Deirdre

From WikiName

 |female

ORIGIN AND HISTORY

Deirdre is of Gaelic origin, and the meaning is usually cited as “broken-hearted” or “sorrowful.” It may also be interpreted as “raging woman.”^[1]

The name comes from the character of an Irish myth, also known as “Deirdre of the Sorrows.” Deirdre was slated to marry King Conchobar, but she fell in love with a young man named Naoise and ran away with him. The King tracked them down and killed Naoise, causing Deirdre to kill herself.^[1] Though the name was known through this myth in Ireland and Scotland since the twelfth century, it was probably not bestowed upon children until modern times.^[1]

POPULARITY

Deirdre first made an appearance on the top 1000 list of most popular girls’ names in the United States in the year 1944, climbing steadily in popularity until it reached the top 500 in the late 1950s. Its highest point was number 333 in 1961. Deirdre last appeared on the chart in 1990.^[1] Deirdre was a character name in several early twentieth century works of literature; this exposure could likely be the reason for increased popularity of the name.^[1]

FACTS

• The myth of Deirdre of the Sorrows may represent the Virgin archetype.^[1] It may also represent the Goddess archetype, since Deirdre’s beauty was tied to the well-being of the farmland.^[1]

NAMESAKES

• “Deirdre,” song by The Beach Boys
• The Deirdre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology
• Deirdre by W.B. Yeats, published 1907
• Deirdre and the Sons of Usna by Fiona Macleod

FAMOUS PERSONS

• Deirdre Cartwright: Jazz musician
• Deirdre Fellner: Jazz musician
• Deirdre Lee: writer
• Deirdre Martin: Romance author
• Deirdre Shannon: vocalist
• Deirdre Lovejoy: actress (born June 30, 1962)
• Deirdre McCloskey: economist
• Deirdre Quinn: actress
• Deirdre Hall: soap opera star

NOTES

OTHER DEIRDRE'S

Deirdre Smith, Deirdre Johnson, Deirdre Williams, Deirdre Jones, Deirdre Brown, Deirdre Davis, Deirdre Miller, Deirdre Wilson, Deirdre Moore, Deirdre Taylor, Deirdre Aaron, Deirdre Aarons, Deirdre Abami, Deirdre Abate, Deirdre Abbey, Deirdre Abbott, Deirdre Abbotts, Deirdre Abecker, Deirdre Abel, Deirdre Abelha, Deirdre Abellada, Deirdre Abels, Deirdre Abere, Deirdre Abraham, Deirdre Abrami, Deirdre Abramowitz, Deirdre Abrams, Deirdre Absolonne, Deirdre Accornero, Deirdre Acevedo, Deirdre Acheson, Deirdre Acierno, Deirdre Ackerschott, Deirdre Adams, Deirdre Adamson, Deirdre Aden-smith, Deirdre Adler, Deirdre Adrian, Deirdre Affel, Deirdre Affleck, Deirdre Agan, Deirdre Agnew, Deirdre Aguilar, Deirdre Aguillardo, Deirdre Ahern, Deirdre Ahl, Deirdre Aieta, Deirdre Aikin, Deirdre Aims, Deirdre Airakhten, More results

Author: Sarena Emily Levinson