Irish
From Middle English Irish (12th c.), from Old English *Īrisċ, from Old English Īras (“Irishmen”), from Old Norse Írar, from Old Irish Ériu (modern Irish Éire…
Every Irish since 1924 — 1,608 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Irish
Irish is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #13,864 in 2025 with 6 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1924, 1,608 American babies have been named Irish — about 90% girls and 10% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1960, when 45 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1960s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Irish stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Irish year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | #13,864 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | 5 | #13,027 |
| 2023 | 9 | #10,657 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — | 7 | #10,213 |
| 2021 | 5 | #16,195 | 5 | #12,861 |
| 2020 | 16 | #7,039 | 7 | #9,955 |
| 2019 | 8 | #11,787 | 5 | #12,894 |
| 2018 | 7 | #12,995 | 6 | #11,314 |
| 2017 | 9 | #11,047 | — | — |
| 2016 | 10 | #10,390 | — | — |
| 2015 | 8 | #12,273 | 8 | #9,065 |
| 2014 | 13 | #8,660 | 8 | #9,104 |
| 2013 | 13 | #8,763 | — | — |
| 2012 | 14 | #8,381 | — | — |
| 2011 | 9 | #11,550 | 5 | #13,049 |
| 2010 | 10 | #10,726 | 7 | #10,078 |
| 2009 | 17 | #7,471 | — | — |
| 2008 | 10 | #11,103 | 8 | #9,320 |
| 2007 | 12 | #9,781 | 5 | #13,090 |
| 2006 | 17 | #7,271 | 8 | #9,031 |
| 2005 | 13 | #8,520 | 11 | #6,814 |
| 2004 | 15 | #7,559 | 6 | #10,468 |
| 2003 | 13 | #8,179 | — | — |
| 2002 | 12 | #8,485 | — | — |
| 2001 | 20 | #5,665 | — | — |
| 2000 | 17 | #6,302 | — | — |
| 1995 | 11 | #7,713 | — | — |
| 1990 | 12 | #7,034 | — | — |
| 1985 | 15 | #4,934 | — | — |
| 1980 | 26 | #3,250 | — | — |
| 1975 | 12 | #4,962 | — | — |
| 1970 | 26 | #2,734 | — | — |
| 1965 | 23 | #2,562 | 8 | #3,095 |
| 1960 | 40 | #1,798 | 5 | #4,298 |
| 1955 | 25 | #2,185 | — | — |
| 1950 | 16 | #2,600 | — | — |
| 1945 | 8 | #3,502 | — | — |
| 1940 | 12 | #2,481 | — | — |
| 1935 | 6 | #3,961 | — | — |
| 1930 | 5 | #4,858 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | 5 | #4,550 |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Irish mean?
From Middle English Irish (12th c.), from Old English *Īrisċ, from Old English Īras (“Irishmen”), from Old Norse Írar, from Old Irish Ériu (modern Irish Éire (“Ireland”)), further origin heavily debated but probably from…
How popular is the name Irish in 2025?
Irish ranked #13,864 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 6 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Irish?
1,608 babies have been named Irish in the United States since 1924, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Irish most popular?
Irish peaked in 1960, when 45 newborns received the name.
Is Irish a boy or girl name?
Irish is used for both: about 90% of babies named Irish have been girls and 10% boys.
Is the name Irish rising or falling?
Irish is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.