name it has been used for both boys and girls, and it is now mostly feminine in the United States. The actress Gene Tierney gave the name a touch of Hollywood glamour. It is pronounced TEER-nee. Tier and Nee are possible short forms.
Popularity over time
Tierney first appears in US Social Security records in 1957. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,062 in 1993, the same year it reached its highest count of 172 babies. In 2025, 15 babies were named Tierney, and it ranked #7,456 nationally. That is 69% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,531 in 1980, #1,616 in 2000, #2,937 in 2010, and #7,456 in 2025. Of the 3,956 US girls named Tierney since records began, 31% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 921 babies. Since 2010, 755 more have been named Tierney.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Franchesca, Tkeyah, Regine, Rosario, and Myesha.
Gender, sound and spelling
About 99% of US babies named Tierney over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Tierney is usually pronounced TEER-nee, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with T and ends in “-ey”.
Middle names for Tierney
A few middle names that flow with Tierney: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Tierney
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Lists that include Tierney
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Tierney mean?
Tierney is an Irish name that means “descendant of Tighearnach: lord”.
What is the origin of the name Tierney?
Tierney has Irish roots. Tierney comes from the Irish surname Ó Tighearnaigh, descendant of Tighearnach, a personal name based on tighearna, lord.
Is Tierney a popular name?
Not especially. Tierney ranked #7,456 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Tierney a boy or girl name?
Tierney is mainly a girl's name. About 99% of US babies named Tierney over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Tierney?
Tierney is usually pronounced TEER-nee. 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