Deirdre
Deirdre is an girl name of Irish origin, meaning “Uncertain; often 'sorrowful'”.
| Meaning | Uncertain; often 'sorrowful' |
|---|---|
| Gender | Girl |
| Origin | Irish |
| Pronunciation | DEER-druh |
| Tradition | Modern & Classic |
| Used in | Ireland, United Kingdom, United States |
Meaning and origin of Deirdre
Deirdre comes from Irish legend, where Deirdre is a beautiful woman whose tragic fate is told in the Ulster Cycle: promised to King Conchobar, she flees with Naoise, and after his death she dies of grief. That tale earned her the title 'Deirdre of the Sorrows', which is why the name is often glossed 'sorrowful', though its real meaning is uncertain. Yeats and Synge wrote plays about her, helping the name's revival in the twentieth century.
Is Deirdre a religious name?
Deirdre comes from pre-Christian Irish legend and is not a saint's name; it is used as a general Irish name.
How popular is Deirdre?
Most popular in mid-twentieth-century Ireland and the US; uncommon today.
Gifts with the name Deirdre
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Spellings and variants of Deirdre
Names similar to Deirdre
More girl names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Deirdre mean?
Deirdre means 'Uncertain; often 'sorrowful''. It is of Irish origin.
Does Deirdre have a religious meaning?
Deirdre comes from pre-Christian Irish legend and is not a saint's name; it is used as a general Irish name.
How do you pronounce Deirdre?
Deirdre is pronounced DEER-druh.
Is Deirdre a boy or girl name?
Deirdre is usually a girl name.